[SakSquash]

If you haven't seen the commerical yet, here is it. I love it. You must see it.

[RLacey]

A tad unconnected to the console, but I'm a sucker for any advert that uses that song.

And that's an advert they won't be using in France at the moment.

[SakSquash]

Why don't people seem to get it? It's supposed to be a recreation of the xbox live environment. It makes perfect sense.

[Marek]

I think it's meant to communicate that Xbox 360 allows you to connect to a worldwide network of gamers who will play multiplayer games with you, and it does that well. I like it.

Poor dog though

[Lucien21]

I watched it at Game Trailers the other day.

I was like *Huh*, but then I remember the weird Sony ads when it came out or the "Touch Me" ads for the DS.

Quite a fun ad.

I liked the bit when the ones on the bridge had loads in a big blanket and just let them go.

- You should watch the Japanese trailers.

[SakSquash]

Originally Posted by Lucien21

I watched it at Game Trailers the other day.

I was like *Huh*, but then I remember the weird Sony ads when it came out or the "Touch Me" ads for the DS.

Quite a fun ad.

I liked the bit when the ones on the bridge had loads in a big blanket and just let them go.

- You should watch the Japanese trailers.

I saw them. They were pretty odd. Big surprise

[Melanie68]

I loved that ad but I concur with Marek - poor puppy dog.

A massive waterballoon fight would be incredible fun!

[SakSquash]

I love the part when the kid sticking his tounge out gets nailed in the face. That happens a lot online when somebody is taunting.

[fov]

Hahahaha. That put the biggest smile on my face.

[SakSquash]

Originally Posted by fov

Hahahaha. That put the biggest smile on my face.

I know! Me too! Which is why it is such a great ad.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Excellent commercial. Conceptually, it reminds me of the PS2 one with the human mountain (wonder if MS got inspired by that). I hope they come up with more campaigns that emphasize the humanistic perks of gaming and global connection.

Originally Posted by RLacey

A tad unconnected to the console, but I'm a sucker for any advert that uses that song.

Robsie, you're not thinking deeply enough. Like Marek pointed out, its essence is that anyone and everyone can join in the fun and games and it helps bring people together. With the world as it is today we need as much of that as possible. The experience of play and fun transcends any political boundaries and any cultural differences between people, it's a common denominator for us all - who doesn't want to participate in balloon fight?

The ad drives this politically uplifting message home by showing the balloon fight in a heavily urban setting. That neighbourhood definitely looks very European, but it could be anywhere - China, South America, U.S. Personally it reminded me of some places in my hometown of Chicago.

By association and incarnation, online gaming is precisely this. Plug in and connect the 360 and you and your family and friends can jump right into the 'balloon fight' and play with others. This ad campaign was NOT intended for hardcore gamers, and that's key. It's instead aimed at entire families, casual gamers, and generally just about anyone who could be intrigued.

And that's an advert they won't be using in France at the moment.

C'est dommage. Ah well, you can't blame MS for that one in the end . Go talk to M. Sarkozy about it. And hit the bitch with a water balloon for me while you're at it.

Originally Posted by Marek

Poor dog though

She never even got hit! And it's only water anyway.

Originally Posted by tempsie

I love the part when the kid sticking his tounge out gets nailed in the face. That happens a lot online when somebody is taunting.

I loved it when the kids above ambush those below with a bedsheet full of balloons.

[Melanie68]

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

She never even got hit! And it's only water anyway.

But, but it scared her. My baby (yeah, she's a dog but she's my child essentially) would run away and avoid me for awhile if that happened. She's get over it, but still......

[SakSquash]

It's funny because you can seem them playing out things that actually happen in the online universe. The kid pushing the other kid in the shopping cart while he nails people with balloons is akin to driving around a warthog in halo while somebody else shoots. I could see about a billion scenarios being played out in this commercial that are frequent in the online world, and that alone makes me chuckle.

I've seen in other forums where people say "what does this have to do with the xbox?!" but it's so obvious that it blows my mind that they didn't catch it.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Originally Posted by temporaryscars

I've seen in other forums where people say "what does this have to do with the xbox?!" but it's so obvious that it blows my mind that they didn't catch it.

Gamers can be embarrassing tools sometimes.

gamers

GTA series = cops & robbers
Gun = cowboys & indians
Counter Strike, Halo = water balloon fights
Splinter Cell = hide & seek
Myst = Sunday crossword puzzle, gadget tinkering
The Sims, Civilization series = dollhouses, Lincoln Logs

[RLacey]

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

Robsie, you're not thinking deeply enough. Like Marek pointed out, its essence is that anyone and everyone can join in the fun and games and it helps bring people together. With the world as it is today we need as much of that as possible. The experience of play and fun transcends any political boundaries and any cultural differences between people, it's a common denominator for us all - who doesn't want to participate in balloon fight?

OK, I can see that it's a potent example of symbolism, a metaphor for life and that watching it will make me a better man .

Let me clarify. I could use that same ad to sell anything from cars to Pringles. It's a reasonably fun advert, but it doesn't make me think of an Xbox when I see it, and it doesn't make me want to rush out and buy one either.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

< throws a water balloon at Robsie's mug and splatters him >

p\/\/n3d

[footawn]

Originally Posted by RLacey

Let me clarify. I could use that same ad to sell anything from cars to Pringles. It's a reasonably fun advert, but it doesn't make me think of an Xbox when I see it, and it doesn't make me want to rush out and buy one either.

it is a sweet little short film though, innit?

[SakSquash]

Originally Posted by RLacey

OK, I can see that it's a potent example of symbolism, a metaphor for life and that watching it will make me a better man .

Let me clarify. I could use that same ad to sell anything from cars to Pringles. It's a reasonably fun advert, but it doesn't make me think of an Xbox when I see it, and it doesn't make me want to rush out and buy one either.

Ok and how could that be used to sell cars or pringles?

[RLacey]

Originally Posted by temporaryscars

Ok and how could that be used to sell cars or pringles?

Originally Posted by Trep

its essence is that anyone and everyone can join in the fun and games and it helps bring people together. With the world as it is today we need as much of that as possible. The experience of play and fun transcends any political boundaries and any cultural differences between people, it's a common denominator for us all - who doesn't want to participate in balloon fight?

I believe that Pringles had an advert fairly recently about a group of friends getting together and having a fun time together after they started eating pringles. The element of fun on its own doesn't mean that it has to be a games console; if the whole point is about having fun with other people, then sharing those Pringles is just as valid. And, tbh, it's exactly the kind of advert they'd make for them in the UK

Car adverts never make any sense at the best of times. How about that car (I can't remember which) with the tagline "Serious Playtime"?

OK, these are fairly tangental uses of the advert, but I don't see that they're particularly less valid.

[SakSquash]

Originally Posted by RLacey

I believe that Pringles had an advert fairly recently about a group of friends getting together and having a fun time together after they started eating pringles. The element of fun on its own doesn't mean that it has to be a games console; if the whole point is about having fun with other people, then sharing those Pringles is just as valid. And, tbh, it's exactly the kind of advert they'd make for them in the UK

Car adverts never make any sense at the best of times. How about that car (I can't remember which) with the tagline "Serious Playtime"?

OK, these are fairly tangental uses of the advert, but I don't see that they're particularly less valid.

I can see you don't play too many online games. I hate to have to quote myself, but here goes:

Originally Posted by temporaryscars

It's funny because you can seem them playing out things that actually happen in the online universe. The kid pushing the other kid in the shopping cart while he nails people with balloons is akin to driving around a warthog in halo while somebody else shoots. I could see about a billion scenarios being played out in this commercial that are frequent in the online world, and that alone makes me chuckle.

So it couldn't be applied to pringles or cars because of the deeper meaning that has a straight connection to online gaming.