EverQuest II: New In-Game "/pizza" Feature!

Admin · February 2005

Sony has landed an interesting deal with Pizza Hut which allows players to quickly pull up the Pizza Hut website to order more "gaming fuel" without leaving game. CNN has posted a nice article about this as well as the future of advertising in the video game market. A preview below:

Need a sword? A couple of gold pieces will fetch you a sturdy one. Hungry? That can be remedied for a silver piece or two. Of course, both the merchandise and the currency are worthless outside of the game.

Changes are on the way to the world of Norrath, though. Starting mid-next week, players will be able to order a real world pizza (with real world pepperoni, even) by simply typing "/pizza" in the game.

It's an interesting experiment on Sony's behalf. Can the publisher introduce advertising to its game world in a way that doesn't seem obtrusive but still generates a response among some of its 325,000 active players?

Read the full story here. For more information at the official EQ2 site - click here.

jimothypetro · February 2005

Of course, both the merchandise and the currency are worthless outside of the game.

Or so you would think.

NFWolfDude · February 2005

Great, type /pizza brings up the Huts web site. Now, if that works well, then where does it go? Hey type /pepsi to order pepsi. Cool! Ok, now lets just tie this to your account...we'll add it to your game charge and add it to your monthly game charge... scary where this could go. ::::03::

Saranum · February 2005

Originally posted by NFWolfDude
Great, type /pizza brings up the Huts web site. Now, if that works well, then where does it go? Hey type /pepsi to order pepsi. Cool! Ok, now lets just tie this to your account...we'll add it to your game charge and add it to your monthly game charge... scary where this could go.

Aye! and when it will come, you will surely find it first in SOE Games

Greatness · February 2005

Lol, they are going to become REALLY lazy now, instead of walking to the phone and ordering, they could type in /pizza! Next thing you will know, SONY will make it so your pizza will be hand delievered, so that you do not even need to get out of the chair for the rest of your lives.

Red_Rider · February 2005

Dumbest idea I ever saw in a MMORPG. Even if I was crazy enough to be unable to leave the game to eat, /pizza would be a game stopper while picking up the phone and calling a pizza would permit me to continue playing.....

Beowulf · February 2005

Yay for obesity.

Minimum · February 2005

It's all about the money, and nothing but the money.

Smedly's greed keeps reaching new levels.

numatic · February 2005

I have, and will continue to, buy many things online. I have bought and sold anything from computer parts to motorcycles. But there is ONE thing I will not purchase online, and that is my FOOD!

For one, this will generate far too much trouble IMO. Give me a day or two and Im sure I could bring up 100 different ways to exploit this. I've always known Sony was a huge money grubber, but damn, this is a new low. Advertising in OUR games? Yes, games WE pay for, that would not exist without US. We PAY so we don't have to incur this crap. Dont they make enough money?

Sure its an "optional" thing, but its still advertising.

Coman · February 2005

I think this is very great. Ads in game. A couple of year a go i notice a game who had red bull ads in there game and i directly though it was a great idea. First of all it could lower the prices op games (if they will do it is something else, but they could if they want) and second....there is not really a second reason why......hmmmm, great idea never the less. As it does not disturbe you, but you have a change that in a couple of year it does not stay with one add, befroe you know it you game pauses every 15 minutes to show a comurcial

Originally posted by Minimum
It's all about the money, and nothing but the money.
Smedly's greed keeps reaching new levels.

I though sony made game for fun......for money, duh! offcourse they want money and more money and even more money and it will never be enough. That is most of the time you have your own company, you dont have one "just for fun"

offcourse this pizza idea is a little odd and maybe evne stupid, but comercials in comman in think are the futher and a great idea

Hyoukan · February 2005

I'm waiting for the /hooker command.

Saranum · February 2005

I'm waiting for commercials which appear in my dreams....

Owyn · February 2005

Originally posted by Hyoukan
I'm waiting for the /hooker command.

Wouldn't that distract you from the game a bit, though?

Seriously, I can't see anything overly wrong with this. If I saw a Pizza Hut in the middle of a fantasy city in an MMO, I think I'd be bothered. It would jar the realism of the scene.

Where it would be interesting to use ads would be in a modern game, like Matrix Online or something. You could VERY easily have billboards up about a modern city, and VERY easily sell that space for real money. Imagine a game taking place in a large city, with scores of ad spots, each billing for a hefty fee per month. Then you let people play the game for free. Runescape is a pretty poorly built game, but STILL came up with over 200k subs because it's free. With 200k+ players wandering past your ads, those ads will have some real value. And would not break immersion at all - if anything, they would help it in a modern game.

Thrift · February 2005

Ok /pizza is good because it takes to much time to pick up the phone thats right beside you and call, I wonder how much money SONY makes for everytime someone uses /pizza ....

BronxChulo · February 2005

although i dont play EQII i think its a cool idea. only thing is even if i could use the /pizza command there is no pizza huts in the bronx/nyc. now if it was papa johns that would be even better

i already order papa johns online as it is.

Grunch · February 2005

"Upon conquering the evil dragon our band of heros stumbled on to the dragons treasure chest. Inside was a huge sword made of gold and a shield as well as many rubies and $1 off pizza hut any 1 toping large pizza cupons as well as a cape with a green glow to it."

As the dragon dies he yells "AAHH I will return and get my revenge!! Just after I have some delicouse pizza hut pizza! AHHCCHAACHHA! *poof*

NorrinRadd · February 2005

Grunch, that was the funniest thing I've read in a while. What's scary is that it will probably be the next step that Sony takes. What I find hard to believe is this quote from the full article:

[quote]Mitch Davis, Massive's CEO, said he suspects gamers will come to welcome the ads.

"Over 90 percent of gamers think advertising is a net positive for gaming because it adds realism," he said.[/quote]

When have 90% of gamers EVER agreed on ANY topic? Especially one as controversial as in-game advertising. I think he is flat out lying, and if I had a game company I would seek confirmation from a second, independent source. I play MMOGs for the escapeism they provide. I do not want to see ads in the games I play. Yes, I am a sophisticated gamer, and would rather see an ad for "The Goop" instead of "The GAP." Why? Because the next time I'm walking through the mall I don't expect to see a "Goop" store.

Grunch · February 2005

Minkey Sends: "What you guys up to?"

You Tell Minkey: "Same old same old, farming Pizza Hut cupons down at the Orc camp."

Minkey Sends: "Sweet OMW!"

You Tell Minkey: "Sorry group is full "

Billius8 · February 2005

The /pizza feature is a great idea. Nothing wrong with it.

Malianea · February 2005

This is just the 1st step tho! Soon you will be able to use your in-game $ to buy the pizza, which is when we all find out thet IGE owns Pizza Hut too! ::::31::

Malakai · February 2005

I don't see anything wrong with this. Its not like you are running around Norrath and see a Pizza Hut ad. Its just another nice feature to make things more convenient. If you don't like it, don't use the command. No one is holding a shotgun to your head making you order pizza. Hell there are several "/" commands that are in the game that I don't use. I would not call this being greedy. Its just two companies lending a helping hand to each other. Nothing wrong with that. Besides, more money = more resources for even better development.

nissa_red · February 2005

American's way of life at its finest I guess ::::12::

The worst is that they charge people *before* coating their game with ads... and don't even try to pretend that they won't push this whole thing further. What about /callinsickforoffice services, or maybe /visa ubersword ? EQ1/Stormhammer anyone ?

Nothing much to add, except that I am one step farther from ever looking back and playing EQ/EQII, or its subsequent sequels.

Koltrane · February 2005

I don't really have an opinion on ads in gaming, because I see both positive and negative in it, but I do think it's kind of weird that EverQuest II, a fantasy-themed sword and sorcery game, has a link to Pizza Hut or any modern business. It kind of kills the immersive nature of the game.

These are role playing games, after all, and even though few people truly roleplay, at least the theme is there. It wouldn't surprise me a bit to see other online fee services integrated in. How about a /ebay feature so you can auction off that rare drop? LOL what a nasty can of worms that would be.

What's next...spam in your WoW mailbox?

Koltrane · February 2005

This image cracks me up

Would you tip Lucan D'Lere if he were your pizza boy?

"Eat this deep dish pepperoni or suffer my WRATH!
That'll be $13.42, ma'am."

kebscomics · February 2005

Hi all!!

Well, being someone who used to work in the Pizza industry I have to say this will probably help them out TREMENDOUSLY.... I worked for another chain and if they had thougth of this idea, they would have done it.. I suppose it is just another way for PH to try and draw people in (remember them giving away DVD's).. Alas, they do have GREAT pizza and I believe all my gaming brethren will agree with me that we DO need some good GRINDAGE while playing our favorite MMORPGs.

CAN I GET AN AMEN??????????? LOL

Grunch · February 2005

Heard a Wal-Mart is going up outside the dwarven villiage.

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EverQuest II: New In-Game "/pizza" Feature!

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