Street Fighter 5’s in-game ads went live this week and worse than being bad adds, they make a mockery of the series’ character design. I’m aware you can turn these ads off, but that’s not the point, is it? This is clearly a step forward for Capcom to gauge how far they can keep pushing with monetizing their games based on the EA Sports playbook.
The “supported by” image you get when a match is loading doesn’t feel intrusive and doesn’t mess about with any Street Fighter design. It looks like this:
I’m also not bothered by in-game ads appearing in the three tournament stages available in the game. Stages having adds isn’t even that out of the world when you look at sports games or tournaments in martial arts in general. Though obviously not fitting will into the street fighter universe, that isn’t a hard necessity and these adds, though not welcome by me – aren’t exactly carnal sins.
But I do take issue with the ads now on display on Street Fighter’s famous characters, because they’re so badly out of place. These characters have an identity almost 30 years in the making.From Guilde’s USA flag tattoo, Dhalsim’s skull necklace… I could go on for each character. Even if you don’t play Street Fighter 5, these characters are pop culture, their designs as instantly recognizable as the most mainstream characters video games have to offer. Everyone who knows a bit of gaming knows about Mr. Bison or Chun Li from artwork to iconic dialogue.
These in-game ads stompover Street Fighters character designs. It makes the game look ugly and breaks any immersion I might have.
With these in-game adverts enabled, Guile’s USA tattoo is replaced by a promotional image for the Capcom Pro Tour.
The glorious dictator, M. Bison, looks a lot more dick with less tater with a big add on his chest.
I am excited for the Capcom Pro Tour, and I’m looking forward to watching the Capcom Cup. Bu I’m wincing at the thought of being served adverts for the Capcom Pro Tour while watching the Capcom Pro Tour. And what if “Tokido”, one of the greatest Akuma player in the world, nails his opponent with a Raging Demon attack for a dramatic comeback win, his character turns his back, the screen flashes and… an advert for the Capcom Pro Tour greats you. Instead of the iconic visuals we have come to love across a generation.
