When video games are marketed on TV
, by Quentin
Although video games are a work of art through and through, the fact remains that they belong to an industry that wants to earn some quick buck above all. So it should come as no surprise that millions of euros are invested when it comes to marketing a product. Today, we're going to explore some of the most famous commercials that have left their mark on the video game world over the decades. Let's see some of the best ads we've seen so far, be it on TV or the internet.
S.A.P.S.: The Society Against PlayStation
What better way to start than with Sony's mythical ads for the PlayStation console, at the time an unknown measure! Of course, a extremely powerful and convincing ad was needed, and that's just what hit television screns all over the world, specially in Europe, with spots featuring a commitee against the Japanese console, accompanied by the now cult phrase: "Remember, do not underestimate the power of PlayStation", all while making fun of those who ended up being prey of the nepharious console. Quite fun, really.
The Third Space, by David Lynch
Let's continue with and ad for the PlayStation 2, back when Sony had the excellent idea of giving carte blanche to David Lynch, the genius behind Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet and Elephant Man. He made no concessions and took no prisoners when it came to making the ads for the console, going for a dark, zany result that left their mark.
More than twenty years later, these ads are still remembered, which says a lot. We are plunged into a black and white world, where a man wanders before coming face to face with a duck-man who says, "Welcome to the third place". Once again, this phrase is still making rounds.
SEGA is stronger than you
It's just impossile to talk about memorable video games commercials without mentioning SEGA and its famous french ad "SEGA c'est plus fort que toi", which would mean "SEGA is stronger than you". This slogan was to be found in commercials for plenty of Megadrive games, be it Shinobi, Sonic or even Moonwalker. In each one, a punk comes face to face with Master SEGA, who offers him a copy of the game in question. The emblematic phrase has since become a running gag.
However, it's a shame that these ads were only shown in France and a few other European countries, as they were quite a hit with French gamers at the time.
Nintendo's world news with Mario
Nintendo is no slouch when it comes to advertising, moreso in the NES era, thanks to the Journal du monde de Nintendo or "Nintendo's world news with Mario", presented by the famous plumber himself. In it, Mario appeared on a TV set to announce the latest gaming releases, such as Gremlins 2, Robocop and The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants.
You can check an English-subbed version of the ad below.
Life Is Short, Play More
What do you mean, someone's missing? Oh, Microsoft. I know, those are not to be triffled with, and has also had a pretty big hit in terms of marketing too, notably with the first Xbox. The company did make a commercial that plunges us right into the heart of childbirth, with a woman and her child. We can see said child quicky aging and go from an infant to a dying person, and then his funeral. The video ends with the catchphrase "Life is Short, Play More"*. It's a great video that's the perfect example of the company's marketing know-how.
It's impossible to list all the must-see ads, but we're obviously thinking of R.O.B, Nintendo's robot with Gyromite, or Virtual Boy. There are so many highlights that it's hard to list them all here. Please, to let us know what made the biggest impression on you!