I’ve seen the commercial for a new video game, Rainbow Six (or here) . It begins with live footage (I mean, not from the game) of soldiers on some sort of covert mission - planting timers, throwing bombs, blowing up file cabinets - it then switches to game footage.
During all this, a child sings 'My Country ‘Tis of Thee’; and at the end, the words “FREEDOM IS NOT FREE” appear. Am I the only one who finds the implications of this message disturbing? Freedom requires covert operations? Freedom requires secrecy? Ignorance of the public?
I got pissed because I thought it was a movie preview. “Oh cool, I’ve gotta go see that!” and then I find out it’s a #*%(&#% video game. Grrr.
I knew it was video game ad from the get go, however, the high, lilting childs voice singing an evocative renditon of 'My Country ‘Tis of Thee’ was sort of out of context for the FPS action and was pretty creepy, but it did make me think for a second, and then Conan was on!
The only part that bugged me was that the Rainbow Six team is supposed to be a internationally-sponsored antiterrorist unit. Way to ignore the rest of the world, ad agents.
Actually, as I understand it, the “Freedom is not free” slogan is now being used by the Military. I thought I saw it on an add the other day for the army or the marines, but I may be mistaken. I know it wasn’t THAT Rainbow Six ad, because I have seen it and there was no kid singing. I agree it is mildly disturbing.
“Freedom is not free. But it’s on sale now for just $19.95 [sub]with manufacturer’s mail-in rebate[/sub] at Circuit City!!!”
I thought it was another goofy Army ad at first.
As for ignoring the multi-national nature of Rainbow Six, who does pay attention to what Clancy actually wrote anymore? Look at “Sum of All Fears.”
Definitely a creepy commercial though. The song alone is enough to creep me out (something about that kid’s voice) but combined with the game footage there is definitely something disconcerting about it.
Lord I love that comercial!
I wish another one was made with higher production values and used by the military.
“Freedom isn’t free. A message from the United States Armed Forces.”
Cooooooooool. 
Overall I like the commercial even though I don’t think it would inspire me to buy the game because FPS on a console is blasphemy.
Also, even though i think this “protect freedom” stuff is mostly propaganda bunk, Americans aren’t the only ones “protecting freedom” so to speak, so I think the “Freedom isn’t Free” slogan doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ignoring the fact that rainbow six is supposed to be international.
I like that guy who spits through his teeth on the broken toilet from the commercial.
The one that creeps me out is the one that starts out underwater, then you see people diving in the water and you think it’s for a cruise line or something, then they move above the water and it’s the attack on Pearl Harbor and the bodies are dead soldiers and it’s a GAME based on the attack on Pearl Harbor.
I HATE HATE HATE THAT COMMERCIAL!
Totally. Unfortunately there is a whole generation of gamers who, for lack of a better phrase, don’t know any better. Free high end PC’s and video cards for all when I am king.
Yup, I know that commercial, all right…ranted about it a bit, but I do like it, creepy and all…^^() It wouldn’t be close to the same without the girl singing, ne? It would just be more or less the average commercial…
FPS… on… a… console?
When did they ever get the WASD keys for consoles? 
FPS… on… a… console?
When did they ever get the WASD keys for consoles?
It doesn’t creep me out, but I did find the ad very strange the first time I saw it. The way it’s edited, with people getting shot as the child sings “let freedom ring”, tasted more to me like bitter irony than rah-rah patriotism. Not the way I would have chosen to sell video games, but hey, what do I know about marketing.
I’m glad that I’m not the only person who finds this commercial somewhat…disconcerting.
The kid singing is creepy. I always get the creeps when little kids sing.
When I saw that commercial for the first time I looked at my husband and said “I hope you aren’t interested in that game, because it won’t be played in my house.” The commercial really disgusted me, though I never had a problem with Medal of Honor before.
I can see how some could find them disturbing, but I think recent commercials for military games like Rainbow 6 and Medal of Honor are actually pretty good.
Very emotionally charged imagery and concepts for simple video game ads I think. The other one that got my attention was for IIRC, Hidden and Dangerous (I could be wrong). Where they say “The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the enemy die for his”
As was mentioned above, that’s cinematic quality advertising. Too bad the games in question are mediocre.
WOW! me too!
I also did the same thing with LOTR.