Electronic Arts asked Fox News to correct false statements the publisher believes the channel made about Mass Effect on a recent installment of Live Desk With Martha MacCallum.
The news channel's response? Come on the show, and we'll talk about it.
As first reported on MTV's Multiplayer gaming blog, an unnamed Fox News spokesperson says the network has "extended several invitations to EA through a company representative to appear on 'Live Desk With Martha MacCallum' to discuss 'Mass Effect' and the segment which aired on Monday. We have received no response."
Today, Fox News sent that same statement to IGN, declining to comment further on the matter.
In light of the way EA feels the show's reporters presented their game, an appearance on Live Desk may be the last thing the company has in mind. In a letter this week to Fox News, which is owned by IGN parent company News Corp., EA VP of communications Jeff Brown accused the show of being reckless, ignorant and unfair in its treatment of Mass Effect, a BioWare role-playing game released last year to wide critical acclaim.
Brown took Fox to task for unfairly judging Mass Effect against other Fox properties and asked the channel to correct what EA says were errors in its reporting and presentation of the game:
"As videogames continue to take audiences away from television, we expect to see more TV news stories warning parents about the corrupting influence of interactive entertainment. But this represents a new level of recklessness.
"Do you watch the Fox Network? Do you watch Family Guy? Have you ever seen The OC? Do you think the sexual situations in Mass Effect are any more graphic than scenes routinely aired on those shows? Do you honestly believe that young people have more exposure to Mass Effect than to those prime time shows?
"This isn't a legal threat; it's an appeal to your sense of fairness. We're asking FNC to correct the record on Mass Effect."
We've contacted EA for an update, but have yet to hear back. We'll keep you posted on the Mass Effect mess.
Source: UK media box