The self-awareness of Xbox and Obsidian Entertainment has reached such a level that it is almost as if they are literally winking at you through the screen with their latest promotional video for The Outer Worlds 2. In a tweet, the official Xbox account described it as “Check out this completely real and exclusive scene from the outer worlds 2 that is 100% not an advertisement to tell you to play on October 29.” By getting straight to the point, they are admitting that this is an advertisement and surprisingly, gamers are grateful for the honesty.
What is the story? Without a doubt, the film is a spoof, a meta-commentary on the marketing strategies of the gaming industry. By simply… stating the truth, it is ridiculing the whole ‘exclusive first look’ culture. And the release date is right there, October 29. No enigmas, no vague clues. Just a clear ‘hey, why not play our game on this day’ with no strings attached. It’s nice, you know? This is a good time in the middle of the overly serious marketing campaigns.
The online reactions have been a mixed bag, which is exactly what you would expect. The players have divided opinions, with the humorous aspect being supported by some. A commentator named Review Game Drops said it was ‘utterly brilliant’ and praised the ‘meta humor.’ Another player, HLMoonIt, who has a great sense of humor, tweeted, ‘Wow, I don’t feel at all advertised to and will be playing this game on October 29th because I want to and not because of this ad.’ That’s the right mindset! They see the humor and are riding along. It is producing a moment, a common gesture of good humor shared between the producers and the audience.
Not everyone, of course, finds the situation funny. The backlash is also infiltrated by the same old negativity concerning the platform war and some… strange criticisms. One user, Kharmivore2099, declared, ‘Xbox is done. Totally disgraceful. Disappear.’ Wow. That is really tough. Another one, ACABImmunity, expressed dissatisfaction with the first game and a general mistrust of Xbox by saying, ‘It’s like you are setting the stage for failure. It’s so sad.’ Then there are some random, weird comments such as the one from __Jeff_D__, who asked, ‘Is there a forced pronouns option during startup?’ Sorry, what was I saying? Oh yeah, The Outer Worlds 2. It is quite amazing how a simple, amusing ad can give rise to such varied discussions.
Amidst all the chaos, there are still some true fans who are just overjoyed. John M. simply stated, ‘I am so looking forward to this.’ And Charmer184 is already getting ready, tweeting, ‘Premium upgrade already bought so I will be ready to go on the 24th!!’ So, without a doubt, there is a core audience that is very excited, no matter how much the marketing pranks come into place.
It is also interesting to observe the little sub-discussions that usually pop up. When Kharm labeled Xbox an embarrassment, another user, Timothy_2512, immediately jumped in and asked, ‘Embarrassing about what?’ It is these little squabbles that indicate how divided opinions in the gaming community can be even over a promotional tweet. For some, the ad is regarded as funny and clever. Others see it as a reason to write off a multi-billion dollar company. The internet, everybody.
What does this mean for The Outer Worlds 2? Yes, it created a buzz around it. Whether you like it or you don’t, the tweet and its video were able to cut through the noise. In a scenario where gamers are constantly bombarded with ads, the straightforwardness and humor might just be the most effective strategy. Instead of behaving as if this is some sacred relic from the game, they are just indicating ‘yes, this is an ad, the game is coming out soon, enjoy it.’ And the audience is really enjoying it.
So, if you are into sci-fi RPGs that have a humorous storyline and marketing, then save the date for October 29. Whether you are a die-hard fan of the first game or just a curious person who wants to check out the hype, this meta tactic has definitely placed the sequel in its own spotlight. It is a bold move that is, for the most part, a welcome one for many gamers. Now we just have to wait and see if the game will be able to meet the expectations that its own marketing has so cleverly admitted.
For those interested in MMORPG experiences, there are other exciting titles to explore as well. Additionally, fans of console gaming might want to check out the latest PlayStation releases for more diverse gaming options.
