We recently highlighted a banned Xbox advert from over 20 years ago on Pure Xbox, and GM of Games Marketing Aaron Greenberg reacted to it as part of the new Xbox documentary series, saying that he absolutely loves it.
Well, those weren't his exact words. He enthused that he "f***ing love[s]" it, also explaining why it was banned:
"[Chuckling] It's really good! I f***ing love it."
"The ad was polarising, and it did end up getting banned. Stations would not run the ad because it was, you know, so shocking for people."
The ad was aired in the UK back in 2002, and as you can see above, it shows a baby being born and shot into the air, eventually crashing into a grave as an old person after which the original Xbox slogan appears: "Life is Short".
It ended up attracting over 130 complaints due to it being 'offensive, shocking and in bad taste', with the Independent Television Commission claiming that it was 'traumatic' and 'shocking'. Microsoft defended it, but ultimately lost out.
Still, it certainly went on to create a legacy for itself!
What are your thoughts on this banned Xbox ad? Let us know down in the comments below.
[source youtu.be]
Comments 11
Ok, I could swear I’ve seen this advert before…. Possibly an edited version…. Did this air in the US after hours or on certain channels?!
This was definitely aired in Ireland.
I'm sure I saw this too back in the day not just on YouTube.
Perhaps banned = more publicity
I loved it too - certainly not the worst, weirdest or even the most outrageous advert and I really couldn't understand (still can't) about why it was banned.
I always loved this ad, great work.
Lets get some more marketing in this kind of theme, but maybe dialled back slightly so it doesn't get banned. Haha
Cracking ad. Got the tabloids in a froth and loads of publicity.
TBH I'd guess it's not the somewhat shocking but not all that different from other TV delivery room part that got it banned so much as the naked screaming person landing in a grave that probably made it not appropriate for airing.
130 complaints is nothing..
They could have beaten the PS2 had this aired globally 😂
this is so ridiculous that it's funny. it reminds me of old Monty python's sketches. not a great advert but not awful
it is also scary that any idiot's complaint can cancel everything these days because he is offended somehow.
It’s mental that an advert can get banned because only 130 people complained, obviously they were a sensitive bunch with no sense of humour. There should be about 50K complaints before Ofcom can make a decision and take action.
Just like in Parliament after 10,000 signatures, petitions get a response from the government. After 100,000 signatures, petitions are considered for debate in Parliament. This should be the case with Ofcom. Not take action because of 100 or so overly sensitive, humourless cabbages.
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