As I was logging in to xbox.com today (to send a letter to support, querying why can't I download Duke Nukem 3D, Doom, Penny-Arcade and some other XBLA games, a topic that I think deserves it's own post some day), I was greeted with this image:
Click for full, I'm too lazy for a thumbnail
What the hell, Microsoft? Don't you think that this is a teeeeensy pit condescending and even offensive? It's clearly marketing doing something they don't understand, but still. Look at the grin on the guy, you can almost hear the "Yeah, I let you win but I'm so going to give you a stiff beating later". It goes against the basic rule of evoking a positive feeling, and/or surprise. If it had been the other way around, the guy playing and cheering, and the girl going, "Yeah, I let you win", it would be funny, because it goes against the current stereotype (sadly) about women and gaming, therefore being a bit more provocative and interesting.
Maybe I'm reading a bit too much into it, but it MS really should know better.
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It's even sports too, so it's a double whammy of "girls don't play games" and "girls don't get sports"
On the other hand it could be a "I let you win" that everyone says when really they didn't....
But that can't be conveyed in one still picture so, yeah, I'm 100% with you now. Microsoft are sexist.
I work in advertising, so I know that the old "Any publicity is good publicity" is BS that's only said when something goes to shit.
It's also wrong. I never let my gf win. EVER! SHE MUST LOSE! Maybe that's why I don't own a 360.
Microsoft lent this as a casual ad. It's a softer way of saying, "Share Your Xbox 360 so these other people can buy these games you sick fuck."
You make me SICK microsoft
Now all I want is a pancake, that cute little black lady drew me in!
Anyway, its "i'm letting her win" as in, she's kicking my ass. If you take 2 seconds to look at it, you'll see she's rubbing it in, and he's faking a smile. I think they could've went with a better picture, making the dude look a bit more frustrated. But the idea still works.
You guys really get up in arms about the stupidest shit.
That said, when my wife and I were dating, I'd occasionally let her win a few rounds of Mario Kart, because when I'd win, she'd get totally pissed off. It got to the point where I refused to play it with her anymore.
Also, most publicist creatives suck so there is the reason for the bad advertising photo.
Now all i can think about is the damned foodstuff that is delicious pancakes!