Chapter 5: "Shock Stunts" -A human flesh butcher shop?

Resident Evil is making headlines again. The franchise began as a video game way back in 1996, developed by Capcom, and has since grown into a world famous juggernaut. Books, action figures, comics, multiple blockbuster movies, you name it, RE has done it.

So, in a recent Public Relations campaign, the RE franchise did something that many people are calling The Grossest and Grimmest PR Stunt Ever.

Quick disclaimer: If you have a weak stomach or are easily grossed out, don't click on any of the following links.

Resident Evil 6 launched mere days ago and to support the launch and drum up some media attention, Capcom sponsored a PR Stunt labelled Wesker & Son Wholesale Meats, a make-believe butcher shop that sells "human" flesh.

Via cakeheadlovesevil.wordpress.com/ Go to her blog for the really disturbing images.

Emma Thomas (aka Miss Cakehead (cakeheadlovesevil.wordpress.com/)) is the London-based creative director of this Shock Stunt and her previous publicity stunts have been known to be a bit on the edgy side as well.

Her blog has pages and pages of pseudo-disturbing shock art and exhibits, but the Resident Evil stunt seems to be the one that got most mainstream press coverage.

Dozens of news media sites and video game sites covered the shock stunt because as far as bizarre news goes, this is one of the most bizarre/newsworthy publicity stunts in recent memory.

PR Stunts are a great way to get press coverage and you can be sure that people who were unfamiliar with the Resident Evil franchise were made aware because of this stunt. But... is it too far? Is there such a thing as too far?

I'm reminded of PETA and their constant attempts at shock stunts, there's even A Top Ten List of PETA's best (or worst, depending on how you look at it) publicity stunts ever.

I'm not easily offended but the human carcasses packaged in a butcher shop definitely gave me pause, especially the "offal" picture. If you clicked the link, you know what I mean. Pretty disturbing stuff.

Again I ask... Is this going too far? Is there an ethical boundary Miss Cakehead is crossing?  Have there been other advertising campaigns or PR stunts that offended you? If so, what were they?

It's too bad RE6 is getting lackluster reviews from various websites but I suppose once in awhile, promotion for a product can sometimes become more (in)famous than the product itself.

                                                                                        -NxB

Playing: Guild Wars 2 by ArenaNet 

Watching:  Sons of Anarchy Season 5 (finally caught up!)

Listening to:  Coda - Mae Dae