Advocacy Group Angry That Moms Hate Dead Space 2

[Jumplion]

I think it was hilarious and one of the best ads I've ever seen.

They have good points but to me it's just one big joke to make people buy the game.

Let me draw an analogy:

Tobacco companies have been prevented from using cartoon animals to promote cigarettes for a number of years now. This doesn't mean that adults don't like cartoon animals. It means that children find cartoon animals more appealing.

So, who's EA really targeting with this ad? The 17-34 age demographic who cares less about what their mothers think? Or the mid-teenager who's chafing under his parent's "restrictive" rules while "becoming an adult"?

That's a great analogy, and probably one of the reasons why I think EA and Visceral were being mean spirited with this.

Honestly, while I can chuckle a bit at the ridiculousness of the scenario, I just don't think it was dignified of EA or Visceral with the campaign. Fine, (most) everyone has a mother, but the advertisement gave off a distinct juvenile feel directed more to 14 year olds. So, to the majority extent, I have to side with Common Sense Media.

That and it doesn't really help our case with "Video Games are nothing but violent murder simulators for the immature man child!"

But wouldn't that be the problem of the people generalizing that if there's 1 case of it, every other game is the same? So we tolerate ignorance now >.>

I don't really get what you're saying, of course we wouldn't tolerate ignorance, where did I say we would?

Common Sense Media (I really don't like saying their name...) isn't attacking video games in general here, they understand that violent video games are a part of our culture and want parents to be educated about it. They're just specifying Dead Space 2's advertisement, not the game itself (hilariously enough, as more than enough people are rallying against them for the wrong reasons), was juvenile and came off as directed to the immature. One of the more common arguments here is "17 year olds don't care about what their moms think!", but if that's the case, who is this advertisement targeted for then? Think if CSM said that, instead of us.

 

[Woodsey]

I hate to be the one to say it but.... the advocacy group is right. That's exactly who the ad is targeting.

Bingo.

"Your Mum hates it"? How many 18-and-over-year-olds do you know that give a shit about that?

They're either treating their audience like morons or they're pandering to younger kids.

 

[funnydude6556]

Common Sense? I know their probably actually decent people but that name just makes me think of a bunch of oversensitive douchbags who assume every word that leaves their stupid thick heads is gospal you like "The things we're saying is common sense so anyone who goes against us are just dumb!"

Again I'm probably wrong but that's the kind of name you don't want in my opinion if your going around trying to get people to listen to you. Also not that I care but for the record my mum actually thought it looked really good so ha ha EA Games you were wrong. Again.

 

[The Typical American]

What idiotic accusations... I don't get, where it happens? In USA perhaps?

I guess Moms and games don't go well together. I don't ever really hear about this happening all too often in other countries, aside from the US though. >_>

 

[icame]

So they are complaining because an advertisement is successful. God I hate people.

If an advertisement succesfully made people buy cigarettes would you be pleased?

Ah yes because dead space 2 is something that can literally harm your health.

 

[obex]

yep iv got to agree with em here because really if your 17+ then you are long past the rebellious "My parents dont understand me their so out of touch" Phase and moving into the "Oh God they were right all along phase" really it seems like a young teen oriented ad.

 

[Jabberwock xeno]

Ahem.

The ESRB has no control or legal power over games at all, this entire ordeal is null.

 

[mcnally86]

Its a terrible ad campaign. Whats worse is the want you to send in "your mother reacting to win" contest. So yes it should be sanctioned. Either that or EA says they love the 17+ demo who lives at home.

 

[Ubermetalhed]

Exactly how I felt when watching it.

It really did seem to be appealing to a younger audience, regardless of the humour. What 18 year old cares what his mum thinks about a game?

I don't know about you but I watch the previews, play a demo and go buy it. Parents never figure in my decisions regarding games, if i was alot younger perhaps...

 

[lacktheknack]

However, in one of your previous posts, you claimed that young teens are more likely to try to please their parents. And that, quite frankly, is hilarious. If that were true, then yes, there wouldn't be a problem with the campaign. However, by far the vast majority of young teens are looking for ways to give the middle finger to their parents, in which case the campaign IS misguided.

Also, I'm not talking about 16-17 age groups. I'm talking about the 12-14 age group.

That's my dispute here, I'm not saying 12-16 year olds are utterly deferential to their parents but they are certainly MORE contrarian as they get older! You'd agree with that right? Who bows more to their parents will and whim just before they leave for college?

That is the basis of my argument that this ad does NOT target young teens as CSM claim, but such a campaign is an immature and low-brow one, but it is not guilty of "corrupting innocent youth" as CSM is trying to claim.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO CLAIM.

They simply think that the campaign is in violation of established rules.

And I don't think they get more contrary as they get older, I've observed they simply care less and less what their parents think. If MY observations are right, then CSM's point still stands.

And if YOUR observations are right, then CSM's argument ALSO still stands, just not as strongly.

 

[Nouw]

I think it was hilarious and one of the best ads I've ever seen.

They have good points but to me it's just one big joke to make people buy the game.

Let me draw an analogy:

Tobacco companies have been prevented from using cartoon animals to promote cigarettes for a number of years now. This doesn't mean that adults don't like cartoon animals. It means that children find cartoon animals more appealing.

So, who's EA really targeting with this ad? The 17-34 age demographic who cares less about what their mothers think? Or the mid-teenager who's chafing under his parent's "restrictive" rules while "becoming an adult"?

That's a great analogy, and probably one of the reasons why I think EA and Visceral were being mean spirited with this.

Honestly, while I can chuckle a bit at the ridiculousness of the scenario, I just don't think it was dignified of EA or Visceral with the campaign. Fine, (most) everyone has a mother, but the advertisement gave off a distinct juvenile feel directed more to 14 year olds. So, to the majority extent, I have to side with Common Sense Media.

That and it doesn't really help our case with "Video Games are nothing but violent murder simulators for the immature man child!"

But wouldn't that be the problem of the people generalizing that if there's 1 case of it, every other game is the same? So we tolerate ignorance now >.>

I don't really get what you're saying, of course we wouldn't tolerate ignorance, where did I say we would?

Common Sense Media (I really don't like saying their name...) isn't attacking video games in general here, they understand that violent video games are a part of our culture and want parents to be educated about it. They're just specifying Dead Space 2's advertisement, not the game itself (hilariously enough, as more than enough people are rallying against them for the wrong reasons), was juvenile and came off as directed to the immature. One of the more common arguments here is "17 year olds don't care about what their moms think!", but if that's the case, who is this advertisement targeted for then? Think if CSM said that, instead of us.

Ah sorry I should have been more specific towards which comment of yours I was quoting. I meant the part where you said "Video Games are nothing but violent murder simulators for the immature man child!" If more people think that, they're basing their thought of a massive medium? on a single game and it's ad campaign which is obviously wrong.

 

[Treblaine]

However, in one of your previous posts, you claimed that young teens are more likely to try to please their parents. And that, quite frankly, is hilarious. If that were true, then yes, there wouldn't be a problem with the campaign. However, by far the vast majority of young teens are looking for ways to give the middle finger to their parents, in which case the campaign IS misguided.

Also, I'm not talking about 16-17 age groups. I'm talking about the 12-14 age group.

That's my dispute here, I'm not saying 12-16 year olds are utterly deferential to their parents but they are certainly MORE contrary as they get older! You'd agree with that right? Who bows more to their parents will and whim just before they leave for college?

That is the basis of my argument that this ad does NOT target young teens as CSM claim, but such a campaign is an immature and low-brow one, but it is not guilty of "corrupting innocent youth" as CSM is trying to claim.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO CLAIM.

They simply think that the campaign is in violation of established rules.

And I don't think they get more contrary as they get older, I've observed they simply care less and less what their parents think. If MY observations are right, then CSM's point still stands.

And if YOUR observations are right, then CSM's argument ALSO still stands, just not as strongly.

Well, I think that IS what they are claiming. Though it's all a bit vague, CSM apparently says EA broke their own rules making ads "irresistible to children" which is a bit rich considering how little restrain children have anyway, they'll play on high voltage train rails if you don't surround them with fences. Tragic example I know, but it shows how you can't depend on children's common sense to protect them from inappropriate things.

While semantically I agree teens "care less" about their parents as they get older I don't agree with your implication that they simply become indifferent, what they do is care less about their PREJUDICES, care less about their worries, fears and ideals.

Younger teens are far more likely to bow to their parents tastes. Think about it, it's far more likely to go see 13 year old dragged to see a crappy family movie like "Over The Hedge" with his mom and dad than if aged 17.

 

[Treblaine]

Exactly how I felt when watching it.

It really did seem to be appealing to a younger audience, regardless of the humour. What 18 year old cares what his mum thinks about a game?

I don't know about you but I watch the previews, play a demo and go buy it. Parents never figure in my decisions regarding games, if i was alot younger perhaps...

It's literally spelled out for you in the beginning:

"mothers have so consistently complained about great games theo objection has become a barometer for how good a game is"

OK, that's not scientific. It's like saying Birds lay eggs therefore everything that lays eggs is a bird. But you get the joke right.

Sheesh, it's a lame joke I know but video games will be attacked for the littlest thing and it doesn't help that fellow gamers so quickly turn on our own just for making a lame funny.

 

[CoL0sS]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Personally I think ad was more funny than stupid, cause sole idea of my mother being familiar with any game; much less Dead Space 2 is hilarious to me.
But I can understand where they're coming from. Commercial's like this can be falsely interpreted. However it's impossible to prove EA was in violation of anything.

 

[WolfLordAndy]

I agree with the media group that the ads were targeting younger people then the age rating of the game. Honestly who at 18 cares what there mum thinks anymore? Its a younger teenage thing to do the oposit of what your mum thinks. At 18+ you do what you want, usually with a bit more responsibility about yourself.

 

[Jumplion]

I think it was hilarious and one of the best ads I've ever seen.

They have good points but to me it's just one big joke to make people buy the game.

Let me draw an analogy:

Tobacco companies have been prevented from using cartoon animals to promote cigarettes for a number of years now. This doesn't mean that adults don't like cartoon animals. It means that children find cartoon animals more appealing.

So, who's EA really targeting with this ad? The 17-34 age demographic who cares less about what their mothers think? Or the mid-teenager who's chafing under his parent's "restrictive" rules while "becoming an adult"?

That's a great analogy, and probably one of the reasons why I think EA and Visceral were being mean spirited with this.

Honestly, while I can chuckle a bit at the ridiculousness of the scenario, I just don't think it was dignified of EA or Visceral with the campaign. Fine, (most) everyone has a mother, but the advertisement gave off a distinct juvenile feel directed more to 14 year olds. So, to the majority extent, I have to side with Common Sense Media.

That and it doesn't really help our case with "Video Games are nothing but violent murder simulators for the immature man child!"

But wouldn't that be the problem of the people generalizing that if there's 1 case of it, every other game is the same? So we tolerate ignorance now >.>

I don't really get what you're saying, of course we wouldn't tolerate ignorance, where did I say we would?

Common Sense Media (I really don't like saying their name...) isn't attacking video games in general here, they understand that violent video games are a part of our culture and want parents to be educated about it. They're just specifying Dead Space 2's advertisement, not the game itself (hilariously enough, as more than enough people are rallying against them for the wrong reasons), was juvenile and came off as directed to the immature. One of the more common arguments here is "17 year olds don't care about what their moms think!", but if that's the case, who is this advertisement targeted for then? Think if CSM said that, instead of us.

Ah sorry I should have been more specific towards which comment of yours I was quoting. I meant the part where you said "Video Games are nothing but violent murder simulators for the immature man child!" If more people think that, they're basing their thought of a massive medium? on a single game and it's ad campaign which is obviously wrong.

Well, yeah, that's ignorance, though I don't think I was disputing that. I was saying, however, that this ad campaign doesn't really help our image to the under-informed and ignorant. We shouldn't give them more fuel for their bonfire, as as great (or bad) or a game Dead Space 2 may be, I just think this was pretty juvenile of them.

You have to think, these mothers (assuming they aren't actors, which we will assume) are from yester-year. They haven't been desensitized to this kind of thing like we have. While they could probably stomach an action game, showing them a survival/action-horror game that is designed to invoke that kind of sick feeling to one of it's main target demographics, and multiply that my maybe 5 or 10, and you've got a good idea how bad these women were probably scarred from the game (and subsequently, denied 200 people from getting the game, because, hey, I'm technically under aged for getting these kinds of games).

I dunno, I just found this to be juvenile. I'm all for a good joke and/or shock humor, but if this many people are divided over it, then I have to say that their attempt failed. You can at least understand where they're coming from, right?

 

[Flac00]

Heres the problem, anyone over the age of 17 doesn't care if their mom doesn't like the game. They will only play the game because its fun. Those around 14 and under, they do.

 

[templargunman]

The ad seemed stupid to me, it was trying to make me feel good about a game because my mom won't like it. Maybe the problem is that my mom always let my dad, who knew more about video games and technology in general, decide when I was old enough for a game (I got halo 2 at the age of 13, maybe 14). Even then, I've let her play GTA and she found that hilarious. My parents are pretty open to video games and video game violence, while they're against it themselves they see that it hasn't changed who I am and feel that I have a right to experience the medium. Dead Space 2 tried to tell me that my mom wouldn't like it, and I agreed with that, but I also thought: who gives a shit? I'm over 17, I'm at college, I can buy whatever damn video game I want. Maybe there are some people who always had to fight their parents for what video games they could buy, and maybe the ad will appeal to them for a few years after they turn 17, as they still remember having to beg for the game. Honestly though, the vast majority of gamers who are over the age of 17 don't care what their mom thinks about their games, because their mom doesn't have a say in it. In reality, whether on purpose or by accident, this ad appeals to the gamer under parental control. This ad says: "Your mom's going to hate it, so you better not tell her anything about it before she buys it for your birthday." to anyone who is under the age of 17, while anyone over the age of 17 gets the ad: "Your mom's going to hate it, so don't play it for extended periods while visiting home right in front of her, that's a bit rude and she might complain." Overall, creative ad campaigns always seem to end up being kind of cheesy to the vast majority of gamers while appealing to a niche, like Dante's Inferno.

 

[fates_puppet13]

this is hilarious
i love dead space 2 to bits
but after watching the your mum ad i thought they were just saying what every 13 year old was thinking
the advocacy group have really shot themselves in the foot tho because any publicity is good publicity
also i feel that i think the whole age rating system is a load of bullshit anyways