A controversial press release from Reverb Publishing has caused an issue with the Steam Greenlight community.
The publisher is currently attempting to get its game, Edge of Space – a 2D shooter comparable with Super Metroid – greenlit by Steam; a process that allows users to vote on what games make it onto the Steam platform next.
In a bid to coerce users into voting for Edge of Space, Reverb stated it would donate $5000 to the Humane Society to rescue homeless kittens, only if it got approved by October 15th.
Here’s where the story takes are rather insane twist.
Reverb later went on to say:
“…if the game doesn’t get approval, that money will disappear, like a puff of smoke in the uncaring wind, leaving poor kitties to survive in the harsh elements, be placed in harm’s way and possibly scheduled for euthanasia. The challenge is out there, and for a simple ‘yes’ vote on Steam’s Greenlight consumers can actively take a role in saving the lives of kitties.”
In short: Vote for Edge of Space or the kittens get it!
It’s not the smartest of PR stunts, especially considering the internet’s love of all things cat related.
Following a backlash from the cat-doting public, Reverb issued another statement, this time explaining their love for cats:
“There has been a misunderstanding on the marketing side of Edge of Space. We do not support guilt voting in any way and our sincere apologies go out to anyone who felt that way. This was meant in fun, if anything, Reverb’s intent was to add a bonus; if we can make it to the top 10 by the 15th, we will help out a worthy cause. Understand that there is some dark humor in the game and they wanted to play off of that. We love CATS!!! That’s why we have them in our game to begin with! We have sugar bears too!!! So we like exotics.”
So there you have it. “Leaving poor kitties to survive in the harsh elements, be placed in harm’s way and possibly scheduled for euthanasia,” wasn’t meant to guilt users into voting for their game, in any way, shape, or form.
Thanks for clearing that up.
