David Wanetick, managing director for the investment publication The Wall Street Transcript has said that in-game advertising revenues will hit $4 billion by the end of 2008.

While it's no secret that in-game advertising is on the rise, TWST expects the adoption of the practice to explode, with virtually every game incorporating ads in the near future.

TWST points out that gamers are much more receptive to "advergaming" than other potential consumers who block pop-up Internet ads or mute television commercials because in many cases, ads in games provide realism. However, many gamers would disagree with that notion, saying that ads can often be intrusive.

TWST will also be hosting the Profiting in the Video Game Economy Conference, which will take place in New York City on February 16. The conference will cover not only advertising in games, but also wireless gaming, investing in the game economy, Hollywood and games, casual games, convergence of games and comic books and legal issues pertaining to videogames.