Kotakuite Charles stopped by a New York City Best Buy location this morning to pick up Modern Warfare 2, only to encounter the stuff of nightmares – Bon Jovi fans. Also, clowns.

“Went to best buy this morning to get COD. We were greeted by Ringling Brothers clowns waiting in line to buy the Ringling Bros. game from 2K. Also waiting in line were about 30 people waiting to get the new Bon Jovi album (they were even chanting Bon Jovi for a moment….wtf). Needless to say, Bon Jovi and Ringling won today’s morning crowd as there were only about 2-5 people waiting to get COD. Just another NYC moment.”

Just another NYC moment? I’ll be staying on the Southern half of the East coast for the rest of my life then, thanks.

I know you all had your heart set on purchasing Take-Two’s Ringling Bros. circus game for the Wii next week, and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are going to let you finish, but they suggest you first consider alleged abuses heaped by the staff of the world-famous circus on elephants and tigers every day. They’ve been investigating the circus for quite some time and feel that the truth might keep you from purchasing the game.

“During our investigation Ringling performed at new venues week after week, but its abuse of animals did not change. Our investigator captured workers on video as they beat and whipped elephants dozens of times in venues across the country. We also documented workers use sharp tools called bullhooks to jab and yank elephants by their sensitive skin. The abuses we filmed were captured backstage-hidden from public view-right before elephants were forced to walk onstage and perform. ”

They’ve even got a video up on their website, showing Ringling Bros. employees smacking around elephants, which is pretty ballsy considering how daunting an angry elephant would be. Luckily for the handlers the elephants stay calm, barely registering the various slaps and taps they are given.

Slightly shocking, I suppose, but it probably won’t keep people from buying the game. The fact that it’s a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus game for the Nintendo Wii, on the other hand, will definitely stop people from buying it.

Earlier today, we reported that the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals organisation is calling for the cancellation of Take-Two’s upcoming game based on the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus (the so-called Greatest Show on Earth).

Take-Two, a company that has weathered protests against Grand Theft Autos, Bully and Manhunt declined to address PETA’s allegations that the Ringling Bros. circus violently mistreats its elephants, but backed the game: “As a matter of company policy, we don’t comment on the business affairs of our licensors,” the company’s vice president of communications, Alan Lewis, told Kotaku. “We fully stand behind all of our products.”

As for the circus, it has been attacked by PETA for these matters before.

“We vehemently disagree with PETA,” Steve Payne, spokesperson for the circus’ parent company, Feld Entertainment, told Kotaku. “We’re proud of our animal care. The Asian elephant has been a symbol for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey for its 139 year history… the commitment to animal welfare and conservation for the endangered Asian elephant is something we do every day.”

He pointed to the circus’ Center for Conservation and its ability to pass government animal inspections “everywhere we go” as proof that PETA’s criticism is wrong.

Payne said that his company is “excited” about Take-Two’s upcoming game.

[PIC]

PETA today launched a campaign to try and put a stop to Take-Two’s Wii game featuring Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, saying that the famed circus is “looking to take its cruelty to animals virtual.”

The organisation says that they’ve already told publisher Take-Two about Ringling Bros. “real life, lengthy history of animal abuse and neglect” and even shown them undercover video footage, but to no avail.

So now PETA is asking people to send a message to Take-Two CEO Ben Feder asking him to sever ties with Ringling Bros. and telling them they would rather play a game featuring a circus that “does not beat animals for entertainment.”

Strong words. Though, I can’t imagine Take-Two will listen to them. And frankly, the allegations levied against Ringling Bros. are hotly debated.

Help Stop New Ringling Bros. Wii Game! [PETA]

2K Play is about to make running away to join the circus much easier, announcing a partnership with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey to create circus games for the Wii and DS.

During a recent performance, Ringling Bros. high wire artist Jonathan Caro walked 25 feet through the air, using only a Wii remote and nunchuck to help keep his balance, celebrating the agreement between the world’s most respected circus and 2K Play to create circus-themed titles for the Nintendo Wii and DS.

“We are very excited to partner with 2K Play. These upcoming games add an entirely new interactive dimension to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey experience,” said Nicole Feld, Ringling Bros. producer and Feld Entertainment Executive Vice President. “Now circus fans of all ages can continue to experience the thrills and excitement of Ringling Bros. when they play these new games at home.”

While we won’t know any more about the actual games until E3 in June, judging from the way they announced the partnership I’d say you’d best keep your Wii Balance Board in good working condition.