It was the celebrity endorsement they were all after. Imagine it - the zeitgeist-popping combination of fashionable sport, greyhound racing, with top celebrity hardman, Vinnie Jones. Certainly the stuff of entertainment marketing dreams and now a reality thanks to mobile games publisher, Player One. Vinnie Jones Greyhound Racing has arrived. Here's a funny bit from the press release:
Pete Russell, Managing Director for Player One, commented: "Vinnie Jones loves his greyhounds and we are delighted he is working with us on this unique title. To take time out from his busy filming schedule shows how much Greyhound racing means to Vinnie and we believe this game has captured the excitement of the sport from both a betting and racing perspective and shows why people like Vinnie get so passionate about Greyhound racing."
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a piece in the newspaper about how the mobile games industry seems to be run almost exclusively by jokers. Every week they seem intent on proving me right. How did this deal came about? Why did this deal come about? In an increasingly globalised industry it is incredible that a thuggish ex-Wimbledon footballer, who somehow managed to headbutt his way into the movie industry, is now endorsing a Java game about an obscure British working mans sport.
The screenshot looks pretty good, though, doesn't it? Sort of Final Furlong with dogs. Actually, this idea is growing on me. It could be Vinnie's most important role since Submerged!
