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Google (GOOGL) reports $11.207 billion of YouTube ad revenue in Q3 2026
Google reported $11.207 billion in YouTube ad revenue for Q3 2026, an increase from $10.26 billion in Q3 2025. This revenue contributed to Google's overall Q3 2026 revenue of $127.58 billion. The article notes a significant increase in ad spend on YouTube during the US midterm election year.
Call Of Duty Ads On Xbox Are Even More Annoying This Year With Modern Warfare 4
Microsoft is implementing intrusive, takeover-style advertisements for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox, even hijacking custom backgrounds. While these ads can be disabled, the practice is part of a broader trend towards increased advertising in gaming, with Xbox's chief strategy officer Matthew Ball advocating for it to offset rising development costs. Electronic Arts is also introducing its own in-game advertising platform.
Rockstar's figured out the perfect GTA 6 advertisement – a bunch of supercars from Vice City speeding along…
Rockstar Games has executed a unique marketing campaign for Grand Theft Auto 6 by driving a fleet of iconic in-game supercars through Miami, mirroring the game's Vice City setting. This real-world stunt has generated significant buzz and positive fan reactions online, with many praising the creative advertising approach.
GTA 6 posters are popping up worldwide but the guns are censored
Advertisements for Grand Theft Auto 6 appearing in major cities like Paris and New York have notably censored gun imagery from the original artwork. This marketing choice, which also affects banners in Chicago and Miami, is occurring just over a month before the game's November 19 launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
MMO Business Roundup: Discord’s ad sales, GTA Online hacker’s arrest, and Xbox sale rumors
This MMO business roundup covers Discord's new advertising products, the arrest of a hacker allegedly involved in breaches of Grand Theft Auto Online and Red Dead Online, Ubisoft Massive Entertainment taking over more IPs, and rumors of Xbox being up for sale, which CEO Asha Sharma denies.
Evening Reading - September 28, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various game reviews and previews, including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered, Minecraft Dungeons 2, and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. The article also touches on the state of retro gaming, the increasing involvement of AI in various fields, and the importance of art style in Halo.
Discord admits it's taking gambling sponsors, rushes to fix "extremely popular age assurance update that everyone on Discord was really looking forward to"
Discord is facing backlash for implementing a new age verification system while simultaneously introducing gambling advertisements, including those for FanDuel. The company acknowledges bugs in the age assurance update and states that ads for traditional real-money gaming are prohibited, but daily fantasy sports ads are intended for adults and are age-gated.
Microsoft files patent for "ad-credit" system to show ads on PC and Xbox without disrupting gameplay
Microsoft has filed a patent for an "ad-credit" system that would display advertisements during PC and Xbox gameplay by pausing the game during natural breaks like loading screens. Players would earn credits for ad-free playtime after viewing ads. This follows earlier reports of Xbox considering ads for cloud gaming and recent tests of ad-supported streaming sessions.
Xbox plans to interrupt video games with ads according to new patent
A newly published Microsoft patent suggests Xbox is considering implementing ad breaks directly into video games, potentially for a cheaper tier of Xbox Game Pass. While the patent aims to avoid interrupting gameplay during critical moments, the prospect of ads within paid games is expected to be highly controversial.
Microsoft patents idea for in-game PC and Xbox adverts shown during downtime "trigger events"
Microsoft has patented a system for displaying in-game advertisements during downtime on PC and Xbox. The technology aims to show ads during loading screens or end-of-round moments without disrupting gameplay, potentially impacting subscription services like Xbox Game Pass.
Sony Says Free TV On PS5 Is “One Plus One Equaling A Lot More Than Two”
Sony has launched "Live TV on PS5," offering over 100 free ad-supported TV and movie channels to PlayStation 5 owners. Keith Le Goy, chairman of Sony Pictures TV, believes this service leverages the highly engaged PS5 user base, creating a valuable audience for advertisers and partners, likening the synergy to "one plus one equaling a lot more than two."
9-year-old kid spends $118,000 on YouTube ads for Minecraft and Roblox videos using his dad's company credit card:…
A 9-year-old boy allegedly used his father's company credit card without permission to spend $118,000 on YouTube ads for his Minecraft and Roblox videos. The father discovered the charges after being called into his office and is now facing potential personal liability for the expenses. The child's YouTube channel has been shut down, and the family plans to implement stricter parental controls.
From Zara Larsson to Spongebob Squarepants, here's how Roblox gets such cool collaborations
Roblox continues to attract major brands like Nike, Vans, and H&M for collaborations by offering unique virtual experiences and brand integrations. Marketer Jake Sullivan from Vector3 explains that these partnerships provide longer exposure and more personal connections than traditional advertising. The platform's focus on older users and community-driven interactions further enhances its appeal for brands seeking authentic engagement.
Miami agrees to advertise GTA 6 in exchange for fixing their football field
Miami Beach has approved a deal allowing Rockstar Games to advertise Grand Theft Auto 6 through discreet marketing on beach chairs and umbrellas. The agreement, which generated nearly $4 million, will fund renovations for the Flamingo football field, though some commissioners expressed concerns about associating the city with the game's violent themes. The campaign is set to run from October 15 to the end of the year.
"I don't think it's worth any amount of money" - Controversial real-life GTA 6 advertising campaign passed by City of Miami, but brand can only appear "discreetly"
The City of Miami Beach has approved negotiations for a marketing campaign for Grand Theft Auto 6, potentially bringing in millions of dollars. The deal faced controversy due to the game's violent nature, with some commissioners arguing against associating the city's brand with it. The campaign plans to feature "discreet" advertisements on beach chairs and umbrellas, avoiding major events and city property.
A Full-Fledged Skyrim Mod Starring Matt Berry Is Here To Refresh The Game With An Ikea Ad
A new Skyrim mod called Kallax Storageborn has been released, transforming an Ikea shelving unit into a voiced companion voiced by Matt Berry. The mod adds new quests, items, and a boss fight, and is available for free on PC and Xbox. The article expresses mild concern about in-game advertising but finds the mod's concept amusing.
Amazon is sued by the FTC and 22 states for 'secretly' overcharging advertisers since 2019
Amazon is facing a lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission and 22 states, who allege the company has been secretly overcharging advertisers since 2019. The lawsuit claims this deceptive practice continues to this day.
PlayStation 5 Owners Get Free Live TV Support, But There’s a Catch
Sony Pictures Television has launched a free live TV service for PlayStation 5 owners in the U.S., offering over 100 channels including news, sports, and movies. The service, accessible via the Media tab, includes advertisements and is exclusive to U.S. users, with plans for future expansion to Canada. This move aims to integrate Sony's assets and provide advertisers with a new platform to reach consumers.
PS5 Adds Free Live And On-Demand Movie And TV Channels, In Exchange For Watching Ads
Sony has launched a new free, ad-supported live TV service on PlayStation 5, offering over 100 channels of movies, TV shows, news, sports, and anime. Users can access the content by signing in with their PlayStation account, with the trade-off being the inclusion of advertisements. This move by Sony follows similar offerings from competitors like Roku, Tubi, and Pluto.
Instagram Quietly Routes Your Off-App Activity Into Ads and AI — The 7 Settings That Push Back
This article details how Instagram, owned by Meta, collects user data both on and off the app for advertising and AI purposes, and outlines seven settings users can adjust to limit this data collection. While a complete opt-out is not possible, users can control how their off-app activity is used for personalization and manage AI chat data.
