For those interested in the white-knuckle roller-coaster of win that is my life, I live and attend University in Newcastle Upon Tyne. A large city in the far north of England best known for its primary exports of Ant and Dec, brown ale, and funny accents. It is a well known axiom of the universe that at least 89% of Britain is being rained upon at any one time, which lends largely to the relentless misery that makes up my days.
However, just this week I was told of something epoch-shatteringly interesting (to us sub-rural country types): There was a Lamborghini Murciélago parked on the high-street. When I queried as to the reason why such an expensive machine would be sat in the middle of a city with a 19.4% crime rate I was told “An advert for Xbox”.
As my University building had been evacuated due to a bomb scare (seriously) I had a few hours to spare. I thought I might use the opportunity to wander into town and have a look at the car. I’d only ever seen one Lambo before, a lime green one that a local estate agent owned. I saw it keyed to hell and back by local scum. A very painful thing to witness happening to such a beautiful vehicle.
We went to see the car and saw that it was advertising Forza Motorsport 3. A more car-savvy friend of mine informed me that it was a roadster, I nodded indifferently. I was more interested in the people around the car. Our high-street is more used to a crazy homeless man who dances to Christmas jingles (search YouTube, I dare you) so this was a treat for them. Although the car was attracting a fair amount of attention, I doubt it was a very powerful advert. The Microsoft employees minding the car were doing little to get people excited about the racing sim due out on the 23rd of October.
Being a totally pro bloggalist or whatever word we decided we are, I thought I’d try having a chat with them. Bad idea. They were never rude of off hand, but they clearly did not want to be there. I don’t blame them for trying to escape as it was a miserable day, in a miserable place, surrounded by miserable northerners. I’d not been there a few minutes when one of the minders opened the bonnet and threw four Forza shirts at some chavs then set about dismantling the large flags that flanked the car.
Is it sad that this anecdote is the most interesting thing to have happened to me this week? I think so. But them I’m a pessimistic misanthrope. I’m no longer allowed to judge. What is DEFINITELY sad is that it’s the only gaming-related advertising thing I’ve ever seen in my town, literally. It’s a shame that the first one I see is so disappointing. The car looked like crap too. Covered in cracks, scuffs, and scratches.
You’ve got a point. There tends to be all manner of crazy events in town these days but I’ve never seen a games one before. It’s usually just a religious guy with a microphone having an argument with someone or an escape artist.
This Newcastle Upon Tyne sounds positviely dreamy. They should hire Half Left for the Tourism and Promotions Office.
Maybe there’ll be a Newcastle upon Tyne track in the game? ;)