PS4 vs Xbox One: Microsoft Scheming Tactics; Pays People for Positive Reviews
Microsoft has allegedly tapped on paid advertising in a scheming way - via Youtube users who receive a few bucks in exchange for mentioning the game console and its games in a video, reports The Verge.
Interested? Unfortunately, the next gen game console has reportedly reached its 1.25 million views limit, says Ars Technica. But a leaked copy of the full legal agreement is still up online.
According to the leaked full legal agreement, the Youtube user's role in the so-called campaign is to drive awareness for Xbox One Release including video games available for the next gen game console.
The leaked full legal agreement goes on to specify what Youtube users should include in their campaign video including the campaign tag "XB1M13," verbally mentioning that the said user is playing the game shown on the console, at least 30 seconds of gameplay in the first 2 minutes of the video, annotating the Xbox One Youtube channel, and more.
The agreement was also quite specific on what the campaign videos should lay off of such as "negative or disparaging things to say about Machinima, Xbox One or any of its games" and "excessive inappropriate language or profanity," among others.
IGameResponsibly posted what appears to be a screenshot of an email without a cited sender which offers a $3 compensation bonus when individuals participate in the continued Xbox One promotion. Ars Technica mentions that the $3 compensation bonus is for every 1,000 views.
The Ars Technica report goes on to say that Sony's rival in the game console industry might be violating FTC rules which prohibit paid advertisements which do not "clearly and conspicuously" state that they are, in fact, compensated.
"You agree to keep confidential at all times all matters relating to this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Promotional Requirements, and the CPM Compensation, listed above," reads the leaked full legal agreement.
The campaign period for the scheming paid advertisement started January 13 at 12:00 am PT and was supposed to end February 9 at 11:59 pm PT. However, the campaign has reached its "budgetary views cap" of 1,250,000 - bringing the campaign to a sudden halt. Ars Technica notes that Poptent lists the campaign as "expired on January 16."
Microsoft has yet to comment on the issue.