Posted Oct 29, 2007 at 03:24AM by Charles D. Listed in: Interviews, Videos, Games, The Simpsons Tags: Electronic Arts
Ó

It's nothing new that The Simpsons Game has raised more than a couple of hackles with their irreverent parodies to many pop culture and video game references. The newest victim to this list includes big time game publisher Rockstar Games.

In a video interview with Matt Selman, executive producer of the game, he expressed his dismay at the attitude Rockstar was projecting towards the game. He explained that the controversy surrounding the pulled out Grand Theft Auto parody from the Electronic Arts website for The Simpsons Game was something blown out of proportion by Rockstar, saying that "they spazzed out like little babies".

Rockstar pressured the publishers at Electronic Arts to stop using the Grand Theft Scratchy advertisement for The Simpsons Game. As a result, EA had to switch the name of the trailer video on their website to the level's name instead, which was "Mob Rule".

In the end Selman still recognized the ability of Rockstar to deliver top-notch games. However, Selman couldn't help but add one last parting shot at Rockstar, saying: "Their games are amazing. Trust me, I’ll be the first person in line to play Grand Theft Auto 4... in five years when it comes out".

The Simpsons Game will be coming out on October 30 on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. For those of you who are interested in taking a look at the full interview, go ahead and play the video below and tell us what you think.





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13 Comments


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   by lmxloco - 2007-10-29
 » .

"...blown out of proportion by Rockstar, saying that "they spazzed out like little babies".

Now that is comedy gold.

   by SenorDingDong - 2007-10-29
 » You've gotta be kidding!

This is just a whole bucket load of crazy. How can a company that FILLS their games with parodies be so up tight about a game parodying them? I mean, the Simpsons version is closer to an homage, really.
Rockstar raised a bit of media interest recently by having a character resembling Jack Thompson in GTA4 that you had to kill in a certain mission. Now, I don't like Jack Thompson as much as the next person on this site, but that seems a bit excessive.
Maybe Rockstar could explain why they believe they are allowed free range in criticism, satire, parody and offensive material while remaining untouchable by all other companies. Personally, I reckon EA should just say "screw you" and publish it unchanged. Rockstar don't have a leg to stand on.


   Re: andrewsqual - 2007-10-29
 » No

Jack Thompson claims that it is a parody of him. If you didn't know Jack Thompson claims alot of things about videogames, which 90% of the time, he is incorrect about. And I would be pissed off if the most overated unfunny show in America took the piss of me in the most stupidest unfunny way.
   by wilmheath - 2007-10-29
 » rockstar blows

I just lost all respect for them. They can dish it out all day but can't even take it from "The Simpson". I'm taking my ball and going home.


   Re: Billie - 2007-10-29
 » dang

NO GTA4 for me anymore!

   Re: StainlessSteve - 2007-10-29
 » wilmheath blows

If that's all it took for you to lose respect for Rockstar, then you probably didn't have much at all. The response from EA was even more babyish than how R* reacted. EA is just going to F*ck this game up just like all of it's other sub-par games.
   by Kingofdaberbz - 2007-10-29
 » rockstar messed up

they parody things all the time yet nobody can't parody them? what kind of stuff is that next time rockstar parody something i hope the person have a fit n sue

   by Ash735 - 2007-10-29
 » Idiots...

People forget, Rockstar has been parodied MANY times by OTHER video games, but they just laughed it off and spoofed them back.

Now, The Simpsons, on the other hand, has spoofed GTA like a ***** load of times, and everytime they done it, they depicted it as some sort of violent killing murder simulator. Now, us gamers KNOW it's NOT like that, BUT Soccer Moms and Jack Thompson see this and automatically make the connection that GTA MUSt be like that, which means bad publicity for Rockstar.

Rockstar don't mind GTA being spoofed, but when the audience is families and they are constantly portayed as Homicidal Maniacs, then it would give them some concern that they are constantly getting this negative attention. We as gamers know it's a spoof, but do you think some 45 year old Mom in Alabama who has two young kids knows that?

You lot are pathetic and idiots, You support Rockstar when they are giving you great games but one small word of bad news and you all say they should burn down and die. ***** sake, any of you here even know about legal stuff and Media Attention? Are you all like 12?

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   by JelloBiafra - 2007-10-29
 » really cmon

pay attention to the damn video people. Its not about the parody, its about the simpsons dev marketing their game using a very similar name/text/poster. The guy said it himself "we can do it in-game, the lawyers are just worried about us using the name for a marketing campaign".

   by Dodo - 2007-10-29
 » Hmm

I can see why R* reacted the way they did, given their situation lately. While I find the parodies in the Simpsons game very funny, I think they went a little too far with depicting GTA in a way that it's the plague of society.

A lot of parents are gonna buy their kids the Simpsons game and when they see this kind of message being put out, they will try to take action when there is no need to. Instead of vilifying GTA or R*, the game should parody the salespersons at the game stores that sale these mature games to minors and ignorant people that blame these games for violence in society.

There is also an issue of the game using the official GTA font and logo style, which could infringe copyright.

   by skidz - 2007-10-29
 » haha

I'm Will Wright *****!

   by Nascence - 2007-10-29
 » ummmm

"some sort of violent killing murder simulator. Now, us gamers KNOW it's NOT like that"

yeah.... I love GTA games but they definitely aren't VIOLENT, and involve no SIMULATED KILLING or MURDER..

I love GTA games but there are reasons for all the controversy surrounding it...

   by shabghai360 - 2007-10-30
 » dunno

for the media no news is bad news but in reality bad news is the best news.
The perceived argument between the 2 parties in my opinion will generate more interest and is free advertising. Both sides win whilst we discuss.



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