Gamestation Defends "Sexist" Ad

[Veloxe]

So wait, are they saying that isn't cheaper then your girlfriend? I find that hard to believe.

I give them props for standing up for their decision. Ya some people won't like it but boo-hoo too bad. Also, the advertisement seems very well aimed for the Blops demographic.

 

[ultimateownage]

So what? Gamestation makes jokes at the expense of lots of people, not just girlfriends. You could also claim it was homophobic by ignoring gay men.

Honestly, I find Gamestation's advertisements quite funny and appealing.

 

[Rayne870]

"It is pretty openly sexist - girls being cheap, obviously, but it's also pandering to the old stereotype that gamers are guys," she continued. "And of course any discrimination is banned by Game's own employee regulations, so I don't see why the company itself should be able to get away with it."

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I don't think she got it...it's not saying girls are cheap it's saying that girls are expensive...no wonder she is pissed off she's stupid and overly sensitive. People like this screw up the world because they go out of their way to be offended.

 

[Eri]

***** please. Beside the fact girls can have girlfriends, would she be upset at an ad that says "cheaper than your boyfriend"? Didn't think so.

 

[Proverbial Jon]

I saw this ad today while I was in Gamestation, have to say it make me chuckle a little.

But I took it to mean that buying the game is cheaper than taking your girlfriend out... nothing derogatory at all. In fact my girlfriend would rather I bought the game (Not Call of Duty, I hasten to add) and we'd play it together so... no harm no foul eh?

Chicks, eh?

Touché!

 

[Sorafrosty]

While I do not think this is sexist, translated this would not be sexist at all in my language, as the word for girlfriend/boyfriend is the same. Would that solve it and make everyone happy; finding a word that is neutral, so it for read "Cheaper than your..." ?

 

[Hoopybees]

Uff. I can see why the girl's annoyed but it's practically a 'your momma' joke, I assume it's meant ironically. As long as their whole campaign isn't hanging off of similar jibes I think it's probably okay.

 

[Sir Thomas Sean Connery]

That's not sexist. It's true. If you are in a relationship, you are almost always going to spend more than 60 bucks.

 

[Distorted Stu]

Oh Gamestation.. how i hate you.

Im suprised in all honesty, its unlike us Brits to take offence to anything.

 

[Kenko]

It's not sexist. It doesnt imply that women are cheap. Talk about missing the point OP. It means that women are expensive and the game is cheap. *Facepalms*

 

[Chibz]

Yeah, sexism is fun right!




Urg....

The ad isn't sexist. This is just someone (stupidly) over reacting.

 

[IronicBeet]

Right, and there's never any ads that show women being smarter/more competent than men, right? Sexism is a one-way street, everybody knows that!

Of course, I don't mean to imply that my sarcasm says that I'm offended by the opposite happening. I don't get offended by man/woman bashing because I'm not a little baby-man.

 

[Chemical Alia]

Almost as appreciated as the XXXL men's t-shirt and Axe cologne freebies that came with my Gears of War 2 pre-order. It's not that the statement itself is offensive, and I'm used to my demographic not being so much as an afterthought in the marketing of FPSs, but it's kind of disappointing nonetheless.

 

[CrashBang]

I hate Gamestation. I always shop at GAME, despite the fact that it's all the same company, simply because it always seems like, no matter where in the UK I go, the employees at Gamestation are cocky twats. Seems like their marketing team are also cocky twats

 

[Cheesebob]

I don't even understand what "Cheaper than your girlfriend" even means.

 

[Atheist.]

Yeah, I could see her getting offended if it said something more like... "Even your girlfriend isn't this cheap."

 

[IronicBeet]

While I do not think this is sexist, translated this would not be sexist at all in my language, as the word for girlfriend/boyfriend is the same. Would that solve it and make everyone happy; finding a word that is neutral, so it for read "Cheaper than your..." ?

"Cheaper than your significant other/life partner."

Less fun, but maybe it would stop people from crapping their pants about it.

 

[4173]

The problem isn't whether women are cheap or expensive, it's that women have a price at all. (or men)

It really hinges on how one views dating relationships. If everything is about having a permanent partnership, then implying a person can be bought is somewhat offensive. But if a relationship is about having a good time, then clearly price is important.

Personally, I'll give the store the benefit of the doubt that they intended the second interpretation.

 

[Luke5515]

I feel like it wasn't calling women cheap, but making a joke about how much it costs to take your girlfriend on dates and such.
Oh well, I suppose it does still sound bad and they could have thought that one through a little better.

 

[sageoftruth]

She doesn't even understand the ad, it's not saying girls are cheap, it's saying they're expensive, and buying that game at that price is less expensive than your girlfriend. So she just fulfilled another stereotype in my own eyes.

I don't think that's what really bothered her. Her main complaint seems to be how the ad can only apply to people who can have girlfriends (non-heterosexual females). Still, ever since the explosion of the casual gaming market, I've gotten used to seeing ads that weren't meant for me, so I think she's overreacting a bit.