In a classic case of When Advertising Goes Too Far, the video game Destiny now includes a Red Bull mini-quest in its new expansion pack, The Taken King.
Along with the Red Bull quest, gamers can also get a one-time power boost in The Taken King by using a promo code found on Red Bull cans. So, the more Red Bull you buy in real life, the stronger you are in the game. How… fun?
Pick up Destiny Red Bull cans to access an epic quest in Destiny: The Taken King #redbullquest http://t.co/1ZYqypoNUv pic.twitter.com/29R1U4lGSP
— Destiny 2 (@DestinyTheGame) June 24, 2015
Since The Taken King expansion pack already costs $40 on its own, Destiny fans were not wild about this marketing ploy. However, the best response definitely came from the developers of the zombie survival game Dying Light.
We're jumping on the latest trend in game marketing! #DrinkRightDyingLight > #DrinkForDLC pic.twitter.com/DQHr6MRFwi
— Dying Light (@DyingLightGame) June 24, 2015
Dying Light‘s developers created a parody ad promoting… a glass of water. They even promise a free in-game weapon to anyone who posts a photo of themselves drinking water under the hashtag #DrinkRightDyingLight.
Awkward office selfies for @DyingLightGame #DrinkRightDyingLight pic.twitter.com/np4nZvBYLl
— Vanessa Marie 💀🖤🔜 Twitchcon & Meta Connect (@VRex7) June 24, 2015
#DrinkRightDyingLight @DyingLightGame Gotta remember the golden rule, too! #WhenInDoubtPinkyOut pic.twitter.com/bCAhBlnqy7
— LIQUID | Deejay Knight (@DeejayKnight) June 24, 2015
All in all, the water promotion sounds like a better offer.
Photo via Nattu/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)