PSP fansites are popping up all over the internet. The demand for the portable system is at an all-time high as enthusiasts can't contain themselves. Rather, they opt to start seasonal fansites evangelizing the portable's many benefits not to mention its huge list of AAA and exclusive games. PSP fansite All I Want For Xmas is a PSP is no different. It was started by two "kids" -- one of which raps and looks disturbingly old for a kid -- in an effort to entice their parents to buy them a PSP for Christmas. Furthermore, the site only uses lower case letters, always references "two" as "2," embraces hip phrases like "here's the deal," publishes fake user-generated comments like "this is the best site ever" under the alias of True Gamer, and posts homemade rap videos full of stage props and trite "izzies." The above video is sure to reach the top spot on YouTube by tomorrow. It just screams street cred.
The only problem is the registered domain where this lame video is posted is owned by a marketing company called Zipatoni, presumably one hired by Sony. And we can't think of an individual stupid enough to post such a video only to get laid into worse than the Star Wars kid had it. I won't even quote the atrocious lyrics for fear you might throw up a little in your mouth after hearing. You almost had us, Zipatoni. Almost!!! Dense marketers usually do an excellent job in fooling ignorant consumers with such authenticity.
[via Something Awful; indeed it is]
Reader Comments (99)
Posted: Dec 11th 2006 10:01PM (Unverified) said
This is the best site ever.
Posted: Dec 11th 2006 11:17PM (Unverified) said
Something Awful says hi :)
I saw this last night, and it definitely struck a chord with me. Not so much because it's an add and we have them constantly shoved up our ass, but moreso because it seems like Sony and its advertisers see us as some kind of army of functionally retarded waterheads with no concept of grammar.
It's a little sad that these are in charge of something like making games instead of insurance or motor oil or something that requires no passion.
I saw this last night, and it definitely struck a chord with me. Not so much because it's an add and we have them constantly shoved up our ass, but moreso because it seems like Sony and its advertisers see us as some kind of army of functionally retarded waterheads with no concept of grammar.
It's a little sad that these are in charge of something like making games instead of insurance or motor oil or something that requires no passion.
Posted: Dec 11th 2006 10:24PM flit said
HEY! I saw ">" over on that site! He thought it was the ROxxORRZ! In fact, i think it was his idea.
Posted: Dec 11th 2006 10:31PM (Unverified) said
"Help computer"
My favorite comment to date on that site.
My favorite comment to date on that site.
Posted: Dec 11th 2006 10:33PM (Unverified) said
Scratch that, I found a new one:
"This site is believable, that's what I like about it!
Comment By Giant Enemy Crab At 12/11/2006 4:04 PM"
"This site is believable, that's what I like about it!
Comment By Giant Enemy Crab At 12/11/2006 4:04 PM"
Posted: Dec 11th 2006 10:38PM (Unverified) said
Funny,
Microsoft has hired it's own PR firm. Its called Joystiq, they do a great job of advertising for the 360
Microsoft has hired it's own PR firm. Its called Joystiq, they do a great job of advertising for the 360
Posted: Dec 11th 2006 10:47PM samfish said
Holy God. I think my soul just ran off with my testicles.
Posted: Dec 11th 2006 11:10PM (Unverified) said
I just kicked myself in the face.
Posted: Dec 11th 2006 11:13PM teejaykay said
"47. Am I the only person who saw the "It's already devising ways to kill you" PS3 ad in Game Informer? I thought it was some kind of parody, but I guess not."
You can't be serious. They've already insulted the consumer's intelligence ("Is the PS3 even smarter than you?") and made demonic babies cry. This is getting to the point where I feel like the PS3 would be better off with no advertising whatsoever.
You can't be serious. They've already insulted the consumer's intelligence ("Is the PS3 even smarter than you?") and made demonic babies cry. This is getting to the point where I feel like the PS3 would be better off with no advertising whatsoever.
Posted: Dec 11th 2006 11:55PM (Unverified) said
f-ing stupid/hilarious. looks like it's taking off though
Posted: Dec 11th 2006 11:53PM (Unverified) said
I DONT GET WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT!
Most Sony fanboys will really dig this, They are cool and with it - to me it just about sums up PSP and PS3 owners for me, Everytime I hear anyone mention Sony in regards to gaming this will be running through my head.
Keep it Real Sony Fanboys.
Most Sony fanboys will really dig this, They are cool and with it - to me it just about sums up PSP and PS3 owners for me, Everytime I hear anyone mention Sony in regards to gaming this will be running through my head.
Keep it Real Sony Fanboys.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 12:16AM (Unverified) said
Hey I know some guys that work at that place! And you know what's funny? THey have a "game room" in the office where all the guys play video games at lunch on a XBOX 360!!! Not only are they bad marketers, but they're also hypocrites...
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 12:15AM DWells55 said
Congratulations to #59. Ben Hobbs for receiving the "most blatant proof that I'm a marketing tool" award.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 12:24AM (Unverified) said
Check out their RSS feeds http://www.alliwantforxmasisapsp.com/feeds/rss.xml
They're plastered with links from that dumb viral marketing company.
They're plastered with links from that dumb viral marketing company.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 12:42AM (Unverified) said
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 12:44AM (Unverified) said
Sony needs to move farther down the ladder and get rid of some more coporate losers.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 12:53AM (Unverified) said
this is how you kill sales
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 12:54AM (Unverified) said
It would be a shame for folks to call Zipatoni at
1-314-345-4257 and let them know how much we hate Sony and the PSP..............
1-314-345-4257 and let them know how much we hate Sony and the PSP..............
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 12:58AM MosquitoControl said
Sony is featured prominently on this marketing firm's website.
The firm also offers $100k for successfully matching them with a client. The page advertising this has a link called "legal bullsh*t." You know, because people looking to make business deals are very impressed by unprofessional swearing...
Bottom line, this ad is pathetic. And offensive.
Should we expect more from the portable that has given us corporate-sponsored illegal graffiti and racist squirrels?
Nope.
Someone is likely losing their job for this. Not all PR is good PR, although given the comments by Kutaragi and Hirai you'd never know Sony believed that.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Zipatoni lose some clients. And potentially need a name change. This will be a fairly large black-eye on a company supposedly masters of "activating" customers.
Insulting is more like it. Yup, a bunch of 20-somethings rapping and doing pimp-walks to beg their parents for PSPs. Intentional typos mixed with improbably proper grammar. Marketng buzz-words no actual customer would consider...
Idiotic.
The firm also offers $100k for successfully matching them with a client. The page advertising this has a link called "legal bullsh*t." You know, because people looking to make business deals are very impressed by unprofessional swearing...
Bottom line, this ad is pathetic. And offensive.
Should we expect more from the portable that has given us corporate-sponsored illegal graffiti and racist squirrels?
Nope.
Someone is likely losing their job for this. Not all PR is good PR, although given the comments by Kutaragi and Hirai you'd never know Sony believed that.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Zipatoni lose some clients. And potentially need a name change. This will be a fairly large black-eye on a company supposedly masters of "activating" customers.
Insulting is more like it. Yup, a bunch of 20-somethings rapping and doing pimp-walks to beg their parents for PSPs. Intentional typos mixed with improbably proper grammar. Marketng buzz-words no actual customer would consider...
Idiotic.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 1:14AM (Unverified) said
Anyone that thinks that this is a good/effective advertisement, even in light of the negative responses it's receiving here and on other blogs, probably thinks that standing outside a bowling alley shooting a shotgun in the air would be an excellent way to attract customers.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 1:33AM MosquitoControl said
And, of course, there's the possibility this is meant to be parody.
If so, it fails miserably. Parody is supposed to be obvious. This is entirely too believable.
If so, it fails miserably. Parody is supposed to be obvious. This is entirely too believable.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 1:47AM MosquitoControl said
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=85108608
Look familiar to anyone else?
Look familiar to anyone else?
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 1:47AM MosquitoControl said
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 2:09AM (Unverified) said
I think the deer-head is a nice touch. I mean, every wanna'-be 30+ year-old pimp-living-with-mom-posing-as-black-tweener has one of those.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 7:22AM (Unverified) said
Busted !!!
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 8:10AM (Unverified) said
@ #59
Seriously, "Ben", get a proper fucking job. A kid working at MacD's probably makes more in a week than you do in a fortnight.
Seriously, "Ben", get a proper fucking job. A kid working at MacD's probably makes more in a week than you do in a fortnight.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 9:33AM mietha said
First off, that guy is 30, at least. Secondly, why isn't the site alliwantforxmasismyps3? Oh, that's right, because they don't have any to sell... I thought sony was over crap like this. Guess I was very, very wrong. I wonder if that guy has hung himself in his closet yet?
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 9:00AM (Unverified) said
#75 MajorTOm
Whatever kid, I run a very successful company and have always earned a very healthy wage, I'm pretty sure I'm considerably richer and happier than you, and that my wife is hotter than any girl you've ever even "dared" to approach.
Although I have no idea why you even mentioned work or jobs, I do hope for your sake that you realised I was being sarcastic. Maybe it was just too deep for your obviously limited mental capacity.
Whatever kid, I run a very successful company and have always earned a very healthy wage, I'm pretty sure I'm considerably richer and happier than you, and that my wife is hotter than any girl you've ever even "dared" to approach.
Although I have no idea why you even mentioned work or jobs, I do hope for your sake that you realised I was being sarcastic. Maybe it was just too deep for your obviously limited mental capacity.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 9:07AM (Unverified) said
To quote the late great Bill Hicks, "If you are in marketing or advertising kill yourself now."
'Nuff said.
'Nuff said.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 9:09AM (Unverified) said
"Whatever kid, I run a very successful company and have always earned a very healthy wage, I'm pretty sure I'm considerably richer and happier than you, and that my wife is hotter than any girl you've ever even "dared" to approach."
I don't which is funnier/lamer...The pathetic attempt of a PSP viral marketing campaign, or the poster who attempts to prop his life up on a gaming blog.
So many choices...
I don't which is funnier/lamer...The pathetic attempt of a PSP viral marketing campaign, or the poster who attempts to prop his life up on a gaming blog.
So many choices...
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 9:52AM (Unverified) said
That's the sad thing that happens when a company don't have enough quality to have fanboys. They have to BUY (fake) fanboys
To all that complain about fanboys, just think, they became what they are for a reason
To all that complain about fanboys, just think, they became what they are for a reason
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 11:30AM flit said
For those of you missing the finer points of why people are mad at sony for this:
1) They think every kid who uses youtube and writes comments (like on this site) say things like "OMGLOL!!11!!, For r3alz letz gets a PSP bro!". Many of us make fun of 1337 speak most of the time, because it is just stupid.
2) Astroturf is always offensive. Like that youtube video that made fun of "an inconvienient truth" that was made by Exxon Mobil. How rediculous has marketing gotten, that you can't actually say anything good about your product, and you have to create fake hype (Snakes on a Plane, i'm looking at you).
3) Not only is it Astroturf, but it's pretty damned unbelievable astroturf. As many have noticed the guy is like 30. Do they think we are stupid?
4) Gamers are mad because they wanted the psp to be a good system (it has the potential) but bad port after bad port, there's just no reason to have one anymore. Most studios aren't making UMD movies anymore (like that was a good idea anyway).
Open your eyes fanboys. Sony just got Thousands of advertising dollars flushed down the drain.
1) They think every kid who uses youtube and writes comments (like on this site) say things like "OMGLOL!!11!!, For r3alz letz gets a PSP bro!". Many of us make fun of 1337 speak most of the time, because it is just stupid.
2) Astroturf is always offensive. Like that youtube video that made fun of "an inconvienient truth" that was made by Exxon Mobil. How rediculous has marketing gotten, that you can't actually say anything good about your product, and you have to create fake hype (Snakes on a Plane, i'm looking at you).
3) Not only is it Astroturf, but it's pretty damned unbelievable astroturf. As many have noticed the guy is like 30. Do they think we are stupid?
4) Gamers are mad because they wanted the psp to be a good system (it has the potential) but bad port after bad port, there's just no reason to have one anymore. Most studios aren't making UMD movies anymore (like that was a good idea anyway).
Open your eyes fanboys. Sony just got Thousands of advertising dollars flushed down the drain.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 10:37AM (Unverified) said
# 59/78 Ben Hobbs
Yeah, I suppose it was a bit silly of me to mis-read your post there as sarcasm, though I will admit that I don't define sarcasm as 'complete, utter and outright sincerity', as you seem to.
get back to shilling, you shill!
man, this shit is hilarious. I didn't think I could end up even LESS convinced that buying a PSP is a good idea. Kudos to those marketing guys at Zipatoni.
Yeah, I suppose it was a bit silly of me to mis-read your post there as sarcasm, though I will admit that I don't define sarcasm as 'complete, utter and outright sincerity', as you seem to.
get back to shilling, you shill!
man, this shit is hilarious. I didn't think I could end up even LESS convinced that buying a PSP is a good idea. Kudos to those marketing guys at Zipatoni.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 10:43AM (Unverified) said
Sonys partner in Scandinavia actually just startet doing the same the same thing: www.ps3blog.dk.
Only the small prints at the bottom reveals "Nordisk Film Interactive", the company distributing PlayStation products in Scandinavia.
Only the small prints at the bottom reveals "Nordisk Film Interactive", the company distributing PlayStation products in Scandinavia.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 10:53AM (Unverified) said
Hey Sony, portable video games are supposed to be fun. Quit trying to be so serious about it, you're scaring the rest of the world!
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 12:45PM (Unverified) said
Sure it's suspicious, but it must have been a really really slow day in the news for you to start rumours and supositions. Shame on you. People are taking this as gospel instead of the guesswork it is.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 1:07PM (Unverified) said
Someone posted this at SA.com.
Please, please, please call the "President" and ask her why she thinks the gaming demographic is all idiots.
And of course, post here and let us know what she says!
quote:
Dear Zippers Everywhere,
Remember last Friday when we talked about great work and how that work is often polarizing? Guess what, we were right! As many of you know by now, our PSP site is receiving a great deal of criticism as is Zipatoni. This is a good thing...it is not beige!
Our clients are aware and unfazed. Their response, "you have to take the good with the bad." We are discussing potential future direction or lack thereof. Please know, we did NOT try to hide the fact that we created it...we purchased the domain name outright. Also, please know that we approached the client initially with this scenario and they said "who cares if people find out? As long as it is funny, we do this stuff all of the time."
Don't dismay...when was the last time people were blogging about Zipatoni? I'm confident Dawn will turn this into one helluva a case study in the months to come. K
Karen Sauder
President
ZIPATONI
314.568.1549
314.345.4351
Please, please, please call the "President" and ask her why she thinks the gaming demographic is all idiots.
And of course, post here and let us know what she says!
quote:
Dear Zippers Everywhere,
Remember last Friday when we talked about great work and how that work is often polarizing? Guess what, we were right! As many of you know by now, our PSP site is receiving a great deal of criticism as is Zipatoni. This is a good thing...it is not beige!
Our clients are aware and unfazed. Their response, "you have to take the good with the bad." We are discussing potential future direction or lack thereof. Please know, we did NOT try to hide the fact that we created it...we purchased the domain name outright. Also, please know that we approached the client initially with this scenario and they said "who cares if people find out? As long as it is funny, we do this stuff all of the time."
Don't dismay...when was the last time people were blogging about Zipatoni? I'm confident Dawn will turn this into one helluva a case study in the months to come. K
Karen Sauder
President
ZIPATONI
314.568.1549
314.345.4351
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 1:31PM (Unverified) said
Clearly Sony has lost the allegiance of the majority of the Sony fanboys, and are trying to fabricate hype. Let me add this to my list of reasons not to buy Sony products. Rediculous.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 2:54PM (Unverified) said
@86
SHEESH! Nobody's getting fired over this? Weird...
You know, I work at a fashion/design company in San Francisco. Maybe I should give the Zippers a call and see if they're hiring. I could definitely target the "hip urban youth with money" group a lot better than they did.
I honestly can't believe this campaign was allowed to get out past the development stage. The idea of creating a fake blog isn't such a terrible one considering the other kinds of advertising SONY has gone for, but their execution in this particular one was OH GOD SO TERRIBLE. None of it looks even the tiniest bit authentic, because it's all too damn polished.
If they knew what they were doing they would have copied that "Seven Days In A Saturn" ad campaign and given free PSPs to several different people and then filmed them using them and showing them to other people and blogging about their impressions.
Yeah, I'm a little offended about the astroturfing, but what I'm MOST offended about is the terrible execution. I could have done a better job than this, and for a heck of a lot less money I'm sure.
SHEESH! Nobody's getting fired over this? Weird...
You know, I work at a fashion/design company in San Francisco. Maybe I should give the Zippers a call and see if they're hiring. I could definitely target the "hip urban youth with money" group a lot better than they did.
I honestly can't believe this campaign was allowed to get out past the development stage. The idea of creating a fake blog isn't such a terrible one considering the other kinds of advertising SONY has gone for, but their execution in this particular one was OH GOD SO TERRIBLE. None of it looks even the tiniest bit authentic, because it's all too damn polished.
If they knew what they were doing they would have copied that "Seven Days In A Saturn" ad campaign and given free PSPs to several different people and then filmed them using them and showing them to other people and blogging about their impressions.
Yeah, I'm a little offended about the astroturfing, but what I'm MOST offended about is the terrible execution. I could have done a better job than this, and for a heck of a lot less money I'm sure.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 3:56PM Linkreincarnate said
This is marketing genius. Instead of trying to sell to the small elusive demographic, sell the the large easy one. Sell to stupid people.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 3:33PM MosquitoControl said
Polarizing?
Hahaha, the response is almost utilaterally negative. That isn't "polarizing," it's "alienating."
So she's saying it was a joke, but it wasn't a funny one. Regardless of her spin, attempting to make employees feel happy, this was a major backfire. This was not the response they wanted.
Hahaha, the response is almost utilaterally negative. That isn't "polarizing," it's "alienating."
So she's saying it was a joke, but it wasn't a funny one. Regardless of her spin, attempting to make employees feel happy, this was a major backfire. This was not the response they wanted.
Posted: Dec 12th 2006 4:04PM (Unverified) said
Well, they've started heavily censoring people now, and they just banned my IP for posting the following:
----------------------------------------------
Hey readers, if you actually care about SONY or video games AT ALL, please write to SONY of America and let them know that you find this website offensive and urge them to terminate their contract with the Zipat0ni @dvertising @gency.
Spamming this site is great, and you should all keep doing it, but the way to REALLY get rid of this kind of crud is to contact SONY of America directly and let them know you're angry.
Make your voices heard!
LET'S END THIS CRAP.
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
Hey readers, if you actually care about SONY or video games AT ALL, please write to SONY of America and let them know that you find this website offensive and urge them to terminate their contract with the Zipat0ni @dvertising @gency.
Spamming this site is great, and you should all keep doing it, but the way to REALLY get rid of this kind of crud is to contact SONY of America directly and let them know you're angry.
Make your voices heard!
LET'S END THIS CRAP.
----------------------------------------------
Posted: Dec 13th 2006 10:02AM (Unverified) said
#81
"I don't which is funnier/lamer...The pathetic attempt of a PSP viral marketing campaign, or the poster who attempts to prop his life up on a gaming blog.
So many choices..."
It's probably the sad, lonely, spotty faced, underachieving, hapless loser who feels the need to post something along the lines of your "witty" comment. Follow the thread and you may notice why I posted what I did.
You guys are hilarious, I'd love to be 12 again.
"I don't which is funnier/lamer...The pathetic attempt of a PSP viral marketing campaign, or the poster who attempts to prop his life up on a gaming blog.
So many choices..."
It's probably the sad, lonely, spotty faced, underachieving, hapless loser who feels the need to post something along the lines of your "witty" comment. Follow the thread and you may notice why I posted what I did.
You guys are hilarious, I'd love to be 12 again.
Posted: Dec 13th 2006 3:24PM (Unverified) said
the site now states "here's the deal:::
Busted. Nailed. Snagged. As many of you have figured out (maybe our speech was a little too funky fresh???), Peter isn't a real hip-hop maven and this site was actually developed by Sony. Guess we were trying to be just a little too clever. From this point forward, we will just stick to making cool products, and use this site to give you nothing but the facts on the PSP.
Sony Computer Entertainment America"
Busted. Nailed. Snagged. As many of you have figured out (maybe our speech was a little too funky fresh???), Peter isn't a real hip-hop maven and this site was actually developed by Sony. Guess we were trying to be just a little too clever. From this point forward, we will just stick to making cool products, and use this site to give you nothing but the facts on the PSP.
Sony Computer Entertainment America"
Posted: Dec 14th 2006 4:20PM (Unverified) said
here is a new link for the vid, since sony got embarrassed and took down the previous one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx1H7-HhngE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx1H7-HhngE
Posted: Dec 16th 2006 11:04AM (Unverified) said
The domain killyourpsp.com is still available
Posted: Dec 23rd 2006 3:33AM (Unverified) said
HAHAHAHA!!
Oh, and am I the only one who remembers that incident where Sony hired some proffesional spray-painters to go out in the city and spray-paint PSP adds all over New-York?
Pathetic.
Oh, and am I the only one who remembers that incident where Sony hired some proffesional spray-painters to go out in the city and spray-paint PSP adds all over New-York?
Pathetic.
Posted: Dec 27th 2006 3:40PM (Unverified) said
From their website:
"Let me start by saying LAWL111
i luv what you guy's are doing an i hope ur grandma get's j that psp he rly wants... I will be saying 2 all my frendz (SHOUTOUT kenny knutaragi, tub ril & last but n0t least Trogdor teh Burninatorrr) who dont have psp's like mi 2 cum 2 this site for insperation
Props word yo!!1"
Ugh. From the looks of it, they seem to be trying to combine 'net speak, texting (cellphone) speak, and street speak all in one post and failing badly
with the mixture. I would truly be embarrased to own a PSP after this point. :|
Posted: Dec 28th 2006 2:08PM (Unverified) said
"""""""Oh, and am I the only one who remembers that incident where Sony hired some proffesional spray-painters to go out in the city and spray-paint PSP adds all over New-York?"""""""
They did the same thing in L.A. I don't know about New York, but they seemed to confine this crap to the more "poorer" areas of the city, instead of places like Beverly Hills, or Malibu. I guess it shows that Sony feels that they can shit in the
nests of the working class with impunity, and with a "screw them" additude.
Sony has really jumped the shark lately.
Featured Stories
The politics of making games: Disconnect between 38 Studios and Rhode Island in quotes
Posted on May 24th 2012 6:45PM