PvZ To Lose Thriller Zombie
Via MTV Multiplayer, it looks as if we are to soon lose the Michael Jackson-inspired dancing zombie. Displaying both his outfit and moves from the Thriller video, the zombie would summon forth four other dancing zombies and perform the signature 'raised arm' dance from the video (available for your viewing here).
For those who own the iPhone version, the change has already occurred to have a disco zombie. The change is coming due to a request from the Michael Jackson estate. In response to Russ Frushtick's query to PopCap, here was the response:
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.
As Frushtick points out, legally PopCap could probably get away with saying this falls under the realm of parody, but has made a decision to respect the late Michael Jackson, and is in the process of phasing out his zombie. Beyond parody, I saw it as an homage to Jackson, so I guess I don't see the large problem with the resemblance. Then again, I tend to be irreverent in a lot of situations.
One further note is that those with the iPhone 4 may wish to hold off on updating, as the game appears to be crashing. This only affects those updating, and not those purchasing and downloading the latest version.
VorpalBunny
Posted to Video Games on 29 July 2010
· Comments (6)
Other stuff like this: dancing zombie, legal stuff, michael jackson, plants vs. zombies, popcap games
I don't think it should be removed. I believe PvZ came out before Michael Jackson died, and I don't think it's in poor taste to leave it in the game. It's weird that they would want to remove the impact Michael had on society. I guess if you weren't shooting peas at him it might be different.
Yeah, let's remove visual references of all actors/artists/singers/painters... who are dead... nonsense
-Let's remove the character of Leonardo da Vinci from Assassin's Creed 2 because he is dead so bad taste.
-Let's remove Fei Long from Super Street Fighter IV because it's just too similar to Bruce Lee and he is dead.
-Remove all kind of Elvis references on movies/advertisements/tvshows/songs/games because he is dead too so bad taste.
I'm with windgates on this one, removing characters from cultural media it's just stupid, those artist will keep influencing people after their death.
Joe Jackson just wants to get paid!
:)
Lame. Just how money grubbing is the entire Jackson family. How shortsighted that they can't understand the love and respect we gamers too can have for Michael Jackson by having such an homage. Simply horrible.
I didn't like the zombie much to begin with (and didn't like the musician it was based off of either) but I also think it's stupid to remove it from the game.
it's a pity that an homage such as this is quickly stripped out. I doubt that MJ had a problem with it, given his history with video games, and more than likely had a laugh at it.
I also just need to mention the great tragedy that is that if we ever see Space Channel 5 part 3, there will not be a Space Michael. ._.