The clip starts with 2 parachuters landing in a line of fire in the jungle. They trek to a gloomy castle where they have to pay for a pass. . . .The fee can be either gold, cash, or gems. The troopers toss 2 coins, take off their gear, and enter into a fantasy world, where people from completely different eras gather at the bar. After doing a double take, hey! Aren’t these heroes from different games? Each hero rants out his or her code of honor, but for who? ? ? For who, exactly? ? ? Not for their king, but for Michael, a young gamer. . . . .
A game company basically is selling digital entertainment. But exactly how can the message of “fun” be delivered as a brand to the viewer? PlayStation has always presented at least one promotional ad each year. They take a different approach than just delivering a montage of most popular games; rather, they try to make gaming experience “fun” instead! Such an idea should be applicable to other game companies simply by switching logos, right? Of course it is! However, the first one to use it always wins. The others that follow, unless spoofing it, would always just become another commercial clone. Since PlayStation already made clear that it represents “fun”, this association becomes a hands-off topic to competitors. Well, let’s see how PlayStation does it!
“Michael” – PS3 Long Live Play — Full Length
All those who are into epic films would be familiar with the saying: “Long Live the King”. Going back to this advertisement, their slogan “Long Live Play” has a similar impact — I interpret it as “Prioritizing Fun” and “Enjoying Life to Max”. In the short film, a variety of personalities talk to each other and exchange ideas about themselves, boasting their bravery and so on. PlayStation adopts these so-called clichés and add a twist to it: so the plot thickens. Taking a closer look, the dialog, effects, props and even the wall decorations are real life imitations of game heroes. Their mannerism is also oddly familiar to many RPG characters. So who are these people that gather together in a tiny tavern? ? I wish I could interrogate their art director and projects on the million-dollar question: What do we do art for? What do we write programs for? What do we plan projects for? What do we stay up late and ruin our health for? ? Sigh… who else? For the players, of course.
This promotional video, which approaches the idea of gaming through “role-play”, is a brilliant angle. I came up with something fairly similar a couple years back: In a gaming world, the bosses and mobs wake up, check the traps, undergo PE class, polish weapons and return to their posts, just before the players “log in” in the evening. The viewers see the terrifying bosses, but never how they maintain the tidiness and order of their in-game world, just for our enjoyment. . . . . . . .After the brief, everyone thought it was great — even if there was no standing ovation. That idea, however, isn’t actualized yet, simply because the time for it has not yet come. . . . . . .
Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdWkKKSckNk
Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdWkKKSckNk
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About the author
Bruce
International advertising producer, movie publisher, and theater publicist,
a film director for Gamania productions and Manager of the Product Development Dept, JP.
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