“Bad press is good press” as they say, and if that’s what the Hitman: Absolution marketing team where aiming for, then they are bang on the money, again.
In the run-up to the game’s release, Square Enix released the ‘Attack of the Saints’ trailer which quite a stir. The trailer violent portrayed of a group of female mercenaries dressed in what was seen as “sexualised’ nun outfits.
Yesterday Square Enix launched a new Facebook app for Hitman: Absolution which would have users put out a “virtual hit” on their Facebook friends. Players could tell Agent 47 how to identify the target from a dropdown menu that included traits that have been perceived as bullying (such as bad odor, “small tits,” small penis). These options were given as a reason for the hit.
Unsurprisingly this was perceived as an avenue for online bullying and just poor form. Square Enix quickly pulled the app, and GamesIndustryBiz report that Square Enix have now apologized for the controversial app.
“We were wide of the mark with the app, and following feedback from the communitywe decided the best thing to do was remove it completely and quickly. This we’ve now done.
“We’re sorry for any offense caused by this.”
