[Update: When researching this story, I failed to notice that these videos were created "on spec," meaning that they were shot with the hope of being sold to Sony. They are not official ads and, God willing, they never will be. I apologize profusely for this error.]
This... thing that you see above is an advertisement for the PS3. It is one of three such videos recently released to the internet, all featuring the fictional Gamer Eyes product and lots of nicely focused shots of Sony hardware. The videos were created by Avyan Productions as part of a "branded content campaign," presumably as another stab at viral marketing.
It's been a while since I've been able to ask this question about Sony marketing, so I'm going to savor it a little bit: Who the hell thought this was a good idea? You have children with things fused to their faces which bleed while they alternate between being cheerful and comatose? You really want to suggest potential health risks associated with videogames? Are you out of your freaking minds?
You can view the other two videos below. The last is an ad in the vein of the big-eyed African kids on late night TV, which has an actual number you can dial. Unfortunately, instead of getting some "clever" additional marketing, the number goes to a eyecare company based in Alabama. Smooth, guys. Batting 1000 here.
Conrad Zimmerman is Destructoid's News Editor and home to the busiest mustache in the gaming press. An amateur historian and pop culture fanatic, Conrad possesses a nearly limitless wealth of videogame factoids and a passion for the power of games to teach, inspire and entertain. He enjoys reading, writing and turning things which should be fun into work.
Likes
Mega Man 2, Arcade Games, Books about games, Board games, Having cultural interests that aren't games
Meet the rest of the team
You'd think they'd have coherent people in the marketing department.
I think the only weird ad that ever really worked was that lady in the nursing home babbling about dragons and swords and her granddaughter gave her a game tip. That the Kevin Butler stuff was good, well, til Marcus, anyway.
And they were doing so good. I guess it's STILL not as bad as the stupid crow/tap dancer/baby shit. And I guess it's also not the borderline racist commercials intended to appeal to the urban black demographic for the PSP.
These are horrible. And is it me, or does it seem like the second one is cribbing on Nintendo's whole "blow" thing that has practically become a part of the NES's identity in pop culture?
@dfielder: I understand that these are intentionally bad. But they're bad in a way that reflects poorly on the product that they are advertising and that's counter to the point of marketing. The humor value might be subjective (I don't find them to be funny but some might), but that doesn't change the fact that they're essentially equating the abuse of children (neglect is abuse, after all) with the PlayStation brand.
Yeah, I just watched the 3rd one...no way in hell are these official commercials...
How in the world did this pass as official? I hadn't watched them before I commented, but if I were creating an article about it; then I'd do my research before saying that they are official.
Also, I loved the old PS3 commercials, all of them. I'm glad Kevin Butler came along though, hes EPIC.
Seriously, I apologize for making the mistake of failing to see the "on spec" designation afforded this ad campaign. The post has been updated to reflect that these are the work of a few rogue business people hoping to snag a client. Again, I am truly sorry for the oversight.
@PlanetPanton: Honestly, I don't feel bad one iota for having thought they were real. That's just a testament to how screwed up Sony's marketing for the PS3 has been over the years. The Kevin Butler campaign is brilliant and they finally hit gold there but the things which came out of that company have been strange enough to make this seem believable.
haha ok I can understand why everyone dislikes some of the earlier PS3 adds, like the baby, and the eggs, but they had some insanely awesome commercials before KB!
Like the "universe of entertainment" commercial, which had the song "ladies and gentlemen" by saliva. That was sick! I wish they still played that, but with updated gameplay of upcoming games of course.
but back on topic, I loved those weird old PS3 commercials, weird can be good; but these were weird in a terrible way...I knew Sony wouldn't make something like this though haha, just something inside me tells me these things.
Ah, Destructoid, ever the bastion of journalistic quality, breaking stories whether they're true or not.
I don't claim to be a journalist, but it seems like your editor would make you actually triple check these things are legit, and not just you guys taking things out of context accidentally (and it wouldn't hurt if Jim had actually accepted responsibility for the Bulletstorm thing).
Speed isn't everything in gaming journalism, most of us only check once a day. You have the time to get things right.
err. You could tell pretty much right away these weren't official Sony ads.. They didn't have the Sony splash logo - they had some weird 'gamer eyes' thing at the end.
Holy Crap. You really thought these were legit?? And you wonder why people accuse you guys of irrational Sony hate. These faux ads don't look anything remotely like anything I've ever seen from Sony. Even the strangest ads from Japan. That's without even mentioning the production quality which is worse than the lousiest small town local news poduction I've ever seen.
I'm not saying you wouldn't have posted these if they were phony 360 ads, but I'm sure your article would have read a bit more like "look at those funny 360 ads. There so funny." Instead of reading like "look at these dumb fucks at Sony. What's their ad department smoking?"
You're reasoning for making this post seemed rational up until you blamed Sony for your mistake...It was by your lack of oversight that you even thought these clearly fake advertisements were from Sony so why are you saying its there fault when they haven't had a garbage advertisement in 3 years?
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
2:00 AM on 02.02.2011 | 
I think the only weird ad that ever really worked was that lady in the nursing home babbling about dragons and swords and her granddaughter gave her a game tip. That the Kevin Butler stuff was good, well, til Marcus, anyway.
Back to weird shit, I guess.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqkNPcUMffU
you can probably find more in the related videos bar.
These are horrible. And is it me, or does it seem like the second one is cribbing on Nintendo's whole "blow" thing that has practically become a part of the NES's identity in pop culture?
How in the world did this pass as official? I hadn't watched them before I commented, but if I were creating an article about it; then I'd do my research before saying that they are official.
Also, I loved the old PS3 commercials, all of them. I'm glad Kevin Butler came along though, hes EPIC.
Mr. Butler are you going somewhere? Kevin! come back please!
Seriously, I apologize for making the mistake of failing to see the "on spec" designation afforded this ad campaign. The post has been updated to reflect that these are the work of a few rogue business people hoping to snag a client. Again, I am truly sorry for the oversight.
I think everyone should feel just as bad for thinking they were real.
Like the "universe of entertainment" commercial, which had the song "ladies and gentlemen" by saliva. That was sick! I wish they still played that, but with updated gameplay of upcoming games of course.
but back on topic, I loved those weird old PS3 commercials, weird can be good; but these were weird in a terrible way...I knew Sony wouldn't make something like this though haha, just something inside me tells me these things.
"if that doesn't work, try blowing into your ps3"
I don't claim to be a journalist, but it seems like your editor would make you actually triple check these things are legit, and not just you guys taking things out of context accidentally (and it wouldn't hurt if Jim had actually accepted responsibility for the Bulletstorm thing).
Speed isn't everything in gaming journalism, most of us only check once a day. You have the time to get things right.
At least Conrad said everything there is to say.
But uck!
...
*plays Sly Cooper*
:|
I'm not saying you wouldn't have posted these if they were phony 360 ads, but I'm sure your article would have read a bit more like "look at those funny 360 ads. There so funny." Instead of reading like "look at these dumb fucks at Sony. What's their ad department smoking?"
You're reasoning for making this post seemed rational up until you blamed Sony for your mistake...It was by your lack of oversight that you even thought these clearly fake advertisements were from Sony so why are you saying its there fault when they haven't had a garbage advertisement in 3 years?
Yes you failed at a Sony hate attempt..
This article is kinda awful.
Flag this shit.