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Really to me, it's the fact that I can bypass any of those commercials by just getting the source material. If I watch Pulp Fiction (yes I love this example) on TV, I'd have to endure a number of commercials.
In the same way, I might have to watch a couple ads on youtube to watch through gameplays of New n Tasty. The difference is, even when I buy the game, I can't escape the ads.
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Well, there's a certain flaw in that statement, if you want to get technically—and for the sake of this ongoing debate, I might as well throw it into the crucible as well.
Technically you only paid half the price for New 'n' Tasty, as JAW has bypassed the benefactor, the distributor and the retailer. The same game, under the influence of all these exterior costs, would easily be priced at $60, maybe $50 if you're lucky (for the record, using AUD). This game would not have the need for in-game commercials, because they would be financially stable. JAW is not, at least not at the same level. They are an independent publisher, which means they have to seek alternative methods of exposure, and in this case, its a few simple advertisements to be replicated in the corresponding games.
So, pick your poison. I can sympathise with buying DVDs/Blu-Rays to avoid commercials, I do it too—as a matter of fact, I don't watch TV because I loathe the format. But when it comes down to the cold hard facts, there's a simple distinction here.
By removing the ads, Oddworld Inc. would also be removing their creative control over the project. Sure, hand it over to a benefactor, get a huge marketing campaign, rid the world of those intrusive commercials we all hate so much, and when it comes time to show their almighty investors the project in-development, this will be the response: "Yeah, that's great. But can you make Abe more … human? Oh, and put a sidekick in there, maybe a dog-like creature. Add a tutorial mode too, we need to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Trust me, I'm paying your bills, I know what I'm saying."
An extremely exaggerated example, but it's the truth (as a matter of fact, I borrowed part of the quote from Sherry McKenna). So what would you rather? A more expensive game that doesn't stick to Lorne's vision 110%, or a less expensive game completely under Lorne's control with all of the funds going back into the development of future instalments?
In-game advertisements, hidden in secret areas, and mixed into Oddworld-related advertisements, which you see for two seconds at a time and do not in the slightest hinder your gameplay experience AT ALL (save the most petulant of us), are a small price to pay for the greater good.
