Exclusive by Danielle Wainwright
A huge billboard promoting a violent war-themed computer game has been slammed after being erected in Manchester’s St Peter’s Square… directly opposite a war memorial honouring the memory of soldiers killed in battle.
Even worse, the advert was for Call of Duty’s latest instalment, ominously called Ghosts.
The advert sat in front of the new KPMG building at One St Peter’s Square, a multi-million-pound project which will provide office space for businesses, to advertise the launch of the game on November 5.
Call of Duty is one of the world’s bestselling video game with millions across the UK having queued overnight to get their hands on one of this year’s most hotly-anticipated games.
However due to its content consisting of shooting, stabbing and blowing up your rivals in an often fictional war, the advert may be seen as a slap in the face of veterans who served with military men and women who have died in battle.
Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester City Centre spokesman, expressed his anger at the poorly placed advert.
He said: “Totally inappropriate next to the war memorial. The owners of the site should have more sense.”
Withington MP John Leech said: “I hope that this was just a genuine mistake rather than a deliberate ploy from someone to court controversy out of something that is clearly so sensitive.”
City centre worker James Cooper, whose grandfather fought in the Second World War, believes the advertising is disrespectful to those who laid down their lives during conflicts.
“This is a slap in the face for anyone who has either lost a loved one in a war and I’m shocked that they were allowed to do it,” he said.
Development on the building began in 2011 set to finish in 2015 and looks to improve the square.
The advert was taken down last night but is thought to have been up since before the game’s release on November 5.
Picture courtesy of Ginger La Rouge, with thanks.
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