Exactly one month ago, a measly 60,000 people had signed the “Stop Dr. Uwe Boll” online petition. Today the number of haters is more than 230,000 (provided all signers are unique). If the campaign does indeed reach the one million signatures required to supposedly convince Boll to quit filmmaking, Stride Gum will hand out free packs of its “ridiculously long-lasting” chewing gum to each and every signer. Seems random, but apparently the two-year-old gum brand (part of Cadbury Schweppes) sees it as a way to support its target demo. According to the company’s press release:
“Since gamers are one of our most supportive groups, we’ve been looking for ways to return the favor,” said Gary Osifchin, Stride North American Marketing Director. “And what better way is there to get gamers’ backs than by helping them rescue their cherished videogames from the clutches of Uwe Boll?”
There is a catch, of course. The petition has to reach its goal in another seven days (by May 14, 5pm EST) in order for this promotion — I repeat, promotion — to follow through. Considering the number of signers went up 50% on the first day I blogged about it, and another 233% in the following seven days (to my second posting), and only another 18% since then (about three weeks), it’s hard to imagine that it will increase the necessary 323% in a week just for a free pack of gum. But hey, at least Stride is getting its name out there.
Of course Boll has already responded, via Diehard GameFAN, with the following: “These guys [Stride Gum] are the slaves of major studios.” The site adds its own idea that, “things can’t be going good for Stride Gum if they’re reduced to publicity stunts like this.” Either way, it should do little for the anti-fans while doing great things for both Boll, who continues to be at least a brand name thanks to the antipathy towards him, and Stride, who gains the respect of the gamer gum chewers while not actually having to lose any money in the process (not that giving out a million packs of gum would be that big a loss for them anyway). And Stride didn’t even have to make it out that they actually care if Boll stops making films:
“Look, it’s nothing personal against the guy. Maybe his non videogame-based films are unbelievable! But we’ve seen such intense passion for this cause that we couldn’t help but get involved,” said Osifchin. “Let the signing continue.”
And let the gum consumption continue, as well.
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