ASA: EA can't pass off 360 graphics as Wii

By Tim Conneally | Published December 17, 2008, 9:14 AM

The UK's Advertising Standards Authority has asked EA to cease broadcasting its commercial for Tiger Woods PGA Tour '09 for Wii. Although Woods himself "plays" the Wii, the graphics shown were from the Xbox 360.

In the commercial, professional golfer Tiger Woods is shown using the Wiimote to play his signature PGA Tour game, yet the corresponding game actions displayed behind him are from the Xbox 360 version. Though the message "Available on all formats" appears in the commercial, the ASA determined the implication was that a Wii game being played, augmented by the Wii logo at the end of the spot.

Electronic Arts claimed it had to use gameplay videos from the 360 in the commercial because the Wii's were not "broadcast definition," and that advertising agency Clearcast preferred to use 360 footage rather than alter Wii footage to meet broadcasting standards. Clearcast said it was working under the belief that the footage was from Wii gameplay.

Citing what it described as a breach of advertising standards by EA, the ASA's order states that the ad cannot be broadcast again in its current form.

Comments

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What they have "standards"...
UK is way ahead of the USA

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Why didn't they use the PS3 footage?

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Because the 360 has better graphics capabilities?

Thought that was rather common knowledge. :)

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Yes, it's true. The s***tiest looking console is the best seller. My Mii has spheres for hands and looks like he's wearing a dress.

EA is a bunch of d***s anyways. They have one great game, Burnout Paradise. But the premier content is coming in 2009 and of course you have to pay for the add-on.

Madden keeps coming out every year and pissing everyone off because they make it more complicated to justify a new release.

**** EA.

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"They have one great game, Burnout Paradise."

Of course, that's a matter of opinion (just like this one). I've enjoyed almost every single Need for Speed release for over a decade. NFS Undercover on the PC is loads of fun, looks and sounds great on the HDTV and surround sound, and (as usual) works great with the 360 game pad. :)

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Who can trust a virtual Tiger Woods anyway?

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So, I can't wait to hear their reaction to the necessary altering of "Wii footage to meet broadcasting standards"!

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Reminds me of the Amstrad games with Amiga screenshots on the back of the cardboard box, with the laconic mention: "screenshots from a different version". Nice try, EA.

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Hahahaha. Well it's fair enough as that is pretty damn misleading. I'd love to know who worked that one out though.

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Just more corporate slight of hand. They probably used the 360's feed because the Wii doesn't render as nice of a graphic experience.

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Or you could have read the article and discovered that due to draw rates the native Wii requires manipulation for sync purposes while the XBox does not.

Ever seen how a TV appeared if it is not synced with the camera? It greys out and appears to roll as you see the vertical interval bar...

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