Static In-game Advertising
Similar to product placement in the film industry, static IGAs cannot be changed after they are programmed directly into the game (unless it's completely online). However, unlike product placement in traditional media, IGA allows gamers to interact with the virtual product. For example, Splinter Cell has required the use of in-game Sony Ericsson phones to catch terrorists. Unlike dynamic IGAs, static IGAs are not limited to a developer and publisher determined pre-programmed size or location and allow the advertiser to customize the advertisement display.
A number of games utilize billboard-like advertisements or product placement to create a realistic gaming environment. For example, many sports games incorporate these advertisements to simulate the heavy advertising within professional sports. Similarly, many games employ brand-name products such as guns and cars as in-game status symbols. These brand references may not be advertisements and are instead placed in the game purely for plot or design reasons. However, trademark owners sometimes object to unlicensed references to their trademarks. See, e.g., E.S.S. Entertainment 2000, Inc. v. Rock Star Videos, Inc.
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