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Kuma Runs Into Ad Controversy Promoting Iraq Game

Posted by simoniker on from the controversy-and-sales-not-necessarily-bedfellows dept.

Thanks to Inc Magazine for its article discussing Kuma Reality Games' attempts to promote its downloadable Kuma: War PC videogame. The piece explains of the previously mentioned title, which "lets players march in the boots of U.S. troops... fighting Taliban and al-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan [or] defending U.S. battlefield commanders from assassination attempts in Iraq", that polarizing forces were at work - Keith Halper of Kuma laments: "It's hard when people accuse you, on the one hand, of exploiting the military and, on the other, of working for them." It's also noted of the press campaign around the game: "Gamespot, one of the most popular websites for PC gamers, asked Kuma to alter one ad's content, which some at the site found 'disturbing,' according to RDA's media buyers. Kuma denied the request."

20 comments

  1. Good ideas and by dave-tx · · Score: 4, Interesting
    While I think the idea of simulation recreating actual events is interesting, part of me questions the wisdom and taste of doing this with an ongoing conflict. To abuse a metaphor, it's not picking the scab off an old wound, because that wound hasn't even scabbed up yet.

    --

    >> "What would the robut do? Frame someone!"

  2. Figures. by KDR_11k · · Score: 3, Insightful

    When you have a game that by itself isn't able to stand out from the crowd (in this case a realistic war game, how many of those have been released over the last few years? no matter how many new features you put in, people will stop listening the moment you mention the genre) you have to do extreme advertising instead. And people likely remember what offended them. I hope we don't see a rise in offensive advertising or soon we'd be told to fuck off ten times, that our mothers are whores three times and that we are motherfuckers ten times per ad break on the TV.

    --
    Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
    1. Re:Figures. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      I hope we don't see a rise in offensive advertising or soon we'd be told... that our mothers are whores three times...

      My mother is a whore, you insensitive clod!

    2. Re:Figures. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You could always tag on some other rehashed old games as well in the hope that the variety would encourage sales. How about "you have an endless stream of naked POWs being dropped through a trap-door - Can you rotate them fast enough to make a neat pile on the floor?". I think that this would greatly contribute to the taste and accuracy of the game.

    3. Re:Figures. by tntguy · · Score: 0

      Pray Derek Smart doesn't get Freespace 3 then.

    4. Re:Figures. by Trillian_1138 · · Score: 1

      Have you actually played KumaWar? I have. The problem is not the content. I think a episodic current-events game is a very interesting idea, and one with lots of posibilities. The problem is KumaWar is a sub-par game with dated graphics and absolutely piss-poor AI. The most extreme advertising in the world wouldn't make this game fun to play.

      Extreme advertising - I think - is as much a sign that the product is lacking as it is that the viewers are jaded. Good games don't need advertising, and all the advertising in the world can't save bad games.

      -Trillian

    5. Re:Figures. by thrash242 · · Score: 1

      Thanks for the info. I was looking at trying this out, but I'll pass now.

      I'm looking forward to Full Spectrum Warrior coming out for PC; it looks cool to me.

    6. Re:Figures. by Daniel+Rutter · · Score: 1
      > KumaWar is a sub-par game with dated graphics and absolutely piss-poor AI.

      GameSpot concurs.

  3. Re:Start your Administration bashing... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    Bush is a war criminal.

  4. Well.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If it's hard to put up with when people accuse you of this, that or the other thing, then don't do it.

    I have a hard time justifying your intentions by themeing your game around current events like these, and I have to say you just sold out in the first place. Of course people are accusing you of these things: you openly and willingly did them!

  5. Re:Start your Administration bashing... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Federal income taxes fund terrorism.

  6. the ad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    well the article just strikes my curiousity... what was offensive about the ad??

    1. Re:the ad by nlindstrom · · Score: 2, Funny
      what was offensive about the ad?
      It showed an exposed left breast.
  7. Ouch. Accuracy hurts. by LordPixie · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Señor Smart is really abysmal in that regard. I recall once checking out the support forums for his latest game. He was personally abusing other posters there. WTF sort of support is that ?

    Now, don't get me wrong. I love it when developers show that they're real people too. Off-color humor, crossing the line occasionally, etc. But Smart is quite far beyond that.


    --LordPixie

  8. Game questions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Does the game have a torture simulation section?

    1. Re:Game questions by Stormwatch · · Score: 1

      Maybe, and decapitation simulation as well...

      --
      Circumcision is child abuse.
  9. Re:Ouch. Accuracy hurts. by geminidomino · · Score: 1

    Wait, by "Smart" are you referring to Derek "Usenet Douchebag" Smart of the "All your Freespace are belong to us" Smarts?

  10. Re:Ouch. Accuracy hurts. by LordPixie · · Score: 1

    Yes.

    I'm replying to a zero-point AC comment, so it's probably hidden.


    --LordPixie

  11. Bowden's remarks are especially telling by ibogost · · Score: 1

    I wrote some thoughts on the Inc. article and Kuma\War over a couple weeks ago. Adding the link here for interested parties. http://www.watercoolergames.org/archives/000194.sh tml