Have Sony gone too far ?

jellybaby · 29-04-2007, 15:15

Quote:

Electronics giant Sony has sparked a major row over animal cruelty and the ethics of the computer industry by using a freshly slaughtered goat to promote a violent video game.

The corpse of the decapitated animal was the centrepiece of a party to celebrate the launch of the God Of War II game for the companyâ€™s PlayStation 2 console.

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Paul · 29-04-2007, 15:33

Sony really do know how to create free publicity don't they

Up there with the cartoon network fiasco for publicity creation by morons.

prawncocktail · 29-04-2007, 15:37

thats a bit poor really but also excellent at the same time, i had not heard of that game until now and now im intrigued

jtwn · 29-04-2007, 16:11

Aim: To generate publicity

Conclusion: Publicity generated

Ramrod · 29-04-2007, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Up there with the cartoon network fiasco for publicity creation by morons.

I missed that story........what a bunch of fecking morons

**Matt D** · 29-04-2007, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by skirkby

thats a bit poor really but also excellent at the same time, i had not heard of that game until now and now im intrigued

God of War II = the best ever PS2 game, & one of the best games ever made for any system.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/18...war-2-ps2.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_of_War_II

Damien · 29-04-2007, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtwn

Aim: To generate publicity

Conclusion: Publicity generated

There is negitive feelings that get attached to this kind of thing though. It raised attention but it might have done a small amount of damage to the Sony Brand image

**Matt D** · 29-04-2007, 16:40

Bloody Daily Mail...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daily Mail

the grotesque "sacrifice" highlighted increasing concerns over the content of video games and the lengths to which the industry will go to exploit youngsters.

It's got a BBFC 18 certificate you feckwits. It is not meant for youngsters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daily Mail

In God Of War II, which is so violent it has been given an 18 certificate, players follow Kratos into battle against a series of fearsome characters from Greek mythology.

So what if it has an 18? Surely that's good, you dim-witted fools, as it means that it is illegal for under 18s to be sold this "nasty violent game".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daily Mail

Former Minister Keith Vaz, Labour MP for Leicester East and a long-time campaigner against violent computer games, branded the stunt "distasteful and irresponsible".

He said: "The slaughter of animals is not something that should be done to advertise a product.

"Sony as a global entertainment company has a social responsibility. At this event it failed in that responsibility.

"I think people should think very carefully before bringing games like this into their homes.

"I would understand if customers wanted to boycott other Sony products such as their televisions because of this controversy."

Keith Vaz...

The same Keith Vaz who "committed serious breaches of the Code of Conduct and a contempt of the House [of Commons]" according to the Filkin Inquiry.

The same Keith Vaz who stupidly called for "Manhunt" to be banned.

The same Keith Vaz who criticised "Canis Canem Edit" despite never playing it, or even seeing it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daily Mail

It is not the first time Sony has been involved in controversy over its games. In 2004, the PlayStation 2 game Manhunt was banned by High Street stores in the UK after it was linked to the murder of a 14-year-old Leicester boy.

The only person involved in that case who had owned "Manhunt" was the victim, who was under-age & should not have been sold it (or had it bought for him).

The killers did not own "Manhunt", did not play "Manhunt", & there was not even any evidence that'd they'd ever even heard of "Manhunt". The police totally ruled out any alleged influence by "Manhunt" on the killers' behaviour.

Yet, of course, the tabloid dumbasses still claim it's "yet another evil videogame which causes killings" etc.

TheBlueRaja · 29-04-2007, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

Snip...

Soooo, because its an 18 rated game, that makes it ok to slaughter a goat purely for the purpose of promoting it?

**Matt D** · 29-04-2007, 17:18

No, it doesn't. I never said it did.

But as it has an 18, how are Sony "exploiting youngsters"?

I don't agree with the PR stunt Sony pulled, however the story is pure Daily Mail anti-games BS.

**Maggy J** · 29-04-2007, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueRaja

Soooo, because its an 18 rated game, that makes it ok to slaughter a goat purely for the purpose of promoting it?

Sorry TBR I don't think Matt said that or even hinted that was the case.He was objecting to the poor journalism in the article.

Just because he omitted the issue of the goat doesn't mean he condones it. In fact IF the article is incorrect in any manner it does make one wonder how much of the article is true.

TheBlueRaja · 29-04-2007, 17:21

No probs

Gareth · 29-04-2007, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

I missed that story........what a bunch of fecking morons

What, the Boston Police...? If so, I agree.

I'm with Bruce Schneier on this one...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Schneier

The story is almost too funny to write about seriously. To advertise the Cartoon Network show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," the network put up 38 blinking signs (kind of like Lite Brites) around the Boston area. The Boston police decided -- with absolutely no supporting evidence -- that these were bombs and shut down parts of the city.

Now the police look stupid, but they're trying really not hard not to act humiliated:

Governor Deval Patrick told the Associated Press: "It's a hoax -- and it's not funny."

Unfortunately, it is funny. What isn't funny is now the Boston government is trying to prosecute the artist and the network instead of owning up to their own stupidity. The police now claim that they were "hoax" explosive devices. I don't think you can claim they are hoax explosive devices unless they were intended to look like explosive devices, which merely a cursory look at any of them shows that they weren't.

But it's much easier to blame others than to admit that you were wrong:

"It is outrageous, in a post 9/11 world, that a company would use this type of marketing scheme," Mayor Thomas Menino said. "I am prepared to take any and all legal action against Turner Broadcasting and its affiliates for any and all expenses incurred."

And:

Rep. Ed Markey, a Boston-area congressman, said, "Whoever thought this up needs to find another job."

"Scaring an entire region, tying up the T and major roadways, and forcing first responders to spend 12 hours chasing down trinkets instead of terrorists is marketing run amok," Markey, a Democrat, said in a written statement. "It would be hard to dream up a more appalling publicity stunt."

And:

"It had a very sinister appearance," [Massachusetts Attorney General Martha] Coakley told reporters. "It had a battery behind it, and wires."

For heavens sake, don't let her inside a Radio Shack.

Full article

NitroNutter · 29-04-2007, 23:41

<snip>ethics of the computer industry</snip>

Can someone fill me in on which industry actually has any ethics ? I know of none and I have been around a while and dabbled in many. All very well shouting about ethics but I bet that reporters sold a few down the river same as anyone else complaining about this ad campaign.

Surprised they did this for some POS 2 game but then they need to sell something this week.

SMHarman · 30-04-2007, 02:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gareth

What, the Boston Police...? If so, I agree.

I'm with Bruce Schneier on this one...

Full article

Some went up in other citys too, they just carried on as normal!