Marketing Stunt: Have Bloody Man Stumble Around in Public, Waving Fake Gun

It was indeed a cunning plan. To promote the action-heavy video game Splinter Cell Conviction, an actor dressed in bloody bandages ran around the streets of Auckland, New Zealand, pointing a fake gun at people. Then police with real guns showed up:

About 20 revellers drinking outside Degree bar dived for cover after the promotions worker threatened them with a black imitation pistol about 8pm on Friday.

Witnesses said they heard someone shout "he's got a gun" and outdoor drinkers dived behind their tables.

Degree manager Steph Kurtovich said: "This guy with bandages on his hands pointed a gun at customers sitting outside. They were pretty terrified."

The stunt, to promote the release of Xbox title Splinter Cell Evolution, was condemned by police.

Senior Sergeant Ben Offner said officers could not tell the gun was made of plastic until they had taken it from the actor.


Link via Say Uncle | Image: Ubisoft

I was just thinking that. I have a CCW and it's quite possible that if a man pointed a gun at me, he'd end up dead. Strange that this took place in New Zealand which has pretty liberal gun laws in comparison to other countries in that area.
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And they say gamers can make the distinction between fake game violence and real life. Well clearly game developers can't. This is the proof. If the police had shot the guy can't say I would feel very sorry though probably I should.
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Ubisoft will need all the PR it can get as long as it uses this ridiculous DRM system, that prevents paying customers from playing and damages their savegames while pirates can play without any problems.
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Also from the article: "Game promoters Monaco Corporation said they hired another marketing company to organise the event and had no idea that a gun would be used."
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Well, the stunt worked because I know of the game (well, vaguely.. I already forgot what title it was). But I still hate Xbox. It's enough they just don't bloody work, now they have to be assholes, too? Mission... accomplished? GG, marketing department. DIAF.
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