You know the political scene's really heating up if a presidential candidate starts wooing video gamers for votes.

Reports have come in that Presidential nominee Barack Obama started an advertising campaign in 18 games, so don't be surprised if you suddenly drive by an Obama ad when you're racing in Burnout: Paradise.

Looks like the ad campaign will only run on Xbox 360 games, as it's being handled by Microsoft-owned in-game ad firm, Massive Incorporated. Other games that are included in the campaign are Madden, NASCAR, NBA, NHL and Skate. Republican nominee John McCain "passed" when approached an offer for ad space.

Electronic Arts explains that the campaign only targets 10 different states: Ohio, Florida, Iowa, Colorado, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, and Wisconsin. Incidentally, all of these states (save Wisconsin) went for George W. Bush in the last election.

Now for those who are interested in the politics of the situation, bear in mind that it was the Obama group that approached Massive with the idea for in-game ads. Also, Massive does not endorse either candidate, and are treating the ads as a TV network or radio station would.

This isn't the first time Obama campaigned in video games though. Early last year, he (or at least, his avatar), campaigned in Second Life.

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