EmmonsNet

The perception of Electronic Arts (EA) in the gaming and technology industry is ... well, lets just say checkered. I have heard a lot of labels applied to this company for it's ability to bring to market really incredible games but with the reputation of contemporary sweat shop conditions for it's developers. Now we can stick at another label onto the EA logo - Pimps.

At Comic Con this year, EA ran a 'Sin To Win' contest that promoted con goers to commit 'an act of lust' while have your picture taken with as many EA 'booth babes' as possible. The more 'acts of lust' with different booth babes increased their chances of winning the contest.

No kidding. Seriously, I am not making this up.

For the conventioneer that is the most prolific with their lecherousness, they are awarded, and I quote, 'A dinner and a SINful night with TWO hot girls, a limo service, paparazzi and a chest full of booty'.

No shock that a whole lot of excrement hit the fan here. EA spin doctors immediately went into action to reduce its exposure to potential litigation and released the following statement:

'We understand there's a lot of debate right now around our "Sin to Win" promotion at Comic-Con and wanted to clarify a few things. We created this promotion as part of our marketing efforts around the circle of Lust (one of the nine sins/circles of Hell). Each month we will be focusing on a new Circle of Hell. This month is Lust. Costumed reps are a tradition at Comic-Con. In the spirit of both the Circle of Lust and Comic-Con, we are encouraging attendees to Tweet photos of themselves with any of the costumed reps at Comic-Con here, find us on Facebook or via e-mail. "Commit acts of lust" is simply a tongue-in-cheek way to say take pictures with costumed reps. Also, a "Night of Lust" means only that the winner will receive a chaperoned VIP night on the town with the Dante's Inferno reps, all expenses paid, as well as other prizes.

We apologize for any confusion and offense that resulted from our choice of wording, and want to assure you that we take your concerns and sentiments seriously. We'll continue to follow your comments and please let us know if you have any other thoughts or concerns. Keep watching as the event unfolds and we hope you'll agree that it was all done in the spirit of the good natured fun of Comic-Con. '

Nice try guys - but you just can un-ring a bell. You basically told every lecherous gaming geek 'Hey guys .. if you can put down the game controller long enough clutch as many handfuls of our babes sweet meat as possible, you get a date with some of our hoes!'.

I am not naive here. I know how marketing works and sex is used all the time in marketing to seel goods and services. No doubt that EA knew that a controverse would result from this contest and in all likihood was banking on it. But is pimping your models at a convention the way to sell your product? Are the products themselves that crappy that you need to draw attention to them by free ass grabs and a night of sin?