At least according to a new analysis published by the Yankee Group. According to them, "in-game advertising could climb considerably to $971.3 million by the year 2011, up from just $77 million globally in 2006 and $56 million in 2005, as companies begin to target the video game market for static and dynamic commercials."

Companies are apparently slowing with their traditional media ad budgets and investing more heavily in newer media forms, and the report says that "connected game devices 'are becoming the foundation on which providers build dynamic in-game insertion.'" Of course, they also warn that ads should not be used in a way that distracts from game play. Irritating product placement is bad enough in television and movies, but I'd be royally pissed if it became a common feature of the games I play.

In-Game Ads Grow To $971 Million By 2011 [Gamasutra]

Contact information for this author is not available.