Five Times Video Game Marketing Went Overboard
Capcom – Gory Fake Bodies Fill London to Promote Resident Evil 5/6
To promote the launch of Resident Evil 5 in early 2009, Capcom decided to scatter a selection of realistic-looking human carnage around London. Police and concerned citizens needn’t worry though– it’s just a treasure hunt!
Participants were tasked with finding and delivering the fake remains to locations near Trafalgar Square in order to earn points– specifically: “2 points for arms, 2 points for legs, 3 points for torsos, 5 points for a head. The more body parts you find and bring,” read the official challenge rules, “the more points you get.
The player(s) with the most points by 11am win [a] trip to Africa.”
As you might’ve guessed, police were called when contestants raised the severed limbs above their heads and shouted “Kijuju” (as the challenge dictated) on Westminster Bridge.
In addition, many of the props used in the treasure hunt were never returned, which Capcom claims “can be dangerous” as uncooked chicken livers “were used for added gore”.
Capcom used realistic human corpses again in 2012 to promote Resident Evil 6, but this time, in a much more organized and contained fashion.
The spectacularly grotesque “Wesker & Son” butcher shop offered onlookers a wide selection of human “cuts”, including an “offal” section consisting of fake severed penises.
