Somebody At Ubisoft Really Doesn't Like Mario Kart 8's Mercedes-Benz DLC

This is why employees should not have free reign on what they say online

Ubisoft is really trying to get into the good graces of Nintendo fans, isn't it?

I think someone at Ubisoft wants nintendo to be like them make paid DLC and then Oobiesoft will be happy.

Its free dlc. You're not paying for it. Nobody's making you use those cars.

Well boo hoo Ubisoft. You make my heart break.

Ubisoft should have kept that up.

How is the DLC controversial? It's just harmless cross-promotion plus it's free.

And that's the sound of Watch Dogs Wii U sales flopping then subsequently Ubisoft announcing their support is over...

Someone should tweet Ubisoft reminding them that Nintendo fans don't care about what they have to say.

With that out of the way, I don't see what's so bad about what was said.

@BigH88 Who are you talking to? Cause everyone knows it's free DLC.

@DiscoGentleman "AND it's free, post-release, optional DLC. How can you complain?"

Yay for free advertising! It's fine if you have a different opinion, but there are quite a few people that don't like it.

Oh yea, had my fun with Ubisoft as well today wen I got asked by them to fill a survey. So I thought "WHo cares, maybe I can express my opinion about their Nintendo-related-offerings" but in the end it was just pure commercial for PS4 and XBOne. THe WiiU was just listed in the beginning alongside with the Wii in the beginning but later when there was asked if I prefer playing on old gen or next gen there was just PS3/360 and PS4/One sll the time... No Mention of Nintendo, just 100 Questions when I will buy some of this awesome new machines to play their awesome new games... And of course no free expression field... But a good question would be why they care about MK8 as they don't really care for N anyway... Trolling? Getting hits? Attention whores? Whatever the reason, may they have their opinion and good it is.

Hmmm EA and Ubisoft have the same routine, strange.

....And now developers are complaining about free DLC, lol.

I don't like it too. It's free, but i don't want a mercedes car in MK8 game
I will not download this dlc but, for sure, i'll have to see this car a lot during online gameplay (90% of time..) :(
A mercedes in mk8 is like onion in my choccolate

I agree with Ubisoft, but shut up Ubisoft.

nuff said

I don't like it either. It's unobtrusive at it's worst. Doesen't radically change the game play to those who dont have it. And worst of all.....its........Fr.... Fr.....fre.......Ughhhh just mentioning the words just pierces the heart. >_<

@DrSlump "A mercedes in mk8 is like onion in my choccolate" Oh for the love of God!

So ubisoft dont want me to buy their game? They should be more carefull in the future

I actually agree with the Ubisoft employee I never liked the whole real world cars in Mario kart thing.

@midnafanboy Ubisoft. Sorry I didn't know I needed to specify because it was obvious who it was directed at. Again, sorry.

When I saw the trailer I knew I wanted it, honestly waiting to download it as soon as I can, Wario driving that on Toad's Turnpike X3

@Grumblevolcano Watch Dogs is probably so far off the vast majority of Wii U owners' radars, I'm not sure it matters. In fact, that game was more or less knocked out of the spotlight by Mario Kart 8.

@WaLzgi Amen. Example, I'm a huge UFC fan, and recently, the Twitter page for UFC trolled me over calling it out for pulling favorites. Granted it was just one moron, but he was representing an entire company by speaking on the main Twitter page. lol

I 100% agree with the Twitter post. I think the individual responsible should have used their own personal account, but the message is spot on. This sad marketing stunt is a slippery slope and just wrong.

Truly, I don't care because it is free

Ubisoft would only approve if the DLC cost money.

He's just mad it didn't get delayed

It's just saying what most people think. I don't get the 'it's free so you can't complain' thing. It's an ad paid for by Mercedes. People on here moan that Xbox 360 has ads on it's dashboard, but this is a huge step further with the ad being IN the game. You can't ignore it either as it shows up online.

well, you just don´t use those karts and that´s all, souldn´t be complaining about a free dlc that doesn´t affect how you play, or you don´t need it to finish the game. Also it will contain some improvements to online play, and general play. So why are people complaining so much? I think it´s great, it´s like Hyrule Warriors, Nintendo is trying new things, and I really like that, If they didn´t everyone would be complaining because everything is always the same.

I see, giving free sponsored DLC is bad because it's based on a real car, but it's to ok to charge real money for weapons in Splinter Cell BlackList that are blocked unless you buy them, are the 2nd strongest weapons in the game and you can use from start if you payed for it. Ubisoft's logic.
And I didn't even say anything about their announcement of microtransactions on Assassin's Creed.

they have a point, dose look out of place in the MK, at least it was DLC and not part of the main game so be completely ignored.

It sure is a slippery slope by the way right now I can preorder Farcry 4 on the PSN for 99 bucks for the game and season pass! That's just classy.

People complaining about free, optional things.
Sums about the ridiculousness of some people :>

Well cheers Ubi but we have officially stopped giving a rip what you have to say...

Well done Ubisoft..real "mature" just like your games.

In my opinion, it does break some of the magic... but it's also crazy enough to be ridiculously awesome.

Well let me go to put on my Axe body spray, pick up my Sony Erikson phone and mark Nintendo as product placement terrorists before my Visa fraud-protection service warns me that they stole my money.

Pot.... Kettle... Black...

Product placement has been going on since Pole Position put Pepsi, Canon Film and Marlboro Cigarette ads on the billboards.

@ekreig
This.

@AlexSora89
It's Mario driving a Benz. How the hell can people not see the awesome in that? Doesn't make me want to buy one even if I did have the money. I have to wonder of all the people getting offended by this how many could afford to go and get a benz right now because they saw it in a game?

I'm uber excited for this new DLC! Y'all nay sayers are insane! lol

EA-bisoft? These big budget 3rd parties sure love to tout "business reasons" when its convenient not supporting certain consoles. But completely forget about business ethics when letting their general employees spout off on social media.

Then dont use it. I have zero interest in using it. So I dont. Bam, nothing ruined.

I personally agree with the "breaks the magic" comment; those who don't feel that way will have an opportunity to modify their game in a way which doesn't affect gameplay. But an Ubisoft employee telling Nintendo to be careful about what they do mere days after their CEO ticked off legions of their fans shows that they just don't get it. You know what also shows they don't get it? The non-existence of Beyond Good and Evil 2.

I've warmed to the dlc quite a bit mostly due to there being three cars and only one being a bit ugly, but yes this is paid advertising a thing I'd rather not see a lot of but once in a blue moon done with some class I can deal with.

@Grumblevolcano Uh, their support is already over. Nintendo fans failed them, along with many other 3rd parties. So did Nintendo.

Where was the ZombiU love on day 1? Week 1? Month 1? Don't point me to that extremely limited bundle either; it was never promoted to any extent.

@DiscoGentleman Its not optional if you want to play online. (And it is bundled in with other fixes). If it was there from the start at least the option to just not get it would exist.

First of all, it's free. You don't have to pay for it, and you don't even have to get it at all. Second, yes it does kinda break the magic at first glance, but it's just something so ridiculous that I can't help but love it. Third, if it doesn't express your opinions, then why even let someone make that post using your account, Ubisoft!?Was your account hacked or something!? Fourth, really? You're telling Nintendo to be careful? Yes, it's product-placement that seems ridiculous, but it's not like they're charging for it or anything. Plus, it's DLC. You don't HAVE to buy it. It's just something that's there. It's not like Nintendo's cramming the idea of getting a Mercedes Benz down your throat! They're just making it something that you CAN put into your game, but don't have to.

Hehe, just because you dislike it doesn't mean it's "wrong". I thought that was obvious. It's free, it's optional, I don't see why complain.

@gatorboi352 Don't pull that we failed them, Zombiu sold well for a game that was buggy,had last gen graphics, muddy textures and no online multiplayer.And i'm not saying the game is bad cause it's not or is it perfect either.And almost every third party developer who made a game for the wiiu, made a half finished port. So please don't say we failed them they failed us with the BS ubisoft been doing with wiiu owners.

So what would bring back the magic, Ubisoft? Make it paid DLC like what you do?

I'm glad I never bought one game from you, Ubi, since your bad game which was Red Steel 1 on Wii.

I can't say that I disagree with him.

I find out difficult to believe their account can be accessed easily. This is funny.

_{Not cool. Please refrain from insults toward other users — TBD}

I'm excited about the Mercedes DLC ::runs and hides::

So "Not sure I like" = "Really doesn't like"?
Great logic there.

2 of the 3 cars in the DLC bundle are copies of cars that were in Mario Kart Wii. The other one will probably be called a monster truck by my boys and they will love it(that really has nothing to do with any of the arguments).

You can have the opinion that it looks out of place or that you don't like it and that is fine. But lets leave the "Integrity" and "Moral High Ground" out of the argument. Ultimately it is cross promotion and pretty good advertisement for both companies.

We complain about Nintendo and their lack of advertising but then they do something outside the norm that attracts a decent amount of attention and we crucify them for it.

@Discostew Tracks would be better. (And potentially a fair deal in exchange for viewing the advertising).

#19 shigulicious said:
I agree with Ubisoft, but shut up Ubisoft.

Can someone tell me the problem with this DLC? It's not like product placement isn't a thing, the fact it's in a Mario games makes it awesome. You are really forcing me to begin hating you Ubisoft Watch Dogs better be a good port

@gatorboi352 Not exactly, they did say that if Wii U hardware sales largely improve then they'll release the game they kept back. Sure it's likely to be Rabbids but still they haven't been as bad as EA in terms of support.

After watchdogs no one at ubi can say anything about not feeling the magic.. How about they support the system with a bit more effort before anyone there has anything like this to say. Don't even get me started on uplay either..prats.

@Gerbwmu "We complain about Nintendo and their lack of advertising"

People complain about Nintendo's lack of advertising of their own products, not about a lack of advertising of other company's products.

Ubisoft's support has been release a base level game that while okay could be awesome had more effort had been put into it, gimp a multiplat and release DLC for it late, deliver two quick and dirty ports of multiplats, delay an exclusive so it can be a multiplat, delay a multiplat long after the competition gets the games, make five games and not release them, insult the entire Nintendo fan base by telling them what they want to play rather than listening to them, and one of their employees is talking about Nintendo's slippery slope?

Heck his company can't even work on one game without involving more than one studio.

For the people complaining that the magic is tainted and that it's icky poo advertisement in your sterile game. Well guys, it's DLC that's paying for something for the game be it more tracks (I dearly hope cause I love the game and want moar tracks to goof off on) future DLC, or general update bug fixing and so on that most other DLC wants the consumer to pay for. And in return you get to recklessly drive Mario and crew around in fancy cars. Sure it's cool if it's not your cup of tea, but it doesn't ruin the magic. It just doesn't appeal to your aesthetic preferences which is cool and understandable, but for others it's just plain funny and amusing okay so long as it's not advertisement that the consumers need to pay for. It's no different than you not liking some of the kart designs already in the game.

The "magic" lies in the game engine, design and overall gameplay. Fun. That this Ubisoft employee is focused on the relatively superficial concept of image is the most damning element of this unsolicited remark.

I'm not about to give Ubisoft any benefit of the doubt, though. They've proven time and again that they are a bunch of jokers...

@unrandomsam I comment was meant for sarcasm, since Ubisoft are trying to say they know what the magic is after the sort of things they've done, like paid DLC, microtransactions, etc.

I agree. It does break the magic. And don't come with that stupid, unthoughtful argument, "oh, but you don't have to download it"

@ACK I read that last part in Reyn's voice.

I'm fully neutral with this DLC. I see the point to both sides, but I think the business end won out because of their strategy to maximize profits as much as possible to hit black ink by the end of the business year. I really think that's the only reason it happened.

Oh and the Ubisoft comment. Meh, troll.

While I overall am pretty indifferent toward the obviously clearly paid Mercedes promotion DLC, I agree that it doesn't match the rest of the game.

Should have gone with Lamborghini DLC instead.

@WaLzgi I hope Ubisoft doesn't go to far like Nintendo did with Dan.

Anyway I agree with mystery employee, it's kinda cheap and gimmicky, regardless of its' free price.

Still, this story is hilarious. I'm gonna go follow Ubisoft on Twitter now.

@gatorboi352 Wrong, they're not releasing any more mature titles on WiiU, but they're not abandoning the console comepletly.

@Tobias95 No, they're not saying free or paid DLC is bad, actually, the loving company isn't saying anything, it was one individual, what the person in question is saying, it that DLC that strays from the core atmosphere or gameplay mechanics is bad, as it essentially breaks the fourth wall. Ubisoft DLC is always reasonable, anyway.

@bezerker99 Lolz nice.

I might be reading this differently, but it's sort of cool that there's passionate nintendo-fans at Ubisoft I think Watchdogs Wii U will be a meisterstück driven by passion.

@WinterWarm Oh yeah i forgot about ubisoft releasing just dance, i think every wiiu owner is going to love that game,then having assassins creed and far cry for the system.

Honestly, as great as the idea of DLC for Mario Kart 8 is, I can't help but think that Nintendo is dropping the ball a little.

3 month's after the game's release, and in the middle of a summer dry spell, this would have been the absolute perfect time to update the roster and add more characters. Throwing in Diddy Kong, Dry Bones, Birdo, Petey Pirahna, etc. would give sales a nice little boost until Hyrule Warriors drops at the end of September and we roll into the busy fall/winter season.

Someone's getting fired. Also why the DLC hate it's just more cars that you don't have to use and you got for free. First world problems indeed.

Kinda reminds me of the the Callaway kits and clubs in Mario Golf world tour. Yes it's a sponsorship deal but it's free and can be ignored if need be. Don't forget you'll have to update it otherwise there'll be no more online play.

Really what is wrong with people? Watch the trailer - 2 of the 3 cars look perfectly at home in the MK8 universe. Bear in mind they come in different colors - if people looked at the entire MK8 vehicle roster in chrome / silver you'd be saying half of all the vehicles didn't fit in either.

Also at what point did free content become advertising? Its not as though a Mercedes logo has lazily been slapped on a pre existing vehicle model - a lot of work will have gone into the development side of this by Nintendo creating these models from the ground up and all people can do is whine its breaking the "magic".

This is just sponsored DLC which means you're getting an expanded roster of vehicles for nothing. People complaining need to get a grip

@Oaf7724
I do see your point and am not saying you're wrong, but I think we need to remember Nintendo has fairly limited staff when comparing their development studio to the likes of Ubi, EA and so on. Their focus is more about getting more games out rather than working on just one, and to do that you need more staff on others than on this one. So that likely stalled the DLC you and I would likely more want, but I think this fall onwards will make up for that. I can take one more dry spell if it's the beginning of a great steady flow of games soon.

Ok EA-soft, im officially done your company right now, and do you know why?
I didn't buy ZombiU because I HAVE ZERO INTEREST IN THE ZOMBIE GENRE! (why can't it just stay dead, ugh...)
And I won't be buying Watch_Doges either, that ship has sailed far away, and because I played it on my PS3. Until I know what Wii U features it has, i'm not going to bother until than.
So you be "careful" Ubisoft...

Honestly, the people who are against it really need to get the sticks out of your arses.

This guy is completely right, real life things should not be in Mario Kart! Don't you people get it? Free or not it's an AD! REAL LIFE ADS SHOULD NOT BE IN MARIO. It TOTALLY breaks the magic.

Oh, no, Ubisoft doesn't like something Nintendo is doing! THE HUMANITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@WaveBoy It is the first time I agree with them for a long time as well.

@WaLzgi "This is why employees should not have free reign on what they say online under their company's name."

Fixed that for you.

Honestly, the 2 cars they don't show often look much better in the game. Also I'm honestly more excited that it even supports dlc than anything else, except maybe that NEXT RACE/REPLAY option swap patch.

@Wouwter - wait....what? Are you telling me Mercedes isn't a Nintendo IP?

@Cooligan what Nintendo can't do anything fun with marketing?

Well i like that DLC and im download it.

@Gerbwmu Wait, are you telling me Nintendo bought Mercedes? O_O

@ShadyKnights

That's a fair point.

Shut up, keyboard warriors! I agree with them. People can say what they like! So don't go on about 'free reign of employees'! This article is just click-bait, and you fishes have bitten!

@Shirma_Akayaku
too true

You can cut grass to uncover health restoring Mountain Dew in Hyrule Warriors. Link is also wearing an Under Armour tunic. And King Dodongo is now King Dorito.

im getting the dlc and shut up ubisoft.

I get that they don't like it because it's a "real" car, but who cares, it's free and looks like one of those power wheels that four year old's drive anyway.

He should be worried about how people will react to their $60 game having micro-transaction dlc. At $60, all dlc should be free. If I pay 99 cents for a cheap mobile game, then I would expect it to have micro-transaction dlc.

I am excited for this DLC, can't wait!!!!!

And they expect us to buy their DLC shame on you Ubisoft

@Shirma_Akayaku At the same time, I'm not allowed to say anything about work on my Facebook, and for good reason. They should not be allowed to say whatever they want regardless of the company

Just looks like the social media employee was running Tweetdeck (as they usually do) and had it set up for their corporate duties and their personal account, then accidentally posted under the corporate identity instead of their personal. Seen this a lot lately.

Most recently when CSIS accidentally trolled Amnesty International on their official twitter instead of whatever sockpuppet they meant to use.

It seems to me that the majority of the haters of this DLC are people that are "into" cars. For me, a car exists to get me from A to B. Anyway, I agree with most that this DLC does NOT "break the magic", and in no way puts the players at a disadvantage. It's FREE! Don't like it? Don't download it. Problem solved. I myself think it's kind of cool and while I would never pay for it, will get it since it's free just to have more variation in the game.

While I don't think the cars look too terribly out of place (they already had a fairly realistic low-rider after all), I do think Nintendo should be careful. I don't want them to start putting ads in their games. That said, Pikmin with real products lying around (Pepsi can, Coke bottle, Hershey's bar, etc.) could be kinda cool.

He's not wrong.

Not that I agree with Ubisoft, I do kinda see their point. Mario has always built itself up as being in its own little universe with no ties to our world. How do I put this, how would fans react if Link pulled out a can of Sprite and started chugging it down in place of potions?

I don't mind product placement in games and movies, but my opinion is that it has to make sense. This is not as bad as it could have been, I will admit. But it just seems odd seeing Mario Kart which is a game that is as far removed from reality as possible having a real-world car maker sponsoring it.

People brought up the product placement in game like Waverace and Pole Postion as examples of why this is ok. The problem is those games are based somewhat on reality. Product Placment makes sense for those games, and it fits.

My issue with the Mario Kart 8 DLC is that it just does not fit in my opinion. Now, I’m not opposed to product placement in Nintendo games. Waverace did it right, of course, and I think certain games like Punch-out and Pikmin could have some creative product placement in them.

Punch-Out could have ads in the arenas, and have Soda Popinski drink Coke or Pepsi in his intor video and during matches. Pikmin could have old Coke cans and other items laying around since it’s implied to be Earth anyway.

But as I said before, the product placement has to make sense for the series. Yes, Mario Kart is a racing game, but the universe of Mario has always stood on its own as separate from ours. It just seems jarring that a fantasy universe suddenly has a real-world product in it.

That’s my issue with this.

should of been a chrysler/dodge/jeep DLC

Okay, I must be missing something here because I'm seeing A LOT of animosity towards Nintendo for promoting Mercedes in MK8.

What do people think will happen when the DLC arrives? That the apocalypse is coming? That suddenly locusts will fly put of our bungholes and contaminate our food and corrupt everything we own? That people will suddenly combust for no reason causing thousand-car pile-ups and effectively sending thousands more to their deaths and we'll meet our end in a sea of fire?

Good God, people, grow up. Find something better to argue or debate about. Oh, I've got an idea! How about coercing EA to let BioWare bring their games to the Wii U? Same for Activision, Ubisoft and Rockstar?

It's certainly better than whining about petty crap like this.

Duracell batteries in Pikmin? No problem for Nintendo fans.
Zelda en Yoshi levels in Sonic Lost World? No problem for Nintendo fans.
Cars that just happen to have a Mercedes logo on the front side (ya know, the side you don't see while racing)? All hell breaks loose. I just want to know why this is such a big deal to people. "It breaks the immersion"? If Nintendo had made these cars DLC without the Mercedes tie-in, everyone would be praising them to the heavens. But nope, it's from a different company, so this DLC is obviously evil.
"I don't want to see other people use these cars online?" Honestly, do you really pay that much attention to the cars that other people use while you are desperately trying to avoid banana peels?

I actually agree with the tweet. I didn't expect something like this in a nintendo game. I think product placement doesn't work in a cartoony game, it just looks out of place. Duracel in pikmin works, because that virtual world is based on our planet.

@Legodavid18
Ha! I forgot about the Snappel and other advertisement in Pikmin, but you're right. I actually thought it was kinda cute in that game too. I think people just got their undies in a bunch cause they're taking MK a lil too seriously.

@WaLzgi But could you still say stuff anonymously. Not through Facebook, but through a random online profile, possibly here at NL, or some other website so you won't be tracked down / known.

A person from Ubisoft said something negative about Nintendo? Imagine that.
rolls eyes

i think they are just mad because they dont own a benz.

I stop caring about this dlc ages ago. But then Nintendo said "This update will also give you the option to have a map on your TV." AND THAT WHEN SNAPPED & MADE 2 OR 3 RAGE RANTS POST ON MIIVERSE!

"OK. Explain to me why having a map on the TV is an update when.... THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE IN THE 1ST PLACE!!!!!!!! COME ON! I MEAN SERIOUSLY NINTENDO?! From the original Super Mario Kart to MK Wii the map was on the TV! WHY WASNT IT ON THE TV FOR MK8 TOO? & DONT WANNA HEAR THAT 'DUAL-SCREEN' NONSENSE! IT'S AWKWARD LOOKING BACK & FORTH FROM GAME PAD TO TV DURING A RACE."
BETTER LATE, THAN NEVER i suppose... 8/27 needs to get here quick!

I don't give a bleeep for Mercedes. But I love Nintendo for giving us free DLC.
These are times where some companies rely in big ways on the income provided trough paid-DLCs, so of course they are all "meeh", whiny, butt-hurt and jealous about this move of Nintendo. Again.
Plus:
None of us has to download it. None of us has to buy a Mercedes. Ever.

The original tweet is correct, a lot of people do feel they ruin the magic a little. The thing is though, it's free DLC, not mandatory to use and Ubisoft just come across as the pot calling the kettle black given the amount of needless microtransactions in some of their games. Stay classy, Ubisoft. Just because you don't want to support Nintendo much anymore, doesn't mean you gave to start putting catty comments on Twitter like EA and their cronies

Frankly I'd be more worried about all of the day one DLC Ubisoft uses. I'm not buying Watch Dogs 9 times across multiple platforms and languages just to get all of the content. I'll get it when it's in the bargain bin for PS4 or Wii U if it has cool GamePad features (not getting Xbone version because none of my friends got it for that and the PC version requires UPlay sooooooo no).

And as it's been said many times, if you don't like the car don't use it.

Ubisoft: "Waaaah we are just mad because our games cannot reach popularity like mario kart did on the console".

At least Nintendos is free and not a cash grab like Ubi or EA.

EA did a similar stupid tweet recently and the result ended up being more hate against them. I also agree with them but that's not the point.

Ubisoft is Just sore that they didn't think of the Mercedes- Benz dlc for there The Crew game.

Don't play MK or SSB series so I guess I just don't care. Its just advertising, which happens all over the world, and honestly, in a lot of games. I play games all the time, and I don't even notice product placement until I read that it is in a game somewhere. Also, I saw that TBD was busy today, so this must be really pushing people's buttons.

Well I agree. They found a cute way to include Miis, but These dull looking Cars have no place in Mario Kart.

true and my fully agreement! Nothing wrong with this tweet... it just shows some concern what isnt negative and isnt positive either.

I do not like the Mercedes DLC one bit. I'm all for DLC and I hope Nintendo uses a lot of it, but I agree that it kind of ruins the experience. I hope there is a way to disable or delete the Mercedes cars after they are downloaded. Especially because I am hearing that the DLC comes with other tweeks and possibly other add-ons. It would be a shame to see a few of these cars in every race.

came here just to see if ubisoft would get any hate, and their was the obvious ununny jokes of comparing them to EA, but i'm impressed with how little their was of it! not a fan of the dlc myself, it's free so may download just in case i ever do want to use it, but still

I totally agree. Nintendo has sold out big time. they worse than EA as far as im concerned. Seeing BMW in mario is a huge insult to the house of mario and just cheapening the brand.

we still dont have N64 games on the virtual console which will make nintendo money but nooooo they would rather sell out and make money like this.

Sad sad day

I don't like them, either..... A real-life car doesn't fit in with crazy karts.

@Peach64 can i say 2 things:
you are awesome
i am genuinely shocked you're comment wasn't removed. i'm learning around these parts, pointing out a flaw in someones logic/opinion gets the comment censored

It's free DLC, it's not like some one is holding a blueshell to your head making you download it

Ignoring the fact that this is Ubisoft continuing to be Ubisoft, I have to agree. The designers of Mario Kart 8 went to great lengths to create engaging content regardless of the size or importance of that content. Having what is extensively a real-life advertisement alongside fake advertisements diminishes the appeal and genuineness of the product. I'm hoping that this is a one-time things for Nintendo.

This isn't like putting Coke billboards in a Star Wars game or something. It shouldn't really break immersion as some of the karts in Mario Kart are already leaning on the realistic side and these cars are still miniaturized roofless go-karts. How many of you would change your tune if the Mercedes in question was the model from Jurassic Park complete with the JP paint job?

I wonder how many of these people also have a problem with the Callaway items and tournaments in Mario Golf World Tour as well.

As for the main topic, it was obviously a personal comment accidentally posted on the wrong twitter handle. The employee should be more careful in the future, but absolutely has the right to post such opinions on their own -personal- twitter account. People shouldn't lose their right to free speech just because they have a job.

Breaks the magic..get real, it's free DLC. What broke "the magic" is the delayed ray man & watchdogs! How can they even say a peep, given that their games are always delayed on the wii u?!

I agree with the comment about it losing its magic,
The dlc's should be Character's, tracks, items and karts both from previous games and new ones.
I think everybody who is upset with the comment is really expressing there distaste for Ubi which I can understand .

Eh, at least it wasn't as insulting as the things Bob Summerwill of EA said... I see nothing wrong with the cars, they're free, and are still cartoonishly proportioned, so I don't see what the big deal is. "Pikmin 2" had way more product cameos in it, and hardly anyone complained. Not to mention they had "Pizza Hut" ads in old TMNT games, and KFC in Sega's "Dynamite Ducks," so advertising in games is nothing new.

Also, sense I have a "Seven-Eleven" near me, I kinda hope they bring the "Seven-Eleven" store items they had in Japan for "Animal Crossing: New Leaf" in America to.

Damn social media. Such a joke.

Who cares?

"Kinda breaks the magic" huh ?
Well, id take it into consideration if it would come from anyone else but ubisoft.
Their games are especially magical at the moment.
Making a 4 player multiplayer centered game, make every player character the same = Magical Experience....

No seriously, stop blabbering nonsense Ubi. This is really the least offensive product placement ive seen. Its upfront, its optional and its goofy looking,
The cars are all super deformed and fit rather well into the roster.
If mario would switch the boost shroom for a can of 7up, THAT would be offensive

I'll tell you what 'breaks the magic'. Getting hyped up about Watchdogs for a year and then being told it's 'delayed' for WiiU. Then trying to avoid reviews and spoilers that might dampen my enthusiasm, but eventually I get to the point where I don't care if I ever play it or not. Oh yes, the magic is broken.

@Kodeen Nice

It's not in the base game so I can't get myself too riled up about it. Honestly though, it does look out of place. IMO, the one in the picture is kind of ugly. I think a better idea would have been to include futuristic concept cars from real car makers or better yet have those companies design an actual kart and throw their branding on it. That would've been fun and in keeping with the MK style.

@cbkummer

They try so hard, lol. I think it's fine to think it's "controversial" or "breaks the magic", but putting it on Twitter is like trying to make people angry. Maybe Ubisoft is taking lessons from Phil Fish on how to make fans dislike you even if you're a good game maker

this reminds me of the uproar i heard about Danica Patrick in Sonic racing... care so little about either i can't believe i'm even taking the time to comment...

Well I agree completely. Only the internet will harmless opinions get you crucified.

@midnafanboy Yeah and an online pass while their at it.

I agree with them. Brand names don't exist in the Mario universe.

Mario Kart 8 > Watch_Dogs. Butthurt.

I hate Forza and and Gran Turismo because of the product placement

but... if they believe Nintendo had magic... they wouldn't be skipping all their games out...

@gage_wolf @gatorboi352 Fun fact: Zombi U wasn't a Wii U title to begin with, it was a last gen game that was in development hell and was converted several times before it ended up as Zombi U. That's why it looks like crap and has janky controls and a half arsed multi-player mode, the premise and concept was awesome but Ubisoft didn't really try to push the boat with it at all.

The only game Ubisoft actually crafted for the Wii U with any real dedication was Rayman, every other game has been feature incomplete (Splintercell etc) or plan rubbish (rabbids etc).

@Emblem What do you mean by incomplete for Spinter Cell? No online multiplayer or something else, interested as I got it for 360.

I don't think there's anything wrong with this. This is what DLC should be. Downloadable Contents. Fun stuff. People need to lighten up a bit. Nintendo ain't selling their soul. So what if they have Mercedes in the game? I think it's a brilliant move and I for one can't wait to download it.

My only complaint is, why can't they get the DeLorean in this game?!!?!? That's the perfect car! Lol.

So sayeth the king of bullpoopoodoodoocacapoopledoople DLC.

@DrSlump Chocolate drizzled fried onion is delicious!

I don't think it's wrong to voice the opinion about this particular cross promotion. Personally I have no issue with it. If you don't like it just target those shells at every mercedes you see! What I do think is wrong is if an employee loses their job over it so here's hoping that doesn't happen!

Must be much ado about nothing week here on Nintendo Life!

I predict this dlc will have a lot of ppl trying the cars at first, a few may latch onto one as a favorite, then they will eventually meld into the pack and go unnoticed.

I really don't get the comments that defy math with concepts of nobody wanting the dlc, then expecting everyone to use the cars that they don't want... If this is universally hated then the only ones that will use it will be people hoping to get under other racer's skins. I think they are ugly, I will stick with my 4 wheeler!

Everyones hating on Ubisoft a lot lately but for once I kinda agree, but only because it doesn't look right. As in it doesn't match all the other choices we have in the game very much, and it will look quite weird driving beside all the other super cartoony styled stuff.

Ubisoft is just upset that mariocart 8 sold so many copies lol

@Discostew Even Nintendo empolyee criticized Nintendo... why so serious?

Say what you want about Ubisoft, but I think he's right: It looks out of place, and doesn't really belong in Mariokart. It's just a advertisement, such a thing doesn't belong in a game (in my opinion).

Honestly, I don't care. I prefer the bikes anyways. Also, if you don't like them don't use them. People need to stop acting like they are being forced to use them. As for Ubisoft, I couldn't care less about what they have to say. Assassin's Creed, amd just about any "AAA" Ubisoft game, hasn't had a fanbase on the Wii, so I don't know why they thpught they would magically acquire one on the Wii U. Stupid is as stupid does, I presume.

Not quite professional for the company on the whole account, but they're right, dead right. Mario isn't reality, that car, that is. Mario has never been one for real world advertising, just parody here and there on some console billboards and walls. I was annoyed when I saw they did this, and it's not an update I'd add to the game at all.

Yeah definitely not a professional comment. But I don't really want the Mercedes stuff. I'm only downloading it for the game update.

I don't see the tweet as being negative at all towards Nintendo. It's just an opinion, and a legit one. If anything, it's very respectful for Nintendo and promotes Nintendo's game. A good tweet.

It does kind of Break the fourth wall, but so does Mike Tyson's Punch Out...
As long as I can use the cushion tires with the Mercedes car, I'm fine.

I'm sure Ubisoft would NEVER do such a thing.
http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/10/02/21/2106440/7/628x471.jpg

If I cared about Ubisoft's opinion, I'd own a PS4 or an XB1.

Why does it matter? In a game where you can race in a baby carriage, a realistic car doesn't hurt anything.

I think i'm more angry about Ubisoft's continued general ignorance by commenting on OLD NEWS.

It's. A. Game.
Besides, you don't see any real life Mercedes cars getting high tech anti-grav equipment do you?

Hey as long as it's not Ubisoft Kart DLC I'm ok!

It kind of reminds me of those miniature cars that little kids can drive (truth be told, I wanted a pink one when I was younger). Thinking of any of the baby characters driving this makes me giggle just a little bit! ^ _ ^

Even though some say it "breaks the magic" which I agree at some level, I like the fact that Mercedes-Benz wants their product advertised through Nintendo meaning they supported it at some degree, unlike most companies today.

@AVahne Some fit 4, but all 3 of these only fit one.

Well myself ive been done with Ubisoft for a long time..That is why i don't buy their games anymore just like EA

@mamp I doubt they are getting fired. They're probably secretly getting promoted.

I never felt one way or the other about this DLC. I was going to download it regardless because it was free. More cars, more play styles, I suppose.

It doesn't ruin the magic because it's still Mario Kart... This DLC won't change Mario Kart 8 into Forza 5.

Relax, people...

I agree with the guy.

The Benz doesn't look like it belongs. On the bright side, at least they didn't do a Beemer. That's a real azzhole car.

Wow its as if Ubisoft really don't want me to like them or to buy any of their games. I guess I might not get watchdogs for wiiU, thats assuming they even get around to releasing the wiiU version in the first place.

Cars looks fine and over the top as they should, are free and brings also a much needed update . Having said that, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Wow, I can't believe how many butthurt people are bashing Ubisoft over this. Basically a guy tweeted his opinion, but did it on the company twitter account. It was an incredibly gentle rebuke, and makes a fair point. Why are so many people so up in arms about this? Do you really like the DLC that much? I personally feel it looks out of place in Mario Kart, but ultimately care very little about it either way. Are you really that passionate about a few digital cars, or are you just looking for an excuse to hate on Ubisoft?

I dont really see the problem.. it is a bit of fun. People drive these cars in almost every race game... but god forbid they enter a cartoon world..

Can't wait for Forza Kart 9.
Or Super Mario Pepsi Land 3d.
Or Captain Toads Doritos Tracker, etc, etc.
😁

The guy is right. And I hope everyone here supported Ubi buying the incredible Child of Light. Dont' blame them if they won't support Wii U in the future: Nintendo can't force a 3rd party to downgrade their next products.

I agree with whoever posted that. I won't be touching that DLC with a ten foot pole.

It's fine. He can say what he wants.

D'ya know what 'kinda breaks the magic' of playing games Ubisoft??

Having a buggy, dysfunctional DRM client like say, i dunno, 'U-Play' wedged between you and the $60 game you 'legally' bought, that has the effect of denying you the ablity to play the game you actually paid for...

That's a 'magic' killer right there.

Comment 200?

...Son of a benz

@Sforzando
When all else fails, we can just dance...right?

Gawd if you DONT want those cars, don't download it.

And Ubisoft should look at its own practices. Pot, meet kettle.

Not sure I like WATCH_DOGS, kinda breaks the hype >_>

@Grumblevolcano There's no local play on wiiu, think there is on 360?

I still think the real-world car DLC is funny. Makes for an amusing juxtaposition. I don't feel like there's any broken magic, or whatever.

I personally don't mind this DLC. Actually I like it. However, I still want to say I can understand other players who may against it if Nintendo can't do it right (since at this time, we don't know how exactly it works). 1. Is this DLC really optional, or this DLC is bundled with many other improvements? If that's the latter case, you can't say it's optional because all the improvement are important. In the worst case, you must have it to play online. 2. Can you optionally block this DLC when playing online, or if your opponent use this car, you have no way but accept that? If it's the latter case, that means not only the DLC is not optional but also not avoidable. I hope Nintendo does the former case for both my questions. Once again, I don't mind real world cars at all, and I probably will use that car, but I can full understand that there are players that don't want them, and I hope Nintendo do the right thing that doesn't bother them.

@luke88 Yes there is local co-op on 360, surely this or online co-op would be mandatory on Wii U as there are 4 Fourth Echelon missions which cannot be completed solo?

Truth be told I agree with the statement; Mario Kart just doesn't feel like the place for licensed, "real world" vehicles. It's all about the money obviously, but cross-promotions like this can sour a good thing.

That said, I'm all for more real, Nintendo-themed tracks, characters, and vehicle customizations via DLC, if Nintendo will offer them.

jeez is this all we do now a days? is like facebook status stuff left in the past that now you have to start a debate of some sort of the smallest thing just to get attention? wow... so free dlc which btw i didnt even know it was free is so bad?

@Grumblevolcano No local multi-player, one of the major things synonymous with Nintendo consoles and they decided to cut it out.

@Wouwter Simple anwser to that one......DON`T DONWLOAD IT OR DON`T USE IT. Nobody is forcing or charging you to use it are they? Seriously, there are always people that go out of their way to find a problem, or another reason to rant and rave about what ever Nintendo is doing...grow up.

@Grumblevolcano yeah you can play online co-op, just not local.

Some people here really need to get a hold of themselves in saying that this DLC "ruins" the game for them. Does it utterly disgust people that much that a company might want to advertise something within another medium? Will they be racing in Mario Kart 8 searching for this car and then shut off the game if you find another racer using it? All this backlash from both people and companies of this relatively harmless product placement is completely unnecessary. It wouldn't bother me if the car wasn't in the game, but it is, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

There's definitely a lot more to complain about in life, and even within the industry, including from the company that allowed their employee to make this stupid tweet.

It doesn't matter what Ubisoft says anymore. They are dead to Nintendo, they are dead to me.

One company member states their opinions, and the whole world listens; half of the Nintendolife community complains about the design, and nobody cares. I wouldn't have cared if it were to be... cartoon-looky...?

I think the DLC will attract a certain crowd that might otherwise not buy MK8.
Some people don't play MK because it's not "real" enough, even though they might enjoy the game. This is good if it moves a few systems!!!!
p.s.
my toe is REALLY ITCHY!!!!......SHAT!

@Cav44
HAHAHA, that's hilarious!!!

IMO the title is way too harsh. Just because an employee feels having actual car-brands within Mario Kart 'kinda breaks the magic', this would already imply he "really doesn't like" it? If anything, he/she just feels it's a bit out of place, which isn't that weird of a thing to say/feel, if you ask me.

@DiscoGentleman Opinions can be uninformed, biased, etc. but they cannot be "wrong".

Wish it was a convertible Audi R8 or A4 but oh well, it still looks like a neat Kart..

I don't really understand the hate on this DLC...
Mario + Mercedes = Awesomeness
The math is simple.Don't think too much guys, Just have fun.

I'm ok with the DLC since it gives us more karts to choose from. He's absolutely right though that it is a slippery slope. If the game starts getting flooded with other brands' cars I would have a problem. I think it was a harmless tweet.

Twitter, letting people stick their foot in their mouth one company at a time.

Wow, can't believe what branding sheep people seem to become as "gamers". It's like everyone who starts to play games more than a few hours a week somehow becomes a weird extreme loyalist willing to dive in front of a train in defense of brash, corny, opportunistic marketing ploys of whatever massive corporate entity happens to publish a game they play.

No one said it would 'break' the game or that it's hurt them physically, the point is just that it's a tasteless move for a company like this with an already solid defined property like MK, that sullies the brand and style that we're accustomed to after 20 years of success without that kind of cheap product placement.
Is it that hard to actually think outside the gaming world about the real one and the way big companies find nothing sacred anymore in the name of cheap advertising opportunities.
Is that kind of advertising grab really the right thing to shore up profits after a disappointing launch and a still underwhelming library of games based on ancient recycled Nintendo assets? No, it's not.
Totally harmless tweet, especially considering Nintendo probably isn't in love with that DLC themselves and might only utter "here here" upon seeing it.

Its free DLC. If its not your cup of tea, dont use it. Im all for sponsored Free DLC. Just like the map packs on my XBox, if a company wants to give me a little extra content for free albeit advertising a product of theirs who am I to complain. What does upset me is when you have to pay for DLC that clearly benefits a company by freely advertising their product... but then you don't buy it.
Not too keen with how the cars look compared to the original mario kart vehicles but at the end of the day it just gives us more choices.

"Oh look, the word 'Ubisoft' appears in the title of this article. Better go rant and rave in the comment section to voice how stupid and evil the company is!! If Rayman Legends were exclusive it would have completely changed the fortunes of the Wii U."

Roawr roawr roawr. And hence the 228 comments on a story about nothing.

Seriously people, the Wii U is doing fine now that it actually has some good games. Just let it go with Ubisoft.

I will admit I find the Mercedes cars a silly addition to a kart racer, but since it wasn't included as part of the original game and using them is not required to get full enjoyment out of the game I'm not bothered or concerned by it.

Any free DLC is cool with me.

It doesn't actually ruin the magic because when you look at it the cars look at home in MK afaik the colors aren't limited with blue/silver because when they showed Daisy riding the Benz it was orange/gold and it looked fantastic. People complain like product placing is new to Nintendo when it's not. Play Pikmin 2 and see that it's filled with product placement. People need to learn to shut it and quit complaining about something that actually adds content to the game.

Wow, all the white-knighting for Ubisoft is hilarious. As I and others have said earlier, we agree with Ubi in principle, but this is a company that has no trouble milking their customers for microtransactions...does being asked for cash every few seconds in a Rayman mobile game or expected to pay for decent weapons in Splinter Cell not 'ruin the magic'? They should be more concerned with their own practices than swiping at Nintendo. But I'm sure even more people will leap to their defence after this.

I don't like it too. Real life cars have no place in the Mario Kart universum. But glad to see that there are some Nintendo fans at Ubisoft. Hopefully this mean they would reconsider skipping the Wii U with the new Assassin's Creed game.

All this complaining about the Mercedes-Benz DLC just makes me want to use the karts that much more paired with Pink Gold Peach while online.

Wahhh!!!! We don't make any money on Nintendo consoles so we take our ball and go home...and how dare Nintendo try and make money on a piece of free promotional DLC!!!

Now, enough of all this Nintendo rubbish, let's get your credit card ready for Assassin's Greed micro-transactions!

Yeah. The Mercedes thing is kind of a stupid idea. You gotta admit it people.

Wow, I didn't think something like this would spark so much complaining. I can't say I agree with the opinion, though. It is a bit odd in a Mario game, sure, but seeing as how that kind of thing doesn't come in often, it's pretty wacky in its own way. Don't worry, the magic is still there.

I really could care less.

Yeah. The Mercedes thing is kind of a stupid idea. You gotta admit it people.

I'm all for more new karts whatever they are. There are actual stupid looking karts in the series since Mario Karts DS

Why are people complaining about this it's free if u had to pay for it then yeah and this just to see if we Mario Kart lovers want DLC in the future so just get the update

To many people hating on Nintendo, just because we don't get any call of duty doesn't mean you have to hate! Nintendo will always be a Nintendo. Just deal with it!

@Dogpigfish I think it's stupid in a good way. I think it looks funny, and is something I can't wait to download.

How is taking a Mercedes and making it anti-grav NOT a Nintendo way of things? I don't understand the hate.

@akaDv8R Funny how you seem to be on the other end of the spectrum, where you're not allowed to criticise Nintendo... ever (maybe you should grow up and not take criticism of Nintendo personal?). I love Nintendo, the 3DS and Wii U are the only gaming devices I own right now. That doesn't mean I have to like everything they do.
You're right, I can choose not to use it, but I will still see it online. Yes, it's free, that doesn't mean it's good. (Actually, I like one of the cars because it doesn't look as out of place as the other ones.)

You mad Ubi?

I just hope there's a way to disable the DLC from the main game.

A cut and paste from a comment I made on another NL article:

"Like many Mario Kart purists, I was initially horrified at the news that the hideous Mercedes GL SUV would be cluttering up our favourite MK tracks, but having since seen that the DLC also includes one of my favourite cars of all time (the utterly gorgeous 300SL Roadster), I'm more than happy!

The inclusion of the German car makers formula racing Silver Arrow is another fabulous addition for petrolheads like myself. Indeed, for me, the 1930-1960's era brought us some of the most beautifiul cars (and bikes!) ever to grace the earth.

Speaking of bikes... perhaps this is going too far, but I'd kinda like to see a properly old skool MV Agusta cafe racer and maybe a 1930's Harley flathead DLC package later...?!?"

You know what kinda breaks the magic, yearly releases of assassins creed and telling Nintendo fans they have a game ready for their system but there hasn't been enough of us buying the system to deserve it, that breaks the magic. Ubisoft are climbing my list of devs to ignore EA are already up there on top waving down to ubisoft

Um, just because Mercedes Benz DLC is present in MK8 doesn't mean you're REQUIRED to download it. Doesn't that apply to all other games featuring DLC as well, including Ubi's?

Seriously, big game company execs, they're no different from politicians when they say stupid things out loud.

I don't have a problem with what was said. It's an opinion. No one was harmed.

@ReigningSemtex Yeah, that's how I feel. I used to be quite fond of Ubisoft as they had always been strong supporters of Nintendo. They were fantastic with the original Wii and they started off great with Wii U, but lately they've just been ticking me off.

From turning Rayman Legends from an exclusive to a multi-plat and actually delaying the already finished game so they could release the 360 and PS3 ports at the same time, delaying Watch Dogs for no apparent reason, admitting they have an unknown completed game, but refuse to release it and now stating "no more mature games for the Wii U, but we've got plenty of Just Dance coming for ya!" Oy.. I don't know what has happened to them...

@BigH88 No but you have to download them if you want to get to the shop at all. Then you get to look at a commercial every time you play Mario Kart. I paid full price for the game and I'm not okay with that.