Top 10 Worst Video Game Marketing Fails

Video game companies will try just about anything to reach more players and it doesn't always work out. For this list, we’ll be looking at instances where game companies attempted to promote their products, but wildly missed the mark for what was appropriate or what their fans wanted. Our countdown includes a fake news stunt for "Black Ops III" (2015), an accidental bomb scare caused by Ubisoft, THQ Nordic's 8Chan AMA, the Xbox One reveal, and more!Which of these marketing failures shocked you the most? Head to the comments and let us know.

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[WatchMojo]

Big thanks to all the channels featured in our video! Find them in the description!

Which of these marketing failures shocked you the most? Head to the comments and let us know.

[LightBluly]

As a Singaporean, i still remember the BO3 controversy. Our country was on highest alert due to increasing terrorism worldwide and Singapore was one of those targets. I remember the terrorist was targeting Marina Bay or MBS from Batam, Indonesia around that time.

So yeah bad timing Activision.

[Happymali]

THQ's balloon stunt actually cost a life, when a sailor shipwrecked on a nearby waterbody and they couldn't sent out an SAR-helicopter because of the balloons.
The sailor died.

[potatomatop]

Raid shadow legends makes all of these look like games of the year.

[aditanasa]

10. Wanted to market the Xbox One as a multimedia device rather and a game console, and ended up bitting in their ass.
9. Controversial, but ironic if you think about it.
8. They picked the worst social media.
7. Good idea, bad execution.
6-3. What were they thinking?
2. WERE THEY INSANE!?
1. Why they thought would not cause controversy?

[rayneozier]

8:07 I’m a bit of a morbid person, but the human butcher shop is kinda cool

[dementedfurbie.]

What got me about the Xbox One reveal was the Xbox powers-that-be's reaction to all the negativity with all their rules and restrictions was pretty much, "What, people aren't OK with this?" 🙄

[leol]

The resident evil one seemed really cool.
Like a haunted house and the money went to charity. That's a bummer people ruined it

[NPDStudio]

I actually did a media analysis presentation in my final year of college about the PS Vita advertisement.
I got full marks and took little effort because there was just SO MUCH to talk about! 😂😂😂

[NekoHibaCosplay]

Not a true Marketing fail (not at the level of the one in the list) but the reveal of Diablo: Immortal at the Blizzcon should had deserved a mention.

"Is this some kind of out of season april fool joke?"

[Markimark]

I would say the Sega Saturn marketing should’ve been on this list, it’s way worse than the Xbone reveal! Because lot of stores like Walmart and KB Toys refused to stock the Saturn, because Sega betrayed the retailers and it backfired on Sega in the long run!

[schlamuffenimperator]

I think the Wesker & Son butchering shop was kinda awesome.

[robertabella]

It's incredible how nobody in Sony' marketing or quality control team noticed anything strange about that PSP add

[gundambassexe]

The PlayStation vita will always have a place in my gaming history

[iwreckyou]

And this is why people think video games causes violence. Thanks guys.

[jamesheatherly]

What about the Nintendo’s E3 2008 presentation? That was a disaster.

[BlenderStudy]

Thank you for the update, WatchMojo..!! I used to work for a video game company, and I was once told the next gen Xbox (after 360) was going to Xbox 720. (lol)

[that.canadian.vaper.guyTCVG]

I actually remember that White PSP commercial. I was in Winnipeg, Manitoba and I was so hype for it once I heard about it. Then I seen that commercial while visiting a friend. I instantly seen the racial insensitivity in the commercial, and it killed my hype. But my friend I was visiting that day, didnt see any problem whatsoever. Neither did his parents when I tried explaining why we were arguing. I was no longer friends with him after that day lol.

[NumbHydro]

I actually liked the idea of Xbox One being a multimedia device, although they should have said "A Games Device and a Multimedia Device" instead.

[austinwilburn]

I never thought about negative ads but I’m pretty sure if a random dude went out on stage and said “Hey guys, the ps6 is going to be like the ps5 but you know, a little better. It’s a little faster, holds more data’s, games are a little more detailed, and it has a faster processor”, would probably be a great ad for many gamers these days.