Game journalists invited to spend a day biking at Joshua Tree

I previously thought that taking game journalists on a spy adventure (read the story here) was the most ridiculous stunt I've heard of in my time covering videogames.

But this postcard I just got int he mail could top it. It's for a game called "Ride to Hell" that, like you, most likely, I'd never heard of (According to ShackNews, it's an open world game about biker culture in the 60s):

Save the Date!

Ride to Hell on Dec. 3!

Grab your leather jackets, tire irons and flasks -- it's time for Ride to Hell! Deep Silver invites you to join them on an all-expenses-paid trip to Joshua Tree to immerse yourself in '60s biker culture and to get the first look at ride to Hell. You'll get the chance to shoot a handgun, ride a chopper or rock climb for the best views of the desert. The day's activities will be followed by the first look at Ride to Hell and one-on-one time with the developers and local bikers.

How other journalists do their job is ultimately their business, but I have to say that I would... question the merits of letting a game company pay for a trip to Joshua Tree to shoot guns, ride a chopper and rock climb. Surely there are slightly less bribe-ish (yes, I just made up that word) ways to give a first look at a new game. Though I would be curious to hear what the "local bikers" have to say to a bunch of geeky videogame writers.