Seth Green’s “mugging” a publicity stunt for Butterfinger contest

Remember the Seth Green mugging controversy? Most people (including myself) thought it was a big publicity stunt, especially as it’s Seth Green we’re talking about here, the master of put-ons. Anyway, it turns out that as Seth is the new face of Butterfinger, he’s promoting a big Butterfinger contest that includes this kind of adventuring. Here’s more information:

Nestlé USA today announced the launch of “Dude, Where’s My Bar?” an innovative online narrative game for consumers to help solve the mystery surrounding the October 2 theft of Green’s vintage Butterfinger bar. The “lite” alternate reality game starring Seth Green will call upon the clever, irreverent thinking of Butterfinger fans, as they compete to find and solve clues that could lead to the return of Green’s missing bar and a one-of-a-kind grand prize: a solid-gold Butterfinger bar worth $10,000.

Uh, not to be a downer, but what kind of prize is a solid gold Butterfinger bar?!?!? Geez, you couldn’t even sell that thing. Here’s more:

The heart of the game’s storyline is a multi-part mystery starring Green and his “evil nemesis,” bringing to life “Nobody’s Gonna Lay A Finger On My Butterfinger” for Green, the Butterfinger Mouthpiece. The narrative thread will span six different games over a nearly three-week period, beginning October 13, at 12:01 a.m. EDT with a big reveal on Halloween, October 31, at 11:59 p.m. EDT, when the game ends. Players can compete in all six games and dive deeply into the story or jump in and out at anytime.
Each game can either interconnect with the others or stand alone. Players are awarded points for playing games as well as clues that point them to the whereabouts of Green’s bar. Weekly prizes, including the iPhone 3GS, Flip Cameras, and DJ Hero Renegade/Guitar Hero game bundles, also may be awarded. At the conclusion of the game play, one grand-prize winner will be awarded a real, solid-gold Butterfinger bar valued at $10,000. The winner may have the opportunity to meet Green in person in Los Angeles.

Okay, well, the weekly prizes are worthwhile, and meeting Seth would be teh awesome. What about you – anyone out there going to play along? The official game site is here.