EA's forthcoming The Simpsons game parodies 30 years of videogaming and gaming IPs, but there are games companies that have refused to see the funny side of things.
"I was always under the impression that when you do parody, it's a sign of respect... If we make fun of Grand Theft Auto, we're not going to hurt the sales of Grand Theft Auto... But yeah, we've definitely had some reactions - we've had to pull stuff from the game", The Simpsons lead designer Greg Rizzer revealed to us in an interview earlier this week.
"But that's cool to me", Rizzer continued. "It's cool to still know, I feel, that the industry's been waiting for a game like this to come along. It's been too long since we really had one, and of course [there's] The Simpsons being the perfect vehicle to poke fun at the games industry."
At this year's Games Convention in Leipzig, someone took offence at a poster for 'Grand Theft Scratchy', one of the levels in the game, and asked that it be taken down.
"I don't know who specifically at Rockstar", Rizzer said. "I'm guessing probably more than anyone it was a lawyer. The people who work on that product, I doubt they were like, 'Stop that!'".
Although Rizzer admits it's been a challenge parodying videogame properties, on the flip-side of the coin there are companies that have fully embraced it.
"I don't know if you've seen Sitar Hero? We did Apu playing this 60-button controller and songs like Pour Some Curry On Me - we made this wonderful parody poster and the guys from Harmonix loved it and we sent them 20 copies of the poster. They just loved it so much."
Rockstar can hardly talk, when it comes to parodies. The True Grime bill boards et al And that each GTA game takes influence (and the p**s) from so many films.
Though for once it seems that someone maybe doing the simpsons license some justice.
The gaming world needs more people like Rizzer. Not only does his name sound like something related to drugs, he obviously doesn't mind taking the p**s out of pretty much anything.
I really respect anyone who doesn't take themselves seriously. I'm pretty shocked even Rockstar's lawyers would be that fussed. Surely even a p**s-take is promotion. I thought there was no such thing as bad publicity...
What I don't understand is why EA haven't contacted the games companies in question and ask if its ok for them to parody their IP... most companies would more than likely have the same P.O.V as Harmonix... Most people would kill to be in the Simpsons in some form - even Celebrities.
Hasn't the Simpsons always made fun of everything for years?
They made fun of Sonic and Mario once and Donkey Kong. Remember the episode where barts gets caught stealing games. They mocked the Sega ads then where Sega used to be shouted out.
I'm surprised by Rockstar as they're always mocking things in the GTA series.
I just want to point out that copyright law actually allows parodies, so if the owners of the IPs don't like it, tough. That's how so many s**** movies get made. You don't actually need permission to do it.
I think what was said in the article is probably right. This isn't about Roackstar not having a sense of humour, it's about a Lawyer and his desire to squeeze the life out of any potential copyright infringement.
I doubt any of the developers or designers give a s**t about an EA game having such a parody.
It's sad though. Game company lawyers acting like TV network lawyers. I suppose that was bound to happen as things became more and more popular.
I can't see the Rockstar guys taking offence to this. If anything, I would imagine that they'd be the ones to 'get it' the most. So yeah, it must be some slimy lawyer. I'm really curious to know what else got pulled from the game.
soft bastards....and anyway,wasnt simpsons:Hit and Run,more or less simpsons grand theft auto?....Rockstar didnt complain then(not that i heard anyway)
Glad that EA does medal of honor now,or perhaps medal of homer level would of got taken out as well
I think the main problem is that the Simpson games have recently just basically been copying other games. Saying its a parody is just an excuse for lack of imagination. We had that Simpson game that copied Crazy Taxi and now from the looks of things, this new game copies the likes of GTA, Guitar Hero and most likely many others. Of course some developers may see the funny side but others will just see it as a clone of their game.
soft bastards....and anyway,wasnt simpsons:Hit and Run,more or less simpsons grand theft auto?....Rockstar didnt complain then(not that i heard anyway)
I loved playing that game. The graphics were good, with some nice special effects, for a Simpsons game. The game had a good sense of atmosphere, which was partly due to the excellent colour shading.
Given that the title 'Grand theft auto' was the name of a 1977 film directed by Ron Howard before Rockstar used it and the idea of stealing cars and driving around in them in a game can hardly be copyrighted I don't see what leg Rockstar, or those acting on their behalf, have to stand on. EA should have done exactly what they wanted to do- I want to play this game.
They shouldn't be allowed to make them take that from the game. It isn't really fair if they can. There is a big difference between mentioning or parodying'Grand Theft Auto'(or something very similar) in a game and actually making a rip off game called 'Grand Theft Auto (or something very similar).
I'd murder someone to get my hands on one of those Apu posters for my gaming room. I really hope they put these up for sale. Gaming needs to take the gaming culture *more* seriously. The "facehugger"-doll from HL2/Valve is also very high on my wish-list. Give us our mythology, please. Most other forms of modern entertainment has lots and lots of merchandise - and what's cooler than gaming?
There's all this visual talent out there - let's make the most of it (and make even more money for the companies themselves in the process).
They shouldn't be allowed to make them take that from the game. It isn't really fair if they can. There is a big difference between mentioning or parodying'Grand Theft Auto'(or something very similar) in a game and actually making a rip off game called 'Grand Theft Auto (or something very similar).
Exactly what I was getting at. They are just hiding their lack imagination by ripping off other games and trying to hide that fact by saying its all good fun as its a parody of a game. Typical EA...
Didn't The Simpsons Movie have Homer playing "Grand Theft Walrus" in it? They obviously weren't bothered about that. The word "c**ks" springs to mind...
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