This whole Halo 3/Madeleine McCann thing is absolutely retarded. After Bungie was accused by certain morons of referencing Madeleine in its latest teaser trailer for a Halo 3 extension, the story has finally begun surfacing in the British, McCann-obsessed press.
The News of the World has picked up the story, with a headline that reads: "Halo team under fire for Maddie ad." While the article itself doesn't go so far as to demonize Bungie for the incident -- although the the online story's page title goes far enough to call the teaser a "Maddie McCann" reference -- the last line of the story really got on my nerves.
It was last night unclear whether the game manufacturers were planning to alter the name of the missing character before the launch of the new episode.
It's highly likely that Bungie will change the name now that everybody's blown the incident up out of all proportion. The game now couldn't not be about Maddie McCann if they keep the name, because that's what's been forced to the front of peoples' minds. However, here's a pro tip: Madeleine is a common name, it isn't exclusive to one missing British girl who most of America hadn't even heard about before this stupid faux-controversy.
It's not like Bungie said "Hitler, where are you?" Hitler is a name exclusively thought of as belonging to one person. Maddie, unless you're an idiot or the girl's family (or both, if you're someone who thinks leaving a small girl on her own in a hotel room is a good idea), is not.
It shouldn't have gotten this far.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
8:01 AM on 09.29.2008
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Morons.
"Every day, she and her friends break their bread, brush their teeth, go to bed, and go for a walk in two straight lines."
Stupid people are stupid
In other news, the world goes on.
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
I hadn't heard about it until the controversy around the Halo trailer.
Also, this whole thing is stupid.
I think it's ridiculous to even think Bungie thought about the kid once in the whole planning process. Honestly, I have to be reminded of what this whole affair is. The matter just isn't covered that much in American media, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that Bungie didn't even know who the hell she was, before this nonsense.
@sephirothX
both. =)
Alternatively the press is guessing that, what, Bungie is acting a dick and mocking the missing child? Isn't that even more nonsensical? Last time I checked, it wasn't a good idea for a billion-dollar company to poke fun at missing children. I've heard it may cause problems, and perhaps even effect their financial status. Hmm.
Anyway, it can't be said enough how stupid this is. I've already spent more time thinking about it than a should.
Bungie aren't stupid, and it is for that reason they would never do something as sick as gaining free publicity from a missing kid. Really, if you honestly think Bungie were doing this intentionally then you're missing something.
We never, ever, hear about missing kids outside of the UK so I refuse to believe the rest of the world knows who Maddy is. The only reason it's at all known outside of the UK is because her parents have raised such a big stink about the whole thing, without realising the root of the problem - them leaving their kids alone on holiday.
I also feel sorry for the people that read these "newspaper" articles and believe them.
They are truly the unblessed.
I didn't mean to be accusing Bungie of such tactics, just that many companies before them have used controversy as a source of free publicity. They are deserving of every bit of respect that they receive. It's all just a big unfortunate coincidence. That's all. It's not even noticeable in the video unless you do go through it frame by frame anyways.
Plus I live in Canada where international news is always in the headlines. We are constantly aware of what is going on around the world. We rather just hear about other people's drama and problems then experience it for ourselves ;).
The same reason Fox News exists & Jack Thompson was used as a mouthpiece.
Maybe we should be banned from using the term that has been in use since as far back as i remember.
fuck stupid people.
I hope the game is about hunting for a kidnapped girl in a shitty country, that would be awesome.
and yes, I said hunting.