Chew on this, Uwe Boll

I get all kinds of messages plugging P.R. stunts. This is one of my favorites lately.

If you don't know the name Uwe Boll, consider yourself lucky. He's the guy who turned popular horror video games such as House of the Dead, BloodRayne and Alone in the Dark into some of the most universally reviled movies of all time. A chewing gum company is riding that vitriolic wave, evidenced by this e-announcement:

In an effort to protect the childhood dreams of millions of video gamers everywhere, the makers of Stride gum announced today that they are launching a special campaign supporting the efforts of StopUweBoll.org in their attempt to convince famed film director Uwe Boll to stop making video game-based films.

For years, Boll has piqued the ire of the gaming community by adapting many of their favorite games into universally panned films. On April 4, 2008, Boll remarked to legendary horror site FearNet that he'd consider acquiescing to his critics and abandoning making films in this genre if an online petition reached one million signatures.

As of press time, the petition is just about 234,000 names, which is why Stride has decided to jump in.

“Since gamers are one of our most supportive groups, we’ve been looking for ways to return the favor,” said Gary Osifchin, Stride North American Marketing Director. “And what better way is there to get gamers’ backs than by helping them rescue their cherished video games from the clutches of Uwe Boll?”

In an effort to help boost signings, the makers of Stride have put out a special bounty.

If the petition reaches the required 1 million signatures by May 14 at 5pm EDT, each signer will receive a digital coupon* for a pack of gum, downloadable on May 23, 2008, a day that could really use some long-lasting refreshment, particularly as it will see the debut of his latest video game-based film. (Either Far Cry or Tunnel Rats -- his distributors don't inform critics for understandable reasons.)

"Look, it's nothing personal against the guy. Maybe his non video game-based films are unbelievable!  But we've seen such intense passion for this cause that we couldn't help but get involved," said Osifchin. "Let the signing continue."