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Mortal Kombat viral ad glorified violence, says ASA
An online video ad for computer game Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks has been slammed by the Advertising Standards Authority as condoning and glorifying violence. It is the first time that a complaint over a viral ad campaign has been upheld by the watchdog.
The ad, entitled Blood on the Carpet, was created for games developer Midway Games by London-based Maverick Media. It features a boardroom scene in which a Mr Linn, the mysterious trouble-shooter at a sales meeting, instructs two men to fight.
Punches lead to a pen being stabbed into an arm; then a water jug is smashed over an executive’s head – before his heart is ripped from his chest. Mr Linn concludes proceedings by decapitating another executive with his hat.
The ASA received one complaint over the ad, alleging that it was offensive, violent and unsuitable to be viewed by children.
(Via theory.isthereason, even more disturbing is the Passion of Benny Hill)
