Links 2004 hooks up with Suunto

Video and computer games are not foreign to product placement within their virtual worlds. This usually takes the form of logos or advertisements on billboards in sports and racing games. However, Microsoft Game Studios is apparently seeking greater product placement in its games, viewing such partnerships as providing a news revenue stream.

In a deal brokered by JAM International Partners, a company which specializes in brand placement for interactive games, Microsoft will feature both Suunto's brand mark and its G9 Wristop Computer in its upcoming Xbox title, Links 2004.

Finland's Suunto is a manufacturer of wristop computers that utilize GPS technology, among other things. Presumably, players within the game will be wearing the G9 device.

Microsoft Game Studios signed an agreement with JAM International Partners earlier this year that made the outside agency the first to specialize in product placement in Microsoft games.

Shane Kim, chief operating officer for Microsoft Game Studios, stated, "Our goal in working with JAM International Partners is to maximize new revenue streams through paid product placements in our games... [We] are aggressively working with JAM International Partners to secure deals with numerous other brand companies for games currently in development at Microsoft Game Studios."