Game Promotion Leads to Gridlock
Gasoline being given away? In this age of $4 a gallon gasoline in the U.S., and much higher prices in Europe and elsewhere, would you riot over it? All right, it wasn't a riot, but it sure as heck was gridlock.
Electronic Arts was trying to promote the Mercenaries 2: World in Flames game. And the promotion was free gasoline (or petrol, as the BBC prefers). Publicity they wanted, and publicity they got, but not all positive.
Electronic Arts was trying to promote the Mercenaries 2: World in Flames game. And the promotion was free gasoline (or petrol, as the BBC prefers). Publicity they wanted, and publicity they got, but not all positive.
Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, said: "Whilst a lucky few might have got free petrol, hundreds of residents have faced misery".
The Liberal Democrat said: "Trying to recreate Venezuelan-style fuel riots on the streets of London is completely irresponsible and downright dangerous.
"Hundreds of local residents have faced misery on their daily journeys this morning.
"They deserve an apology for being the victims of such an ill thought-out media stunt."
Not sure if they were trying to create fuel riots or not, but the game itself does involve a disruption of Venezuelan oil. Perhaps EA could apologize with free copies of the game? Or perhaps not.
