Pimax Issues Apology Following Controversy Over Covert Social Media Incentive Program

Sure thing. Here goes…

—

So, there I was, sipping my morning coffee — which, by the way, was cold for reasons beyond my understanding. Anyway, I stumbled upon this story about Pimax. Heard of them? They make those PC VR headsets. Turns out, they found themselves in some hot water recently. Why, you ask? Well, it seems they dipped their toes a little too deeply into the murky waters of astroturfing. Yeah, that thing where you’re kind of plastering on a smile that isn’t yours.

Picture this: Some Redditor called ‘Mavgaming1’ goes all Sherlock and exposes this juicy convo from Pimax’s Discord. Pimax, apparently, was hunting for folks ready to be part of this snazzy “Community Engagement Program.” Fancy title, right? Basically, you’d earn points—like, actual points—for chirping about Pimax in a shiny, good light on social media. Points that would magically transform into rewards. Steam gift cards and discounts, anyone? And wait for it—top ambassadors could snag a thousand-dollar trip to their HQ in Shanghai. Wild, huh?

Now, let’s get a bit specific. Participants had to whip up these glowing posts, make Pimax approve them, and then splash them onto places like Reddit. Just imagine: “My First VR Dance with Pimax” or “Tips for Making Pimax Your New BFF.” You get the vibe. It was orchestrated cheerleading, no less.

Pimax, caught under the spotlight, backpedaled faster than I run away from a spider. They said it wasn’t an “official” gig, more like a rogue mission by some ambitious employees. Nine Discord peeps were contacted, and just three folks got the full shebang pitch. Jaap Grolleman, the spokesperson, insisted it was an isolated blip, not the company’s usual drill.

But here’s where it gets sticky. What Pimax tried could’ve been a tad, well, illegal. Under US law—like that section from the FTC Act—tricky, sneaky marketing is a no-go. Throw in requirements for clear endorsements, and it’s a recipe for legal headaches. Not just in the US, mind you—UK, EU, they’re all on this too.

Anyway, in the end, Pimax pulled the plug pretty quick. Lesson? Maybe think twice before asking someone to shout praises from the digital rooftops—especially if you’re sliding some compensation their way. 🤷‍♂️