Dead Space 2 Will Reduce Your Mother To Tears

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 9:36:24 PM
Reply

For the record, I sort of agree with Kotaku.

...this is a little mean. I wouldn't show DS2 to my grandmother; I'm afraid it'd kill her.

9 up, 0 down

crunchy_nut_kid
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 10:34:37 PM

lol

1 up, 3 down

Highlander
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:25:25 AM

In response to your article, I have a question for all an sundry here at PSXExtreme.

The campain is based on buying and playing the game as a kind of act of rebellion against what your mother would or would not like you to play. "Your Mom would hate this...." OK then, but the game carries an M rating, so why would anyone who can legally and appropriately buy an M rated product (remember folks, rated M for Mature, not for Teens or younger) care what their Mom thinks? Is it just me, or is this M-rated title being marketed at gamers who really are not old enough to be in that 'M' group?

Just asking.

19 up, 1 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:42:15 AM

A great point Highlander. It brings up the possibility of splintering the purchase base. Anyone over the age of fifteen(here in Australia, it's seventeen over there, isn't it?) will probably be able to get it for themselves, and will probably already have their minds made up. I feel that it is certainly aimed at a younger market, as they are more susceptible to being roped into what is "cool". Thus, the target of this ad campaign is the very people that would rely on their parents to purchase this for them.

Now, here's an interesting thought. If a parent were to research the games that their child is asking them to buy (Seemingly not a common occurrence, but still), they would likely come across this, and realise that DS2 is certainly not the kind of game that they want their child playing. So, I really see no sales benefit being created by this, unless a parent does no research whatsoever, which is simply bad parenting IMO.

Am I on your train of thought here? Or did I derail it completely to achieve my own ends?
Peace.

Last edited by Lawless SXE on 1/17/2011 2:49:10 AM

3 up, 1 down

Highlander
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:53:27 AM

You're on my train of thought. One aspect of this I am concerned about is not just the irony of the campaign targetting people who by the games rating shouldn't be buying it, but also the impact that such a campaign an game could have politically when the various anti-game lobby groups wake up to this. It kind of seems like they are thumbing their nose at the entire rating system by essentially advertising an M rated game to gamers too young to buy it.

6 up, 1 down

Ultimadream
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:55:39 AM

I see what you mean, but lets face it, the youth will be playing it too, here in england we dont have M+, we have 15+ & 18+ But i remember even when i was younger than 18 i would ask my parents to buy me GTA, mind you i was about 16 at the time my interest turned to GTA.

example, Red Dead is an 18+ and i was online yesterday and the people on their headsets literally sounded like 8 years old, possibly younger, even their pronounciation was off. Me an my friend were sitting there thinking surely this is not right even my character commented on it by saying "This is a man's game!".

So yes for people old enough, they have the right. but i guess the problem is it does not always to the correct audience.

4 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 4:01:15 AM

Well, yes. The political ramifications of this are also quite frightening. The idea behind this ad campaign, taken the wrong way could be extremely damaging, not only to EA, but to the gaming industry as a whole. The very thought that this ridiculous level of violence, and potentially vomit-inducing events, is the core of the gaming industry, or at least a large part of the appeal of it could be used by the media in a smear campaign. I think that it is certainly the wrong part of the game to use as an example.

When considering that it is ridiculing the ratings systems, it could go several ways. One is that the media could leap on it, and as mentioned, raise awareness. Another is that it could go wrong in an altogether rather epic fashion and cause a complete rewriting of the rules pertaining to games classification. Increasing the strictness, and making it far more difficult for minors to gain access to these games.

Perhaps it could go so far as to make it policeable, in an attempt to keep such games out of the hands of people that, by law, should not have them. Harsher penalties for those found selling inappropriate games to the wrong people could be another result. EA have potentially set us on an extremely slippery slope with this b**lsy campaign. This is all supposition, and probably not even close to what may result from this.

Anyway, I'm off to cook lunch for tomorrow. I might be back to discuss this when I'm done.
Peace.

Last edited by Lawless SXE on 1/17/2011 4:02:58 AM

3 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 10:26:14 AM

A fine point.

I'm also wondering if anybody ever told these mothers that such a game isn't designed for kids. Remember, the moms all think that video games are only for those under the age of 10...I'm thinking that's half the reason they were so horrified.

8 up, 1 down

Highlander
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 10:42:47 AM

Indeed Ben, that is a good point. But then, I personally find movies that have followed the recent torture porn trend like Hostel to be offensively obscene. I'm quite certain that many would agree that such movies have very little reason for existing and zero artistic merit. I'm fairly certain that the same group of mothers would be just as outraged by such movies as well, even though they would at least recognize that the movies were intended for so-called grown ups. There are times however, when whatever the intended audience, there are things that didn't need to be made or depicted, and Dead Space 2 may be treading in that territory. Certainly this ad campaign is, and it's got potential to backfire horribly on the industry and EA in particular. Picture young Johnny and his Mom going to GameStore(TM) to buy a new game. The box has 'EA' on it. Mommy takes one look, see's the logo and puts it back. No matter what, she's not getting Johnny any game from *that* company. Then we have the anti-gaming lobbyists licking their lips and cracking their knuckles over this latest campaign by EA. I think this campaign is a big fat own goal by EA.

Last edited by Highlander on 1/17/2011 10:44:02 AM

4 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 11:02:16 AM

"Indeed Ben, that is a good point. But then, I personally find movies that have followed the recent torture porn trend like Hostel to be offensively obscene. I'm quite certain that many would agree that such movies have very little reason for existing and zero artistic merit."

Agree 100% This idea that all forms of expression, no matter how twisted or disgusting or potentially damaging to viewers, is art...bugs the crap out of me.

There is a line. And when it's crossed, anything positive disappears.

3 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 11:14:05 AM

I disagree and think that the point of the ad is just what they say, that if Moms hate a game then it must be great. That doesn't necessitate that you are a kid, merely that if moms across the country or world think it is horrible then it must be good. It's a sort of barometer for anyone, not necessarily an ad telling kids to get it for rebellion purposes.

3 up, 1 down

Highlander
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 12:50:13 PM

@Worlds,

I'm not saying that the ads are aimed explicitly at kids, but I am saying that the campaign certainly indirectly tar5gets gamers younger than the supposed M for Mature crowd. It's just that to me, the campaign is aimed at that slightly immature rebelliousness that commonly begins in the mid teens, which I think we can all agree is younger than the age group for which the M for Mature rating is intended.

As I said though, it isn't so much that - or even the game itself, as it is the impact of the campaign on those political interests that are anti video game already.

2 up, 0 down

Thinker
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 12:56:24 PM

@Ben Dutka

"Agree 100% This idea that all forms of expression, no matter how twisted or disgusting or potentially damaging to viewers, is art...bugs the crap out of me."

Actually, I don't mind violent or ultra-violent themes in games or movies, AS LONG AS it serves a valid purpose, e.g. advancing the story in a meaningful way or character-development.

That said, I don't think the Saw/Hostel/House of 1000 Corpses/Devil's Rejects movies fulfil the aforementioned criteria. As far as I can see, most of this kind of movies only serve as titillation for sadists and/or masochists.

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 1:30:56 PM

@Thinker.

Hence the designation - Torture Porn.

1 up, 0 down

falcon10474
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 4:55:42 AM

this game is disgusting, deviant, depraved and immature,,,,, that's why I will be picking up my copy on Teusday

0 up, 0 down

spiderboi
Friday, January 21, 2011 @ 5:07:20 AM

Its desensitization of society. Things that shouldn't be see are spread like wildfire. Like c'mon, curiousity got the best of me, but things like ## girls ### cup should have never ever made its way to the net. (trust me, don't even try to see that vid)

0 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 9:50:08 PM
Reply

That's M*****F*****' funny. That's why, don't show ur females Dead Space. Maybe I'll show it to my cutie. LoL

3 up, 7 down

AcHiLLiA
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:03:48 PM

...And screw all u thumb down haters and besides my comment is a joke.

Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 1/17/2011 2:05:27 PM

2 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 10:27:16 PM
Reply

I see this being edited and used against games on FOX news.

Nevertheless, it's an interesting venture. I think every older generation thinks every younger generation's stuff is evil. It's freedom of speech anyway (so long as the courts stay Just).

I have yet to kill anyone in real life :)

12 up, 0 down

spiderboi
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 7:27:38 AM

You sure about that World? LV hasn't been around for quite some time.... :p

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 11:15:01 AM

haha, well, he wasn't entirely human. You'll notice in the video one mom mentions "killing people" and yet you are actually killing alien monsters. Save that hate for GTA where you can murder just about anyone.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 1/17/2011 11:15:54 AM

2 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 5:10:15 PM

LV is a dipsh!t plain and simple.

Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 1/17/2011 5:12:11 PM

2 up, 1 down

Pandacastro
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 10:36:04 PM
Reply

This is dumb. A course your mom is going to hate it just like they hate every other rated M game. I was undecided about a D1 purchase but I will get it use now.

2 up, 1 down

Lairfan
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 6:56:36 PM

Just because of an advertisement you're getting it used?

0 up, 0 down

Danny007
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 10:46:45 PM
Reply

I'm glad that I'm not a mom, because Dead Space 2 looks friggin awesome.

4 up, 0 down

matt99
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 10:53:56 PM
Reply

While as Ben said there is a link between violent video games and agressive behaviour in children. Studies have found absolutely no connection from violent games, or movies for that matter, to violent people. Simply put, mature functioning members of society understand that this is not real. The real blame falls not on the developer, but on the parents who choose not to learn about the rating system and buy M rated games for 11 year olds.

3 up, 0 down

Highlander
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 10:47:38 AM

Matt,

You're missing the point entirely. Aggressive and violent children become aggressive and violent adults. Although the material may not affect normal, balanced adults, it can affect those who are younger, and if it does affect a child who 's behavior changes, that child will grow up to be a different person from the one they could have been. If the game was being consumed by adults, that wouldn't be an issue, but this ad campaign is clearly aimed at consumers still young enough to worry about what Mom would like. It's kind of like the way that the cigarette industry is not allowed to market to kids, and yet they use cartoon characters that children find cool and adults couldn't care less about. It's marketing indi9rectly at a younger audience, and in this case, it's an audience that potentially *can* be harmed by the content in question.

2 up, 1 down

AcHiLLiA
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:15:37 PM

@Highlander

Totally agree. I'm friends with a mom and son and she is very strict about violent games.

3 up, 0 down

matt99
Tuesday, January 18, 2011 @ 6:07:46 AM

Highlander,
I completely agree that many of the ad campaigns for these games are made in a way that is appealing to kids as well, and that is something that the developers are at fault for. However I still think that parents should make more of an effort to understand what their kids should and shouldn't play. (I'm also aware that many parents are very attentive to what their kids play)

1 up, 0 down

NoOneSpecial
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 10:55:11 PM
Reply

Not a good idea. The anti violent game groups are just going to add this little campaign into their arsenal.

5 up, 0 down

piratedrunk
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 10:58:11 PM
Reply

I showed my mom God of War 3 today and while she was a little disturbed by some of the violence there were a few times I heard her say "thats pretty cool."

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 11:10:24 PM
Reply

The question is, how many of these moms have kids who own the first Dead Space? More than a few I bet.

That is, provided these interviews aren't entirely fictional.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 1/16/2011 11:10:43 PM

3 up, 0 down

MadKatBebop
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 11:35:00 PM
Reply

This is kinda mean if this is real. Reminds of those two girls one cup reaction videos that were floating around some years ago, those were mean to . My heart goes out to anyone who saw that horrific video.

2 up, 0 down

Thinker
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 11:46:15 PM
Reply

This ad sort of flies in the face of the "M for Mature" rating, a sort of tacit admission that many of the folks who play this game will not be eligible for actually playing it.

1 up, 0 down

GuernicaReborn
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:28:29 AM

Lol I didn't think of it that way. These women are someones mothers, and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't select moms with 25 year old children for this little promotional experiment.

Moms just like them are gonna buy DS2 for their not-yet-17 year old children.

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Sunday, January 16, 2011 @ 11:48:26 PM
Reply

I think its fine. They didnt have to watch it, im sure they had more than plenty warning what theyd see. With that said its all for promoting the horror-esque feel of the game.

Cant wait for this game! I just finished te first and ddnt think id like it because im not into that type of stuff. But i loved it!

2 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 1:05:18 AM

...I seriously doubt they were given any warning at all.

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 4:15:15 AM

I dont see how you could talk people into going into a room and having them sit in front of the television, without some sort of explanation haha. You know what i mean? Thats all im getting at. I dont see these folks just blindly being ok with it. Something was said even if it was miniscule to keep the reactions high.

This is my take on it. Its like when they film an audience in a scary movie. You see the audiences reaction and they are all screaming or jumping around. All the while they know what they are getting into. They may not know what will happen on screen but they are aware that something surprising may happen. Thats how i feel about this.

2 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 10:29:56 AM

No, if it's being called an "experiment," the focus group CAN'T know anything about what they'll see. They'll have prepared themselves accordingly and you won't get genuine reactions.

They did not know anything. I think that much is evident.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 11:17:04 AM

I think it's just actors.

3 up, 0 down

coverton341
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 11:23:09 AM

@bigrailer

As Ben pointed out if they label it an experiment then they can't give them too much information because the reactions will have been adjusted to what they think is going to happen.

In psychological studies it is paramount to not introduce anything to the subject that can sway the psychological reaction one way or the other or the resulting data gathered is of no use. All they had to do was tell them they were in a focus group to judge the reaction of something.

2 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 11:35:21 AM

Points taken. I understand and those thoughts you guys believe have ran through my head. I just cant help but wonder...

2 up, 0 down

___________
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 12:03:08 AM
Reply

ok, now thats a little over the top!
all i can guarantee though, is this wont be everything i want in a game.
i want this to scare the sh*t out of me, but if its anything like the original it wont even come close.
come on, what do i have to do to get the good old pants wetting experiences RE, silent hill, fatal frame use to give us back in the day!?
last game i played that i can say honestly scared the sh*t out if me is fear, which released what 7 years ago!?

1 up, 1 down

bigrailer19
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 12:23:08 AM

4 years ago... Just sayin'...

1 up, 0 down

DazeOfWar
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 12:27:23 AM

I really didn't think FEAR was that scary. Now playing DS at night with the lights out and my 5.1 SS headphones on make it creepy as hell. I kept pulling them off thinking I was hearing something in the house.

3 up, 0 down

___________
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 7:03:44 AM

DS was not scary its far too predictable.
i could see everything coming from a mile away, like one of the elevator scenes you walk in, the camera turns to face very slowly closing door.
as soon as that happened i thought here we go, a nec is going to leap out and pry the doors open.
than the lights go out and the elevator shakes, and i think yup thats definitely going to happen.
and what happened?
a nec leaps out and pryes the doors open.
fear was at least not predictable, i mean that part where you enter the maternity ward and than the room fills with blood, than you turn around and see alma getting closer and closer.
you cant tell me you saw that coming!
how is something suppose to scare me if im expecting it?
fear also scares you by messing with your mind, i will never ever forget that scene.
dead space does not mess with your mind, all it does is try to scare you by having things jump at you.
fear is far more sophisticated than that!

1 up, 2 down

Highlander
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 10:56:55 AM

Fear works best when it uses your imagination to generate potential images far worse than the reality, a sense of suspense and of course the shock when whatever it is is finally revealed.

3 up, 0 down

___________
Tuesday, January 18, 2011 @ 6:15:14 AM

thats what makes fear so scary, its not what happens but what does not.
most horror games try to scare you by having things leap at you, thats not really scary and only scares you for a second.
psychological horror scares you allot more, and sticks with you for a long, long time!

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, January 18, 2011 @ 12:06:56 PM

Like what happened with the first Alien movie. You saw so little of the creature and everything was in darkness and shadows with menacing noises and glimpses of horrible parts of the alien. It let your imagination work overtime. Very effective too.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 6:13:49 AM

exactly!
what you see on screen is never as scary as what is off.
that is the whole point, thats how psychological horror works.
thats why fear was so scary, it played with your mind and because of that you are constantly thinking about it and that keeps it with you.
having things jump at you scares you at the time, but 5 hours later is it still scaring you?
thats why fear was so scary, it did not have things jumping at you, it showed you creepy wrong images that stick with you forever.
i mean walking into a maternity ward, all nice and bright and white than the whole room fills with blood.
now thats f*cked up!!!!!

0 up, 0 down

perry24able
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 12:07:29 AM
Reply

is this supposed to be funny? people say they had warning, etc, but from what the video says, it sure doesn't sound like it. Did they look amused? This is wrong. It's not cool to do that to people. Watching this made me want the game less.

1 up, 7 down

bigrailer19
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 12:27:02 AM

I dont think theres any wrong doing here! Sure it may be too
Much for people. Sure some people cant see this type of stuff without cringing. But its not like they were taken captive and held at gun point being forced to watch it. They probably signed a release or consent form and im sure were well aware of what the outcome may be.

Either way its good publicity for the game. And its all in good fun. Itll blow over by the time the game releases!

4 up, 0 down

booze925
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 12:29:01 AM

well go hang with ur folks n watch the old star trek.
us non-butthurt people will be having more... different experiences in space on the 25th

1 up, 0 down

DazeOfWar
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 12:24:40 AM
Reply

Great video. Makes me want to show my mom DS2 and see what she says.

3 up, 0 down

booze925
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 12:27:06 AM
Reply

how is this mean?
the older ppl make us watch crap like frasier. frasier is just as bad as blood gore puke explosion video games... maybe even more-so

3 up, 0 down

556pineapple
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 1:43:45 AM

Haha, my roommates and I watch Frasier all the time. However we also play these types of games all the time.

2 up, 0 down

WolfCrimson
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:01:38 AM

*GASP* Take that back! Frasier was a very funny show! TAKE THAT BACK.

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 11:17:46 AM

Frasier was good stuff for the high brow in me.

2 up, 0 down

Bloodysilence19
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 12:31:07 AM
Reply

to me its not messed up to show those moms those footage's of the game. now i do think its stupid that ea did this, cause now there's going to be anti violence groups protesting this game which will lead into jack "moron" Thompson lawyers people trying to sue ea for making a game so violent and graphic saying kids will become violent etc etc. I've see horror movies worst than Ds. one perfect example hostel 1 n 2. to me its just another blood, head ripping's, limp tearing, horrific game lol.

Last edited by Bloodysilence19 on 1/17/2011 12:32:39 AM

0 up, 0 down

Nickjcal
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 12:34:03 AM
Reply

Ya wanna know what I don't care about what older generations think. They need to understand it's the next generation. News casts need to get that too.

2 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 1:34:16 AM
Reply

I actually think that this was a good idea, as it will help in some way to raise awareness of the bounds of the rating system. I mean, here are two hundred more mothers that will see video games as being as strict in their rating classifications as films are. On the other hand advertising DS2 as being 'cool' as a result of these reactions is kind of a stupid move.

I suppose this generation is very much desensitised to violence, and this saddens me somewhat. To think that we can see things like what is going to be displayed in DS2, or what was in GoW3, what with the bare-hands decapitation and think nothing of it. Doesn't that disturb anyone else?

Eh, I'm getting DS2, not because my mother will hate it, my father will probably walk in and be like 'WTF was that sick sh**' or my grandmother will belt me around the head for playing it, but because it seems like something that will scare me, and I need to feel fear.
Peace.

2 up, 0 down

GuernicaReborn
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:25:27 AM

"I suppose this generation is very much desensitised to violence, and this saddens me somewhat. To think that we can see things like what is going to be displayed in DS2, or what was in GoW3, what with the bare-hands decapitation and think nothing of it. Doesn't that disturb anyone else?"

To be fair, the first time I saw Kratos rip the head off of something, I was thinking, "Ooh Man! That was brutal!!" However, after playing the first two games, I wouldn't expect anything less from Kratos. I also think it is alot different when a mythological greek creature is getting its head ripped off. Human on creature violence, whether in DS or GoW, just has that video game feel about it. Now, maybe if we bring a game like Manhunt 2 into the discussion...

2 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:47:10 AM

I was referring to Helios, who carries a human form. Also, yes, it fits into Kratos' character, but the event in itself is so overly violent that it feels wrong to praise it. But, yeah, I did so as well.

Manhunt 2... well, yeah. That would have been a better example.

2 up, 0 down

MadPowerBomber
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 4:08:17 AM

It doesn't really disturb me, because I've learned that even the most graphically horrid depictions of violence (Cannibal Holocaust? etc.,) CANNOT prepare you for the real thing. I've played lots of violent video games since I was like eight or so, I've watched horror and slasher movies since I was five; I read and write Splatterpunk horror, so on and so forth. And all of that stuff gets the same reaction out of most moms that these videos are showing of Dead Space 2.

But. Seeing the real thing? That disrupts something at the core, man. It alters your perception in one way or another, positive or negative, and all this stuff that folks say desensitizes us to those kinds of atrocities just goes out the window.

2 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 4:50:35 AM

You may be right there. I feel almost no horror in seeing digital representations of violence/rape, or even in movies, but if I read it, there is a more visceral reaction. Similarly for real-life situations, thankfully for which I have seen few, that strong reaction is there, but not as powerful as I would expect it to be. I do feel somehow muted to the effects, even when I am the victim (violence, not rape. Never been raped, just to clarify.) But then, I sometimes feel as though my entire emotional range is subdued.

Perhaps a general desensitisation to reality is a more apt descriptor for what I feel. Too personal methinks.
Peace.

2 up, 0 down

___________
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 7:08:29 AM

if anything it makes us more sensitive to it.
i dunno what the hell happened while i was playing heavy rain, but it really turned me squeamish.
before i played that i could watch people getting tortured without any problems, now if i watch anything like that it makes me feel sick.
really weird, i have never played a game that really made me feel like i was the character.
did not even think that was possible to be honest, but ever since heavy rain its turned me really squeamish.

1 up, 1 down

Highlander
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 10:52:47 AM

@Anonymous

If Heavy Rain has had that effect on you, then I believe it's appropriate to say that Heavy Rain is more than a good game. anything that can make people think, and have greater fellow feeling to the point of what you describe is worthy of praise.

That is a remarkable impact that it has had on you, I hope you realize, it probably makes you a better human being than most, that a story can touch your conscience to that extent.

@Lawless,

Desensitisation is a real and dangerous thing. People use the word 'rape' in such casual context now that it's almost lost it's real strength and meaning. I'm not referring to your posts there, just the more general use of the word in modern culture. I've seen people here use the word as a verb to mean something akin to 'beat up' someone or something, when in fact the word means something far, far stronger. But people seem no longer sensitive to the real meaning, or strength of the word. Sad really.

Last edited by Highlander on 1/17/2011 10:55:22 AM

4 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 11:03:05 AM

For the record, and based on my own training in Psychology, desensitization is a very real, and very documented occurrence.

4 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 6:22:33 AM

of course it does, i thought a game could never have that effect on me!
its still the only game i have ever played which makes me feel how you would in real life situations, thats why i always speak so highly of it.

seeing things on the screen does not desensitize you to whatever happened, simply because you know its not real.
if you play 1000 war games, see countless of your friends blown to bits, than join the army and have your best friend blown to pieces in front of you does that mean it wont effect you as much a person who has never seen that?
of course not, because both of you have never experienced that in real life.
not saying desensitization is not real, of course it is but you cant get it from virtual reality.
if you see 10 of your friends die in front of you in real life, than the 11th you maybe slightly desensitized to it.
but in virtual reality, wont have that effect because you know its fake, you know its a game/movie/novel/comic.
if games find a way to make people think its a game than i think that would change that, but than the problem of separating reality from imagination becomes a problem.
so will never get to that stage, just poses so many risks.

0 up, 0 down

556pineapple
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 1:42:57 AM
Reply

My mom was watching me play San Andreas a few years ago and she was telling me to steal cars and beat people up. I didn't show her the prostitutes or the more hard-core violence though, just as I wouldn't show her this game, or force her to listen to the music I like. You don't need this elaborate "focus group" to tell me my mom won't like the game.

3 up, 0 down

GuernicaReborn
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:15:41 AM

Reminds me of when I was young... my mom found the jacket to one of my CD's on my bed. It had all the lyrics in it. She went nuts when I got home from school that day. I think it was the first Papa Roach CD... you know, 'Cut my life into pieces, this is my last resort...' I can see why she would get upset.

2 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:51:25 AM

Heh... Love that song.

0 up, 0 down

Sol
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 2:22:07 AM
Reply

My mom's cool though she can't game for s***. When I was a kid she always tried to play through House of the Dead games at arcades. I let her try Dead Space on the PS3 and she liked it. Her only issues was that the controls were too complicated for her.

Last edited by Sol on 1/17/2011 2:22:27 AM

3 up, 0 down

MadPowerBomber
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 4:01:18 AM
Reply

Not my mom. My mom (and dad) named me after a horror movie, they raised me on horror flicks, mom's a huge King fan. She might not like it all that much, but she wouldn't hate it by far.

I like how it's taken out of context, too, 'cause they just showed them bits and pieces. "You're gonna have fun killing people?"

No. Not people. Monsters. MOnsters that kill people and make more monsters.

The demonic weapon comment is funny, too.

3 up, 0 down

Dante399
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 5:51:08 AM
Reply

This is sick! LOL

0 up, 0 down

The Real Deal
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 6:16:45 AM
Reply

Hey guys and gals. I dont believe this campaign is geared solely to the underage market. It's more geared to a small percentage of 18-25 year olds. This is a horror game and i know from experience that if my mom thought it was cool or not scary i woouldn't buy it. EA knows that the people who played dead space will be back for this one, this campaign is to get the age group mentioned that didn't play it on board. I believe that this campaign will deter mothers who watch or see the campaign from buying this game for their children, but at the same time get those that just left their house and are able to buy games on their own now to get it.

On the other subject of it being a bad campaign to get underage people to buy it. Let us not forget the campaigns for call of duty black ops. The commercial when all those big stars like jimmy kimmel and colby bryant running around with guns and acting like fools

3 up, 0 down

The Real Deal
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 6:29:48 AM

that commercial really is the example of loring in all age groups including the underage ones. I am not a parent but i am an uncle and would rather my nephews and nieces play a horror game than a war game. First off i know from experience that my nephews and nieces were absolutley scarred of the first dead space and are very unlikely to be playing the game alone. Where call of duty is something kids will play on their own. As a member of the armed forces i would rather have kids think shooting zombies and pukers as being cool. Then having kids think shooting simulated people of another country in a war cool.

2 up, 0 down

Highlander
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 10:49:49 AM

You don't spend money on a TV campaign marketing to a small % of a core demographic. Your own argument is torpedoed by your own statements.

The campaign is indirectly targeting younger gamers much in the same way that the alcohol and tobacco industry has in the past (and got in big trouble for). It's a pointlessly provocative campaign.

0 up, 1 down

The Real Deal
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 9:36:11 PM

I understand your argument and agree for the most part. Companies will not spend money directly one one demographic. They will however direct there campaign to one demographic while at the same time not isolating the other demographics, so yes your right in a since. What i was trying to convey was that this campaign does very little to cater to the underage market, while other M rated products like call of duty, market it as candy!

0 up, 0 down

Oxvial
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 7:05:15 AM
Reply

LOL this made me remember an ad of the simpsonsverse game called Bonestorm.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 11:18:13 AM

I've got a bonestorm.

0 up, 0 down

spiderboi
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 7:30:25 AM
Reply

Bad marketing. I like games but I don't like marketing ploy with such distaste. As mentioned by Highlander et al above, this is to entice the rebellious crowd, which isn't very good. Oftentimes, these crowds are the ones who just do stuff to spite their elders. And while I'm sure this game will rock for the lovers of the genre, it will just pool their self-confidence to defy even more.

1 up, 1 down

gumbi
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 8:42:07 AM
Reply

While I think this game looks badass... I wholly disagree with this kind of marketing. This game is rated 'M' for mature... I doubt many mature gamers care about mommy's approval, nor would they ever show it to their moms. Who are you really advertising to EA?

I, for one, would never subject my mother or, god forbid, my grandmother to anything like Dead Space.

1 up, 1 down

Kevin555
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 10:11:07 AM
Reply

What was the actual point of that marketing tactic? Seemed more like an immature "Phwoar look at the gore in our game, man!" attempt to garner controversy. But wtf for? We know it's violent, no need to whore it off to a bunch of mothers.

That is like showing a bunch of war vets a video of CoD just to see what feedback they get.

1 up, 1 down

Godslim
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 10:42:06 AM
Reply

lol its demonic :)

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 4:56:32 PM

LOL! That's conservative, christian, Mom-speak for 'unspeakably vile and offensive'.

0 up, 1 down

Bjorn77
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 11:13:09 AM
Reply

I think it is a dumb and stupid market campaign. The people in charge of this project are clearly not ready for such responsibility and have some kind of mall-function, someone with commonsense at EA should replace them ASAP.

1 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 3:07:18 PM
Reply

I hope we get a free cool suit with this like the Obsidian Suit DLC in DS1.

1 up, 0 down

PasteNuggs
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 5:43:19 PM
Reply

They could have made sure this was clearly targeting the right demographic by adding a couple lines at the beginning and end. Like, "Your entire childhood, if your mom hated it, it is cool". Then at the end put "Some things never change". Simple and clearly points to the older gamers.

1 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 7:37:14 PM
Reply

Oh boy, if Arny's Army sees this campaign, they'll quickly file an amendment to their California court battle.

BTW, I loved it, but I also think those moms were actors.

But if the study was real, those mom's were probably approached in a mall & offered a 50 cent off coupon for their focus time.
(And we all know our mom's can spot a 50 cent off coupon from over 500 feet away, don't we).

0 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 10:13:50 PM
Reply

I thought Saw's reaction was going to take over this experiment.

1 up, 0 down

Mr Bubbles IGR
Tuesday, January 18, 2011 @ 9:59:13 PM
Reply

well i'm getting the collectors edition :) Looks sweet.

0 up, 0 down

falcon10474
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 4:53:07 AM
Reply

Last edited by falcon10474 on 1/20/2011 4:55:25 AM

0 up, 0 down

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories cheats	PSP
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas cheats	PS2
Kamen Rider Kabuto cheats	PS2
Legion: The Legend of Excalibur cheats	PS2
D1 Grand Prix cheats	PS2
Asura's Wrath cheats	PS3
Buzz! Quiz TV cheats	PS3
World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002 cheats	PS2
Army Men: RTS cheats	PS2
Army Men: Sarge's Heroes cheats	PS1

Do you plan to buy a PlayStation Vita this year?
	Yes, I'll definitely get one in 2013.
	No, but I'll get one eventually.
	No, I have no intention of buying the Vita.
	No, I've already got one.

Playstation 3

Playstation 4

PSP

Playstation Vita

Playstation 2

Playstation

Other

PSX Extreme

Site Stats

Dead Space 2 Will Reduce Your Mother To Tears

Comments (93 posts)

Leave a Comment

Latest Updates

Popular Cheats

Recent Reviews

Recent Previews

Popular Sections

Extras

Sponsor

Our Poll

Resident Evil: Revelations review	PS3
Metro: Last Light review	PS3
Zombie Tycoon II: Brainhov's Revenge review	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon review	PS3
Star Trek: The Video Game review	PS3
Injustice: Gods Among Us review	PS3
Dead Island: Riptide review	PS3
Defiance review	PS3
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 review	PS3
Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel review	PS3

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified preview	PS3
Time and Eternity preview	PS3
Ride to Hell: Retribution preview	PS3
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger preview	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon preview	PS3
Spartacus Legends preview	PS3
Payday 2 preview	PS3
DUST 514 preview	PS3
Dynasty Warriors 8 preview	PS3
Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness preview	PS3