Key Takeaways
1. A Call of Duty: Mobile ad on the Xbox Series dashboard upset gamers since the game isn’t playable on the console.
2. Many users criticized the logic of advertising non-console games, recalling past controversial ads on Xbox.
3. Some users believe the current complaints about ads overlook worse experiences from the past.
4. Xbox players feel ads should be relevant to their console, especially after a recent price increase.
5. Microsoft has not responded to the backlash about ad placements, which reflects broader frustrations with rising costs for the Xbox ecosystem.
A post on r/xbox has gone viral after a user noticed a Call of Duty: Mobile advertisement on the Xbox Series dashboard, even though the game isn’t playable on the console. This has understandably upset many gamers.
The initial post by Reddit user u/Critical_Term_1013, named “Putting an ad for a game that’s not available on Xbox is beyond my understanding,” has garnered over 2,600 upvotes and numerous comments. User u/WolfOfLOLStreet pointed out, “What’s the logic in your gaming device advertising a game not playable on that same device?”
User Reactions and Comparisons
In a sarcastic turn, u/IronMonkey18 referenced Blizzard’s well-known quote, “Do you guys not have phones?”, while u/Bunta_Fujiwara reminded everyone that this isn’t the first instance of controversial ads from Microsoft: “Do you guys not remember Xbox 360 metro in around 2011?” This refers to the widely criticized 2011 Fall Dashboard Update that introduced Microsoft’s Metro UI to the Xbox 360.
That update faced backlash for swapping the classic blade interface for a tile-based layout that heavily featured third-party ads, from snacks to movie promotions. Back then, many users felt that they were being treated as ad impressions rather than paying customers. A Reddit thread from 14 years ago even explained how to block these dashboard ads by adjusting DNS settings and blacklisting Microsoft’s ad servers through OpenDNS or router controls.
Bigger Picture
Adding to the conversation, u/Jakeasuno commented that the current complaints overlook the larger issue: “people complaining about the ads on the current dashboard clearly haven’t experienced the worst.” In contrast, u/Zeppelin041 acknowledged the global popularity of mobile gaming but still believes it’s inappropriate to advertise phone-exclusive titles on a $500 console.
Microsoft, which owns Activision Blizzard, the company behind Call of Duty: Mobile, is promoting cross-platform strategies. However, many Xbox players insist that ads should be relevant to the console experience, especially since the device is now priced at $599.99 following a recent increase from its original price of $499.99.
Many Xbox users have voiced their frustrations over ads integrated into the dashboard, especially when fans feel that competitors like Sony and Nintendo provide cleaner, ad-free interfaces. In a previous post, a user criticized a full-screen Starfield boot-up ad as ‘awful’ and questioned why paid hardware was showcasing promotions. Another thread highlighted Microsoft’s experiments with ad formats through the Xbox Insider Program, including dashboard tiles and reward-based ads embedded in the home screen.
Microsoft’s Silence
As of now, Microsoft hasn’t provided any comments regarding the ad placement or their overall strategy. It’s still unclear if this backlash will lead to any changes.
Some users have reacted to the situation with dry humor. For instance, u/greenyquinn offered a sarcastic take: “Microsoft published games that I can play with my Microsoft account being advertised on a Microsoft device. Who does this even appeal to?” He further added, “Now if it was MTN DEW Code Red, that would be an appropriate ad. Literally every human needs to consume beverages to survive.”
This comment sheds light on the differing opinions regarding the ad placement. However, the underlying frustration may stem from broader issues: Microsoft has recently raised prices for the Xbox Series X, upped the cost of first-party accessories, and announced an $80 price tag for several upcoming games. In this context, the dashboard ad might not be the root problem but rather the last straw in a series of grievances.
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