Star Wars and Angry Birds

[Jobydrone]

"I'm passionate about videogames and the communities in and around them. But I'm probably the only active member on here who is so I find myself in lonely company. "

Tim, you know that's not true...although the gaming forums here are pretty quiet, of active dedicated gamers here there's myself, Joe, Chris X, Chris-El, Rico, Paul (a Lionhead dev no less) and that's just off the top of my head.  For the record I find myself agreeing with you about as much as disagreeing so that's pretty good right? 

[Jobydrone]

Angry Birds is an interesting anomaly for me.  That game has been on my phone for years now and although I've never played it for more than maybe ten minutes at a time, I've probably booted it up and played it at least fifty times when bored on the train, in line at the bank or whatever.  I've never bought any of the sequels or add ons, so for a grand total of 99 cents that's a pretty good gaming value in anyone's mind.  I wouldn't mind seeing what they do with the Star Wars branding and it's certainly not something that upsets me in any way.  The fact that the game is so incredibly popular across all groups of people: gamers, non-gamers, old people, young people, men, women etc., makes it really the perfect franchise for GL to hitch his wagon to.  In fact, Star Wars is a sci fi franchise that appeals to non sci fi fans much in the same way that Angry Birds is a game that appeals to people that don't really like video games, so this is actually a match made in heaven.

[X]

good point Joby! Hell, I've put more hours into video games this week alone than into some sci-fi properties for the past year

[Bryancd]

dan, to answer you question about other properties that do something similar, most properties directed at kids are flooded with licensed merchandise. Sesame Street, loony toons, and the Muppets are only a few that come to mind.

Yeah, Dan you might be biased simply because you are a STAR WARS fan and therefore more cognizant of it in the broader cultrue. I know this is not unique to STAR WARS.

[Bromptonboy]

I would pay for a Star Wars themed 'Space Quest' where Roger Wilco - as a space janitor - must penetrate a Death Star.  Maybe drop an old 'M80' into the plumbing to blow the place up..

[Rico]

One thing for me after having an iPad for a time now is I have discovered I'm not really much of a casual gamer.  I'd rather play WOW for an hour than Angry Birds.  But I can see the mass appeal ($$) of slapping Star Wars on a game.

[Jobydrone]

There is something to be said for the quick, easily disposable experience.  By disposable I don't mean play once or twice then trash, but rather pick up and play for a couple minutes then quit without worrying about losing progress, messing up long saved games or whatever.  I recently discovered a really fun iOS game called Temple Run (late to the party probably if there's any iOS gamers reading this) and have gotten fairly addicted to collecting coins and progressing in this "endless runner" type game.  Funny how I discovered it...my daughter downloaded the free version onto my wife's phonr and was playing it non stop.  This is the first ever game recommendation I took from one of my kids, pretty cool!

[KingIsaacLinksr]

So many things to quote, but I'll just try and hit on everything I can.

Bryan: Well, I'll try and be more optimistic then :P. But I do understand your view of "if someone enjoys it, that's enough".

Quadshot: Thanks and while I may not understand your want to have George's kids, I won't judge you ;).

X: I've never really had the problem with things "copying" or paying homage to past things, such as videogames copying mechanics or movies maybe taking certain plot points. Its when it gets blatantly copied (art & sound & feel) that I start getting a bit annoyed.

Joby: You make good points and yeah, if you fully agreed with everything I said, I'd be concerned ;). While I agree, there is something to be said for disposable experiences. But that doesn't mean I need to get skinned alive to play those experiences. I did play Temple Run, but got bored pretty quickly. Probably because I'm really not into score-attack games like Temple Run. 

[Jobydrone]

Joby: You make good points and yeah, if you fully agreed with everything I said, I'd be concerned ;). While I agree, there is something to be said for disposable experiences. But that doesn't mean I need to get skinned alive to play those experiences. I did play Temple Run, but got bored pretty quickly. Probably because I'm really not into score-attack games like Temple Run. 

I'm just dying to unlock that Indiana Jones character skin, crazy huh?

[Rico]

Game is out today.  Anyone get it yet?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2012/11/08/angry-birds-star-wars-launch/1691717/

[Bromptonboy]

Looks funny, maybe I'll get it for the kids (who love Angry Birds and Star Wars).

[moyer777]

of course!

[Dangelus]

You know I'm eating my words. This game is actually pretty awesome! :)

[Bryancd]

You know I'm eating my words. This game is actually pretty awesome! :)

Next we need to Tim to dine upon his criticism! ;)

[moyer777]

it's hilarious. The Han bird is a crack up, and Luke bird... so fun!