A new report from GameDaily suggests that gamers may actually be in favour of ad-sponsored casual games on the web, if the viewing of an ad prior to play means that the game itself can be delivered free of charge.

Apparently, casual game makers are sometimes struggling because generally only 99% of people that play a trial game actually purchase the full title. However, out of 1,500 gamers surveyed by RealNetworks, over 90% said they wouldn't mind watching an ad.

40 games out of the 500 offered by Real are ad-backed, however more are planned, with gamers being given the option of disabling the commercials by paying 19.99 USD.

"When you click on a flash game, it takes 20-30 seconds or so to load anyway," offered gamers media boss Jay Gould on the subject. "Which means the gamer is sitting there waiting to play. If you show them advertising that's relevant to them ... and if they understand that they get to play the game for free because of the advertising ... they're willing to watch it. It's not like it's a two- or three-minute TV commercial where they have time to leave the room and get a drink or go to the bathroom. You're waiting to play the game, it's starting in less than a minute, and so you're not going anywhere."

Ads have long been deemed the future of online game-funding, EA presently developing Battlefield Heroes, their first title that will be entirely sponsored by in-game advertising.

More on all this soon.

By Luke Guttridge

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