History of video games/Media/Marketing

1970s


Video and computer games were generally not intended for direct purchase and use by mass market gamers in the 1970's. What ads did exist at the time were typically aimed at arcade owners, and emphesized qualites that would appeal to the manager of the venue, rather then directly to the gamer.

Television advertisements for the Magnavox Odyssey are aired beginning in 1972 and 1973. Advertising efforts on television include using commercials and product placement on game shows such as What's my Line. Marketing for the system has many obstacles, and has to explain what the system does to an audience who is unfamiliar with electronic games or closed circuit television add ons.

1980s
Game box artwork

1990s
Pepsi released the PlayStation 1 advergame Pepsiman in March, 1999 to advertise Pepsi soft drinks in Japan.

2000s
In 2007 Mountain Dew Game Fuel is introduced to cross promote Halo 3 for the Xbox 360, achieving wild success.

2010s
Many restaurants used the mania surrounding Pokémon Go in 2016 to promote their business.

2020s
Early in 2020 Burger King attracted negative attention for advertising on Twitch channels by using donation shout outs, instead of conventional marketing arrangements, effectively using a tool for fans to undercut the streamer. In late 2020 Wendy's began working with twitch streamers.