EA Apologize for 'Sin-to-Win' Wording

[Logan Westbrook]

EA Apologize for 'Sin-to-Win' Wording

Following the reaction from legions of incredulous gamers, EA have issued a statement about its Dante's Inferno promo.

Marketing is a double edge sword. When done right, it generates a buzz about a new game, but when done wrong it just leads to embarrassment, as the 'Sin-to-Win' promotion for Dante's Inferno proves.

Gamers all over the world took umbrage at the promotion, which entreated attendees of the San Diego Comic-Con to "commit acts of lust" with the booth babes in order to win a "dinner and a SINful night with two hot girls, a limo service, paparazzi and a chest full of booty."

The press reaction to the promo was visceral, so much so that EA has issued a statement clarifying and apologizing for the poor wording used in the competition.

"We apologize for any confusion and offense that resulted from our choice of wording, and want to assure you that we take your concerns and sentiments seriously. We'll continue to follow your comments and please let us know if you have any other thoughts or concerns. Keep watching as the event unfolds and we hope you'll agree that it was all done in the spirit of the good natured fun of Comic-Con."

Source: Kotaku [http://kotaku.com/5322781/ea-apologizes-for-sin-to-win-booth-babe-promo]


Permalink

 

[LaBambaMan]

Yet another case of idiots over-reacting and getting all preachy about a video game, albeit one based on a book/play/whatever the fuck.

 

[Johnn Johnston]

How could nobody at EA not see how 'Booty' could be misconstrued when they had just said the phrase "acts of lust"?

Although... Heh heh. Booty.

 

[JRCB]

Eh, I still don't like it.

 

[Sparrow]

Yet another case of idiots over-reacting and getting all preachy about a video game, albeit one based on a book/play/whatever the fuck.

Agreed.

Seriously, it was obviously a joke. People don't really expect that they're giving out their Booth Babes as escorts, do they?

 

[HardRockSamurai]

I think EA learned a valuable lesson today.

If you tell anyone who attends Comic-Con to "commit acts of lust," chances are they won't read the fine print.

 

[scnj]

I'm not surprised in the slightest that they retracted. After the massive negative press it was pretty much a given.

 

[Abedeus]

Yet another case of idiots over-reacting and getting all preachy about a video game, albeit one based on a book/play/whatever the fuck.

If anyone here is an idiot, it's the dude at EA that didn't think anyone will have issues with the idea of beneficial commiting of sins.

 

[Doug]

Yet another case of idiots over-reacting and getting all preachy about a video game, albeit one based on a book/play/whatever the fuck.

Agreed.

Seriously, it was obviously a joke. People don't really expect that they're giving out their Booth Babes as escorts, do they?

Indeed - although I'm willing to bet all of us, in the privacy of our own minds, have a corner were we imagine how great it would be if that were true

 

[Sparrow]

Yet another case of idiots over-reacting and getting all preachy about a video game, albeit one based on a book/play/whatever the fuck.

Agreed.

Seriously, it was obviously a joke. People don't really expect that they're giving out their Booth Babes as escorts, do they?

Indeed - although I'm willing to bet all of us, in the privacy of our own minds, have a corner were we imagine how great it would be if that were true

New games, snack foods and available babes? It's geek heaven my friend!

 

[Doug]

Yet another case of idiots over-reacting and getting all preachy about a video game, albeit one based on a book/play/whatever the fuck.

If anyone here is an idiot, it's the dude at EA that didn't think anyone will have issues with the idea of beneficial commiting of sins.

To be honest, this is Comic-Con, not a church. It has booth babes who's job is, frankly, to sell games via sex appeal. Ok, maybe the joke could have been more homourous to highlight it was a joke, but still, I don't think anyone was expecting a solemn and somber atmosphere at the place.

 

[Doug]

That was fail on so many levels. They could've made it not look like they were selling their booth babes as whores.

How exactly do they do that when they are paying women to sexually titillate males who walk by their booth by dressing in skimpy outfits?

That's what I don't get about this big controversy: it's okay to dress them like whores--and I mean no disrespect in using that term--but not okay to admit what you're doing?

No, I meant that it looked like they were selling them for sex. It's shameful either way, but that more so.

Maybe, but, it's just seems hypocritical to me that a press that doesn't shame them for the very concept of booth babes would freak out over this.

This - and frankly, anyone whining over the fact that *shock-horror* EA admitted Booth Babes are using sex appeal for selling games is frankly very naive or very hypocritical.

 

[SomeBritishDude]

So...They're not selling booth babes?

*sighs, puts away his wallet*

 

[the protaginist]

First the Brass Knuckles fiasco, and now this...

 

[Samurai Goomba]

That was fail on so many levels. They could've made it not look like they were selling their booth babes as whores.

How exactly do they do that when they are paying women to sexually titillate males who walk by their booth by dressing in skimpy outfits?

That's what I don't get about this big controversy: it's okay to dress them like whores--and I mean no disrespect in using that term--but not okay to admit what you're doing?

No, I meant that it looked like they were selling them for sex. It's shameful either way, but that more so.

Maybe, but, it's just seems hypocritical to me that a press that doesn't shame them for the very concept of booth babes would freak out over this.

For once, you echo my own thoughts on the matter.

But yeah, how did EA not realize this whole event would cause problems? They're combining the promise of sex with the "sin to win" slogan.

EA, we know you're evil. You might as well admit to your exploitative ways. Also:

EA: "We apologize for any confusion and offense that resulted from our choice of wording, and want to assure you that we take your concerns and sentiments seriously. We'll continue to follow your comments and please let us know if you have any other thoughts or concerns. Keep watching as the event unfolds and we hope you'll agree that it was all done in the spirit of the good natured fun of Comic-Con."

Excuse me, what? Does anyone else think this sounds more than a little like a form response? They aren't saying they'll CHANGE anything about what they're doing, not in the slightest! Anyone getting "Chinpokomon" flashbacks? "We here in Japan are very concerned about your concerns."