An attempt to launch a successful viral marketing campaign for Resident Evil: Outbreak, backfired horribly.
The campaign involved sending text messages to mobile phones with the message, "Outbreak: I'm infecting you with t-virus, my code is <6 letter alphanumeric code>. Forward this to 60022 to get your own code and chance to win prizes. More at t-virus.co.uk".
Rather than gaining interest in the storyline of the game, many of the mobile users panicked and flooded Anti-Virus vendors with requests for help on removing the virus.
The company behind the campaign, CE Europe quickly admitted the virus was a hoax:
The T-VIRUS is, of course, totally harmless and uses an innovative pyramid reward system to encourage those who are infected to infect as many others as they possibly can and win fantastic, limited edition Resident Evil: Outbreak prizes including Resident Evil DVDs, exclusive Raccoon City t-shirts and PS2 consoles.
More info;
· T-Virus.co.uk
· Sophos Information about the T-Virus
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