EA repents use of topless models in Need for Speed ads

by James Ransom-Wiley on Nov 27th 2007 12:28PM

Boobs have long been the marketing companion for guy stuff, like fast cars. So it seemed a natural choice for EA (or more likely, a contracted third-party ad firm) to feature a pair of scantily clad models posed with a Ferrari to promote Need for Speed: ProStreet (rated 3+ in Europe). That "scantily" is hereby defined as sans tops is admittedly risqué for games promotion, but the ads only appeared on UK tabloid The Sun's softcore site Page 3. Today, EA issued a statement of regret about the images, explaining that the promotion had "slipped through the proper EA approval process." As a result, the ads have been removed from the site (but not from the murky bowels of the internet).

So what's the cost? Perhaps longer 'exposure' could have helped ProStreet topple Assassin's Creed from the charts. We'll never know.

[Update: full censored image has been moved to accommodate 'work surfers' -- view it after the jump.]

Source

Tags: ea, Electronic-Arts, need-for-speed, needforspeed, page3, prostreet, uk

Reader Comments (56)

Who the hell cares.

Hey, world, guess what, girls have boobies and people fuck! Get over yourselves. Why is a video game advertised with topless women so evil? They are advertising on a site, with an advertisement tailored to that site, tailored to a specific demographic. I mean, last time I checked, that is called "good marketing."

I only read Joystiq for the articles,..uhh...yeah...that's right, for the articles.

(...all for Silas, all for Silas...)

I love how in an industry where a large amount of games are based on killing living things, people are pissed off about fucking BREASTS.

Marketing done right, future games should take example of how Pro Street was marketed even if it's a sucky game.

that's suck...i ain't buy NFS prostreet. so they need change to new theme adult. move to AO. I am old 30 adult guy. cuz all a women is natural completely naked comforting with sexy body like peace than war!. I'm sure they womens think that EA is scare to naked women? that's lamo! they women call to gay EA. they need separate teen and adult games that's dumb!... where the fuck Adult game? like R-rate nudity movie. I don't mind with naked women this pic cuz they women so hottie. nothing bother me. It's just fun. you EA you got change to add teen and adult fuck get to separate. why this nfs prostreet "treen" still same there is no adult. you are waste time money. loser! boringggggg! if new adult theme new naked womens make me highly excite (no teen game)