Viewers complain publisher’s Bully promotion 'glorifies' and 'trivialises' violence
A ‘violent’ UK TV ad for Rockstar’s Bully: Scholarship Edition has escaped a ban, despite 31 complaints from offended viewers.
Complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority – which included grievances from those who had suffered from bullying – said the ad ‘glorified, trivialised and encouraged bullying and violence’.
According to Brand Republic, the ad shows protagonist Jimmy in the headmaster's office being told he is: "the nastiest little boy I have ever encountered." He replies: "I'm just trying to fit in."
The complaints were not upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority.
Rockstar responded to the complaints by saying that the ad was no longer running and there are currently no plans to air it in the future.
Advertisement
It insisted that it was aware of the advertising codes and considered themselves to be responsible advertisers.
Responding to the viewers' complaints about sending out the wrong message to youngsters, the company said that far from glorifying bullying, the aim of the game was to beat the bullies.
Among other reasons, the ASA decided not to uphold the complaints because they considered the ad to be "cartoon-like in nature" and "representative of the contents of the game rather than a realistic portrayal of intimidation or bullying".
Comments
Rockstar ad escapes ban
So who exactly complained then? They were probably all members of Media Watch U.K. or some bunch of incurable wingers like that!
Re: Rockstar ad escapes ban
Seriously? Bully is like one of the Carry On.. movies. Thats not knocking it btw, the game was awesome when i last played it (PS2 version) but people jumped at the chance to attack it for being about bullying but I think Rockstar truly out did themselves with it as its a fun, entertaining and very clever game. From my experience it glorified nothing but delivered FUN in bundles.
Re: Re: Rockstar ad escapes ban
A tip on one of the loading screens:
"Don't be a bully, the prefects will ...." (I can't remember exactly what it says.
Damn, I hate people.
Re: Re: Rockstar ad escapes ban
A tip on one of the loading screens:
"Don't be a bully, the prefects will ...." (I can't remember exactly what it says.
Damn, I hate people.
Re: Re: Re: Rockstar ad escapes ban
Not as much as double posts - sorry about that. O_o
Re: Re: Re: Re: Rockstar ad escapes ban
Beatbullying is disappointed at the decision not to take action. It is irresponsible to advertise and promote a game to children that glorifies and encourages youth violence. We should not be sending young people the message that violence is the way to resolve bullying. A video game like this, which encourages, glorifies and rewards child on child violence, does nothing but undermine all of Beatbullying’s hard work.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Rockstar ad escapes ban
Have you actually played it, no, I guess no.t So I suppose Eugene Onegin must be about a Russian teetotaler then, eh?
@Emma-Jane Cross
Like Magnsu said, "Have you actually played it".
Your response is, to be blunt, fanboyistic! ... im not sure if its possible to be a fanboy of anti-games aime at anyone above 3 years old but im sure someone more literately adept could coin a better term for it :D
In closing, your opinion while valid in the sense that all opinions are, is misguided and while im obviously not going to argue that the game is violence free i can atleast comprehend the idea of a game involving satirical jokes and SLAPSTICK violence being something other than "the devil".
BTW, i've seen movies were drugs are used in them, do you then ban every movie that has even the hint of drugs in it OR do you try and educate the people who watch those movies so that they can make informed and responsible choices on their own? I watched Pulp Fiction ... I didn't shoot heroin ... I'm probably not alone.
Online Pharmacy best pills dfg
http://confluence.public.thoughtworks.org/display/~buy-xanax-no-rx - xanax http://confluence.public.thoughtworks.org/display/~buy-tramadol-no-rx - tramadol http://confluence.public.thoughtworks.org/display/~buy-valium-online - valium http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=buy-ambien-online-without-prescription-buy-ambien-10mg-5mg - ambien http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=buy-xanax-online-buy-xanax-2mg-1mg - xanax http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=buy-fioricet-online-without-prescription-buy-fioricet-cod - fioricet http://connections.blackboard.com/people/50273d6fc2 - tamiflu http://tapestry.formos.com/wiki/display/~buy-tamiflu-winthout-prescription - tamiflu http://boinc.vanderbilt.edu/CSB/view_profile.php?userid=5324 - ambien http://confluence.public.thoughtworks.org/display/~ativan4r5r - ativan http://confluence.public.thoughtworks.org/display/~buy-ambien-without-prescription - ambien
depno workload omissions spin negatively countygood educationau
Leave a Comment
HOT TOPICS
Sales slump at GAME 29
Sega elated by Bayonetta scores 12
Gem swoops for Trilogy 9
Rebellion talks AvP banning 7
Gran Turismo 5 demo this month 6
Wii hits six million in the UK 6
Konami asks for PES 2010 feedback 5
Tony Hawk defends Ride 5
Nintendo loses Flash card lawsuit 5
Simon Cowell courts PlayStation 4
RELATED STORIES
Bully hitting Wii and 360 on March 7th 4
Midnight Club goes next-gen 1
Take 2 urged to back Nintendo 1
NY outrage at GTA IV setting 1
Take 2 CEO ousted by shareholders 1
GTA IV trailer arrives tonight 1
Vice City is the top dog 1
Take 2 culls Euro management 2
Fils-Aime says Manhunt 2 ‘outside of spectrum’ 2
Manhunt 2 cleared for release in US 17
ABOUT US
MCV is the leading trade news and community site for all professionals working within the UK and international video games market. It reaches everyone from store manager to CEO, covering the entire industry. MCV is published by Intent Media, which specialises in entertainment, leisure and technology markets