entertainment

'Final Fantasy XV' and Coleman team up for camping scenes

15 Comments
By Scott R Dixon, RocketNews24

If you’re looking forward to action role-playing game "Final Fantasy XV" and also happen to have a love for the outdoors, then we have some exciting news for you. A Japanese video game news site has recently uncovered some more details on the “camping” feature in Square Enix’s forthcoming title where characters can rest, manage stats and cook food. And to emphasize just how important camping will be to the storyline, Square Enix has partnered with outdoor equipment Coleman to bring its camping gear, such as tents, chairs and stoves, straight into the world of "Final Fantasy."

While product placement in a popular movie or TV series is hardly new, having a very real brand in the next installment of "Final Fantasy" is a risky bet for a video game with the word “fantasy” right there in the title. Although Coleman is American, the company is very well-known in Japan so it makes sense that Square Enix would choose the brand to connect the fantasy video game to real-world outdoor enthusiasts, and Japanese video game site Famitsu posted some screen shots of the camping scenes in the game with the Coleman logo clearly seen on some of the equipment.

The news of beloved RPG series’ foray into product placement came just ahead of the March 20 release of a playable demo of "Final Fantasy XV" called "Episode Duscae." And it seems like camping will be available in the demo for gamers to find out for themselves how it feels to cook over a virtual Coleman-branded stove.

The news made Japanese netizens pretty cynical about the future of the gaming industry and whether this kind of product placement would become the norm in future video games. Although a few gamers said they couldn’t care less what is being advertised as long as the gameplay and story line are good. And a few netizens said they love "Final Fantasy" so much, they couldn’t wait to buy some "Final Fantasy"-branded Coleman camping gear.

What do you think about "Final Fantasy" featuring Coleman’s logo so clearly in the game? Does product placement take away from the Final Fantasy experience or should Square Enix be applauded for finding a unique way to pay the bills?

Sources: Famitsu, h/t Hachimakiko

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Square Enix Reveals Final Fantasy Dating Game, is Elaborate Prank -- Japanese convenience store’s registers play Final Fantasy victory theme for special items -- Ultra-cute “chibi” Final Fantasy VII figures now available for pre-order

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15 Comments
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I'm afraid FF lost me after FF10. Not sure about the product placement. I know after playing MGS Snake Eater I had a strange urge to try "Calorie Mates".

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To me it looks like the camping scene will just replace the old style tent recovery item. It looks like there will be banter and some scripted action to make it a bit more involved as opposed to the usual dum-de-dum-dum of the music and fade to black. As for product placement, provided it's done tastefully and looks authentic rather than blatant advertising, I think it will be fine.

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Added to the consumables list will be the mantles for the propane lanterns. I wonder if the mobs will start dropping full propane bottles when killed?

"DON'T USE A FIRE ATTACK!!! That monster is packing propane!!!"

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Ganna pass on FFXV and on Coleman gear. There are literately 20 other brands I would buy (and do own) over Coleman. Osprey, Montbell, even Dunlop. Oh wait a sec. I do own a Coleman chair, because it was the CHEAPEST chair and its just a chair. Anything ultralight/dependable = not Coleman. Even their grills are overpriced by about 10x.

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Not only Coleman, but also the REI outdoor gear store in the game.

http://www.rei.com/

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**Yeah! I finally got the +5 extendable broiler basket with the dishware carry bag! Aaawesome!

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and pasty-white virgins everywhere have even more reason not to actually go outside, let along go camping

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I have played all the Final Fantasy Games starting with FF III but was not too thrilled with the last couple entries.

Final Fantasy Camping? That sounds almost like Final Fantasy Cabela :P

I did try a Cabela game once and that was about as exciting as a bass fishing video game

I hope there is more to the game than virtual camping trips. I play video games when I am bored not because I want to get bored ....which is why I never bought a second Cabela game.

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I'm really having a hard time trying to imagine how they're gonna make these things fit in the universe in a believable way... I hope it won't be a dumb stunt that'll break immersion in the game, but I fear it will...

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It fits the whole fantasy mixed with real world theme they've been going for for a long time with ff15 I can't remember the tagline exactly but it's something like this is a fantasy inspired by reality

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I don't mind product placement if it fits the world, but Coleman camping goods in a fantasy setting? That kind of breaks immersion.

I agree with papigiulio that the series has lost its way, though. I guess there's not much immersion to break when you have Johnny's idols in suits driving around in old timey convertibles in Jurassic Park, cutting down Star Wars creatures with giant swords.

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picture comment of a skeleton on a park bench

Still waiting for the FFVII remake...

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Well, this is certainly national news.

Can imagine the banter during meal-time though...

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Camping game? I think ill pass. Square really hasn't figured out Final fantasy yet. Fans want the old one back, old system was great. Story was great. They already have the graphics skill, now the rest.

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Sooner or later, everything will be branded in video games. Then, like Youtube videos, we'll be playing for 15 minutes and then bam, a 1 minute advertisement about erectile dysfunction medication.

Unless the video game itself is parodying advertisements, I don't think it's a good idea to product place in video games. I think it sets a bad precedent.

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