Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Advertising overload

2026-06-15T15:26:36Z

~2026-77: /* YouTube premium controversy */ Single paragraph added.

{{Cleanup|Issue 1 = Clean up, update, and standardize citations (see [[Template:Cite web]]).}}
Advertising overload refers to the practice of not only integrating advertising as a source of revenue in software and websites, but also increasing the number of ads within platforms that consumers use. This has increasingly caused inconvenience to consumers. A commonly cited issue is the ever-increasing length of unskippable ads, which are forcibly shown even to people who need to watch CPR videos.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Andrews |first=Luke |date=5 Jun 2023 |title=YouTube is playing three-minute-long adverts before FIRST AID videos — and they've already been linked to at least one death |url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12143973/YouTube-playing-30-second-adverts-AID-videos.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709000810/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12143973/YouTube-playing-30-second-adverts-AID-videos.html |archive-date=9 Jul 2025 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |work=Daily Mail}}</ref>

==Applications in industries==
===Operating systems===
Operating systems have been experiencing advertising overload, most notably the large market lead [[Windows]]. [[Activision Blizzard|King]]'s Candy Crush frequently comes pre-installed on [[Windows]] 10 operating systems, without consumer consent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moscaritolo |first=Angela |date=15 May 2025 |title=Windows 10 Will Come With Candy Crush Saga Pre-Installed |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/windows-10-will-come-with-candy-crush-saga-pre-installed |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=PCMag |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250130100032/https://www.pcmag.com/news/windows-10-will-come-with-candy-crush-saga-pre-installed |archive-date=30 Jan 2025}}</ref> Microsoft Solitaire Collection, a mainstay title for Windows devices, has had unnecessary ads inserted into the software.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 Feb 2020 |title=Unwanted ads in solitaire collection |url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/unwanted-ads-in-solitaire-collection/814c97f6-30e5-478d-89f0-dfcad1085485 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Microsoft]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708174717/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/unwanted-ads-in-solitaire-collection/814c97f6-30e5-478d-89f0-dfcad1085485 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Aug 2024 |title=How to stop ads on Microsoft Solitaire collection? |url=https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/how-to-stop-ads-on-microsoft-solitaire-collection/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Games Learning Society |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250508004832/https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/how-to-stop-ads-on-microsoft-solitaire-collection/ |archive-date=8 May 2025}}</ref> Users who purchased Windows 10+ licenses have reported a progressively increasing number of ads within the software.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Chris |date=28 Feb 2021 |title=How to Disable All of Windows 10's Built-in Advertising |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/269331/how-to-disable-all-of-windows-10s-built-in-advertising/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=How-To Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260125093825/https://www.howtogeek.com/269331/how-to-disable-all-of-windows-10s-built-in-advertising/ |archive-date=25 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=De Leon |first=Nicholas |date=21 Oct 2024 |title=How to Get Rid of the Ads and Other Shortcomings in Windows 11 |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/computers/windows-11-how-to-get-rid-of-ads-and-other-shortcomings-a7800213441/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Consumer Reports |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723174357/https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/computers/windows-11-how-to-get-rid-of-ads-and-other-shortcomings-a7800213441/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Apr 2023 |title=Every time I login to my PC a screen advertising Game Pass appears. How do I stop this? |url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/every-time-i-login-to-my-pc-a-screen-advertising/6f83ad8a-3dab-43ef-871e-979b58965f6f |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Microsoft]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708174703/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/every-time-i-login-to-my-pc-a-screen-advertising/6f83ad8a-3dab-43ef-871e-979b58965f6f |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> Windows 10 additionally has pop-ups that frequently prompt legacy users to purchase Windows 11-supported hardware.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Irwin |first=Kate |date=21 Nov 2024 |title=Microsoft Pushes Copilot+ PCs on Windows 10 Users With Pop-Up Ads |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-pushes-copilot-plus-pcs-on-windows-10-users-with-pop-up-ads |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2024 |website=PCMag |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250126125054/https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-pushes-copilot-plus-pcs-on-windows-10-users-with-pop-up-ads |archive-date=26 Jan 2025}}</ref> While it is possible to disable this pop-up via registry editing in Win 10 Pro edition,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stagg |first=Dave |date=Feb 14, 2022 |title=How to disable the Windows 11 Upgrade prompt |url=https://endpointfocus.com/how-to-disable-the-windows-11-upgrade-prompt/ |access-date=Mar 15, 2025 |work=Endpoint Focus |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250130215921/https://endpointfocus.com/how-to-disable-the-windows-11-upgrade-prompt/ |archive-date=30 Jan 2025}}</ref> the registries that are changed with this method are the ones which handle receiving any update, including security updates.

Smart televisions also have been seeing a sharp increase in advertisements within the operating system as well, such as [[Roku]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roku Advertising |url=https://advertising.roku.com |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260201023014/https://advertising.roku.com/ |archive-date=2026-02-01 |website=[[Roku]]}}</ref> and [[Amazon]] Fire TV.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fire TV |url=https://advertising.amazon.com/resources/ad-specs/fire-tv |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251215085117/https://advertising.amazon.com/resources/ad-specs/fire-tv |archive-date=2025-12-15 |website=[[Amazon]]}}</ref> [[Roku]] has faced criticism for its plans to introduce ads that appear whenever users pause a game they are playing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |date=4 Apr 2024 |title=Roku’s New HDMI Tech Could Show Ads When You Pause Your Game |url=https://kotaku.com/roku-patent-hdmi-tech-tv-ads-game-console-pause-screen-1851388976 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Kotaku |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708174717/https://kotaku.com/roku-patent-hdmi-tech-tv-ads-game-console-pause-screen-1851388976 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> This introduces privacy concerns since these detection systems depend on constant spying on consumer's activities.
[[File:Fire TV ads.png|thumb|A screenshot of the home screen for an Amazon Fire TV]]
[[File:Xbox One Dashboard.jpg|thumb|The Xbox One dashboard as of 2022]]
Users of [[Xbox]] One/Series<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gach |first=Ethan |date=26 Jul 2023 |title=New Xbox Dashboard Looks Great, Still Has Too Many Ads |url=https://kotaku.com/xbox-series-x-s-dashboard-update-game-pass-ui-1850679127 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Kotaku |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250725071633/https://kotaku.com/xbox-series-x-s-dashboard-update-game-pass-ui-1850679127 |archive-date=25 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Micheals |first=Steve |date=22 Jan 2024 |title=Xbox Gamers Not Happy About Full-Screen Ads |url=https://gamerant.com/xbox-full-screen-ads/ |url-status=dead |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=GameRant |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250724143350/https://gamerant.com/xbox-full-screen-ads/ |archive-date=24 Jul 2025}}</ref> and [[PlayStation]] 4/5 consoles,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=30 Sep 2024 |title=PS5 Homescreen Now Replaces Unique Video Game Art With Annoying Ads You Can’t Turn Off |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ps5-homescreen-now-replaces-unique-video-game-art-with-annoying-ads-you-cant-turn-off |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=IGN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250722001903/https://www.ign.com/articles/ps5-homescreen-now-replaces-unique-video-game-art-with-annoying-ads-you-cant-turn-off |archive-date=22 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bevan |first=Rhiannon |date=1 Oct 2024 |title=PlayStation Blames PS5 Dashboard Ads On "Tech Error" |url=https://www.thegamer.com/ps5-dashboard-ads-were-a-bug-tech-issue-removed/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=The Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241005041024/https://www.thegamer.com/ps5-dashboard-ads-were-a-bug-tech-issue-removed/ |archive-date=5 Oct 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Co |first=Alex |date=29 Sep 2024 |title=PS5 New UI Update Also Brought Ads You Can’t Turn Off and Unwanted Forced News Feed to Select Titles |url=https://mp1st.com/news/ps5-new-ui-update-also-brought-unwanted-forced-news-feed-and-ads-to-select-titles |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=MP1ST |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708174701/https://mp1st.com/news/ps5-new-ui-update-also-brought-unwanted-forced-news-feed-and-ads-to-select-titles |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> have been receiving ads on the home screens of their systems for over a decade.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Xbox One Dashboard Ads |url=https://ar.inspiredpencil.com/pictures-2023/xbox-one-dashboard-ads |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260303054040/https://ar.inspiredpencil.com/pictures-2023/xbox-one-dashboard-ads |archive-date=2026-03-03 |website=ar.inspiredpencil.com}}</ref> This practice dates back to the 7th console generation, such as on the [[Xbox]] 360.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-20 |title=The ads finally were removed from the Xbox 360 dashboard |url=https://www.neogaf.com/threads/the-ads-finally-were-removed-from-the-xbox-360-dashboard.1549854/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/ZExyD |archive-date=2026-03-09 |website=NeoGAF}}</ref>{{Citation needed|reason=Low-quality source}}

===Streaming services===
In the late 2010s, there was a polarizing shift within the streaming service industry. New streaming services like IMDb TV and [[Roku]] Television came onto the scene offering free streaming, Freedive<ref>{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Perez |title=
Amazon’s IMDb launches a free streaming service, Freedive |website=TechCrunch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/10/amazons-imdb-launches-a-free-streaming-service-freedive/ |url-status=live |date=10 Jan 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114025023/https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/10/amazons-imdb-launches-a-free-streaming-service-freedive/ |archive-date=2019-11-14}}</ref> and The Roku Channel (2017)<ref>{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Perez |title=Roku launches its own channel featuring free, ad-supported movies |website=TechCrunch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/06/roku-launches-its-own-channel-featuring-free-ad-supported-movies/ |url-status=live |date=6 Sep 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120121726/https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/06/roku-launches-its-own-channel-featuring-free-ad-supported-movies/ |archive-date=2019-11-20}}</ref> respectively, with the caveat of ads. This inspired corporations who operated premium streaming services to do the same. In the early 2020s, paying users were forced to watch ads.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |author= |title=Ads on Netflix |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/node/126831 |website=[[Netflix]] |date= |access-date=24 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128131131/https://help.netflix.com/en/node/126831 |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref> Since then, users have only been reporting an increase in the amounts of ads<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=11 Sep 2021 |title=Share of adults who think there were too many ads on video streaming services in the United States as of September 2021, by generation |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1307619/video-streaming-advertising-frequency-by-generation-us/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Statista |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215212237/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1307619/video-streaming-advertising-frequency-by-generation-us/ |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref> that they watch on their services.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Scott |date=5 Jan 2025 |title=Amazon Prime Video Increases Ad Frequency In The US To Boost Revenue |url=https://9meters.com/entertainment/streaming/amazon-prime-video-increases-advertisements-in-the-us-to-boost-revenue-increase-ad-free-signups |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=9meters |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250724175144/https://9meters.com/entertainment/streaming/amazon-prime-video-increases-advertisements-in-the-us-to-boost-revenue-increase-ad-free-signups |archive-date=24 Jul 2025}}</ref> These premium providers, such as [[Netflix, Inc.|Netflix]],<ref name=":8" /> do offer versions of their services that are ad free at a higher cost. Consumers have labeled this practice as a form of extortion.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Roettgers |first=Janko |date=23 Sep 2023 |title=Why every streaming service wants you to watch ads now |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90956587/why-every-streaming-service-wants-you-to-watch-ads-now |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Fast Company |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251127234258/https://www.fastcompany.com/90956587/why-every-streaming-service-wants-you-to-watch-ads-now |archive-date=27 Nov 2025}}</ref> Plex is one of the few services which only offer a paid, ad-supported version of its platform.

These ad-free tiers additionally are increasing in price,<ref name=":2" /> so it often forces consumers who are disinterested in alternative means to either pay an excessive amount of money to watch their favorite media, or be barraged by increasing ads.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />


===Traditional gaming===
While not on par with its Mobile gaming counterpart, traditional video games have also been experiencing this heavy increase in advertising. This has especially been seen and documented from titles such as [[Call of Duty]] and [[Fortnite]]. The home screen and launch screen experience for these games often aim to direct players toward the storefront, encouraging them to purchase the products that are being promoted that day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=u/Character-Acrobatic |date=Jun 16, 2024 |title=Stop advertising inside the game |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ModernWarfareIII/comments/1dgvt12/stop_advertising_inside_the_game/ |access-date=Mar 15, 2025 |work=reddit |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250118135659/https://www.reddit.com/r/ModernWarfareIII/comments/1dgvt12/stop_advertising_inside_the_game/ |archive-date=18 Jan 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=Nov 3, 2023 |title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Has A Full-Screen Ad That Some People Don't Like |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-has-a-full-screen-ad-that-some-people-dont-like/1100-6518890/ |access-date=Mar 15, 2025 |work=Gamespot |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211104346/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-has-a-full-screen-ad-that-some-people-dont-like/1100-6518890/ |archive-date=11 Feb 2026}}</ref> Additionally, killcams in Call of Duty have seen ads as well.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aguilar |first=Jorge A. |date=Feb 25, 2025 |title=Call of Duty Brings Advertisements to Player Killcams |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/call-of-duty-advertisements-player-killcams/ |access-date=Mar 15, 2025 |work=How to Geek |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260207081717/https://www.howtogeek.com/call-of-duty-advertisements-player-killcams/ |archive-date=7 Feb 2026}}</ref> 

[[Activision Blizzard]] has a dedicated advertising division for companies to advertise their products inside their games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Powering brand connections in gaming |url=https://about.ads.microsoft.com/en/solutions/technology/gaming-solutions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260103021919/https://www.activisionblizzardmedia.com/ |archive-date=2026-01-03 |website=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> [[Epic Games, Inc.|Epic Games]] has done a similar thing.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Joey |date=24 Jul 2024 |title=Fortnite Ads |url=https://gomediashark.com/fortnite-ads/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Media Shark |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260215212419/https://gomediashark.com/fortnite-ads/ |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lattin |first=Pesach |date=27 Jan 2023 |title=Fortnite In-Game Advertising. How does it Work? |url=https://www.adotat.com/2023/01/fortnite-in-game-advertising-how-does-it-work/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=aDOtat |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251017164045/https://www.adotat.com/2023/01/fortnite-in-game-advertising-how-does-it-work/ |archive-date=17 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Byrd |first=Matthew |date=Dec 2, 2020 |title=How Fortnite Became Gaming’s Great Shameless Marketing Tool |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/fortnite-marketing-tool-epic-games-events-star-wars-marvel/ |access-date=Mar 15, 2025 |work=Den of Geek |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251215013514/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/fortnite-marketing-tool-epic-games-events-star-wars-marvel/ |archive-date=15 Dec 2025}}</ref> It is expected that legitimate ads may be progressively more pervasive within the media that users pay for.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Olivia |date=11 Oct 2023 |title=In-Game Advertising: How it Works and Why it Works |url=https://abiosgaming.com/press/in-game-adverting-fortnite/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Abios |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251205150742/https://abiosgaming.com/press/in-game-adverting-fortnite/ |archive-date=5 Dec 2025}}</ref> Advertising agencies in general are also trying to integrate billboard ads for legitimate products inside games, such as Trackmania.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vargas |first=Anthony |date=2 Mar 2022 |title=NBCU Adds In-Game Ads To Its Sales Roster Through Partnership With Anzu |url=https://www.adexchanger.com/gaming/nbcu-adds-in-game-ads-to-its-sales-roster-through-partnership-with-anzu/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Ad Exchanger |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114020308/https://www.adexchanger.com/gaming/nbcu-adds-in-game-ads-to-its-sales-roster-through-partnership-with-anzu/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>
[[File:Anzu NBCUniversal partnership in Trackmania.jpg|thumb|In-game ads in Trackmania.]]
Some platforms have gone so far as to send users notifications explicitly promoting these new products available for purchase within the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Huzaifa |date=24 Nov 2023 |title=Ubisoft Cites “Technical Error” For Recent In-Game Pop-Up Fiasco |url=https://exputer.com/news/games/ubisoft-technical-error-in-game-ad/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Exputer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251206085537/https://exputer.com/news/games/ubisoft-technical-error-in-game-ad/ |archive-date=6 Dec 2025}}</ref> Most have kept these notifications in-game,<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to get rid of GTA Online ads on loading screens |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/GrandTheftAutoV/comments/l3xthb/how_to_get_rid_of_gta_online_ads_on_loading/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210127195925/https://www.reddit.com/r/GrandTheftAutoV/comments/l3xthb/how_to_get_rid_of_gta_online_ads_on_loading/ |archive-date=27 Jan 2021}}</ref> but some have been reported to leave notification pop-ups directly on users' devices.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Mar 2023 |title=Why am I constantly having game app ads popping up even when I'm not playing games? |url=https://support.google.com/googleplay/thread/204580579/why-am-i-constantly-having-game-app-ads-popping-up-even-when-i-m-not-playing-games?hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Google]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250115063953/https://support.google.com/googleplay/thread/204580579/why-am-i-constantly-having-game-app-ads-popping-up-even-when-i-m-not-playing-games?hl=en |archive-date=15 Jan 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Oct 2023 |title=Game ads keep popping up every 15-30 seconds! |url=https://www.amazonforum.com/s/question/0D56Q0000CLnjCLSQZ/game-ads-keep-popping-up-every-1530-seconds |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Amazon Forum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708174714/https://www.amazonforum.com/s/question/0D56Q0000CLnjCLSQZ/game-ads-keep-popping-up-every-1530-seconds |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> It is entirely plausible that these marketplace advertisements will increase in popularity from publishers as time goes on.
<gallery>
File:CoD in-game ads example.jpg|Cod MW3 - Ad in-game marketing the premium version.
File:Fortnite in-game T-Mobile ad.webp|Fortnite - Ad marketing T-Mobile.
</gallery>

====Advergaming====
{{Main|Advergames}}
While not as popular as it once was, companies would pay developers to work on games that exist solely to advertise a product, such as McDonald's McWorld, which also advertised other products inside the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olivetti |first=Justin |title=The Game Archaeologist: McDonalds’ McWorld MMO is a thing that existed |url=https://massivelyop.com/2020/05/23/the-game-archaeologist-mcdonalds-mcworld-mmo-is-a-thing-that-existed/ |website=Massively Overpowered |date=23 May 2020 |access-date=24 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260223005215/https://massivelyop.com/2020/05/23/the-game-archaeologist-mcdonalds-mcworld-mmo-is-a-thing-that-existed/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> Sometimes these games would also introduce additional anti-consumer practices, often to the detriment of young children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moran |first=Eric |title=McWorld: What happens when a fast food restaurant create an online virtual world |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nerFPG-PEQ |website=[[YouTube]] |date=27 Jan 2023 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=6nerFPG-PEQ |archive-date=25 May 2026}}</ref> Many of these games were made as shovelware as well, so many of these games are often not meant for an extended period of time to be accessible. Older advergames often only sold for a short period, only up to a few years at best, so if a game held any quality, there is a problem of [[FOMO]], this has been seen with popular titles such as Pepsiman on the PS1 or Cool Spot on the Sega Genesis. In the 2000s, these games often preferred accessing servers, mostly to encourage serving additional ads. Many of these would not last long, and these products people invest into are just taken away from them, such as ToonTown<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Heather |date=23 Aug 2013 |title=Coping with the loss of an online world |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/23/tech/gaming-gadgets/closing-toontown/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=CNN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250813162715/https://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/23/tech/gaming-gadgets/closing-toontown/index.html |archive-date=13 Aug 2025}}</ref> or Club Penguin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martinelli |first=Marissa |date=3 Apr 2017 |title=Disney’s Beloved Club Penguin Has Shut Down After More Than a Decade. We Documented Its Final Days. |url=https://slate.com/culture/2017/04/what-the-end-of-disneys-mmo-club-penguin-was-like-inside-the-game.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Slate |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251219191942/https://slate.com/culture/2017/04/what-the-end-of-disneys-mmo-club-penguin-was-like-inside-the-game.html |archive-date=19 Dec 2025}}</ref>

In the modern day, Advergaming has largely preferred existing metaverses, such as Roblox<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bains |first=Callum |date=13 Jul 2024 |title=‘Advergames’: how games platform Roblox became a corporate marketing playground |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/article/2024/jul/13/advergames-how-games-platform-roblox-became-a-corporate-marketing-playground |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215212500/https://www.theguardian.com/games/article/2024/jul/13/advergames-how-games-platform-roblox-became-a-corporate-marketing-playground |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Chantelle |date=4 Jun 2024 |title=Ikea is Hiring 10 Roblox Players to Work at In-Game Store |url=https://time.com/6985642/ikea-hiring-workers-roblox-game/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Time |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723195409/https://time.com/6985642/ikea-hiring-workers-roblox-game/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2025}}</ref> or the literal Metaverse.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laughlin |first=Charles |date=14 Jun 2022 |title=Is Dining in the Metaverse Real? Brands Seem to Think So |url=https://www.localogy.com/2022/06/is-dining-in-the-metaverse-real-brands-seem-to-think-so/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Localogy |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708174722/https://www.localogy.com/2022/06/is-dining-in-the-metaverse-real-brands-seem-to-think-so/ |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> These too, have brought controversy<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=22 Apr 2022 |title=Roblox is ‘exploiting’ users with deceptive advertising, watchdog group says |url=https://www.polygon.com/23035640/roblox-ads-deceptive-ftc-complaint |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Polygon |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210010651/https://www.polygon.com/23035640/roblox-ads-deceptive-ftc-complaint/ |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref> and can be seen as anti-consumer.

===Mobile gaming===
A feature often associated with modern day mobile games are ads, especially [[False advertising|misleading ads]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shetty |first=Saurabh |date=27 Jan 2024 |title=How misleading mobile game ads are hurting the industry |url=https://gamingonphone.com/editorial/how-misleading-mobile-game-ads-are-hurting-the-industry/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=GamingonPhone |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250821164359/https://gamingonphone.com/editorial/how-misleading-mobile-game-ads-are-hurting-the-industry/ |archive-date=21 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Raghuram |first=Vignesh |date=25 Oct 2024 |title=False Promises, Real Profits: Why Misleading Ads Work for Mobile Games |url=https://afkgaming.com/global/false-promises-real-profits-why-misleading-ads-work-for-mobile-games |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=AFKGaming |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250803090619/https://afkgaming.com/global/false-promises-real-profits-why-misleading-ads-work-for-mobile-games |archive-date=3 Aug 2025}}</ref> Unfortunately, publishers such as Puzzle1Studio, Metacore Games, and [[Rovio]] have a history of publishing titles that corner the consumer into frequently watching ads in the middle of their games.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=LaMarca |first=Livia |date=8 Dec 2022 |title=Opinion {{!}} Oh my god, please stop the excessive ads on mobile games! |url=https://pittnews.com/article/177875/opinions/opinion-oh-my-god-please-stop-the-excessive-ads-on-mobile-games/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=ThePittNews |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211161555/https://pittnews.com/article/177875/opinions/opinion-oh-my-god-please-stop-the-excessive-ads-on-mobile-games/ |archive-date=11 Feb 2026}}</ref> This practice additionally leeches into Microtransactions, wherein these app developers will intentionally try to coax users into watching ads for increased rewards, or to reduce cooldown times.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Kew-Denniss |first=Zachary |date=7 Dec 2023 |title=Google and Apple share the blame for mobile gaming's awful reputation |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/google-apple-share-blame-for-mobile-gamings-awful-reputation/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Android Police |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251213062816/https://www.androidpolice.com/google-apple-share-blame-for-mobile-gamings-awful-reputation/ |archive-date=13 Dec 2025}}</ref>

Major software distribution platforms, such as the Google Play store or the iOS App Store, often allow this behavior<ref name=":4" /> to persist from app developers, even featuring these ad-heavy games.

===Social media===
Social media has become a fundamental part of the advertising world, thanks to the ease with which targeted audiences can be reached based on their interests. There are various types of advertising that users encounter when using all major social media platforms.

====Native ads (In-feed ads)====
Native ads are designed to blend seamlessly into the rest of the feed, mimicking its appearance. They are generally more engaging and lead to stronger brand identification among consumers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Apr 2015 |title=Ad Effectiveness Study: Native Ads Vs Banner Ads |url=https://www.sharethrough.com/blog/ad-effectiveness-study-native-ads-vs-banner-ads |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Sharethrough |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251215071950/https://www.sharethrough.com/blog/ad-effectiveness-study-native-ads-vs-banner-ads |archive-date=15 Dec 2025}}</ref> Native ads are distinguishable from organic content by the label “sponsored,” often written in very small text. As highlighted by Dr. Bartosz W. Wojdynski’s research,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wojdynski |first=Bartosz W. |date=Jul 2016 |title=The Deceptiveness of Sponsored News Articles: How Readers Recognize and Perceive Native Advertising |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305718389_The_Deceptiveness_of_Sponsored_News_Articles_How_Readers_Recognize_and_Perceive_Native_Advertising |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=ResearchGate |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230129003538/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305718389_The_Deceptiveness_of_Sponsored_News_Articles_How_Readers_Recognize_and_Perceive_Native_Advertising |archive-date=29 Jan 2023}}</ref> native ads can easily be misleading. In fact, 68% of participants in his study failed to distinguish them from organic content. Therefore, it is crucial that these ads do not come across as deceptive. The [[Federal Trade Commission|FTC]] follows these three principles:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Native Advertising: A Guide for Businesses |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/native-advertising-guide-businesses |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[FTC]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260103230211/https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/native-advertising-guide-businesses |archive-date=3 Jan 2026}}</ref><blockquote>
#'''Transparency is key''': An advertisement or promotional message should not suggest or imply to consumers that it is anything other than an ad.
#'''Clarity of commercial intent''': Some native ads may be so clearly commercial in nature that they are unlikely to mislead consumers even without a specific disclosure. In other cases, a disclosure may be necessary to ensure consumers understand the content is advertising.
#'''Clear and prominent disclosures''': If a disclosure is necessary to prevent deception, it must be clear and prominent.
</blockquote>
====Video Ads====
Video ads are among the most common forms of advertising on social media. They can appear either as standalone content or be inserted at the beginning, end, or middle of another video. Shorter, skippable, and non-intrusively placed ads perform better, as they respect user autonomy. Targeted ads are more likely to capture interest. As with other ad formats, transparency is crucial here as well, ensuring that the ad is not perceived as intrusive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krishnan |first=S. Shunmuga |last2=Sitaraman |first2=Ramesh K. |title=Understanding the Effectiveness of Video Ads: A Measurement Study |url=https://www.akamai.com/site/en/documents/research-paper/understanding-the-effectiveness-of-video-ads-a-measurement-study-technical-publication.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240722060725/https://www.akamai.com/site/en/documents/research-paper/understanding-the-effectiveness-of-video-ads-a-measurement-study-technical-publication.pdf |archive-date=22 Jul 2024}}</ref>

====Stories Ads====
Ads that appear in Stories are full-screen, vertical, and often feature interactive elements like swipe-up links, polls, or countdowns. They expire after 24 hours, giving them an ephemeral nature. Story ads are better perceived when they are creative, non-intrusive, and relevant to users' interests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahatmavidya |first=P.A. |last2=Kerti Yasa |first2=Ni Nyoman |date=Mar 2020 |title=ADVERTISING VALUE OF INSTAGRAM STORIES AND THE EFFECT ON MILLENNIAL’S ATTITUDE |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339884883_ADVERTISING_VALUE_OF_INSTAGRAM_STORIES_AND_THE_EFFECT_ON_MILLENNIAL%27S_ATTITUDE |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=ResearchGate |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231126232406/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339884883_ADVERTISING_VALUE_OF_INSTAGRAM_STORIES_AND_THE_EFFECT_ON_MILLENNIAL'S_ATTITUDE |archive-date=26 Nov 2023}}</ref>

====Influencer marketing====
Influencer marketing is a type of advertising in which brands team up with social media personalities, also known as influencers, to promote a product or service.

Most of these influencers have built a credible standing among a large and engaged following. Brands use brand deals to leverage the influencers' credibility and relatibility and reach audiences in ways that feel far more authentic than traditional advertising.

Users are more influenced by social media personalities who share their values and lifestyles. Consequently, authenticity, trustworthiness, and relevance are the key drivers of consumer behavior. Thus, when influencers share real-life experiences of using a product or service, their recommendations are more likely to resonate with followers and result in higher levels of engagement and purchase intent.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Chopra |first=Anjali |date=Jun 2020 |title=Influencer Marketing: An Exploratory Study to Identify Antecedents of Consumer Behavior of Millennial |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342181914_Influencer_Marketing_An_Exploratory_Study_to_Identify_Antecedents_of_Consumer_Behavior_of_Millennial |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=ResearchGate |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230506202540/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342181914_Influencer_Marketing_An_Exploratory_Study_to_Identify_Antecedents_of_Consumer_Behavior_of_Millennial |archive-date=6 May 2023}}</ref>

Congruence—the match between the persona of the influencer, the product they are promoting, and the interests of the audience—is crucial. When the fit among these elements is strong it makes the campaign appear more genuine, and therefore more credible. Strong congruence will improve the credibility of an influencer, and create a stronger emotional relationship with the audience.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Belanche |first=Daniel |last2=Ibáñez Sánchez |first2=Sergio |last3=Casaló Ariño |first3=Luis Vicente |last4=Flavián |first4=Marta |date=Apr 2021 |title=Understanding influencer marketing: The role of congruence between influencers, products and consumers |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352120476_Understanding_influencer_marketing_The_role_of_congruence_between_influencers_products_and_consumers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260225102404/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352120476_Understanding_influencer_marketing_The_role_of_congruence_between_influencers_products_and_consumers |archive-date=25 February 2026 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=ResearchGate}}</ref>

Over-commercialization—when influencers promote too many products or aren't transparent—can erode their audience's trust. Clear disclosures, such as #ad or #sponsored, help to maintain transparency and adherence with advertising regulations. Unfortunately, such disclosures are often hidden among numerous hashtags or omitted altogether.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />

===Web===
{{Main|Advertising overload in websites}}
Ever since the introduction of [[Web cookie|cookies]] in the early 1990s, websites have been trying to make progressively more money off of advertisers. This pattern used to be easily thwarted, as in the early days of the web, consumers could simply choose not to visit these websites to avoid being so pervasively served advertisements. Unfortunately, in modern times, consumers lack this capability, as mass advertising has now become a systemic problem. Popular news sources, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and others, are filled to the brim with advertisements. As mentioned by publications such as The Huffington Post,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elliot |first=Christopher |date=8 Feb 2017 |title=Yes, There Are Too Many Ads Online. Yes, You Can Stop Them. Here's How. |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/yes-there-are-too-many-ads-online-yes-you-can-stop_b_589b888de4b02bbb1816c297 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=HuffPost |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251127141328/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/yes-there-are-too-many-ads-online-yes-you-can-stop_b_589b888de4b02bbb1816c297 |archive-date=27 Nov 2025}}</ref> The Conversation,<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Steve |date=18 Sep 2024 |title=Why is the internet overflowing with rubbish ads – and what can we do about it? |url=https://theconversation.com/why-is-the-internet-overflowing-with-rubbish-ads-and-what-can-we-do-about-it-237980 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=The Conversation |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260126234756/https://theconversation.com/why-is-the-internet-overflowing-with-rubbish-ads-and-what-can-we-do-about-it-237980 |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref> and B2,<ref>Crossland, Archie, (2024-06-20) [https://www.b2.ai/ad-overload-are-publishers-showing-too-many-ads/ Ad Overload: Are Publishers Showing Too Many Ads?] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250815092938/https://www.b2.ai/ad-overload-are-publishers-showing-too-many-ads/ Archived]) ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250815092938/https://www.b2.ai/ad-overload-are-publishers-showing-too-many-ads/ Archived])</ref> the web itself has too many ads.

====Banner Ads====
Banner ads are the most common form of web ads and one of the oldest forms of digital advertising, usually appearing as rectangular graphics at the top, bottom, or sides of a webpage. However, despite their pervasiveness, their effectiveness has been questioned due to phenomena such as banner blindness, where users unconsciously ignore ad-like content. Banner ads work only if they are rightly placed, well designed, and relevant.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Joowon |last2=Ahn |first2=Jae-Hyeon |date=Oct 2012 |title=Attention to Banner Ads and Their Effectiveness: An Eye-Tracking Approach |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262090327_Attention_to_Banner_Ads_and_Their_Effectiveness_An_Eye-Tracking_Approach |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=ResearchGate |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220930043417/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262090327_Attention_to_Banner_Ads_and_Their_Effectiveness_An_Eye-Tracking_Approach |archive-date=30 Sep 2022}}</ref>

This research<ref name=":7" /> featured the use of eye-tracking technology to analyze how users behave with banner ads. It was found that such ads placed in central or prominent positions on a webpage receive significantly more attention than those in peripheral areas. Moreover, the animated and interactive banners are better at capturing attention than static ones; however, too much may become distracting and otherwise counterproductive. This also underlines that the relevance of the ad to the user's interests is one of the critical drivers of engagement. If banner ads are contextual, relating either to the content of the webpage or the browsing behavior of the user, they are more likely to be noticed and clicked. Advertisers should focus on creating non-intrusive, contextually relevant advertisements that add value to the user experience—not disrupt it.

==Notable Examples==
This section is a stub, please add to it!

===YouTube===
YouTube serves six different categories of advertisement:

*'''Skippable In-stream Ads'''
**These have no maximum length, though they are skippable after playing for five seconds.
**They can play before, during, or after other videos, or as a full screen interstitial ad in the mobile app.
**They can also appear on YouTube TV.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=About YouTube TV Ads - Google Ads Help |url=https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/10651730 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260114224304/https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/10651730 |archive-date=14 Jan 2026 |access-date=11 Mar 2026 |website=Google Support}}</ref>
*'''Non-skippable In-stream Ads'''
**These are up to 60 seconds long, and can't be skipped.
**They can appear before, during, and after other videos, and on YouTube TV.<ref name=":9" />
*'''In-feed Video Ads'''
**These consist of a thumbnail and some text, appearing alongside real videos.
**They can appear amongst the search results, on the YouTube mobile homepage, and alongside related videos.
*'''Bumper Ads'''
**Bumper Ads are a category of non-skippable ads that are at most 6 seconds long.
*'''Masthead Ads'''
**These ads have no maximum length, though on desktop platforms only the first 30 seconds play.
**This ad consists of a video that autoplays at the top of the YouTube home feed. After the video is finished (or after 30 seconds on desktop) the ad displays a thumbnail.
*'''YouTube Shorts Ads'''
**These ads are intended to blend in with normal Shorts videos. As with normal Shorts, users can skip the ad by swiping up or down, and the ad will be kept and reshown if the user scrolls back.
**YouTube does not list a hard time limit, but they recommend a maximum of 60 seconds. <ref>{{Cite web |title=About video ad formats - YouTube Help |url=https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2375464?hl=en#Youtube_Shorts_ads |access-date=11 Mar 2026 |website=Google Support |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260228102834/https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2375464?hl=en#Youtube_Shorts_ads |archive-date=28 Feb 2026}}</ref>

====YouTube premium controversy====
Recent controversy has brought up cases in which YouTube Premium subscribers still see advertisements—contrary to the service's own highlighting of offering an ad-free experience. Users have reported both pre-roll ads and mid-roll ads, along with promotional content in the Home feed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=I have YouTube premium, why am I getting adds. |author=CaptainMystery_123 |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/18ll7y6/i_have_youtube_premium_why_am_i_getting_adds/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250525154227/https://old.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/18ll7y6/i_have_youtube_premium_why_am_i_getting_adds/ |archive-date=25 May 2025}}</ref> In one prominent case, a user in Germany received an email from support at YouTube which said, in essence: "Sometimes promotional ads may appear for specific partnerships or limited-time offers," thereby hinting at the possibility of factors like location, viewing history, or special marketing efforts that could influence the event.

In response to these reports, a YouTube spokesperson confirmed that Premium members should not see either pre-roll or mid-roll ads. They further stated that if subscribers do, they should reach out to support immediately. YouTube also said that Premium members may have access to different rewards with trusted partners, which they outline on their benefits page, but those shouldn't show up as ads within the video itself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schoon |first=Ben |date=13 Nov 2024 |title=Some YouTube Premium users are seeing ads, but YouTube says they shouldn’t be |url=https://9to5google.com/2024/11/13/youtube-premium-ads-statement/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=9to5google |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250801232117/https://9to5google.com/2024/11/13/youtube-premium-ads-statement/ |archive-date=1 Aug 2025}}</ref> A fix for this is also shown in [https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/why-youtube-premium-users-may-still-see-ads/story this guide].

Notably, even use of YouTube Premium does not guarantee an ad-free YouTube experience because of the high volume of users who insert sponsored segments (in-video product advertisements) into their videos. For a truly 100% ad-free experience, the best solution is to sue YouTube Premium on Desktop with the SponsorBlocker plugin installed which automatically skips past sponsored segments and other things creators do to waste your time such as reminding you to subscribe to the channel.

==Further Reading==
*[[Stellantis in car advertisements]]
*[[Samsung ads in refrigerators]]
*[[Ad block]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Theme]]

Switch Game-Key Card

2026-06-15T15:17:06Z

~2026-77: /* Right to ownership */ Simply added a new sentence.

{{StubNotice}}
{{ProductLineCargo
|ReleaseYear=2025
|In Production=Yes
|Website=https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/
|Logo=Nintendo Switch 2 game keycard.png
|Description=
}}

The [[Nintendo Switch 2]] Game Key-Card is a game cartridge available for Nintendo Switch 2 that differentiates from regular game cartridges by containing only a game license instead of game data inside the cartridge. In order to start playing a game, the Key-Card must be inserted and the console must be connected to the network to download the game. After the game is downloaded it can be accessed without a network requirement.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Nintendo |date=9 Jan 2026 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Card Overview |url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68415/~/nintendo-switch 2-game-key-card-overview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260109101550/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68415/~/nintendo-switch 2-game-key-card-overview |archive-date=2026-01-09 |access-date=28 Mar 2026 |website=Nintendo Support}}</ref>
[[File:Nintendo Switch 2 KCard dislike ratio.png|thumb|Screenshot of the announcement video posted by [[Nintendo]] on YouTube as of 28 March 2026. The amount of dislikes is significantly higher than the amount of likes, evidencing the mostly negative reception of this announcement. This video revealed that the anticipated game ''Pokémon Pokopia'' would be a Key Card, a contradiction to statements from Nintendo that First-Party games would never be Key Cards.]]
Game-Key cards were announced on November 11, 2025. This announcement sparked controversies and outrage amongst the consumers, critizicing Nintendo's decision. Also Nintendo posted a video on [[YouTube]] containing a brief explanation about the Game Key-Cards that day. The public reaction was overwhelmingly negative. As of March 28, 2026, according to the ''Return Youtube Dislikes'' browser extension, the video announcing the Game Key-Cards has approximately 33,458 dislikes vs 5,069 likes.


==Consumer impact summary==
*'''User freedom:''' Game-Key Cards require access to the [[Nintendo eShop]] for the [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2]] to be used for the first time on a user's console. Functions like how many games released on the [[Xbox]] One/Series consoles.
*'''User privacy:''' A Nintendo Account is not required in order to download and play a Key-Card game.
*'''Business model:''' Trim costs for game distribution

==Impact==

===Right to ownership===
Due to the favorably cheaper nature<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |title=Nintendo Says Switch 2 Game-Key Cards Help Third-Party Publishers Bring ‘Deeper, Larger, and More Immersive Content on the Platform’ |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-says-switch-2-game-key-cards-help-third-party-publishers-bring-deeper-larger-and-more-immersive-content-on-the-platform |website=IGN |date=15 May 2025 |access-date=26 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250821043854/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-says-switch-2-game-key-cards-help-third-party-publishers-bring-deeper-larger-and-more-immersive-content-on-the-platform |archive-date=21 Aug 2025}}</ref> of a generic Game Card that holds a download code, progressively more third-party games are adopting having their physical distribution be exclusive to these cards.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=Brian |title=List of all Nintendo Switch 2 games with a game-key card release |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/list-of-all-nintendo-switch-2-games-with-a-game-key-card-release/ |website=Nintendo Everything |date=12 May 2025 |access-date=26 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222230217/https://nintendoeverything.com/list-of-all-nintendo-switch-2-games-with-a-game-key-card-release/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Nintendo has created a way to control a user's machine from afar, despite the machine having been sold to the user as a personal property. The terms and conditions in the Nintendo Switch 2 license agreement render the purchased unit as if it were rented, with the controlling company able to restrict, deny access, or outright ban users for using their product in any way the seller does not see fit, with console bans resulting in the system being unable to go online. This means that any banned Nintendo Switch 2 will be completely incapable of actually using Game-Key Cards.

Nintendo generated controversy in November 2025 when it was revealed that their upcoming title, ''Pokémon Pokopia'', would be released as a Game-Key Card, contradicting previous claims made by the company that their own developed games would never be released as Game-Key Cards.

In the months after the Nintendo Switch 2 released, a great deal of controversy emerged over this technology, with customers upset over an overwhelming number of Nintendo Switch 2 units being banned or bricked remotely by Nintendo, for reasons anywhere such as downloading third-party software.

==Games containing Game Key Card==
This is a list of Nintendo Switch 2 cartridge games that contain a Game Key Card:<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hidalgo |first=Jason |date=10 Jun 2025 |title=Switch 2 Full Game Cartridge List: Physical, Game Key Card or Code-In-A-Box? |url=https://www.rgj.com/story/life/2025/06/10/switch-2-full-cartridge-game-title-list-guide-physical-game-key-card-or-code-in-a-box-technobubble/84140477007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/Zo6IH |archive-date=2026-03-28 |access-date=28 Mar 2026 |website=Reno Gazette Journal}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+
!Game
!Release Date
!Additional notes
|-
|007 First Light
|
|
|-
|Assassin’s Creed Shadows
|
|
|-
|BRAVELY DEFAULT FLYING FAIRY HD Remaster
|
|
|-
|Borderlands 4
|
|
|-
|Cronos: The New Dawn
|
|
|-
|Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
|
|Game Key Card cartridge is exclusive of the Japanese edition. Western version of the cartridge contain the full game.
|-
|Digimon Story Time Stranger
|
|
|-
|Disgaea 7 Complete
|
|
|-
|Disgaea Mayhem
|
|
|-
|DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO
|
|
|-
|DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake
|
|
|-
|DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake
|
|
|-
|DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined
|
|
|-
|Dynasty Warriors Origins
|
|
|-
|EA Sports FC 26
|
|
|-
|Farming Simulator: Signature Edition
|
|
|-
|FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
|
|
|-
|FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
|
|
|-
|Full Metal Schoolgirl
|
|Game Key Card is exclusive of the Japanese edition. Western edition is digital-only.
|-
|Goodnight Universe
|
|
|-
|High On Life 2
|
|
|-
|HITMAN World of Assassination - Signature Edition
|
|
|-
|Hogwarts Legacy
|
|
|-
|Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
|
|
|-
|Little Nightmares 3
|
|
|-
|Madden NFL 26
|
|
|-
|METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.2
|
|
|-
|Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains
|
|
|-
|Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
|
|
|-
|NBA 2K26
|
|
|-
|Nickelodeon & The Dice of Destiny
|
|
|-
|Nogunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
|
|
|-
|No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: The Somnium Files
|
|
|-
|OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0
|
|
|-
|PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC
|
|
|-
|Persona 3 Reload
|
|
|-
|PGA Tour 2K25
|
|
|-
|PRAGMATA
|
|
|-
|Pokémon Pokopia
|2026-03-05
|
|-
|Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
|
|
|-
|RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
|
|
|-
|Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition
|
|
|-
|Resident Evil Requiem
|
|
|-
|Resident Evil Village Gold Edition
|
|
|-
|Shine Post: Be Your Idol
|
|Currently only available in Japan.
|-
|SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS
|
|
|-
|SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide
|
|
|-
|Squirrel With a Gun
|
|
|-
|Star Wars Outlaws
|
|
|-
|Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War
|
|
|-
|Street Fighter 6 Year 1-2 Fighters Edition
|
|
|-
|Suikoden
|
|
|-
|Suikoden 2
|
|
|-
|Survival Kids
|
|
|-
|Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn Edition
|
|
|-
|The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales
|
|
|-
|The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon
|
|
|-
|The Rogue Prince of Persia
|
|
|-
|The Witch’s Bakery
|
|
|-
|Wild Hearts S
|
|
|-
|Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
|
|
|-
|Yakuza Kiwami
|
|
|-
|Yakuza Kiwami 2
|
|
|-
|Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
|
|
|-
|Ys X: Proud Nordics
|
|
|}

==See also==
*[[Nintendo Switch]]
*[[GOG.com]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Nintendo]]
[[Category:Products]]