Stranglehold ad gets choked off UK airwaves
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jan 16th 2008 at 2:45PM }
The ASA has been rather comical in its banning practices whenever they pop up on the gaming radar. Last year the ASA banned an old Xbox 360 ad depicting people doing stunts and driving recklessly despite the ad clearly stating: "Dramatisation. Professional stunt. Do not attempt." We can't wait to see what ad the ASA decides to ban next by throwing darts blindfolded at an index card covered wall.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Jan 16th 2008 2:52PM
oh please
anybody that has played Stranglehold knows that the game encourages peace and goodwill among men
spenc3r @ Jan 19th 2008 10:09PM
Bucket of WIn!
+++++++++++++
Poisoned Al @ Jan 16th 2008 2:56PM
Funny, now I know this I have the urge to burn down a government building. Seeing the ad wouldn't have effected me at all.
A-Troll-Named-Slickback (Yes the A Troll Named part, and yes every time!) @ Jan 16th 2008 2:56PM
OK. So you can have sex in a UK commercial, but you cannot shoot... no wonder they never show a money shot.
Ethan @ Jan 16th 2008 2:56PM
It's because we don't like asians. :(
Last night on Eastenders I heard 'she needs a slap.' Cry holy murder, the BBC is training an aged army!
Nate @ Jan 16th 2008 3:02PM
It's comforting to know that Americans aren't the only ones with ridiculous censors running around banning things.
I'd give up blood and gore if we could get the kind of sex and nudity they allow on UK TV.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Jan 16th 2008 3:23PM
Actually, American censors don't ban anything, because the US government can't tell you what you can and can't say.
1st amendment rights, and all that.
maverick_saturn_626 @ Jan 16th 2008 3:05PM
Breaking news!:
Locoroco ads have been banned in the UK, according to ASA our yellow friend bares the color of explosions or gunfire and could be seen as violent!
More breaking news: As 60% of all games practically contain violence, ASA has banned all games from advertising, from now on, to find your favourite game adverts, go to www.asabannedmyadverts.com.
GRANTED @ Jan 16th 2008 3:09PM
the demo was fun but WHY IS THIS GAME SO UGLY? am i the only one who thinks so?
Mike @ Jan 16th 2008 3:40PM
They'll ban depictions of throwing darts blindfolded at an index card covered wall?
Ashraam @ Jan 16th 2008 4:43PM
That picture is unintentionally hilarious, at a glance. With the look on his face and the "Censored" balloon over his hand and gun it looks more like he's employing the ol' one-finger salute.
Chris @ Jan 16th 2008 5:12PM
This is utterly retarded, I play plenty of violent games and what not but I have never had the urge to go on a killing spree.
The more entertaining thing.... they are saying it's been pulled off the air in UK, I've never seen an advert for it before it got pulled. It's funny, we have adverts with people dying, little girls getting run over, condom adverts with sperm people running around.Then there's British soap operas with people getting killed ALL the time in gun crime or knife crime incidents yet... we cant let little pixelated characters with knifes appear on our tellys. Awesome.
ssuk @ Jan 16th 2008 5:43PM
Next, all video game adverts banned because they don't show the world in a positive and happy manner.
Boo-fucking-hoo, the world is a nasty place, life is shit. The sooner we get this into kids' heads the better.
Schuey19 @ Jan 16th 2008 8:19PM
@ Joystiq,
If you're going to report on news, especially non-US related news, can you please at least give all the relevant info so the people don't look stupid when making comments?
1) ASA (like the BBFC) is an independent non-government regulator.
2) The ad was pulled because of an investigation sparked by viewer complaints - especially the fact it was being shown before the 9pm watershed.
The impression you give is that it was banned outright purely on whim by the ASA because the 'Government' is out to get the games industry.
Personally I don't really care if you come across as though you don't know what you're talking about, it's just that because of your misrepresentations you make you readers post some really stupid comments.
Synner @ Jan 17th 2008 11:17AM
wow, score another one for you britards and your so enlightened society.
I can't wait until they start banning everything here in the USA for my safety!!!!!
Which Jackbooted Thug do I turn my guns into?