Gamertell

Advertisements for the videogame Stranglehold have been officially banned from television in the UK as of January 16, 2008. The decision to ban was made by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), and the ad was reportedly pulled for being too violent.

According to the ASA Adjudications posted on January 16, 2008, the issues the ASA had with the game were the promotion of “glorified” violence and the danger of impressionable children watching during the time frame it aired. The concern over time was an issue because the commercial aired before 7:30 p.m., a time when young children are most likely still watching television.

According to the ruling, both Picture Production Company (PPC) and Clearcast had made the necessary changes to the commercial for it to meet ASA standards. PPC told ASA that it removed the bullet flying scenes and ensured no character was struck by a bullet in the commercial. Clearcast claimed it thought the violence was unrealistic enough to meet the standards for advertisement.

The ASA was not impressed with either party’s excuse, and ruled that both companies had breached section 6.2 of the CAPTV Advertising Standard Code, which addresses violence and cruelty in advertisements. The code basically reads that all advertisements must not encourage or glamorize violence or cruelty, or portray cruel or irresponsible acts against people or animals. The other code breached was section 6.7, which addresses the health and safety of viewers. This code basically states that advertisements should not encourage or glamorize behavior that may be directly harm viewers. One example given in the code is mocking the use of safety equipment or showing improper storage or use of what is normally hazardous materials in the real world.

The final verdict in the ruling declared that the ad not be reused or broadcast again.

The ad in question shows a digital Chow Yun-Fat unleashing hell John Woo-style as Inspector Tequila.

Read [Out-Law] Also Read [ASA Adjudication Ruling] Also Read [ASA Advertising Codes] Site [Stranglehold ]

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