Joystiq

Hitman Facebook promo killed; must have had 'small tits'

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST

If you logged online early enough today, you could have sent death threats to your friends on Facebook, courtesy of Square Enix and Agent 47 with the "Hire Hitman" app. Not only were these death threats, but they were full-on hits, with the targeted Facebook friend going through a process that flashed pictures from their profiles in front of their eyes before they were killed. To top it off, the hits were identified by awkwardly specific reasons such as "her ginger hair, her muffin top, her hairy legs," or "her small tits."

Yes, this was a real thing you could do this morning. Square Enix since removed the app, not long after launching it and just after Rock, Paper, Shotgun wrote about it. We can't imagine why, though Square sent over a statement that cleared it up nicely:

"Earlier today we launched an app based around Hitman: Absolution that allowed you to place virtual hits on your Facebook friends. Those hits would only be viewable by the recipient and could only be sent to people who were confirmed friends. We were wide of the mark with the app and following feedback from the community we decided the best thing to do was remove it completely and quickly. This we've now done. We're sorry for any offence caused by this."

This attempt at crude viral marketing is reminiscent of other hackneyed ads, such as Resident Evil 6's human butcher, Resident Evil 5's real-world severed-limb hunt, the brass knuckles EA sent us and quickly requested back for Godfather 2, or The Walking Dead FPS' necklace of human ears. Rockstar similarly caved under pressure with Bully in the UK, changing the name to Canis Canem Edit after a maelstrom of hyperbolic public attention labeled the game a "Columbine simulator."

If you want to experience the Hire Hitman app - too bad, because it's gone. Take This Lollipop, however, is still live on Facebook and uses the same premise, though it doesn't allow users to engage in name-calling, bigotry, death threats or misogyny.

Continue reading Hitman Facebook promo killed; must have had 'small tits'

Hitman Facebook promo killed; must have had 'small tits' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Murder linked to Advance Wars forum

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

Details are still very sketchy on the murder of a 20-year-old British man, allegedly killed by someone he'd met on an Advance Wars forum. The BBC reports Matthew Pyke, who ran the forum, is suspected to have been stabbed to death at his home in Nottingham by a man currently in custody with German police. The 21-year-old suspect, whose name has been withheld by authorities, is currently in Frankfurt for an extradition hearing.

All the German police will say at this point is that the two men "got to know each other through the internet" on Pyke's Advance Wars website.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

Murder linked to Advance Wars forum originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Detroit prosecutor makes outdated violent games list for holidays

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

Detroit has a bit of a crime problem and prosecutor Kym Worthy is looking to bring that down by issuing her third annual list of the "Top 10 Most Violent Games" for parents. As GamePolitics points out, the list isn't looking to be topical or specific; wide brush strokes will do. For example, if reading literally, the original Grand Theft Auto, the original Manhunt, and last year's Scarface round out the top three. 50 Cent Bulletproof comes in at number four -- because that already forgotten 2005 title is on ~~every~~ any kid's wish list for 2007.

The problem with Worthy's list is its basic redundancy of what one would hope is common sense, because every title on her list is rated M. How about just telling parents not to buy M-rated games for their kids? Blanket statement, end of story. Why pick and choose games when the ESRB has been kind enough to slap an M on the cover, giving parents adequate warning in the first place?

Detroit prosecutor makes outdated violent games list for holidays originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Oregon attempts game bill because Timmy broke Mary's arm

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 08:55:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Politics

GamePolitics reports the Oregon House of Reps. is trying to blaze new trails by introducing a law making it unlawful to sell "ultra-violent" video games to people of the great state under 18 years of age. The bill was introduced by Rep. Arnie Roblan (D) and has no provision on what punishment would be given for those breaking the law, it also grants exception for parents who choose to purchase the game for their child. So, what's the point of this thing again?

Anyway, best part of the bill is the definition of "ultra-violent." The bill states, "'Ultra-violent video game' means a video game depicting serious injury to human beings in a manner that is especially heinous, atrocious or cruel." So, killing an alien, smearing its blood all over your avatar and then eating its entrails would be fine -- it's not a "human." That's quite speciesist, I hope the great state of Oregon has an excuse set up when the aliens arrive.

Oregon attempts game bill because Timmy broke Mary's arm originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Warm Up: Negativity

Alisha Karabinus — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Features, Wii Warm Up

We've noticed something lately, and thought it worth mentioning this fine morning: there are lots of people talking about the "failure" of the Wii. We've seen dozens of op-ed pieces on the various things that have "killed" the Wii (lack of supply, lack of games, lack of third party support), and we see lots of rousing posts on various interweb forums about how Nintendo can "turn things around." Frankly, these kinds of pieces make us rub our eyes and make comic faces that demonstrate our disbelief. Is this bizarro world? Because in this world, we see a lot of people playing Wii. We see a lot of people buying Wii. We're watching Nintendo ooze money right now. So, uh, just what is it we're missing here?

Wii Warm Up: Negativity originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wii Warm Up: Morbid fantasy

Jason Wishnov — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Features, Wii Warm Up

The Wii will play host to a wonderful plethora of violent games in the future: Manhunt, Sadness, and Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles are but a few. We can't help but wonder: how do you want to kill people in said titles? What wonderfully creative uses of the Wiimote can be conjured forth?

We can think of some good ones. Snapping someone's neck, slicing their throat with shards of glass, and shoving multiple Pez dispensers down their throat. Beat that! Dazzle us with your wit!

Wii Warm Up: Morbid fantasy originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments