Poll: These Obnoxious Half-Screen ads

[monkey_man]

I have no problems whatsoever.
Must be my disintegration ray I hide under my pillow.

 

[kasperbbs]

What ads? I guess chrome blocks them for me, only thing that annoyed me on the escapist were these jimquisition ads that used to pop up whenever i watched a video.

 

[NiPah]

Ah I was wondering why my browser giving me those "java plugin fail" messages, must be because of these.

 

[SomethingUnrelated]

Never seen them, but based on the screen-caps I've seen, I'll consider myself lucky.

 

[Susan Arendt]

I find it extremely annoying. It takes up most of my screen and has been popping up on almost every screen now. I was considering getting the pub-club recently, but this kind of thing just pisses me off too much to want to give up my money. Oh well... not much I can really do besides stop visiting the site, and that's not going to happen as long as they provide entertaining videos and gaming news, so bleh.

...Or join the Pub Club, and stop getting ads.

Me being put into a bad mood makes me not want to give money to the place that put me in that mood, it's as simple as that. That'd be like paying someone after they kick you in the nuts.

Same, I refuse to join Publishers Club simply because the ads are being placed there to pester and annoy people until they do.

No, we don't run ads to get you to join the Pub Club, we run ads because that's how we earn revenue to keep the lights on. We recognize, however, that ads can be frustrating, and therefore make their absence one of the benefits of joining the Pub Club. We make far, far, FAR more money from the ads than we do from Pub Club subscriptions, I assure you, so it's not like we're trying to trick you.

As someone else has pointed out though, there are two GIANT blank spaces on either side of the screen that would make perfect ad space. I don't have anything against ads themselves, I wouldn't own The World Ends With You if it wasn't for gaming advertisements, but why on earth block the use of The Escapist itself?
It even covers the comments box- I'm writing this practically blind because I have Isaac Clarge hogging my screen right now.

It really is difficult to claim that such annoyance would have no affect on people buying into the PB out of sheer frustration- because by the sheer function of it, paying up for the members ticket would solve the problem. Whether intended or not, the function is certainly there.

Different folks want different kinds of ads. We don't decide that, you know. The people buying the ad space do. They say, "We will give you X money if you give us Y ads."

 

[omega 616]

I actually had a rant at somebody today about this, we see adverts on TV every 15 (on UK TV) mins, there are ads before, during and after vids on youtube, we see ads at the side, top and bottom of every web page and often in the middle of a wall of text aswell.

Now the escapist has thse massive half page ads were you have to go cross hunting to get rid of it.

Were getting pumpled into submission by contant advertisments for crap we already know about and buy or were not interested in. It seems really money hungry of this site to start including these, my only complaint about this site is these silly captcha's that seem excessive (and I seriously cannot read most of these double vision-eque ones).

Has revenue gone up twice since I started? First they over came it with pub club and now extra adverts? Either there covering costs or wanting to bathe in money.

While I don't or ever will use an adblock, the escapist owners are kind of pushing poeple to use them, if they don't want to fork out for the pub club.

 

[ZombieGenesis]

I find it extremely annoying. It takes up most of my screen and has been popping up on almost every screen now. I was considering getting the pub-club recently, but this kind of thing just pisses me off too much to want to give up my money. Oh well... not much I can really do besides stop visiting the site, and that's not going to happen as long as they provide entertaining videos and gaming news, so bleh.

...Or join the Pub Club, and stop getting ads.

Me being put into a bad mood makes me not want to give money to the place that put me in that mood, it's as simple as that. That'd be like paying someone after they kick you in the nuts.

Same, I refuse to join Publishers Club simply because the ads are being placed there to pester and annoy people until they do.

No, we don't run ads to get you to join the Pub Club, we run ads because that's how we earn revenue to keep the lights on. We recognize, however, that ads can be frustrating, and therefore make their absence one of the benefits of joining the Pub Club. We make far, far, FAR more money from the ads than we do from Pub Club subscriptions, I assure you, so it's not like we're trying to trick you.

As someone else has pointed out though, there are two GIANT blank spaces on either side of the screen that would make perfect ad space. I don't have anything against ads themselves, I wouldn't own The World Ends With You if it wasn't for gaming advertisements, but why on earth block the use of The Escapist itself?
It even covers the comments box- I'm writing this practically blind because I have Isaac Clarge hogging my screen right now.

It really is difficult to claim that such annoyance would have no affect on people buying into the PB out of sheer frustration- because by the sheer function of it, paying up for the members ticket would solve the problem. Whether intended or not, the function is certainly there.

Different folks want different kinds of ads. We don't decide that, you know. The people buying the ad space do. They say, "We will give you X money if you give us Y ads."

Really, so they approach and say where they want the ad space? One would think that would be heavily subjective to the website itself, but then again maybe the whole "I cant see the page" issue everyone is having here is evidence of that problem.
I've not seen these anywhere else though, why on earth are those massive blue wastelands not being fought over like prime realestate?

 

[shintakie10]

Really, so they approach and say where they want the ad space? One would think that would be heavily subjective to the website itself, but then again maybe the whole "I cant see the page" issue everyone is having here is evidence of that problem.
I've not seen these anywhere else though, why on earth are those massive blue wastelands not being fought over like prime realestate?

I'm confused about that too actually. I feel as if I've seen ads there before, but perhaps I'm just gettin confused with the full screen video ads. Thats a huge amount of space that is always visible. You can't possibly tell me that there isn't a single ad company that said they want to use that space for somethin.

 

[Myan]

I find it extremely annoying. It takes up most of my screen and has been popping up on almost every screen now. I was considering getting the pub-club recently, but this kind of thing just pisses me off too much to want to give up my money. Oh well... not much I can really do besides stop visiting the site, and that's not going to happen as long as they provide entertaining videos and gaming news, so bleh.

...Or join the Pub Club, and stop getting ads.

Me being put into a bad mood makes me not want to give money to the place that put me in that mood, it's as simple as that. That'd be like paying someone after they kick you in the nuts.

Same, I refuse to join Publishers Club simply because the ads are being placed there to pester and annoy people until they do.

No, we don't run ads to get you to join the Pub Club, we run ads because that's how we earn revenue to keep the lights on. We recognize, however, that ads can be frustrating, and therefore make their absence one of the benefits of joining the Pub Club. We make far, far, FAR more money from the ads than we do from Pub Club subscriptions, I assure you, so it's not like we're trying to trick you.

As someone else has pointed out though, there are two GIANT blank spaces on either side of the screen that would make perfect ad space. I don't have anything against ads themselves, I wouldn't own The World Ends With You if it wasn't for gaming advertisements, but why on earth block the use of The Escapist itself?
It even covers the comments box- I'm writing this practically blind because I have Isaac Clarge hogging my screen right now.

It really is difficult to claim that such annoyance would have no affect on people buying into the PB out of sheer frustration- because by the sheer function of it, paying up for the members ticket would solve the problem. Whether intended or not, the function is certainly there.

Different folks want different kinds of ads. We don't decide that, you know. The people buying the ad space do. They say, "We will give you X money if you give us Y ads."

Really, so they approach and say where they want the ad space? One would think that would be heavily subjective to the website itself, but then again maybe the whole "I cant see the page" issue everyone is having here is evidence of that problem.
I've not seen these anywhere else though, why on earth are those massive blue wastelands not being fought over like prime realestate?

Simple answer, those blue gutters are only visible for higher resolution monitors. You'd be amazed at how many people still run at 1024x.

EDIT: I also feel I should point out that ALL advertisers know exactly where on the website they'd like to spend their money .

 

[StriderShinryu]

Ack, I'm not liking it either. And, sorry, I don't see it as valid justification for joining the Pub Club. Joining the Pub Club should get you benefits you can't get any other way. Cool stuffs above and beyond what the "normal" Escapist gets. Joining the Pub Club shouldn't, however, be something you have to do just to be able to browse the site without getting annoyed by giant pop up ads.

 

[icame]

I have no problem with ads, but I despise over intrusive ones. They are incredibly annoying and I am sure they slow down the site for people with slow connections or bad computers.

 

[ZombieGenesis]

I find it extremely annoying. It takes up most of my screen and has been popping up on almost every screen now. I was considering getting the pub-club recently, but this kind of thing just pisses me off too much to want to give up my money. Oh well... not much I can really do besides stop visiting the site, and that's not going to happen as long as they provide entertaining videos and gaming news, so bleh.

...Or join the Pub Club, and stop getting ads.

Me being put into a bad mood makes me not want to give money to the place that put me in that mood, it's as simple as that. That'd be like paying someone after they kick you in the nuts.

Same, I refuse to join Publishers Club simply because the ads are being placed there to pester and annoy people until they do.

No, we don't run ads to get you to join the Pub Club, we run ads because that's how we earn revenue to keep the lights on. We recognize, however, that ads can be frustrating, and therefore make their absence one of the benefits of joining the Pub Club. We make far, far, FAR more money from the ads than we do from Pub Club subscriptions, I assure you, so it's not like we're trying to trick you.

As someone else has pointed out though, there are two GIANT blank spaces on either side of the screen that would make perfect ad space. I don't have anything against ads themselves, I wouldn't own The World Ends With You if it wasn't for gaming advertisements, but why on earth block the use of The Escapist itself?
It even covers the comments box- I'm writing this practically blind because I have Isaac Clarge hogging my screen right now.

It really is difficult to claim that such annoyance would have no affect on people buying into the PB out of sheer frustration- because by the sheer function of it, paying up for the members ticket would solve the problem. Whether intended or not, the function is certainly there.

Different folks want different kinds of ads. We don't decide that, you know. The people buying the ad space do. They say, "We will give you X money if you give us Y ads."

Really, so they approach and say where they want the ad space? One would think that would be heavily subjective to the website itself, but then again maybe the whole "I cant see the page" issue everyone is having here is evidence of that problem.
I've not seen these anywhere else though, why on earth are those massive blue wastelands not being fought over like prime realestate?

Simple answer, those blue gutters are only visible for higher resolution monitors. You'd be amazed at how many people still run at 1024x.

Gasp, scoundrils!
I could have sworn I'd seen advertisements in a similar region, but that does make sense.

Then again if the alternative is; ads everyone can see AND will be horribly inconvinienced by, I can't say I like the alternative better.
That said, I'm not the treasurer.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Really, so they approach and say where they want the ad space? One would think that would be heavily subjective to the website itself, but then again maybe the whole "I cant see the page" issue everyone is having here is evidence of that problem.
I've not seen these anywhere else though, why on earth are those massive blue wastelands not being fought over like prime realestate?

I'm confused about that too actually. I feel as if I've seen ads there before, but perhaps I'm just gettin confused with the full screen video ads. Thats a huge amount of space that is always visible. You can't possibly tell me that there isn't a single ad company that said they want to use that space for somethin.

We run ads there all the time, but as Myan pointed out, they're not visible on all monitors, so not everyone wants their ads run there. You're also correct in thinking that ad types and placements vary from site to site. Ads are very complex business arrangements. Way back in the day, I sold ad space in magazines and people would pay premiums for placement on right hand pages, for appearing in the first quarter of the magazine, on the top half of the page, and so forth. I've never sold space on web sites, but I'm guessing there are even more variations they could possibly specify.

 

[gigastar]

I think I summed our feelings up nicely.

This does its job perfectly.

If you would like theese to stop, join the Publishers Club like i did.

 

[shintakie10]

Really, so they approach and say where they want the ad space? One would think that would be heavily subjective to the website itself, but then again maybe the whole "I cant see the page" issue everyone is having here is evidence of that problem.
I've not seen these anywhere else though, why on earth are those massive blue wastelands not being fought over like prime realestate?

I'm confused about that too actually. I feel as if I've seen ads there before, but perhaps I'm just gettin confused with the full screen video ads. Thats a huge amount of space that is always visible. You can't possibly tell me that there isn't a single ad company that said they want to use that space for somethin.

We run ads there all the time, but as Myan pointed out, they're not visible on all monitors, so not everyone wants their ads run there. You're also correct in thinking that ad types and placements vary from site to site. Ads are very complex business arrangements. Way back in the day, I sold ad space in magazines and people would pay premiums for placement on right hand pages, for appearing in the first quarter of the magazine, on the top half of the page, and so forth. I've never sold space on web sites, but I'm guessing there are even more variations they could possibly specify.

I guess that all makes sense. Doesnt make me stop being highly displeased at the ads, but I understand the whys a bit more.

 

[Racecar1994]

FINALLY! I have been sick to death of adverts like this (you know, the one which cuts off your video to show off a car you don't care about for 30 agonising seconds?) and I have been waiting for the change to RAGE.

I know it is possible to cut them off with the publisher's club membership, but that's almost like extortion. Every time those goddamn adverts pop up, I can't help but think "they're doing this on purpose, aren't they!? this isn't an advert for the car or that crappy horror film, this is an ad for the publisher's club! AAAAAARRRGGHHH!"

I think I'm OK now.

 

[Lenin211]

It's all a plot to make us join the publisher's club!

but seriously, ads on the side of the screen are okay, ones in the center of the screen are not.

 

[nicksdrago0]

Join our publishers club, or get ads blocking half your screen!

Sounds like extortion to me rather than advertising a free service at this point.

Now I understand that ad space gives the site cash and the companys extra revenue, but for christ sake, these are visually preventing us from using the bottom half of our screen. This is an issue you need to sort out with this company stat.

 

[Myan]

Really, so they approach and say where they want the ad space? One would think that would be heavily subjective to the website itself, but then again maybe the whole "I cant see the page" issue everyone is having here is evidence of that problem.
I've not seen these anywhere else though, why on earth are those massive blue wastelands not being fought over like prime realestate?

I'm confused about that too actually. I feel as if I've seen ads there before, but perhaps I'm just gettin confused with the full screen video ads. Thats a huge amount of space that is always visible. You can't possibly tell me that there isn't a single ad company that said they want to use that space for somethin.

We run ads there all the time, but as Myan pointed out, they're not visible on all monitors, so not everyone wants their ads run there. You're also correct in thinking that ad types and placements vary from site to site. Ads are very complex business arrangements. Way back in the day, I sold ad space in magazines and people would pay premiums for placement on right hand pages, for appearing in the first quarter of the magazine, on the top half of the page, and so forth. I've never sold space on web sites, but I'm guessing there are even more variations they could possibly specify.

Indeed there are MANY variables! Geo-location, web browser (even down to the version), gender, income, cross-visiting habits, etc. And don't even get me started on the cost structures and how advertisers want to pay for performance only.

 

[Corpse XxX]

My god they are annoying.. I entered site now, and 3 times in a row these ads came before i could actually do anything at all..

Though they advertised one hell of a game, if this persists in a long run, im giving up on this site. No page whatsoever justifies ads that take the entire screen and stops me from using it.