Scrabble Go investigated by ASA after claims in-game ads "trivialised and condoned sexual assault" Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Scrabble Go investigated by ASA after claims in-game ads "trivialised and condoned sexual assault" Ads found "offensive and irresponsible". News by Victoria Kennedy News reporter Published on 6 Jul 2022 10 comments The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has investigated complaints regarding adverts that appeared in the free-to-play Scrabble Go app. According to complainants, the ads in question made light of sexual assault, even going so far as to actively encourage it. Watch on YouTube Eurogamer Newscast: What can Sony do to improve PlayStation Plus Premium? The first ad to be reported was for a mobile game app from OneSoft Studio named Naughty Puzzle: Tricky Test. It showed an animated woman wearing what appeared to be short shorts and a vest top struggling to free herself from a broken fence. Meanwhile, a man was depicted in the foreground, with the user then presented with the option to "HELP" the woman (shown by a picture of the broken fence) or "SLAP" the woman. For this option, the icon on display was of a "cropped close-up of the woman's buttocks with superimposed red handprints". Following this interaction, the woman in the ad was shown to be crying and still unable to free herself from the fence. Then, more options came up in the ad. One was "JUTSU" (the mystical arts a ninja will utilise in battle) with an icon showing "hands forming a gesture with pressed palms, crossed thumbs, and pointed index and middle fingers". The second option here was simply "UNDRESS" with an image of ladies underwear alongside it. According to the ASA, the second ad that it received complaints about was for a mobile game app called Naughty Quiz: Brain Out Puzzle (same studio). The content of this ad was in a similar vein to the advert for Naughty Puzzle: Tricky Test. Following an investigation by the ASA, Scrabble Go's developer Scopely informed the company that it had blocked the adverts from appearing on its app again. Meanwhile, the ASA has told OneSoft Studio it has "to ensure that [its] ads were socially responsible and did not cause serious or widespread offence, including by trivialising, condoning or encouraging sexual violence, or including a harmful gender stereotype by objectifying and sexualising women." In addition to this, the ASA has referred the matter to the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) compliance team. Scrabble Go first released in 2020, after an earlier Scrabble mobile app made by EA closed down. Scrabble Go was swiftly met with countless complaints on its launch, with many lamenting Scopely's decision to go down the route of vivid colours, treasure-style rewards and in-app purchases. In fact, an online petition to "Keep EA Scrabble alive" was formed, with one signatory telling BBC News at the time they "don't want jewels, cartoons, or potential dates. I want to play Scrabble against my friends and family. That's it. Nothing else." Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 7 Nintendo Switch firmware update lets you take screenshots in the Switch Online app The app on your console, not your phone. 7 Latest Articles Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Jelly Deals Logitech's G Pro X gaming headset is its lowest-ever price during Amazon's Early Access sale Prime Members can get it for just £52. Jelly Deals Save over £500 off the retail price on this beefy ASUS TUF Dash gaming laptop from Amazon Under £1080 for an RTX 3070 laptop. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store