EA sends Illegal Weapons to the press

[Fluffdick]

Electronic Arts today contacted game writers around the country asking them to return the brass knuckles they were sent as part of a promotion for Godfather II.

The representative that contacted me said that the company wanted to make sure that the brass knuckles were "properly disposed of." He declined to comment any further. Contacted by email Friday, an Electronic Arts spokesperson verified that the company is asking that all of the brass knuckles shipped out be returned.

Brass knuckles or metallic knuckles are illegal in many of the states that they were shipped to. They're also illegal in California, where EA is based.

In Colorado, possessing an illegal weapon is a class 1 misdemeanor, according to a Denver police spokeswoman. Illegal weapons are defined as a blackjack, gas gun, metallic knuckles, gravity knife, or switchblade knife.

Electronic Arts did not respond to emails seeking comment about the legality of the items they shipped and whether they faced any legal actions for shipping them across state lines.

http://kotaku.com/5207521/ea-ships-ille ... e=true&s=x

Who the hell sends real weapons for a promotion

[Marluxia.Kyoshu]

lolwut

[capindecision]

It's like that time they gave away free drums of petrol to promote mercenaries 2, but useless this time. My car's not powered by FISTS.

All I know is that heads are gonna roll for this blunder. However they did achieve their main aim; media coverage.

[Plasma]

In reality, its entirely because they weren't expecting them to be considered weapons at all. Chances of the media, or heck, most AZforumers considering that are minimal. It gets in the way of hatan' EA, right guyz?

I'm more concerned over the fact that:
1: Games such as that actually promote the violence aspect over the actual re-imagine yourself a mobster aspect. Although I'm basing that on that it actually is played like a mobster game and not like a GTA-wannabe.
2: That they give them as promotions to reviewers, who shouldn't be letting anything influence them other than the actual game. Although I really shouldn't be shocked, considering its something of a... standard nowadays.

[DarkSurfer]

The game was probably terrible anyway.

[capindecision]

I'm more concerned over the fact that:
1: Games such as that actually promote the violence aspect over the actual re-imagine yourself a mobster aspect. Although I'm basing that on that it actually is played like a mobster game and not like a GTA-wannabe.
2: That they give them as promotions to reviewers, who shouldn't be letting anything influence them other than the actual game. Although I really shouldn't be shocked, considering its something of a... standard nowadays.

1. Completely with you there. So much for trying to justify violence in videogames. Couldn't they have sent something like a fake rose or an orange peel? I can't really recall the brass knuckle being a significant item or theme in the movies.
2. They would've sent it to reviewers to let them react to it, thus creating some media attention to it, since both the game's release and this promotion was done early this month. What they would've hoped for (I'm guessing) is that they would've mentioned or reported it on a website or something, and let the news flow to the masses.

It seems that the wii version is due to come out later this years. Hurrah for ruling the streets of the city with flailing arms of fury.

[thefollower]

http://kotaku.com/5207521/ea-ships-ille ... e=true&s=x

Who the hell sends real weapons for a promotion

If I'm not mistaken, that's a brass knuckles, That is an effective weapon.

[Cori]

MY FISTS

THEY ARE MADE OF...brass

[Shad]

[Stranaton]

I want a pair.

[DarkSurfer]

Don't necro a thread this old