Sony has created anger and front-page headlines by using a dead goat at the God of War II launch event.
The partly decapitated animal carcass was the centrepiece of a display at the party, and apparently contained 'offal' in its open stomach, made to represent intestines, which was fed to guests in a competition to see who could eat the most.
The rather gory pictures of the party were placed in Official PlayStation Magazine, until the Mail on Sunday, who yesterday ran a bold front-page news story on the incident, contacted the magazine to complain, resulting in a promise to recall the entire print run.
Animal rights organisations and government ministers have spoken out against Sony, though the apparent flak the company is facing for irresponsible marketing to youngsters seems rather unjustified as God of War II has an 18 rating.
Many have been quick to defend Sony, pointing out that dead animals make the meal tables of almost every party and launch event there is.
For more on God of War II check out Pro-G's comprehensive review.
Kiroquai wrote at 11:25 on 30 April 2007
I hate the Daily Mail as much as the next bloke, but to be fair it was a bit stupid putting the images in a magazine that kids and young teens are going to be reading. Plus, using a dead animal to promote a game? I know it fits in with the GoW2 image, but there's not really much point.
Seems like Sony need to sort their marketing out. Gets them free publicity, mind!
Marius wrote at 13:55 on 30 April 2007
hmm, something isn't right
So it's okay for The Mail to run a story like this with a huge picture on the front page, as long as the OPM dosn't run a story inside their mag?
I smell the stench of double standards
Ghost5 wrote at 14:39 on 30 April 2007
well i know that any publicity is good publicity
bencrosaby wrote at 15:21 on 30 April 2007
Whatever people say this is still unacceptable. $ony are bad, don't buy anything from them and they'll die, like that poor Goat. Did it deserve to die? What had it done to $ony? Poo on their lawn or something!?
Ghost5 wrote at 15:24 on 30 April 2007
so a Goat just walked up to $ont headquarters and poo'ed infront of it :lol:
.... wrote at 11:07 on 26 May 2007
How could they do that?