14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft seems to be keen to use the popularity of the Xbox Live service, used by gamers on both its home consoles, to create a set of new advertising opportunities that will be bundled for political operatives looking for new opportunities in the United States as the midterm elections approach.
VG247 reports that during the recent Conservative Political Action Conference, the company promoted its ability to reach young voters, who are traditionally very important for both big parties in the US.
Xbox Live is mentioned alongside the MSN and Skype as a good way of contacting them with political ads.
Microsoft says that gamers on both the Xbox One and the 360 would see carefully targeted political ads on their consoles, based on their location and on their demographical data.
In 2008, current United States President Barack Obama was seen as a trailblazer when he used advertising placed in various games published by Electronic Arts to promote his candidacy.
He also used Xbox Live in 2012.
Traditionally, gamers have been seen as a group that was uninterested in politics, but recently, grassroots groups have appeared, asking players to express their opinion and encourage them to go out and vote on Election Day.