Xboxist

Has Microsoft Become Too Greedy With Siverlight?

Last week Microsoft announced that it will integrate its Silverlight technology into the Xbox 360 dashboard. Silverlight's embedded browsing technology will be used to bring animated streaming advertisements to the Xbox Live, for both Gold and Silver members. While the Xbox 360 dashboard already plays host to advertisements, the Siverlight-enabled ones will feature video and sound, much like those annoying flash ads that populate some websites.

Advertisements in video games have long been a point of contention between gamers and publishers, but this marks the first time that video ads will be so prominently displayed in the OS of a gaming console. Advertisers, backed up by some dodgy poll data, say that gamers don't mind the intrusion because they are "immersive" and "realistic", such as real-world advertisements on billboards in a racing game. However, many gamers find the ads problematic and distracting, especially after having paid up to $60 to play a game or $50 per year to use Microsoft's online service.

While Xbox Live Siver members are pretty much required to put up with the abuse because, well, they haven't paid anything to use the online functionality of the box, this move has angered Gold members who say they already pay too much to be subjected to ads.

Responding to the loud criticism this week, Microsoft's Major Nelson did little to quell the disappointment of Gold subscribers:

"I've seen quite a bit of discussion today about how we're bringing Silverlight ads to LIVE in the future. I need to let you know that you don't need to worry about a huge influx of ads across the dashboard. One of our core principles is to enhance, not interfere with the gaming experience, and we work directly with our partners to only deliver experiences that are relevant to the LIVE community. Silverlight will help make those ads a more organic part of the dashboard, like we've done with some of the NXE slots in the past. No one on the team wants to turn the dashboard into something that looks like Shibuya Crossing. That's just not good for anyone."

Even if our Xbox Live dashboards don't look like a crowded Japanese thoroughfare, we still aren't comfortable with paying Microsoft for the privilege of viewing ads that bring them even more revenue, especially when other competing services like Playstation Home are totally free. What do you think about Microsoft's use of silverlight to bring more dynamic ads to Xbox Live? Is this corporate greed run amok, or are you one of those survey respondents who likes "immersive" advertisements? Let us know in the Xbox forums.

What Siverlight ads may look like.