Michael Jackson removed from Plants vs Zombies?!?

[c0ldb33r]

I just updated my Plants vs Zombies on my ipod. The update said it had new achievements (which are awesome).

It did NOT mention that it replaced the Michael Jackson Thriller zombie with a zombie wearing a disco suit.

W...T...F...?!?

I figure they must have gotten sued because the description of the zombie in the almanac says "any similarities between this zombie and any person alive or dead is coincidental" or something to that effect.

This sucks. I really liked the Thriller zombie. :(

SO... if you want to keep Michael Jackson in your PvZ, do not update it!

[Kitsune Sniper]

Yes, this was mentioned today at Kotaku.


"The Estate of Michael Jackson objected to our use of the 'dancing zombie' in PLANTS vs. ZOMBIES based on its view that the zombie too closely resembled Michael Jackson. After receiving this objection, PopCap made a business decision to retire the original 'dancing zombie' and replace it with a different 'dancing zombie' character for future builds of PLANTS vs. ZOMBIES on all platforms. The phase-out and replacement process is underway."

Source. (http://kotaku.com/5597886/michael-jackson-zombie-moonwalks-away-from-plants-vs-zombies)

[Red Baron]

That's a shame. Zombie Michael Jackson is a beloved trope of video games. I was amused when I learned he was in that World Domination zombie army flash game, complete with 8-bit Thriller snippet.

[portnoyd]

God, what mindless nitpicking. It's a damn game and it's not called Michael Jackson's Zombies Vs. Plants.

[Pantechnicon]

If this is about the Jacksons enforcing trademarks and likenesses to which they have legal rights then I don't have much of a problem with the decision (but I just won't run any updates either). If this is about "sensitivity and consideration" then this is as lame as it gets. After all , dressing up like a zombie and dancing was what put MJ into the big time in the first place. I'm certain that the Jacksons will still be cashing the royalty checks from anybody who buys Thriller on DVD.

[Eduardo]

It is most certainly about protecting their trademarks, and I think it's fair. They have the right to do so . After all MJ is the only asset that whole family has.

[portnoyd]

It's technically parody so PopCap would probably have no issue defending themselves.

[MASTERWEEDO]

but does PopCap have the time and money for a legal battle?

[portnoyd]

Probably. They sold 25 million copies of Bejeweled over various platforms.

[jb143]

but does PopCap have the time and money for a legal battle?

Considering that Plants vs Zombies on the iPhone alone grossed them over $1Million in sales the first 9 days of it's release...

[dbiersdorf]

It's technically parody so PopCap would probably have no issue defending themselves.

Maybe it's just out of a good taste? I mean you're using the likelihood of someone's who's dead portrayed as a zombie. Fighting this would be an asshole move on their part.

[portnoyd]

Michael Jackson. Good taste.

The first time the two of those have been used in the same sentence.

[dbiersdorf]

Uhh, if you have good taste in music you'd obviously enjoy Michael Jackson's?

[buzz_n64]

Uhh, if you have good taste in music you'd obviously enjoy Michael Jackson's?

Yes, you then have great taste in music. Michael Jackson music rules!!!

[portnoyd]

Uhh, if you have good taste in music you'd obviously enjoy Michael Jackson's?

Fair enough. Was referring moreso to Michael Jackson the celebrity than MJ the musician. See also: Bubbles, Neverland Ranch, Macaulay Culkin, Rhinoplasty, Dangling Babies, Elvis's Daughter.

[portnoyd]

Also: Derp.

[AWinterFuneral]

I just got the update too and I had NO IDEA they got rid of the Michael Jackson zombie, lol.

[MASTERWEEDO]

so now they can use dlc to remove things from games?

[c0ldb33r]

my concerns are as follows:

1. if you're using an update to remove something, just let me know. I'll opt not to update. They explained that there was additional achievements. They did not explain removing my favorite character. :(

2. it's a parody, so MJ's relatives didn't really any legal rights to enforce.

I dunno, I'm just disappointed that Popcap would remove something like that and be sneaky about it. I mean, they're not Sony :(

[brykasch]

Your not a lawyer so don't post like you know they would win. Is it possible perhaps, but nothing is a sure thing in the courts.

The family sent them a c&d and they figured out of good taste and their family they would remove it. Nothing wrong with it imho.

But yes a heads up would've been nice to give people an option. But I think the new achievements were a nice offset.

[Ed Oscuro]

Your not a lawyer so don't post like you know they would win. Is it possible perhaps, but nothing is a sure thing in the courts.
Do you want me to consult a lawyer for you? They would win. :|

But anyway, the saddest part is his family doesn't even know his career is over. :vamp:

Edit: That said - we'll never know how big a comeback the "This is It" tour would have gotten, so it seems like a much meaner cheap shot after what was really a tragedy. For that reason it's probably forgivable to consider they had a human reason to remove the character. Though, personally, I'd have just changed the description text.

To be fair it was kind of weird playing the game after he had died...but the big question is, what will they replace him with?

[portnoyd]

They say in the article that they are making it into a disco zombie. Boo.

And yes, you don't need to be a lawyer to know that parody fair use defense would work.

[dbiersdorf]

I somehow think the resemblence to the Thriller video would be a pretty big hurdle to jump here.