As part of a massive public campaign for their forthcoming shooter, Homefront, this week THQ let loose 10,000 Luftbaloons, all red, in San Francisco. Unfortunately due to the dreary weather synonymous with the city, the balloons were weighed down and landed in the San Francisco Bay not too long after being released.

Environmentalists quickly responded, condemning the stunt, though THQ claimed the balloons were completely biodegradable.

"They start the process of biodegrading as soon as they're blown up with the helium," a spokesperson told Cnet. "There should not be any environmental concerns."

Environmentalists weren't sated with that, though, pointing out that there was an immediate issue with marine wildlife before the balloons fully degraded. Making matters worse for the publisher, the balloons were branded with the Gamestop name but the retail giant refused to acknowledge they had anything to do with it, leaving the mess entirely in THQ's hands, thankfully they immediately hired a clean-up crew.

Homefront is due out next week on March 17.