Electronic Arts will be publishing a game called “Dante’s Inferno”, a bizarre mash-up of the classic long form poem “The Inferno” by Dante Allighieri and a God of War-like action title. While the game itself looks slightly intriguing, of more interest is the marketing EA is doing to promote it.
First, there were the fake Christian protesters they had lined up outside of the recent E3 games conference just a short while ago, which had the effect of angering actual Christian groups, and generally causing game players to either scratch their heads in confusion or mock the publisher outright for a lame attempt to strike up some sort of controversy.
Then, during the recent ComicCon in San Diego, EA challenged players to “commit acts of lust” with any booth babes they might come across (whoa, no pun intended there, trust me) — which EA claims meant merely to take photos with the girls, not … anything else. Players who sent in their photos would have them judged by EA, and a lucky winner treated to a night on the town, all expenses paid, including limo service and the chance to hang out with paid models who might never have had anything to do with them otherwise. Of course, EA didn’t say that. Instead, they put it as “dinner and a sinful night with two hot girls, a limo service, paparazzi and a chest full of booty.”
When people complained, as should have been expected, EA played innocent, explaining their wording as mentioned above. The game doesn’t have a release date yet, but to paraphrase Detective William R. Somerset, we can expect to see more of these. I’m thinking Sloth is next, with pokes at gamers for being overweight kids who sit on their asses and play games all day and night. Way to get the audience on your side, EA!
ehh, maybe if the game actually sounded entertaining or fun, this sort of viral marketing would work – but the game doesn’t. sure, i’m now more aware of the game, due to this story, but i’m still not going to buy it