Maddie ref. an "unfortunate coincidence"

By Robert Purchese Published 26 September, 2008

Bungie responds to Halo trailer blooper.

Bungie has said the reference to 'Maddie' in the teaser trailer for the studio's next Halo project is an "unfortunate coincidence" to that of missing five year-old Madeleine McCann.

The trailer appeared at the end of a countdown yesterday, and fans combing the short CGI promotion for information came across the line, "Maddie, where are you?"

This prompted plenty of speculation that it was a reference to Madeleine McCann, the child whose 2007 disappearance sparked a worldwide media campaign.

"This is an unfortunate coincidence but there is no connection between Bungie's game and the tragic disappearance of that little girl," wrote Brian Jarrard, community voice at Bungie, on a Halo fansite.

Writing in the official Bungie forums, the studio's Luke Smith has also stated there is no connection between the game and real-world events.

"As always, all of the characters in our games are fictional. Any similarities between real life and the characters in our games are purely coincidental," wrote Smith.

"That said, this is both an unfortunate and unintended coincidence."

Eurogamer has contacted Bungie and Microsoft for comment.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (78) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • strelok #1 3 years ago

    ""This is an unfortunate coincidence but there is no connection between Bungie's game and the tragic disappearance of that little girl," wrote Brian Jarrard, community voice at Bungie, on a Halo fansite.

    Eurogamer has contacted Bungie and Microsoft for comment."

    Stop the planet. I want to get off.
    Why the hell would they need to comment on such a stupid question?

  • Mildew #2 3 years ago

    Agreed - why would anyone think there's a link?

  • Dizzy #3 3 years ago

    They probably never even heard of Maddie in the US.

  • Triggerhappytel #4 3 years ago

    Not surprising really. I expect it's either something which will become clear in the game or something personal to Bungie/one of their employees.

  • mattigan #5 3 years ago

    Of course it's a coincidence, don't know how anyone could have thought otherwise

  • viper_h #6 3 years ago

    Agree with Dizzy, I doubt the americans give two shits about Maddie. That's pretty much my opinion too btw.

  • mazzl #7 3 years ago

    EG. get a f*... grip. keep up the quality standard i have been enjoying here for some years now. this is just crap journalism.. beceause it isn't ... journalism.. get it... it's gossip. total crap... stupid AND painfull for the parents to get this ALL up in the news again!

    Edited by 1 at 26/09/08 @ 10:28

  • optimusprym8 #8 3 years ago

    pffft like her parents read EG or Kotaku or whatever

  • jaluuk #9 3 years ago

    I don't understand - Bungie write a comment and Eurogamer contacts Bungie for a comment?

    GOOD IDEA

  • Thunderbolt #10 3 years ago

    LOL. People get off your high horses

    Its not like you are paying to read EG. I for one am pretty impressed with the high editorial standards of this website.

  • PearOfAnguish #11 3 years ago

    Luke Smith has also stated there is no connection between the game and real-world events.

    That's good to know. I can finally stop worrying about alien invasion.

  • Darren #12 3 years ago

    A totally pointless "news" story IMO... there was absolutely no need for Eurogamer to even mention this. I thought they were better than that and I'd have thought they'd credit their readers with more intelligence too since it's bloody obvious that Bungie's reference to Maddie has absolutely zilch to do with real life events. Tut!

  • Mildew #13 3 years ago

    Because the Daily Mail needs to sell papers

    Well....apart from that :)

  • menage #14 3 years ago

    What a load of bullshit. You're really part of the problem EG if you post shit like this.

  • chrisjm #15 3 years ago

    "Calpol does not endorse this game"

  • Mildew #16 3 years ago

    Would have been better to post this instead!

  • cubbymoore #17 3 years ago

    I enjoy this sort of thing, why's everyone up in arms? Bungie should've said "of course it was intentional, we're sick of this shit too!"

  • ligurmatic #18 3 years ago

    Let me be the first to say: Oh, for fuck's sake!

  • Bennicus #19 3 years ago

    I shall write to Eurogamer for comment (here, this is me writing to you guys for a comment)

  • Al_Swearengen #20 3 years ago

    Why the need for an additional comment from Bungie or Microsoft? It was a coincidence so let's move on.
    It was ridiculous for this to blow up in the first place. The comments should have been requested BEFORE posting the article not after.

  • bombfrog #21 3 years ago

    "Eurogamer has contacted Bungie and Microsoft for comment."

    Why?

    This is a complete non-story and it's been cleared up by 2 people already.

  • Quint2020 #22 3 years ago

    I can't believe people made such a big deal about this.

  • Kyle #23 3 years ago

    Fuck. Off.

  • mcmonkeyplc #24 3 years ago

    This is a testament to how retarded people are.

  • stevencole7 #25 3 years ago

    Come on Eurogamer! Don't start losing it...........

  • muftak #26 3 years ago

    "I can't believe people made such a big deal about this. "

    ever had your child kidnapped ? then you will understand this , plus its very bad press for the game industry .

    bungie doing a halo game one trick pony comes to mind

  • DFawkes #27 3 years ago

    NOT NEWS. If anyone thinks this is even news they're a crazy person that most likely eats their own excrement. I do, but for seperate reasons.

  • systems #28 3 years ago

    It's like when "The Two Towers" film game out (LotR) and some idiots wanted to change the name because it was obviously [sic] a reference to the Twin Towers from 9/11.

    And then someone pointed out that you'd have to change "Return of the King" as well as it didn't have Elvis in it...

  • andywilkie35 #29 3 years ago

    "Luke Smith has also stated there is no connection between the game and real-world events.

    That's good to know. I can finally stop worrying about alien invasion."

    hahahaha!

  • Oh-Bollox #30 3 years ago

    Good on you, EG. Rumour control. Much appreciated these days.

  • ccfb #31 3 years ago

    Why contact them for a comment when they've issued one already, and it's your news story?

    Write a review or something.

  • Apostle #32 3 years ago

    Lets try not to blow this out of proportion eh.

  • Eighthours #33 3 years ago

    ever had your child kidnapped ? then you will understand this...

    I can almost guarantee that you haven't either, to be fair, so the same thing applies to you.

  • JaysonG #34 3 years ago

    Ban this sick filth!

  • Rushy #35 3 years ago

    "Eurogamer has contacted Bungie and Microsoft for comment."

    Why? What else is there to find out?

    Just drop it and be done with this story. I think they've said all that needs to be said.

  • davc4 #36 3 years ago

    Okay i think it is fair enough to ask for a comment on a story (even though blown out of all proportion) still needs an official comment on it.
    If this issue came to me i would say something like

    "Although the comment in the video released from Bungie has absoulty no connection to the disappearance of Madeline McCann, we appoligise for any upset that this comment may of caused but the wok in question is a Fictious account and any connection to real life characters is purely coincidental. We deeply sympathise with Madelines parents and no upset was meant or caused."

    But i mean i watched this vid a couple of times and i didn even notice this seems to be controversy for controversies sake.

  • Tyronne #37 3 years ago

    2 news stories out of this, thats not bad going.

  • Fernando #38 3 years ago

    lies, i see the connection!

  • muftak #39 3 years ago

    @Eighthours

    what the hell are you on, i know i havent but Quint2020 said i cant understand why all the fuss so i just pointed out why ....

  • Quint2020 #40 3 years ago

    I agree it should have been picked up by MS Europe but bloody hell the amount of stink that has been kicked up about this just seems a little ridiculous.

    Still, the trailer sucked anyway.

  • RexRunti #41 3 years ago

    Anyone remember Die Anna from Carmageddon. Several papers called for the game to be banned (again) because of the obvious reference to some adulteress former princess who didn't have the sense to wear a seat belt. Of the course the fact that the game was released before the same journalists ran her off the road was conveniently ignored.

  • tomkuryakin #42 3 years ago

    Everyone who writes, edits, reads, posts comments to, accidentally clicks on to Eurogamer is an idiot. Everyone unhappy now?

  • louyfitz #43 3 years ago

    I agree it was probably the parents, but that isn't the point of this news article.

    The point is Bungie has made a game trailer with some words on it, they happen to say Maddie, where are you? so fucking what, Bungie aren't the sort of dev to joke about such things on their game anyway. it was badly chosen, true, but no harm was meant.

    anyways who do you trust more Maddies parents or foreign police?

  • Gearskin #44 3 years ago

    BUNGIE KIDNAPPED MADDIE!!!

  • dr_faulk #45 3 years ago

  • BastoJ #46 3 years ago

    Awww and there was me expecting to complete the search for Maddy in this game

  • derfs #47 3 years ago

    of course this makes sense, as no one else in the world is called maddy...

    *sigh*

  • RazorObsession #48 3 years ago

    of course, if you keep pushing Bungie on it, and stamping your feet and telling them that they are sick bastards, they may well end up telling us what the reference is really about, in order to avoid further controversy, thereby giving us an extra snippet of gaming news they would otherwise withhold.

    so go, lynch mob, go!

  • curtlikesmeat #49 3 years ago

    Complete non story.

  • CreepinJesus #50 3 years ago

    This is retarded. My dog, Steve, went missing for a week once, so that now means that no game is allowed to lose a character called Steve.

  • SEVQA #51 3 years ago

    I wonder how long it would take a CEO of Bungies to die hung by the neck and chucked off a bridge attached to a bungie rope?

  • Kazzahdrane #52 3 years ago

    Eurogamer.

    Stop posting sensationalist crap like this. You're probably the finest games site on the web, don't start acting like the Daily Mail please.

  • Optyk #53 3 years ago

    Why is this refrence offensive?

  • SEVQA #54 3 years ago

    Look irrelevant of the Maddie debate I still want to see a CEO hung with a bungie rope! I'll accept bankers, estate agents and anyone who works in marketing as well!

    I think it would be a positive and entertaining thing to do, and it would be ironic to place bets on their misfortune and come out on top for once!



    I bet £50 quid on 12 bounces before they choke to death!

  • sneetch #55 3 years ago

    @SEVQA
    "I bet £50 quid on 12 bounces before they choke to death!"

    No way. Their head would pop off at the end of the initial drop (unless it was a really short bungie).

  • Pasco #56 3 years ago

    "Eurogamer has contacted Bungie and Microsoft for comment."

    A comment on ... the comment?

  • SEVQA #57 3 years ago

    Ok you might be right!(Kinda makes the odds more interesting) as it might or might not happen! the bookies would love it.

    If it’s an issue, as some people don’t like executions with blood, we should think about the kids for example. As it would most certainly be a day to bring the whole family, so instead I suggest we start from the ground letting go of the feet first!

  • GordonCaladan #58 3 years ago

    May I reply on behalf of Microsoft and Bungie: "LOLWUT?"

  • BobsUncle #59 3 years ago

    Well, no-one saw who took her, so it could have been a camouflaged Elite...

  • septimus #60 3 years ago

    EG please fucking stop this. Show more integrity than other sites pushing this crap.

  • Totoriko #61 3 years ago

    who's this Maddie?

  • chicknstu #62 3 years ago

    I hope they take it out anyway, now that they know..

    I once got in a funny arguement with a bunch of Goths who decided to call their new club night

    'SCOPE'

    I mentioned that this name was already taken and they migh tbe misinterpreted, but rather than change the name, they took the line that it's 'just a word, it has many uses'

    Which is all true, but the effort to change the name versus the ridicule you'd suffer is not worth it!

  • darleysam #63 3 years ago

    How dare they use that name! It is a protected name! No-one can be called Maddie or use the name Maddie after what happened! It is sick and tasteless!

    This is dumb beyond belief.

  • Skurmedel #64 3 years ago

    I don't think many outside UK would see the "connection", I didn't.

    And I agree, even if one did it's stupid to be upset. I think some people look for things to be upset about.
    Edited by 1 at 26/09/08 @ 15:20

  • darleysam #65 3 years ago

    And the papers will report this as a sick games company exploiting the McCann's tragedy for their own personal gain, completely missing the irony.

  • SEVQA #66 3 years ago

    RapedInPo rtugal

  • SEVQA #67 3 years ago

    or in the boot of the Renault McCann!

  • m0thr4 #68 3 years ago

    They probably never even heard of Maddie in the US.

    Not true. I was on holiday in the states when this story kicked off. It was as big a story over there as it was here in the UK.

  • niteninja #69 3 years ago

    bungie screwed up big time by accident, but you lot are guilty as hell for shit starting.
    EG should be ashamed of itself fucking bunch of wankers looking for shock and awe.
    Havent that girls parents suffered enough with out you.

  • DefdumBlindkid #70 3 years ago

    If the game comes out and it features a doctor and his wife who like to go out to dinner and leave their kids home alone then perhaps an argument could be made for a possible a link.

  • Apostle #71 3 years ago

    In a sort of round-about way this brings attention back to Maddie, which is always a good thing just in case someone does spot her. Am I wrong?

  • drunkymonkey #72 3 years ago

    Well, it's news to me...

  • SEVQA #73 3 years ago

    Im intrested in the debate, and as it has involved a games dev publisher and the largest software comapny in the world, the story is justified! As you seem to be in the minority in this forum, you must be very wrong indeed niteninja! For thoes who say the States are unaware of the story is poppy cock!
    Edited by 1 at 27/09/08 @ 18:03

  • n3utr0n #74 3 years ago

    I couldn't give a shit about the Maddie thing or Bungie and Microsoft but this just reeks of cynical marketing attempting to channel some controversy. What would you expect Bungie to say? "Yes that was a reference to that kidnapped kid, hi Daily Mail"? It doesn't matter what, if anything, it's a reference to. People are talking, sites like this are asking for comments, its job is done. Bungie and MS will just deny everything, everyone forgets about it, attention has been drawn to the game, win!

    That, or the PR people are completely out of touch with things.

    Either way I'm not impressed.

  • actionfitz #75 3 years ago

    "Maddie, where are you?"

    am I the only one who thinks that would make a great game?...
    (not really! please dont ban me lol)

    ahhh..

    Wee jokes.






  • repairmanjack #76 3 years ago

    7/7
    9/11
    8/10

  • onyx_elite #77 3 years ago

    bungie screwed up big time by accident, but you lot are guilty as hell for shit starting.
    EG should be ashamed of itself fucking bunch of wankers looking for shock and awe.
    Havent that girls parents suffered enough with out you.

    Congratulations niteninja,

    Despite stiff competition you managed to become the dumbest motherfucker in this whole thread with just a single post. Well done, I'll stick your asshat medal in the post forthwith.

    Also, I live in the UK and have to tolerate those poe-faced, middle class tossers whinging out at me from every newspaper on a daily basis (less now since peopple have stopped giving a shit) like somehow they're not completely at fault anyway. people need to get a life and stop using this as an excuse to:

    a)have a go at Bungie
    b)have a go at Eurogamer and
    c)make a dismal attempt at looking like a compassionate human being.

  • Fozzie_bear #78 3 years ago

    She's that kid that fluffytucker keeps chained up in his basement.