FDA gave Pfizer hard time over Viagra game

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 24th 2008 at 2:50PM }

Although the US Food and Drug Administration cut off Pfizer's Viagra advergame back in September, it appears the details are just coming out now. The Multinational Monitor notes the FDA requested that the pharmaceutical company remove the game from the interwebs after it decided Viva Cruiser failed "to disclose any risk information for the drug."

According to Pharma Industry, Viva Cruiser had players guiding a motorcycle down a desert road, picking up gifts for a date and avoiding obstacles. We're sure many retail driving games are happy that the stiff competition this Viagra game could have posed was removed by the FDA.

[Via GamePolitics]

Tags: adver-gaming, advergame, advergaming, pfizer, viagra

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Alien Lord @ Nov 24th 2008 2:58PM

They should have added a Viagra power up but if you grab too many you suffer a heart attack.

ogvor @ Nov 24th 2008 3:59PM

Or go blind.

lvl99ultrathug @ Nov 24th 2008 5:59PM

or your wiener explodes

Wiinterfang @ Nov 24th 2008 2:59PM

Doctor Rod Morningwood ask: Why does wood gets so hard?

eight @ Nov 24th 2008 3:00PM

stiff eh? hilarious.

DETH-DEFIANCE @ Nov 24th 2008 3:05PM

Christ, this isn't 1989! I do believe unless they are planning to make to the last ever game to be published on NES or another console of that time this would be a slight kick in the groin for them when it comes to seeing that red line reach a new attitude of a waste of time. And if you've beening using viagra recently that kick in the groin really will sting!

Wiinterfang @ Nov 24th 2008 3:06PM

He He boner puns.

Biff_McFresh @ Nov 24th 2008 3:07PM

"If erection lasts longer than 4 hours, immediately contact your prostitute"

Shagittarius @ Nov 24th 2008 3:33PM

If gameplay lasts more than 4 hours please contact your local gamestop.

Dirty @ Nov 24th 2008 3:16PM

I had to read this post long and hard to catch all of the puns.

chukz @ Nov 24th 2008 3:28PM

LOL nice one :)

BTW I was able to play the full game before it was cancelled. The only difficulty mode is 'hard'.

Dirty @ Nov 24th 2008 3:55PM

you cant play it with a keyboard and mouse, only a joy stick.

DBoyFlex @ Nov 25th 2008 9:55AM

That's what she said.

Graham Wellington (formerly tyrone washington, or marsha goldberg) @ Nov 24th 2008 3:18PM

VIVA VIAGRA!!

jetsaredim @ Nov 24th 2008 3:33PM

You wrote this story just for that "stiff competition" line, didn't you?

CyberKnight @ Nov 24th 2008 3:50PM

That's a shame. I mean, advergames are usually such quality pieces of entertainment.

Now, who's up for some Yaris?

fyreblazer @ Nov 24th 2008 4:06PM

Was it really that hard to disclose risk info? They couldn't take a stab at it? Even if they had to pitch a tent and camp all night. What kind of bone-headed decision was that? I'm sure the game really got the blood rushing too...

FOXHOUND @ Nov 24th 2008 4:44PM

So... they want to make a mini-game based upon a pill for "rock hard longevity"? A bit contradictory, eh?

WiNG [Life in a Game] @ Nov 24th 2008 5:02PM

I work in advertising and have had pharma clients.

You wouldn't BELIEVE what kinds of restrictions there are on what you can say about a product, even just making a giveaway pen or a branded ice-pack.

Basically you can't legally write anything that could be construed as a medical claim unless the FDA has preapproved it, and you cannot describe the benefits of a product without also describing its risks, no matter how big or small.

The Dark Wayne @ Nov 24th 2008 6:19PM

God, if only ludwig had a hold of this article, the amount of puns in this article would look like nothing!

Lee @ Nov 24th 2008 7:03PM

It's just too damn hard :(

Franksgiving @ Nov 25th 2008 6:37PM

For all the evils of Big Pharm I'm very thankful this stuff came along just when I needed another towel rack.

Burnt Meatloaf @ Nov 25th 2008 4:53AM

I bet this was a real let-down for Pfizer.

Rocketboy @ Nov 25th 2008 10:45AM

I would have loved to see Peta's remake of this game...

wilbill @ Nov 25th 2008 4:01PM

So some FDA knobheads get all uppity about a simple, layman video game? What a bunch of jerk-offs! Perhaps I could understand the thrust of their argument if it were played with a touch screen, vice manhandling a joystick. But cum on, people! This is about as limp as it gets. Just a head's up, GET A LIFE!

Head Hog @ Nov 25th 2008 7:29PM

The two main Ingredients in Viagra are Miracle grow and Fix a flat

psychojack @ Nov 25th 2008 7:35PM

I have a hard time grasping why the FDA got so upset with a simple little game. I don't think some bonehaeded person would actually try this chit unless they really needed it. Maybe the limp Richards at the FDA can't get it up. Or possibly it just rubbed them the wrong way. It's not like Pfizer is having any stiff competition in the Boner department.

helebin @ Nov 26th 2008 4:49AM

Ha erhhaa..ha... they said, "Boner," Several times!!...

I guess I am just going to have to go back to, playing with my Bf's joystick, all night long!!!!

(The FDA) is just jealous...'cause they aren't getting it!!!

Hey isn't that what Bill Clinton said!!!