This Video Game Ad Has Been Banned In Australia


What is it about banned stuff that immediately makes it cooler? I have no idea either, but this ad for Dead Island: Riptide just got banned, so by our previous logic, that makes it better, right? Oh who cares. Get in here and watch this tearjerking ad.

The trailer features a boat pleasantly sailing through the ocean, before cutting to a couple standing in a darkened cabin embracing. Cue the swell of piano as we realise there are zombies surrounding the cabin fighting to get in. The trailer hits its crescendo as we realise they have cranked the gas on by way of exploding themselves and the nasty zombies.

Say what you like about the game, but the ad is pretty moving.

The Advertising Standards Bureau has banned the ad in Australia, saying that it “depicts images of suicide”. Fair enough. Here’s the board’s full statement:

The Board noted the fantasy content and the stylised nature of the advertisement, and it considered that the issue of suicide is a depiction of violence, which is not justifiable even in the context of an advertisement for a computer game aimed at adults.
The issue of suicide is a very significant community concern and considered that the use of images that are strongly suggestive of suicide is not appropriate in the context of a television advertisement for a computer game.

Oh well. At least you can still watch it on the internet. [Kotaku]


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