Report: In-Game Ads Double WipEout HD Load Times

Update: Reacting to customer feedback after the loading times issue was quickly discovered, Sony has decided to scrap the ads that do affect the loading duration. "The ad has been removed from WipEout HD," a Sony spokesperson told Eurogamer, "and we are investigating the situation to ensure that any in-game advertising does not affect gameplay."

Original story:

Earlier today we reported on a new in-game advertising deal Double Fusion inked with Sony to implement dynamic video advertising into WipEout HD during loading screens. Although at first glance the video ads seem relatively harmless and non-intrusive, some people have already begun to complain about extended load times. This video on YouTube, for example, shows load times more than doubling from around 8-9 seconds without ads to nearly 20 seconds with the ad in place. 

We've yet to personally verify these load times, but if the video is accurate and load times are significantly increased as they seem to be, we have to wonder if this is in-game advertising gone too far. In-game advertising can be a great source of additional revenue for companies, but if you're hampering the overall gaming experience, then a line has been crossed. Furthermore, there are plenty of gamers who paid full price ($20) to download WipEout HD from PSN, and it's arguably a bad move by Sony to suddenly force ads on consumers who've been enjoying the title ad-free for many months.

IndustryGamers has reached out to SCEA for comment on the load times and the in-game ad strategy. We'll be sure to update you with anything we hear.