Comcast deals "massive damage" to giant enemy crab advertisement
by Blake Snow 
{ Sep 7th 2006 at 12:15PM }
Apparently, even Comcast got the memo making fun of Sony's "massive damage" Genji 2 reference during the game manufacturer's E3 press briefing this past May. The above "On Demand" ad depicts a fake movie based on "famous battles which actually took place in Ancient Japan," and comes from this week's Entertainment Weekly on page 148.
With that, we're officially terminating all tired uses of the meme at Joystiq headquarters (Ed: no, we're not).
[Thanks for the image scan and tip, Master Ninja]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Car2oon @ Sep 7th 2006 12:24PM
Am I the only one who is SICK of these enemy crab/massive damage jokes? It was funny for the first THREE MONTHS. Give it a rest.
Jeff @ Sep 7th 2006 12:26PM
I'm more concerned with the fact that Comcast apparently thinks the feudal Japanese fought with rapiers and western armor than that Sony thinks they fought against giant crabs.
Because, you know, one's just a slip of the tongue. The other is actual historical ignorance.
Of course, I also don't see any reference to the 'actual historical battles fought in Ancient Japan' in this ad, so are we sure this isn't just a composite of random junk? I mean, the modern police cars in the background and riflemen on the left are kind of an odd choice too for an "ancient battle".
Jake @ Sep 7th 2006 2:56PM
@1
Good job. You've just provided enough encouragement for about 150 Joystiq posters to not let it die.
I still think it is funny as long as it isn't just forced in somewhere. This is kind of forced.
But the original Sony E3 press conference remixes were, and still are, absolutely fantastic. Still makes me laugh just a bit.
gok @ Sep 7th 2006 12:31PM
Cmon, everybody knows that japs didn't fight in that kind of outfit. I do think that this ad has nothing to dot wiht giant enemy crab thing, but if it did, that strange outfit would probably be just extenstion to the joke.
MosquitoControl @ Sep 7th 2006 12:33PM
Jeff, the ad has nothing to do with Sony.
I'm curious, though, which is a slip of the tongue. I'd assume you mean Sony, but that's not true. There was no slip of the tongue. There was a planned speech that was massively idiotic with the hopes that gamers wouldn't notice.
Montana @ Sep 7th 2006 12:38PM
I'm wondering if Jeff notices that they're not only fighting with Western armor, but there's support rifleman on the left side :P
Todd @ Sep 7th 2006 1:16PM
Wow, when other companies who aren't even in the gaming market (Comcast? That I know of) are making fun of Sony than you know you're in trouble.
Kevin @ Sep 7th 2006 12:48PM
... and their are 2 police cars in the background
Rask @ Sep 7th 2006 1:12PM
I dunno about you guys but that photoshop looks like it depicts the coolest movie ever.
I'd pay to see it.
McWeen @ Sep 7th 2006 12:52PM
"I'm more concerned with the fact that Comcast apparently thinks the feudal Japanese fought with rapiers and western armor than that Sony thinks they fought against giant crabs.
Because, you know, one's just a slip of the tongue. The other is actual historical ignorance."
Made me laugh for aabout 20 minutes
OTAM @ Sep 7th 2006 12:55PM
On demand? For movies like Riiiiiiidge Racer,how much does it cost to get? 599 US DOLLARS? These companies are attacking my wallet's weak point for massive damage :(
vidGuy @ Sep 7th 2006 12:58PM
I don't see any reason Comcast would include a crab unless they were poking fun at Sony.
The inclusion of the other unrealistic (historically) elements is probably meant to play-up the stupidity of the giant enemy crab; having policemen, rifleman, and a swordsman in one shot is so silly that it had to be intentional.
Regarding the armor and rapier, it's possible these were mistakes, but I'd like to think anyone with the tenacity to make an ad a blatant stab at another company would pay attention to detail, so the inclusion of an odd armor and weapon may be intentional, too.
Marc @ Sep 7th 2006 1:09PM
"The inclusion of the other unrealistic (historically) elements is probably meant to play-up the stupidity of the giant enemy crab; having policemen, rifleman, and a swordsman in one shot is so silly that it had to be intentional."
Yeah, of course this was intentional (I'm glad that someone took the time to notice). The ad means you can get monster movies, Middle Ages movies, westerns, and a "defy the law" type movie all ON DEMAND!
(the ad does say "Tons of Free Movies with Comcast Digital Cable")
Marc @ Sep 7th 2006 1:13PM
^What I'm trying to say is that the ad has NOTHING TO DO WITH SONY! It's just a coincidence that they used a crab.
C'mon, did you all really think this company is making fun of the PS3's showing at E3? Why would they do that? The PS3 isn't even competing against this service.
Seifer @ Sep 7th 2006 1:19PM
As Freud once said, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."
hoos30 @ Sep 7th 2006 1:29PM
Comcast pretty much sucks, so when they feel that they can poke fun at you, you should know you're in deep trouble.
Okay, so while probably not a direct "poke" at Sony, whoever put this Photoshop together definitely used the long running "eneny crab" joke as a reference. Or perhaps its a tribute to Ray Harryhausen...
BTW, those rifle guys are aiming right at the crab's weak point.
Flit @ Sep 7th 2006 1:57PM
You think a company like Comcast which is pushing marketing towards gamers right now did this on accident? They pay millions of dollars to get into your heads, and it worked. This is free advertising to them, a flame war on a popular gaming blog about whether or not the "giant crab" was intentional. Congrats Comcast, it worked.
sidescroller @ Sep 7th 2006 1:49PM
I don't see how you could look at this ad and *not* think that it was poking fun at Sony. You guys forget that, while it is a Comcast ad, some guy (on a computer, nonetheless) is sitting there making this ad. You don't think he'd atleast be somewhat aware of this fad?
It's like when the quote "Your the man now, dog" appeared in the Jeopardy category "Easily Imitated" less than a week after YTMND.com accused eBaums of copying content. It's too well-timed to be a coincidence.
sidescroller @ Sep 7th 2006 1:51PM
Bleh, sorry about the typos.
colin @ Sep 7th 2006 1:52PM
Ok, this is just another ad in the Comcast series that mixes up a bunch of genres to show that Comcast has movies on demand. While I'm not sure the giant enemy crab is meant to poke fun at Sony or not, it wouldn't be because of competition, it would be for the added exposure. Did you hear of bus uncle?
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_uncle
It was a viral asian video, much like the giant crab meme. The thing is, a bunch of advertisers utilized quotes from the video in their advertisments, it was just a ploy to get more people to use their products.
HaloBreaker @ Sep 7th 2006 2:39PM
If anybody missed the E3 PS3, here's the entire thing in 5 minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH2w2l1JTs4
a Master Ninja @ Sep 7th 2006 2:34PM
Awesome, they used my story!
Scott @ Sep 7th 2006 3:00PM
for the record, its: "which took actually took place"
two "took"s.
IcebergSlim3000 @ Sep 7th 2006 3:08PM
Massive Damage!!
SnakeDanteCloud_HolyTrinity @ Sep 7th 2006 4:43PM
standard joystiq attack at sony for no reason, this has NOTHING at all to do with sony, but joystiq just loves to bash them 24/7. you guys are the worst 'journalists' around
Marc @ Sep 7th 2006 8:51PM
^ Well I gotta disagree with you there. You say they are the "worst journalists around". But, to be honest, they aren't journalists. They just have a blog on their web site.
Oh, I'm sorry. I don't think you got that. Let me repeat it.
They just have a blog on THEIR web site.
That's right. This is their site! THEY can choose what to do with it. If they want to post reliable news, they could. If they want to post biased "news" they could.
Truth is, this is just an ordinary blog. If you want gaming news, go to IGN. If not, well sucks for you!
Deal with this site or go somewhere else. It's not like anyone's gonna miss you. You, me, and everyone here is just a faceless average joe.
Marc @ Sep 7th 2006 9:05PM
"standard joystiq attack at sony for no reason, this has NOTHING at all to do with sony, but joystiq just loves to bash them 24/7."
Also, it's not just Joystiq. Pretty much every gaming website that covers the Big 3 Companies can agree that Sony isn't exactly doing anything to make themselves look good.
1)They delay the PS3 (multiple times)
2)Put in a format that no one wants(Blu-ray)
3)Have the nerve to ask us to pay $600 for the "good" version of the PS3 (is something that is supposed to bring joy even supposed to *have* a "good" version?)
4)They see a "Worldwide" launch as America, and Japan (seeing as how they delayed the PS3 in Europe 'til March '07)
5)Say they'll have 2 million units at launch when they haven't even started production
6)Keep their track record of having their consoles break repetedly (everyone I know has had to re-purchase a PS1 or PS2 two to three times)
7)etc. etc.
I would have posted more, but that would have make this list ridiculosly long (someone with too much time will probably finish it).
As you can see, Sony isn't doing anything to help their public image. So before you post, think about that companies' faults before you blame one particular site of being biased.
Link2086 @ Sep 8th 2006 6:03PM
"Cmon, everybody knows that japs didn't fight in that kind of outfit."
Why in the world do people think that the term "japs" is appropriate? It's a racial slur. It is NOT an appropriate shorthand for "Japanese" when referring to the Japanese people.
Anyway, as for the people claiming that a gigantic crab is "just a coincidence," wise up. What in the world does a gigantic crab have to do with movies? It's obviously not just a coincidence, because Comcast has no reason for inserting a picture of a giant crab in their ad other than for poking fun at Sony or acknowledging the "Giant Enemy Crab!" trend. It was clearly done on purpose.