You hear them when you enter a district but only every 3 hours, so not every time you change district clarifies developer Realtime. Not that bad?
"You will receive a short audio ad once every 3 hours. HOWEVER ads will only be heard when first entering a district," posted 'Toxico' on the official APB forums. They then gave an example to make sure we understand how it works - how nice.
1) You start up the game and enter the social district.
2) You will hear a short audio ad.
3 You stay in social for 2 hours and then switch to an action district.
4) Upon entering the action district you will NOT hear an ad.
5) You play in the action district for 5 hours and do not hear any ads.
6) You exit the game.
7) You start up the game at a later time and enter a district.
8) You will hear a short audio ad.
The game's Social District is said to be free and you can enter it at any time even when your subscription has run out and you haven't renewed it. It's when you want to enter an Action District that you must pay to play. Subs can be bought in blocks of hours.
An unlimited 30 day pass is also available if you don't want to 'pay by the hour.' Audio adverts aren't a proven revenue stream just yet but they could take if left unobtrusive and not screaming to make our ears bleed with product slogans.
Does Realtime Worlds' APB appeal to you, videogamer?
Source: RPS