UK Burnout advert 'irresponsible' - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 28th Jun 2007, 12:42

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/06...responsible_/1

EA has been bitch-slapped by the Advertising Standards Authority for irresponsible advertising.

Lazarus Dark · 28th Jun 2007, 13:00

37 complaints? That sounds like nothing to me. I figure they get that many complaints just for your average mcdonalds or hamburger helper commercial.

Jamie · 28th Jun 2007, 13:09

This is just the media trying to make a mountain out of the violence and illegal activities portrayed in videogames. If they had their way we wouldn't be able to do anything illegal in a games, all we would be able to play is nintendogs.

C-Sniper · 28th Jun 2007, 13:13

i remember a case like this in the US where it took over 5000 complaints just to pull down the sign. Whats up with Britain getting their panties in a wad over all this anyway?

Gunsmith · 28th Jun 2007, 13:28

this **** is getting out of hand.

[USRF]Obiwan · 28th Jun 2007, 14:11

Well...

If you crash your car with extreme violence. You will probably be resting peacefuly afterward...

Something like this

CardJoe · 28th Jun 2007, 14:28

It think its ridiculous this advert is banned and yet motorway billboards etc, which cause distractions and ACTUAL car crashes every day are still allowed...

DXR_13KE · 28th Jun 2007, 14:59

another game to be banned?
it can defined as " sustained and cumulative casual road rage in the way in which these accidents are committed, and encouraged"
This game can be blamed on the rampant increase in accidents.
BAN IT!!!!!! /sarcasm

TheColdLord · 28th Jun 2007, 15:30

There is no point in banning something just cuz it had 30 complaints....probably most of them where from the same place

) . And the guy who crushed the car....well I think he would have crushed it for another slogan had this not been present...

CardJoe · 28th Jun 2007, 16:14

ASA haven't banned it at all, merely issued an opinion that it was irresponsible. EA then chose to recall it.

ralph.pickering · 28th Jun 2007, 17:16

<DevilsAdvocate>I'm not sure that it's entirely true to say we've got a growing nanny culture. Really, if you think about it, a lot more is acceptable now than it was in the 50s for example. And I think it's probably necessary for government to put the brakes on things a little as game and film manufacturers are consistently pushing the limits of what society finds acceptable.

Sure we can winge about being told by the powers that be what is and isn't acceptable, but equally I'd say that everyone on this forum, no matter how open minded, has certain limits and will be exceedingly offended by something. And I would suggest that you generally should have the right to go about your life without offensive things being put right in front of you. And if the advert offended 37 people enough to get off their collective arses and complain about it, it probably offended a hell of a lot more who couldn't be bothered. When something is thrust into your living room like advertising, it has to be acceptable to the vast majority of people. If it's something like a game that you have to go out and buy, knowing full well what the content is, then obviously the bar can be raised a fair bit higher.</DevilsAdvocate>

iwog · 28th Jun 2007, 17:31

Gotta agree with Hugo B. "Inner peace through outer violence"is a stupid slogan. Whilst it may sound all fancy and 'Konfusush say' (sorry about spelling) and aptly sum up the ideal of the game, taken out of context its incredibly stupid. The ignorant masses, and unfortunatley the UK has lots of them, wont assosciate it with "just an advertising slogan" and will probably take it as written law (worst case scenario).

I really cant see how someone in EA's marketing department didn't go "you know this slogan may give out the wrong idea and suggests that violence is a good thing". Dont get me wrong i love a bit of violence in my games as much as the next guy but the slogan doesn't say VG violence it just says "be violent and aggressive and have inner peace". Not smart, not cool.

2JSC · 28th Jun 2007, 18:39

This is gonna be one of those years where there are gonna be a lot of complaints about videogames because there really isn't much for the news and gov to complain about. Its something to kind of bring the polititions "into the home" when they start talking about stuff like this... I know the article in question is over in England, but just wait, it will start to ramp up over here as well, especially since this is an ellection year.

DXR_13KE · 28th Jun 2007, 19:46

i agree with inner peace through violence only if it is fictitious violence. especially in games.

Spaceraver · 28th Jun 2007, 22:15

Hmm, I remember when you had the option of turning damage off in a game, be it gore or cars blowing up. What happened with that?? Give me back the option to choose my level of violence.. THX

DXR_13KE · 28th Jun 2007, 22:52

give me the option of putting the violence level through the roof.

sinizterguy · 28th Jun 2007, 23:11

PCBS.

Neogumbercules · 29th Jun 2007, 00:14

I vote we change the topic to be about the link in the article. I don't think I've lol'd like that in a long time.

Not to be outdone by Coke when Pepsi started a marketing campaign in Taiwan, the translation of the Pepsi slogan "Come Alive with the Pepsi Generation" came out as "Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the dead."

Perforated · 29th Jun 2007, 01:45

I'm with the ASA, actually. They're not picking on the game at all, just an advert in the mainstream media with a message that runs contra to the current driving responsibility ads.

We all complain about being victimised, but in this case, I think the ad itself was doing the community more harm than the authorities' attempts to ban the ad. Just the ad. The ASA can't ban a game.

OK, to us the ad is witty, but out of context it's offensive to some folk, and while I'm all in favour of offending people, it should at least have some other value... this doesn't. As the article said, the game was released a while back anyway. That's not a reason to defend the ad, quite the contrary! It's too late for the ad to serve its intended purpose, and it's bugging people, so why bother with it?

37 complaints is actually reasonably high here, especially for a low-circulation ad (well, I haven't seen it yet).
Take the recent Eastenders furore. A woman's chained to a bed & threatened with a caesarian, with no pre-show warning, high percentage of young viewers... 80 complaints. 37 for an advert, then, is pretty huge.
I'd say therefore it's indicative of a relatively high proportion of people who see the ad being irked by it. 5000 people in the US? Well, the US is BIGGER. Also, the US culture is more... outspoken.

Sure, billboards might be worse... so they're bad. That doesn't make this good.

Perforated · 29th Jun 2007, 01:52

Oh, and I'll add that we're trying to combat "gang culture" over here, apparently... frankly, I don't want ANYTHING hitting the screens for a while that appears to glorify it. I'm sick to death of the govt. looking for excuses for stop & search legislation, ID cards, banning knife sales (not just offensive knives, practical ones, I actually DO have a legit reason for carry. A Spyderco Assist that's the most impractical object you could imagine for offensive use, but utterly illegal apparently)... I'd love to see a little media responsibility & similar, let's not exacerbate matters and provide excuses. If there was any value to the ad I'd support it, but for the sake of sales? What are you supporting here, exactly?

28th Jun 2007, 12:42	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	UK Burnout advert 'irresponsible' http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/06...responsible_/1 EA has been bitch-slapped by the Advertising Standards Authority for irresponsible advertising. __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

28th Jun 2007, 13:00	#2
Lazarus Dark Supermodder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: US Memphis, TN Posts: 291	37 complaints? That sounds like nothing to me. I figure they get that many complaints just for your average mcdonalds or hamburger helper commercial. __________________ My gun kata is greater than your kung fu.

28th Jun 2007, 13:09	#3
Jamie bit-tech Staff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 7,620	This is just the media trying to make a mountain out of the violence and illegal activities portrayed in videogames. If they had their way we wouldn't be able to do anything illegal in a games, all we would be able to play is nintendogs. __________________ bit-tech hosted by tsohost.co.uk twitter \| flickr \| xbox live \| last.fm \| moot

28th Jun 2007, 13:28	#5
Gunsmith my supersonic radar will help me! Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,388	this **** is getting out of hand. __________________ People who optimise code are wimps. My code knows it's awesome, so it'll take all the time it needs. You can wait in awe

28th Jun 2007, 14:11	#6
[USRF]Obiwan Ultramodder Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,218	Well... If you crash your car with extreme violence. You will probably be resting peacefuly afterward... Something like this __________________ Mascleta: "The most accurate simulation of thunder, humans can simulate..." The answer is 42, so... whats the question again? If you know what 'Peek' and 'Poke' represents, then you are probably as old as me.

28th Jun 2007, 14:28	#7
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,940	It think its ridiculous this advert is banned and yet motorway billboards etc, which cause distractions and ACTUAL car crashes every day are still allowed... __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

28th Jun 2007, 14:59	#8
DXR_13KE Madeira's banana is the best!!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Madeira ; Portugal Posts: 6,461	another game to be banned? it can defined as " sustained and cumulative casual road rage in the way in which these accidents are committed, and encouraged" This game can be blamed on the rampant increase in accidents. BAN IT!!!!!! /sarcasm __________________ *Renegade X - 0.40 Release!* <---- CLICK!

28th Jun 2007, 15:30	#9
TheColdLord Multimodder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: @ Home:D Posts: 204	There is no point in banning something just cuz it had 30 complaints....probably most of them where from the same place ) . And the guy who crushed the car....well I think he would have crushed it for another slogan had this not been present... __________________ I'm my own futures smith. xxx

28th Jun 2007, 16:14	#10
CardJoe Player Character bit-tech Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7,940	ASA haven't banned it at all, merely issued an opinion that it was irresponsible. EA then chose to recall it. __________________ this is joe's non-bit-tech blog

28th Jun 2007, 17:16	#11
ralph.pickering Supermodder Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 321	<DevilsAdvocate>I'm not sure that it's entirely true to say we've got a growing nanny culture. Really, if you think about it, a lot more is acceptable now than it was in the 50s for example. And I think it's probably necessary for government to put the brakes on things a little as game and film manufacturers are consistently pushing the limits of what society finds acceptable. Sure we can winge about being told by the powers that be what is and isn't acceptable, but equally I'd say that everyone on this forum, no matter how open minded, has certain limits and will be exceedingly offended by something. And I would suggest that you generally should have the right to go about your life without offensive things being put right in front of you. And if the advert offended 37 people enough to get off their collective arses and complain about it, it probably offended a hell of a lot more who couldn't be bothered. When something is thrust into your living room like advertising, it has to be acceptable to the vast majority of people. If it's something like a game that you have to go out and buy, knowing full well what the content is, then obviously the bar can be raised a fair bit higher.</DevilsAdvocate>

28th Jun 2007, 17:31	#12
iwog Linux cursed Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: IoW, UK Posts: 708	Gotta agree with Hugo B. "Inner peace through outer violence"is a stupid slogan. Whilst it may sound all fancy and 'Konfusush say' (sorry about spelling) and aptly sum up the ideal of the game, taken out of context its incredibly stupid. The ignorant masses, and unfortunatley the UK has lots of them, wont assosciate it with "just an advertising slogan" and will probably take it as written law (worst case scenario). I really cant see how someone in EA's marketing department didn't go "you know this slogan may give out the wrong idea and suggests that violence is a good thing". Dont get me wrong i love a bit of violence in my games as much as the next guy but the slogan doesn't say VG violence it just says "be violent and aggressive and have inner peace". Not smart, not cool. __________________ Welcome to bit-tech, watch out for thread drift Things can only get better

28th Jun 2007, 18:39	#13
2JSC Multimodder Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 112	This is gonna be one of those years where there are gonna be a lot of complaints about videogames because there really isn't much for the news and gov to complain about. Its something to kind of bring the polititions "into the home" when they start talking about stuff like this... I know the article in question is over in England, but just wait, it will start to ramp up over here as well, especially since this is an ellection year. __________________ He's no different than the rest of you organisms... shooting DNA at eachother to make babies.

28th Jun 2007, 19:46	#14
DXR_13KE Madeira's banana is the best!!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Madeira ; Portugal Posts: 6,461	i agree with inner peace through violence only if it is fictitious violence. especially in games. __________________ *Renegade X - 0.40 Release!* <---- CLICK!

28th Jun 2007, 22:15	#15
Spaceraver Weekend Junkie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kolding, Denmark Posts: 1,304	Hmm, I remember when you had the option of turning damage off in a game, be it gore or cars blowing up. What happened with that?? Give me back the option to choose my level of violence.. THX __________________ "Faith: not wanting to know what is true." - Friedrich Nietzsche. "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." - Seneca Last thing I remember, I was drinking this glowing green sht out of a test tube and dancing like a bstard.

28th Jun 2007, 22:52	#16
DXR_13KE Madeira's banana is the best!!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Madeira ; Portugal Posts: 6,461	give me the option of putting the violence level through the roof. __________________ *Renegade X - 0.40 Release!* <---- CLICK!

28th Jun 2007, 23:11	#17
sinizterguy Dark & Sinizter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 5,462	PCBS. __________________ Nothing here. Go away and dont bother me.

29th Jun 2007, 00:14	#18
Neogumbercules Ultramodder Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,494	I vote we change the topic to be about the link in the article. I don't think I've lol'd like that in a long time. Not to be outdone by Coke when Pepsi started a marketing campaign in Taiwan, the translation of the Pepsi slogan "Come Alive with the Pepsi Generation" came out as "Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the dead." __________________ Abit AB9 Pro, Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 CPU, 2GB Corsair DDR2 6400, nVidia 8800GT, Seagate 160 GB HDD.

29th Jun 2007, 01:45	#19
Perforated Modder Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 65	I'm with the ASA, actually. They're not picking on the game at all, just an advert in the mainstream media with a message that runs contra to the current driving responsibility ads. We all complain about being victimised, but in this case, I think the ad itself was doing the community more harm than the authorities' attempts to ban the ad. Just the ad. The ASA can't ban a game. OK, to us the ad is witty, but out of context it's offensive to some folk, and while I'm all in favour of offending people, it should at least have some other value... this doesn't. As the article said, the game was released a while back anyway. That's not a reason to defend the ad, quite the contrary! It's too late for the ad to serve its intended purpose, and it's bugging people, so why bother with it? 37 complaints is actually reasonably high here, especially for a low-circulation ad (well, I haven't seen it yet). Take the recent Eastenders furore. A woman's chained to a bed & threatened with a caesarian, with no pre-show warning, high percentage of young viewers... 80 complaints. 37 for an advert, then, is pretty huge. I'd say therefore it's indicative of a relatively high proportion of people who see the ad being irked by it. 5000 people in the US? Well, the US is BIGGER. Also, the US culture is more... outspoken. Sure, billboards might be worse... so they're bad. That doesn't make this good. Last edited by Perforated; 29th Jun 2007 at 01:54. Reason: typo

29th Jun 2007, 01:52	#20
Perforated Modder Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 65	Oh, and I'll add that we're trying to combat "gang culture" over here, apparently... frankly, I don't want ANYTHING hitting the screens for a while that appears to glorify it. I'm sick to death of the govt. looking for excuses for stop & search legislation, ID cards, banning knife sales (not just offensive knives, practical ones, I actually DO have a legit reason for carry. A Spyderco Assist that's the most impractical object you could imagine for offensive use, but utterly illegal apparently)... I'd love to see a little media responsibility & similar, let's not exacerbate matters and provide excuses. If there was any value to the ad I'd support it, but for the sake of sales? What are you supporting here, exactly?