The fate of Clayton Carmine....

[Wraith]

Chances are, most of you know about this already, or else don't have a 360 or just don't care, but for those who don't, Epic Games, makers of the Gears of War series are running a GREAT promotion.

In Gears of War 1, Anthony Carmine was shot in the head.
In Gears of War 2, Benjamin Carmine meets a gruesome fate at the hands of Nemosytes.
In Gears of War 3, Clatyon Carmine...

well...

That's up to us.

Available now on XBL market place, for 80 Microsoft Points (one dollar), you can buy a "Carmine Must Die!" or "Save Carmine!" t-shirt for your Avatar. Whichever shirt sells the most will determine the fate of the third Carmine brother.

And best of all? 100% of the proceeds go straight to Child's play. That means you get to be part of gaming history and help a great cause (which I know we're all partial to here) at the same time!

[Elomin Sha]

When I was playing Gears 2 I didn't like B. Carmine being killed because he was the ONLY interesting character in the game.

[Metcarfre]

I actually really hate this promotion. I hated it more before I knew the proceeds went to Child's Play. Regardless, I find the idea of buying digital t-shirts to determine the fate of someone's life (real or not) distasteful.

It's making me question whether I want to even buy GoW3. And I LOVE Gears of War.

[Wraith]

It's just a fictional character, dude. And not even one that anyone's too invested in (he's been mentioned but never featured). It's just a plot point. And the shirts look pretty good. At least the save carmine ones do.

If they were selling the shirts just to make money, I could see it being kind of lame, but the only reason money is changing hands is the charity.

[Elomin Sha]

I don't think this is as big a deal as it's being made out to be. It's insignificant to the rest of the game contents, gamers aren't really influencing the development (as some may think they are).

[Metcarfre]

I am aware it's a fictional character. Regardless, I find it distasteful - just as I have found this similar schtick distasteful in other mediums. I simply don't like the concept of voting for someone's demise, real or imagined.

[Wraith]

meh. To each their own. But I think it's an awesome idea.

[Elomin Sha]

meh. To each their own. But I think it's an awesome idea.

Wow, Wraith is actually wrong for once in his life.

*Dives under cover to avoid his vengeful wrath*

[gcninja]

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=12971

[empath]

...yeah; I had SUCH a HUGE feeling of deja vu from this. Thanks for providing the link, gc.

I am filled with jaded cynicism in my advanced age, and while not as strongly opposed to this tacky promotional campaign, I'm with metcarfre. It's this sort of cheap shill that keeps me from purchasing a gaming console newer than a 2600...

[Wraith]

Ah. I usually don't go into the other boards. I barely have time for this one anymore. Also, I still don't see it as tacky. Microsoft and Epic win because they get to spread the word of the game, while simultaneously drawing attention to the Avatar market place.

Child's play (and the thousands of sick kids they help) wins because they get a nice fat check out of it.

We win because we get a chance to have some input on a game franchise, get a spiffy looking avatar shirt and can feel good about making a small contribution to a worthwhile charity.



I dunno, all that just strikes me as better than a billboard or a crap ton of banner-ads.

[Metcarfre]

Ambivalent; ambivalent is the word to describe how I feel on this subject.

[Zodiacprince]

I would have voted to save him, but I can't afford it...

[madrak_the_red]

I am aware it's a fictional character. Regardless, I find it distasteful - just as I have found this similar schtick distasteful in other mediums. I simply don't like the concept of voting for someone's demise, real or imagined.

They you probably wouldn't have liked this...
Remember action man? I don't know how big he was over in the states but here, in the UK in the 90s he was huge. I have quite a few action men and assorted bits, as a 90s child.
Well, he had a nemisis called doctor X.
Early 2000's, franchise was stagnating.
So they had this ad campaign where AM had this big fight with Dr X.
Dr X ended up hanging over a dam.
AM could save him or not, the choice was left to the viewers, who voted in some how.
So they placed his fate in the hands of thousands of 7-11 year old boys
Rather predictably, AM let him fall to his death. So yeah...


Also, point of note, there are two Carmine brothers left, so both could be possible...

[Metcarfre]

I am aware it's a fictional character. Regardless, I find it distasteful - just as I have found this similar schtick distasteful in other mediums. I simply don't like the concept of voting for someone's demise, real or imagined.

They you probably wouldn't have liked this...

[TheRocket]

Was I the only one who voted die?

[empath]

Well, in all honesty, if I HAD the money, I would too, just out of spite. But unless someone just gives me eighty M$ points...I'd probably hawk them for whatever cash I could get to throw at my crippling debts.

[Bananafish]

That means you get to be part of gaming history and help a great cause (which I know we're all partial to here) at the same time!

A cool cause but, I don't know, gaming history? will anyone remember this in a year? Maybe one guy will take out his carmine shirt 5 years from now and when people ask him "what is that, why are you wearing that?" he'll go "Oh, you don't know" and walk off, chest puffed, head high, eyes soft, footsteps pounding, but breath kept strangely tame.

"Carmine..." he'll whisper as tears stream onto the pavement

"I failed you"

[Keab42]

I think most people here would rather save their money for Desert Bus.

-Edit-

This is actually quite a good marketing ploy if applied to the correct audience. Say Twilight. Let the Twihards vote which bloke the bird ends the movie with by buying T-shirts. Money goes to charity. Without the charity aspect it's just a disgusting way to profit from your fans.

[TheRocket]

Well, in all honesty, if I HAD the money, I would too, just out of spite.

You and I think alike. All my efforts to spite Wraith.. I try so hard!

[Ollie, don'tcha know!]

I have a 360, but not online, and I don't really care anyway. I don't play Gears for the plot, I play it for the testosterone.

Also, just wondering, how do they donate the porceedings from MS points to Child's Play? Do they give that equivelant amount in actual money, let you download 80 MS points especially for the shirt, or what?

[Master Gunner]

Carmine is a redshirt, he needs to die. That's the proper order of things for someone who never takes off their helmet in the middle of a warzone.

[Wraith]

Update, August 18, 2010: What’s that? Do we detect... clamoring? Indeed, there’s a ton of Gearheads out there demanding an update on the Fate of Carmine campaign, and like silvery knights arriving on mighty steeds of awesome, we’ve got the details.

After a fantastic debut at Comic-Con 2010 and tons of real shirts and Xbox LIVE avatar tees selling by the truckload, Save Carmine has the lead! That’s right—if things continue as they are, a Carmine will actually survive a Gears of War title. We can already hear the snarling. For many of you, this is simply unacceptable.

But it’s a close race, and there’s still time! The Fate of Carmine campaign will continue until Thursday, September 2, 2010. You’ve got two more weeks to swing the proverbial pendulum back to “Carmine Must Die” or to keep “Save Carmine” in the lead. Tell your friends! Make ‘em tell their friends! Buy a shirt or two, give to the excellent Child’s Play Charity, and get Carmine through Gears 3 with his head intact—or splattered, depending on your preference.

Interested in a “Save Carmine” or “Carmine Must Die” shirt for yourself or your Xbox LIVE avatar? Simply follow the links below:

* T-Shirts: "Save Carmine" (NECA, Amazon) – “Carmine Must Die” (NECA, Amazon)
* Xbox LIVE Avatar Tees: “Save Carmine” (Men, Women) – “Carmine Must Die” (Men, Women)

Already got one? Consider picking up the Child's Play Tee in the Gears of War 3 Game Style section and contribute a bit more to a great cause.

[empath]

Seriously, are you getting kickbacks or something?

[Tim]

If Carmine lives, it ruins a great running plot point for the series. That's my stance.

Regardless of whether you find the contest distasteful, though, it's stirring up publicity, which is good for the game's sales, I'm sure.