MB Games is set to secure the services of the trapped Chilean miners to promote its family favourate Connect 4 game in the run up to Christmas. A spokesman for the company said; "We sympathise with the 33 trapped miners and share the world's concern for their safety. However, now that a tunnel has been successfully drilled to supply food, water and medicines, the biggest challenge facing the miners is boredom.
"We will be dropping Connect 4 game components and counters down the tube in order to give the miners something to do in the coming months while they await rescue. We anticipate that they will be some of the world's best players by the time they leave their subterranean prison."
Rescuers estimate that the rescue attempt will be completed in December when an emergency tunnel will be completed allowing the trapped men to be pulled to the surface one by one.
"The timing is perfect." Continued the Mb Games spokesman. "They will be appearing from the rescue tunnel in the immediate run-up to Christmas - traditionally the games industry's busiest period. We will also be supplying branded t-shirts for the trapped men to wear for their rescue. The world's media will be watching so we anticipate that brand recognition will be at a record high."
The spokesman refused to be drawn on rumours that the games manufacturer has done a deal with rescuers to slow down progress on the rescue tunnel if it looks like being completed too soon. "Yes I've heard that rumour." The spokesman said. "It would certainly benefit the campaign if the miners emerged on the weekend of the 18th, which is the busy weekend before Christmas, but I don't feel I can comment on the specifics of any communications we have had with the Chilean authorities, rescue agency or the miners themselves."