Journalistic greed targeted by EA ploy
Thursday, 10 Sep 2009 15:34
The morals of videogame journalists are tested by EA which assesses their greed with cashable cheques accompanied by a chilling message.
The morals of videogame journalists are being put to the test by a new initiative from EA which assesses their greed with cashable cheques accompanied by a chilling message.
The upcoming release of EA's Dante's Inferno has been the subject of several clever marketing ploys from the company, though none directed at the people who will give their critiques of the adventure in months to come.
However, that has changed this week after the organisation sent out a few wooden boxes to reviewers with a cheque for $200 (£120) resting on a red velvet pillow as well as documentation about the fourth circle of hell: avarice.
EA is goading recipients with the valuable prize, underlining their morality in making the choice to cash it or not.
The highly stylised box, presented in Silent Hill-esque bloody ochres, reads in the lid: "By cashing this check you succumb to avarice by harding filthy lucre, but by not cashing it, you waste it, and thereby surrender to prodigality.
"Make your choice and suffer the consequence for your sin. And scoff not, for consequences are imminent."
GamePro staff were proud of their reaction to the temptation, happily proclaiming their decision to cash in the free booty.
The team continued: "After that, however, we used Dante's money, as well as $50 out of our own pockets to write a $250 check out to the Child's Play charity fund!"