Earlier this month, lead designer on EA's Simpsons game told CVG that a number of games companies were upset by the game parodies littered throughout The Simpsons, including Rockstar.
"We've definitely had some reactions - we've had to pull stuff from the game", lead designer Greg Rizzer told us during an exclusive interview.
Now it seems a bit clearer who the reactions might have come from, as a trailer previously parodying GTA called Grand Theft Scratchy has been rebranded to the less clever "Mob Rules", proving that Rockstar was one of the companies that had its feathers ruffled by The Simpsons gags.
The first hint of offence came at this year's Games Convention in Leipzig, where "someone" took offence at a poster for 'Grand Theft Scratchy', one of the levels in the game, and asked that it be taken down.
It's not as if Rockstar has ever used other people's work for satire...
I think that this is actually quite shameful i say that as a customer of Rockstar having bought and clocked all the ps2 GTA games. If the rest of you feel the same way then i think a way to get that discontent over to Rockstar would be to put off buying GTA4 (those of you that will buy it) for at least 1 month upon it's release.
Man, that is so lame of Rockstar. The poor babies got a little upset at a tounge in cheek parody, for crying out loud what the hell is the world coming to. And anyway, they should be taking it as a compliment. I am seriously thinking of boycotting all future Rockstar games as this is the behaviour of a company like EA and not Rockstar......very dissapointed.
GTA 3 had a mission that lampooned Driver 2 (and in return Driver 3 featured a misguided running gag about Vice City). Not only does this smack of hypocrisy but it highlights the gulf between the suits and the creatives.
This also doesn't bode well for Timesplitters 4 if rumours of that game mimicking other games is true.
How disappointing. I still think it's more related to Rockstar's lawyers than them; I can't believe the lawyer-killing "guns don't kill people, video games do" people can possibly be offended. If anything, I'd be flattered if it was me.
I'd also have just renamed it "Mice Kitty Stories"
considering the fact that rockstar mades it's money from not parodying but plagarising modern culture and movies, it is ridiculous.. particularly how they ripped off scarface for GTA3, Miami vice and Scarface again for Vice city... Ripping off Colours and Boyz in the Hood for San Andreas.. it makes me laugh.. maybe it's Rockstar trying to buck the system because of the ban on Manhunt 2.. trying to get it's own back by being petty about stupid s**t..I laughed when I heard the developers of Guitar Hero asked for colour posters of the Simpsons take on it ( Sitar Hero , with Apu ) I don't know what's happened to Rockstar, they used to be one of the coolest Games Companies out there... now it seems, they've lost the one thing that made them stand out... the ability not to take themselves too seriously...
Rockstar should be ashamed of themselves, if it was down to their lawyers then they should of just told them to not get busy on petty things! I thought it was a disgrace that Manhunt 2 got banned but now I'm almost glad because Rockstar deserve it, they are behaving appalingly.
Ahh f**k it why not. they made me wait half a year more unexpectedly so one more month wont matter.
Yeah, count me in. Rockstar is company that should least be kicking up a fuss. Parody is an age old tradition and should be looked upon as both a form of flattery and social commentary.
you guys played the demo? the whole game should be cut. rockstar shut up and give me a wii theft auto, oh and 4
yes maybe so. But no matter how bad it may play Rockstar - or any other company for that matter - should still not be able to get sections cut from the game
This is really quite shocking, you would think Rockstar would be the last 'company' to get in a tiz about something like this. Frankly it's taking the p**s and should be the definition of hypocracy.
It's an honour to be included in The Simpsons. Think of the number of Hollywood/music/sports celebs who have been happy to be mocked in the show. Even Tony Blair went along with it. Seems like Rockstar is above all of them, huh? If they're a company of principal, their next GTA game should be humour and parody free. Hmm, can't see that happening!
It's an honour to be included in The Simpsons. Think of the number of Hollywood/music/sports celebs who have been happy to be mocked in the show. Even Tony Blair went along with it. Seems like Rockstar is above all of them, huh? If they're a company of principal, their next GTA game should be humour and parody free. Hmm, can't see that happening!
They couldn't do it Vice city was a scarface imitation. San Andreas a Menace to Society type deal. Haven't seen enough of GTA 4 to say what that's copying yet.
Simpsons has taken jabs at everything even Mario and Sonic.
What's really stupid, above all, is that we are talking about the sort of parody that only benefits and strengthens its subject. Rockstar makes great games but they definitely look like a bunch of hysterical weirdos. And I mean that in a bad way.
Um I think people maybe forgetting the legal threats EA made to Rockstar over GTA III if i remember, might be wrong on the version but they complained about adverts within the game, revenge anyone?
Unless Rockstar did nothing of the sort, EA "leaked" the story themselves that they received complaints, and then made an obvious change to a level title in an attempt to direct the ire of overly zealous, gullible video games fans towards one of their main competitors. Industrial espionage, don't you just love it.
Unless Rockstar did nothing of the sort, EA "leaked" the story themselves that they received complaints, and then made an obvious change to a level title in an attempt to direct the ire of overly zealous, gullible video games fans towards one of their main competitors. Industrial espionage, don't you just love it.
You cynical sod... I love it!
I assume that the fine journalists here at CVG have checked up on this with Rockstar. After all, even a 'no comment' gives us information. I'm guessing that it merely slipped their minds, as no mention is made within this article.
Surely to be have thew Simpsons parody your product is a good thing that leads to more exposure? Also the fact that they use it is recognising your product is a household name. A good thing no?
Maybe Rockstar are so used to people critising them they thought it was happening again, dumb asses
Sad to see that Developers and Designers take offence when satire & Witticism could be classed as an compliment rather than a sneer Rockstar produces on a whole polished and completed games why would they worry what any one else says or thinks well except their punters. So Balls to their Peers others should look at the inovation and origionality of the games they produce. So Rockstar keep it real and stop throwing your Rattle out of the cribb.
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Nice one!
