U.K. Bans PlayStation Move Ad for Being Too Violent

[AVATAR_RAGE]

This seems overly strict to me, but I guess it does violate their rule.

#4.4
Marketing communications must contain nothing that is likely to condone or encourage violence or anti-social behaviour,

I don't see it as encouraging violence, but I could see how someone else could.
Still, makes me wonder if they are this strict on other advertisements as well.

Yes they are, television, radio, posters, it just takes a small number of people to complain before they are completely removed.

 

[Wintermoot]

if you say the add is racist doesnt that make the guy that calls it racist also racist himself? but I get that it might be a bit too violent for the kiddies

 

[teisjm]

I wonder if i can get certain politicians banen dfrom public television for beeing scary and promoting violence...

 

[ForsakenUK]

hmm.. I think the only places posters are still used are in bus stops...

so I'm guessin 8 people were pissed off coz their bus was late

 

[Jabberwock xeno]

Not this shit again...

I'm tired of this crap... can all you guys in the UK boycott these people or something?

 

[The Random One]

The smile on that man's face as he punches the ruffian will forever be embedded in my crying, crying soul. It's not wonder it was pulled, he looks all too happy.

He looks concentrated to me. If you showed me a cutout of his face and asked what he was doing, I'd probably reply 'dental surgery'.

 

[Devil's Due]

And we have it pretty good here. You know this ad (and many more things we have which aren't banned) would never fly in countries like America or Australia.

I have seen things here in the States that are much more graphic and praised than this poster that was banned in the Kingdom. We're just fine here, thanks.

As for the thread at hand: Power to ban something from the entire Kingdom from just one complaint seems a bit dangerous. Complaints are anon. too, so a rivaling company can just submit a few complaints to undermine their competition. Nice.

 

[Nurb]

UK freaks out over violence and censors the fuck out of it, but sexually suggestive adds on tv or in shows are tolerated more. The US it's the exact opposite, kids can see violence but boobies will harm their minds.

 

[Squarez]

And we have it pretty good here. You know this ad (and many more things we have which aren't banned) would never fly in countries like America or Australia.

I have seen things here in the States that are much more graphic and praised than this poster that was banned in the Kingdom. We're just fine here, thanks.

As for the thread at hand: Power to ban something from the entire Kingdom from just one complaint seems a bit dangerous. Complaints are anon. too, so a rivaling company can just submit a few complaints to undermine their competition. Nice.

Derp, it wasn't a case of one complaint taking the whole thing down. It was a case of the advert breaking the rules.

This rule.

#4.4
Marketing communications must contain nothing that is likely to condone or encourage violence or anti-social behaviour,

Also, are you suggesting that the US is more liberal in what is allowed to be shown on television and on screen than here in Britain? Because if so you are severely mistaken.

 

[Devil's Due]

Also, are you suggesting that the US is more liberal in what is allowed to be shown on television and on screen than here in Britain?

Television? It seems you misread the thread, stranger. This is about a poster.

Because if so you are severely mistaken.

Mistaken about what? You're the one who is talking about TV when I was talking about the poster. Nice try, though.

 

[Lucifus]

This is embrassing the more i hear about ban this or censor this i feel by the end of 2012 i will be living in country totally controlled by a fascist nannystate.I always thought that were heading down this road but i thought the government would start fearing the public due to outcries or we would have a decent government with common sence.

But all we do is complain about it for a month then let it slide no wonder our governments never listen to us.

Thank god for students then.

 

[Popido]

At the first glance I thought that the cover was from the new Madden...

 

[RatRace123]

I think I agree with them, there is something a little disturbing about a guy grinning with child-like glee as he prepares to rearrange some poor dude's face.

 

[jono793]

Found the relevant adjudication on the ASA website.

In summary, The ASA banned the advert on the grounds it was "offensive and irresponsible", and "unsuitable to be seen by chilrden". Pointedly, they DISMISSED the complaints on the grounds of racism.

I don't personally think the ad was "offensive or irresponsible". Nevertheless the code is there, ad agencies are aware of it (or should be), and the adjudication process is transparent (unlike the MPAA, for example). The decision is fair enough.

Link:

http://www.asa.org.uk/ASA-action/Adjudications/2010/12/Sony-Computer-Entertainment-UK-Ltd/TF_ADJ_49542.aspx

 

[Pumpkinmancer]

It's an ugly looking poster anyway.

 

[Adzma]

I wonder if there would have been racism complaints if the attacker was black and the victim white. No of course not. White males aren't equal in modern society. We have to pay for the mistakes of our distant ancestors, of which we have no control over.

 

[Roboto]

For all our economic depression and political turmoil, us folks here in the states do have one thing going for us in the way of minimal things being banned

I mean, that Snickers super bowl commercial got shown, you know the one

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

Getting pretty sick of it living think going to move some where more liberal

I'm starting to wonder precisely where is liberal enough that both sex and violence will not raise undue fuss. Back home in Canada isn't too bad but it's not exactly open season either. I'm not sure what other positive options remain though.

Japan and South Korea?! I could be wrong tho.

Good old British, never failing to raise the flag of health and safety [and politic correctness for the sake of it].
And for those Americans surprised, I think u are mistaking British with Continental Europe mentality. Europe in general doesnt ban sexual content, condemning violence. But UK bans all of it and much more.

EDIT: OMG, I speak aboout British mentality and I am slammed by Forum post guidelines. How ironic! XD

 

[ultrachicken]

So, just one X-Box 360 fanboy could completely ruin Sony's ad campaign in the UK?