CBS Advert using SL

Someone pointed out to me that CBS did a Two and a Half Men commercial using Second Life, that they showed during the pre-show for the Superbowl. I figured I'd post this just to point it out, and maybe let other folks discuss the fact that a major network decided to use SL to make a commercial on the cheap.

Actually, the spot was created for CBS by The Electric Sheep Company, and they undoubtedly made a bit of pocket change from it.

P2

It was probably cheaper then the real world. ESC did a great job with it.

Yeah, I'm sure ESC made a lot on the commercial but it was probably worlds cheaper than a normal one would cost CBS. Its really well done. I guess I'm just suprised that there was a pink Luskwood tiger in the background. Maybe more adverts like this will show up on TV.

The relative cost of a machinima spot like this vs. a regular live-action spot would depend on a couple of things.... Hiring Electric Sheep (who in turn apparently hired Ill Clan) to make the machinima would cost significantly more than doing a regular "topical" promo using the already-shot show footage.
However, compared to a "shoot spot," for which a custom shoot would have to be done (with a special script, camera crew, location, props, editing, etc.) well....in that case, yeah....something like this would be -quite- a bit cheaper.

The platform VR for such things is years old.

Adobe Atmosphere was developed for that, and other similar commercial purposes. They orginally intended 'users' to develop their own 'worlds', for companies to use in place of such delights as netmeeting for conferencing, creators to develop content such as commercials.
The programme is still alive and kicking with a heathly community running the show, of which I am still part of (AWM=A World Maker).