Editorial: Why Sony has done everything right Nick Butler, June 17, 2009January 16, 2010 If you haven’t read it yet, I suggest you check out Matt’s article entitled “Why can’t Sony do anything right?“. Now, as I do respect Matt’s opinion, I would just like to take a few minutes and explain why he’s wrong. Now even though I think Matt is wrong about his overall view, he does have a few facts in his article, and I’ll start there.The ugly truth is Sony has handled the ARG (Alternate Reality Game) side of District 9 pretty badly. They began it back in August 2008 by launching MNUSpreadsLies.com, D-9.com and MultiNationalUnited.com. At first I was crazy about it. I read everything I could on all the websites and then I waited. Waiting days turned into weeks, which turned into months. I would actually play off the lack of updates by saying “Well, it comes out in August ’09, so don’t be worried . . . soon enough we’ll be searching away”. Soon enough came 6 months later.Now, that’s the bad side of District 9. What you need to know, and what Matt neglects to make his point, is that a viral campaign consists of many aspects- videos, websites, signs, etc. An ARG is only one part of the viral. District 9’s ARG is weak and there’s no denying that, but their viral campaign is tremendously good.Sony has billboards up in major cities and other advertisements likewise, and that is what I consider to be the essential aspect of a viral campaign. Sony also does break the fourth wall (meaning they reference reality – that it’s a game – within their game) on every website. Although I don’t agree with it, I understand why Sony did it. When they released the first trailer they put the website “D-9.com” on it. Had they not broken the fourth wall, everyone going to D-9.com would’ve been confused out of their mind.Matt continues on by bashing the Angels and Demons viral campaign, which in my opinion wasn’t much of a viral campaign so I wouldn’t have bashed it as such. Then he moves on to 2012, a movie which is releasing in November. Matt complains about the lack of updates with District 9, but then he bashes 2012’s campaign . . . which was updated almost weekly (although ironically its in a lull). He also neglects to mention the very well designed websites both the District 9 and 2012 ARG’s include, they’re beautifully done. And Matt, wait until the movie comes out before you start complaining about the plot. Who knows how they’ll keep people alive, why don’t you wait to find out.In the end, Matt says he’s bashing Sony’s viral campaigns, but he’s not, he’s bashing their ARGs. He neglects the positive points to show you the negatives.Dear Matt, Go take a walk in a garden and look at the more beautiful things in life. With love, Nicholas S. ButlerNicks final thoughts… While it is true Sony has some problems operating ARG-style websites, their viral campaigns are working. I mean, why else would the L.A. Times be writing a story on it. Billboards and other signs gets people talking, hence, viral campaign. Oh yeah, follow me on twitter! Viral Marketing
You Got Your District 9 In My 2012 August 14, 2009August 14, 2009So hopefully it was the same for all viewers of District 9 this weekend, that you got a sneak peek at some new stuff from 2012. This would have been BEFORE the previews, so if you were late, then you may just have to wait for it to be released… Read More
MTV Movie Award Nominees Include District 9, Paranormal Activity, Sherlock Holmes, Avatar and More May 27, 2010May 27, 2010All those people that demanded Paranormal Activity to be released in theaters are called back into action again: Katie could use your help in winning an MTV Movie Award. As for the District 9 fans, Sharlto could get some help as well for the same award. Find out how to… Read More
District 9 To Have Fan Screening At Comic-Con! July 10, 2009June 6, 2010Recently, I just learned of a fan screening at the District 9 Community Watch website. Apparantly, they are going to give them away if you follow Sony Pictures on Twitter. Maybe they will do it like the Angels & Demons contest a while back? Well, we do not know yet,… Read More