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[Video] This Haunted Doll Ad for Spotify Was Just Banned for Being Too Terrifying for Kids
Honestly, it’s pretty goddamn creepy.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled that a recent Spotify ad is “particularly likely” to scare children, making the decision to ban the commercial in the wake of claims that it was too distressing for children when it premiered on YouTube back in June. In the ad, a particular song played on Spotify summons an evil doll; a “killer song,” if you will.
One particular moment in the ad, which plays out like a horror movie trailer, shows the doll walking down the hallway, its arms impossibly outstretched. It calls to mind a similar scene from Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street, and it’s honestly total nightmare fuel.
“The fact that the ad was set inside a home, including a bedtime setting, and featured a doll, meant it was particularly likely to cause distress to children who saw it,” the ASA ruled.
Spotify commented in a statement, “We acknowledge the ruling from the ASA and regret any distress the ad may have caused the complainant.”
You can watch the full ad below.
Just as advertised, Wales Interactive’s follow-up to 2020’s Maid of Sker in Sker Ritual (check out Harrison’s review) has left Early Access today, and is now available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, with crossplay available for PC and Xbox users. Alongside all of the content from the PC Early Access version, the massive 1.0 update introduces new objectives, weapons, story content and more.
“We are super excited to bring Sker Ritual to players on console and PC.” said David Banner, CEO & Co-Founder at Wales Interactive. “Over the past two years, our core team of five has been working non-stop to implement community feedback from the PC Early Access, ensuring the 1.0/console launch is the complete package. We cannot wait to see the community response to Sker Ritual.”
In Sker Ritual, players will battle hordes of horrific enemies, alone or in up to four-player co-op, and attempt to survive the onslaught of Sker Island’s vicious Quiet Ones. Gun down masses of enemies, collect Celtic God powers, upgrade an arsenal of steampunk weapons and attempt to defeat the evil on Sker Island.
Sker Ritual features four unique locations to explore in the Cursed Lands of Lavernock, Ashes of Sker Hotel, Sewers of the Dead, and Deadly Lover’s Fortress. You’ll have numerous secrets to discover, optional objectives, and Easter Eggs which progress the story from Maid of Sker’s evil ending. Players will battle the Quiet Ones alone or with up to three additional players in online co-op, with the hordes scaling based on the player count.
Killing enemies offer a chance to drop powerful Miracles, each offering a choice of three upgradable powers. Bound to a Celtic God, each upgrade comes with a different rarity, core attributes and power. You’ll need it, as The Quiet Ones are back, and they’ve brought friends. Sker Island is crawling with new enemies and elites, each with their own abilities.
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