10 Ridiculous Ways Adverts Were Built Into Video Games
5. Stalking People And Handing Out Burgers In Sneak King
Another game built specifically to flog a product, Sneak King had you playing as the creepy-looking King - Burger King's mascot - as he sneaked around various levels, stalked people, and attempted to hand them Burger King meals.
Available exclusively at Burger King restaurants, Sneak King was one of three Burger King-themed games released in 2006, and was only playable on Xbox consoles. Its gameplay was simple: The King would sneak around a given area and target hungry NPCs in desperate need of some sustenance, and it was the player's job to make sure they got fed. However, if the NPC spotted The King, they would lose their appetite.
This resulted in scenarios where The King would hide in the back of trucks, round the side of cars, in treehouses and inside bins, jumping out to surprise people and deliver them a meal. It was funny the first couple of times, but this repetitive loop quickly became grating, and the game's shoddy graphics and flat textures didn't exactly leave a strong impression either.
The game sold well, and Burger King wasn't coy about the fact that it was made to boost in-restaurant sales either. But despite their openness, Sneak King was still rubbish, and it wasn't made to be a great game; it was made to sell you more stuff.