First viral advert banned by the ASA: Blood on the carpet

The Advertising Standards Authority has banned its first internet viral ad. The watchdog said the images in the advert for Midway Games' Mortal Kombat campaign titled Blood on the Carpet were offensive and irresponsible.

The advert's creators said was meant to be humorous, but the ASA said it had had one complaint and that the advert was irresponsible, since it glorified violence and some scenes could be emulated.

The ASA said the ad showing a man's heart being ripped out and another being decapitated caused distress and serious offence.