Yeah, that’s right. I realise Halo 3: ODST is the hottest shit since last week at the moment in the gaming community, but I saw somthing on Inside Xbox yesterday that really made me want to punch whoever is in charge of Bungie’s PR department in the jaw.
Let me explain. I’m sure we’re all no doubt aware by now of the awful events that have occured in Haiti. It’s a sad occurence and a real tragedy for anyone involved and their loved ones, and of course, a lot of people do want to help with whatever donations and aid they can provide.
Enter Bungie, who immediately sounded the Public Relations Alarm, and came up with this rather clever way to milk tragedy to increase their public image; any gamers who play Halo 3 or Halo 3: ODST on Xbox Live any time on Wednesday or Thursday will need to wear a “special emblem signifying [their] commitment to the cause.” That special emblem is a red heart that can be added to the user’s player by visiting the “Appearance” menu. Bungie will donate $100 to the Red Cross for every 1,000 gamers that participate. Gamers need only to play one game to qualify.
Bungie will keep donating cash to the Red Cross, up to a total of $77,000.
Sorry, but fuck that. There are several problems with this that piss me off right now, and the first one of those is the cap. Just donate the $77,000. No, instead, they’re using the tragedy in Haiti to get people talking about Halo, and play the game, despite already knowing what they’re going to donate. Just like any good marketing campaign, they have a budget.
Now I don’t mind this sort of thing when done properly. Microsoft for example donate a few pence for every IM sent and recieved that contains a certain special emoticon, the IM emote. This is fine, because they don’t cap what they’re donating, and it’s ongoing for a charity that is an established organisation, regularly taking dontains.
This is a personal tragedy for millions, and the aid is needed urgently. There should be no need for this PR crap. Donate the $77,000. Sure, tell people you’ve donated it, but don’t use this event as a excuse to generate cheap fucking PR. It really boils my blood. I just know for a fact some fucker in a suit has sat down and said “Hey, we can use this disaster to get more people playing and up our image!”
I don’t play Halo anyway, but I think I’ve decided not to start. If you really want to help the people of Haiti, visit Google’s page at http://www.google.co.uk/relief/haitiearthquake/ instead.
I don’t see the problem with it myself, it’s a way of making people aware and good for those who dont have money to donate.
….how can you not be aware of it? And the point is that if you can donate or not, what you do makes no difference, it’s their money, it’s going there anyway, stupid PR campaign or not.
Not everyone reads the news and shit. and at least i can show my support and help and stuff with this even if it is PR, its better than nothing.
Well said Dan.