PR firm fined $7,000 over San Francisco Homefront balloon stunt

A PR firm has been fined up to $7,000 after a majority of balloons, released as part of a stunt promoting THQ shooter Homefront, fell into San Francisco Bay.

TrashTalkFCM, the firm behind the balloon release, said it had expected the balloons, which contained leaflets for pre-orders at GameStop, to disintegrate beforehand, with THQ adding that any balloons that did fall into the Bay would be removed from it by a clean-up crew.

Now TTFCM has 30 days to pay the $7,000 fine, which came through a settlement between the firm and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, according to the San Francisco Appeal.

The balloon release was part of a staged protest to promote the release of Homefront at GDC back In March before the game's release.

The shooter launched on PS3, 360 and PC, with developer Kaos closing soon after. After strong sales of the first game, a sequel is currently in development at Crytek for FY2014.

Thanks, 1UP.