Parent group attacking "Your Mom Hates Dead Space 2" TV ads

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this.

There's so many things utterly idiotic about this I don't know where to begin.

(Actually, I was hoping it would be a parental group upset with the ads and saying, "What the fuck? We think Dead Space 2 KICKS MAJOR ASS, and I'm a MOM!")

edited 5th Feb '11 5:21:17 PM by JAF1970

Well, the Dead Space 2 campaign was kinda asking for it. Not everyone has the stomach for that much violence.

Basically, Common Sense (what an irony) is upset that the commercial makes the game look COOL.

GASP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh come on, how could you hate this? It has the Smashing Pumpkins in it!

^^I have no clue what your point there is.

Just once, just once, I'd like to see a critic of video games get responded to with something other than ridiculous indignation.

edited 5th Feb '11 5:34:57 PM by Wicked223

What Wicked said. It alarms me how easily their opinions are dismissed. And I for one DO like some violent games.

edited 5th Feb '11 5:36:03 PM by Charlatan

...Visceral, if you're reading this:

DON'T GET ANY BRIGHT IDEAS WITH THE AD CAMPAIGN FOR THE NEXT C&C GAME, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.

Anyways, @Wicked: Huh? I thought this was about an ad campaign, not critical reaction to the game in question. Nevermind, I was thinking of game journal critics.

edited 5th Feb '11 5:43:28 PM by RocketDude

Because they're behaving silly and completely out of touch. Just read their assessment of the game.

I'm only indignant at their idiocy.

A few things:

1. Common Sense doesn't realize the entire POINT of the commercial is that they're behaving just like the commercials predict. Being predictable is one sign that you're not very smart.
2. Kids can want something all they like. It's up to the parents to decide whether they will allow them to have it.
3. Stop telling people what to do. You're not a better parent than others just because you say so.

There's more, but am tired of typing about this. heh

Okay, maybe partly their fault, but I wouldn't say it's entirely their fault.

Fault? I don't get what you're saying.

Common Sense Media's fault for misinterpreting all this.

Being predictable is one sign that you're not very smart.

*sigh*

But on topic, considering the widespread occurrence of parents ignoring ratings, why shouldn't they dislike ads promoting an M rated game to younger demographics?

1. Common Sense doesn't realize the entire POINT of the commercial is that they're behaving just like the commercials predict. Being predictable is one sign that you're not very smart.

2. Kids can want something all they like. It's up to the parents to decide whether they will allow them to have it.

3. Stop telling people what to do. You're not a better parent than others just because you say so.

... interesting advice.

Except for a few things.

• 1. That's seems like a trap. Hell, it is a trap. "Wholeheartedly embrace the game no matter what, or you'll be doing exactly what the commercial makes fun of you for, and that just makes you look bad." Why should not being gamed by the ad campaign, and instead sticking up for what you want to say regardless, be a sign of being stupid?
• 3. If I were a parent, I'd do what I felt was right and wouldn't care if some idiot thought I was only doing it to look like a better parent, as apposed to thinking about my kids first. While I personally don't believe in overly shielding older kids from violent games and the like (or, at least, only believe in it to a slight extent), I'm not going to fault these parents for having a different opinion.

Again, I'm in the "violent video games aren't the devil, nor should they be a scapegoat for bad parenting" camp, but I also really agree with Wicked here.

edited 5th Feb '11 5:52:16 PM by KnownUnknown

Because the former is the actual problem?

I personally loathe the advertising campaign, and I like the game.

Dead Space 2 is a great game in its own right, there's no need to try and pimp it by demeaning people. The commercials also play on negative stereotypes and help to accentuate the divide between the newer and older generations, which is really something we don't need.

Not to mention how damn stupid it is.

edited 5th Feb '11 6:03:03 PM by Scardoll

Well it's not like they have any power over those parents, is it?

I concur with Scardoll, amusing as I find the idea of trolling old ladies.

Then they shouldn't be attacking anything at all. They should be promoting video game ratings literacy. You know, like the ESRB and the Penny Arcade guys are doing.◊

edited 5th Feb '11 6:06:18 PM by Ronnie

So they should just let an ad that takes advantage of that just go without comment?

Finally, a company not scared of a bunch of old soccer moms.

Like they say, if you don't have anything nice to say, you'll always look like a dick. ...Well, something along those lines, at least.

edited 5th Feb '11 6:08:43 PM by Ronnie

Like the people who mock Common Sense media?

edited 5th Feb '11 6:09:26 PM by Zyxzy

Hey, I'm just saying there are much more constructive ways to go about this than haranguing publishers.

^No, Visceral (the developer) is to blame. I don't see EALA, EA Partners Japan or any other EA studio (or EA as a whole) coming up with idiotic, extravagant and controversy-generating ad campaigns that only overhype the game in question.

Of course, I could be wrong and the Marketing Department comes up with the ideas.

edited 5th Feb '11 6:18:34 PM by RocketDude