I was going to save this for the first of the month in order to get back on a steady update schedule, but there's no sense in letting a good rant go stale.

You know what really gets under my skin? These random Flash ads people put in their movies and games.

I can't stand these damn things. It seems now like every other crudely-built cookie-cutter flash being submitted to the portal exists solely to shove these unnecessary skidmarks of e-capitalism down our throats. Earlier today, I ran across one such (exceptionally) offending flash and gave it the zero bomb it deserved. I had seen another twenty advertisement-saturated flashes before it today, but this one drew my ire in that it displayed ads after every significant act. Loading the flash? Long advertisement. Win the level? Here's an advertisement. Lose? Here's another advertisement before you hit the retry button. Bear in mind that each level could be won or lost in less than ten seconds. One or two ads could slide, but thirty? SHEEEEEEEIT...

I really do wish that this shit would go away for normal users. Now, I can understand how Newgrounds would want or need ads on individual pages within itself. This site is expensive and it costs money to keep it running. I get that. What I don't get is why every dipshit who can draw a stick figure or code a dress-up game needs to churn out garbage to turn a few cents profit.

The idea of users having the option to include ads has some theoretical merit - an original content creator could be compensated for their diligence and creativity with a share of the profits earned from views. Makes sense on paper. The reality, however, is that the focus easily shifts from making exceptional works that can draw in some well-deserved money to making mass-produced garbage for no other purpose than to make those few cents before losing any and all relevancy. People still play Infectionator. Mario's Random ATV/defense/avoider/dressup/jigsaw/spot-the-diff erence game hasn't been clicked since it dropped off the portal. Both have advertisements, but only the former is worth the time spent viewing them.

I would really like someone to tell me exactly how much ad revenue is generated by your average shovelware horseshit game before it drops off the portal with its 500-600 total views. Is it really worth the loss of personal integrity that comes from forcing your audience to sit through a spiel about whole-grain cereals or this weeks new free online MMO game that nobody ever plays? I really do honestly want to know.

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Now, I don't feel that all advertising is bad and I do distinguish between random flash ads and actual sponsorship. Every so often, I'll catch a YouTube advertisement for a movie trailer or something else that I actually think is interesting. Sometimes, I'll see that the official sponsor of something I like specializes in the kind of items I want to see or buy. For example, I might see a movie that was sponsored by Machinima or something, and then decide to visit because, hey, it might have more of what I was already looking for. They are directly sponsoring a production that I would find appealing because both the production and the products being offered by the sponsor appeal to the same demographic. It's targeted advertising and it's the only kind of advertising that works. Direct, relevant sponsorship can be honorable and bring about great things.

That said, who the FUCK is hanging out on this site and coming to the sudden realization that what they need to make their lives complete is a Swiffer Wet Jet? Are they suddenly going to rise from their computer chairs and go get the new $5.99 Philly Cheesesteak Melt from Arby's?

Anyway, rant complete. Discuss.

R1665