The details of Blizzard's next MMO game are something that, outside of Blizzard itself, very few people likely know about. All we know for sure is that the follow up to the hit MMO World of Warcraft has the code name "Project Titan" and that it won't be a World of Warcraft sequel. However, a new job listing on Blizzard's web site does give some new hints about what players of the game might encounter.
The job listing for "Franchise Development Producer" for Blizzard's "Next-Gen MMO" specifically states that whomever gets the gig will, "... Work with major consumer brands to facilitate product placement and licensing within the world of Blizzard Entertainment's next-gen MMO that enhances the gameplay experience."
Yes, that means that players of this unnamed game will likely see real world products inside the game world. Perhaps they will drink Coke for health or drive a Ford Focus to the next game zone. Perhaps we will see in-game billboards promoting products.
Product placement in games is nothing new, of course, but the fact that Blizzard is actively looking to make deals for such in-game product ads for its next MMO project would strongly suggest that the game won't be fantasy based.
The "Franchise Development Producer" would also be in charge of expanding "the next-gen MMO brand outside of the gaming industry" and would set up deals for tie-in products and merchandise like novels, books, comic books, clothes and even short movies, which is interesting in itself.
Blizzard has given no indication of when its next-gen MMO will be announced, much less launched.
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