Microsoft Technology Licensing has published a brand-new patent application showing us a context-aware “ad credit” system designed to serve ads on PC and console gamers without disrupt…
I’m no lawyer, so I’m sure some corporate goon (on either side) will find loopholes to do whatever they want, but the idea is to ban mobile-style F2P games where you show ads alongside gameplay or “watch ads to refill your play meter” as your only revenue stream. Some other kinds of in-game advertising are still allowed. Unfortunately.
If they accept money to show those pause screen ads, that’s part of their business model and it wouldn’t be allowed.
I’m no lawyer, so I’m sure some corporate goon (on either side) will find loopholes to do whatever they want, but the idea is to ban mobile-style F2P games where you show ads alongside gameplay or “watch ads to refill your play meter” as your only revenue stream. Some other kinds of in-game advertising are still allowed. Unfortunately.
Requiring a 30-second pause every half hour (or whatever the timer is) is “gating gameplay behind advertising”.