Star Wars and Angry Birds

[KingIsaacLinksr]

I won't be, I haven't bought an iOS app for a long time now and this won't change anything. I'm nonplussed about this news more than anything....  People will buy anything Star Wars and that's their choice. And this is especially true on iOS so....yeah. Whatever.

So Tim, just curious. How the HECK did you become such a hater on all things "big business" in your young life? You really do tend to be a bummer on a lot of stuff...

For one, I'm not hating on Star Wars, on iOS or on other big businesses. I wish people would quit using "hating" as a word to describe when others disagree with their choices or disagree with the companies' choices. If I was "hating" on it, I would be considered a troll on here and kicked out.   

I do not hate Star Wars. I disagree with how George Lucas is running his business. (But also aware that I am not running his business too) I severely disagreed with the Blu-Ray releases. But I can and probably will watch the Star Wars movies at some point in the future. I do have a DVD collection of all Star Wars movies back home. If I hated Star Wars so much, don't you think I would have sold those copies by now? Beyond the movies, I do not care all that much about the Star Wars franchise anymore. However, if I ever went to your house and you offered to watch Star Wars with me, I'd enjoy it with you. I actually don't mind the prequels despite their flaws. And geez, I gave the Clone Wars 4 season's worth of dollars. I don't have a boycott on Star Wars games I should add. Those boycotts are reserved for other companies who are not being discussed here.

I do not hate Apple. But I disagree with their decisions to go on sue-a-thons, to lock down their OSes, and to practice in other anti-consumer behaviors. And I find the App Store to be a toxic place. I've had numerous developers attempt to force me into business practices that I cannot stand by and agree with. (Freemium being the biggest one that comes to mind). So this is why I have a poor opinion of the current Apple ecosystem.

As far as other businesses are concerned, I am not anti-big business. If you ever read my blog, I do talk positively about big businesses often. Problem is, that doesn't show up here in TSF because I get into far too many arguments. And that's my fault, because my tastes have changed since I first came on here. I am not into TV anymore. Not since the cancellationthon that happened several years ago turned me away from TV. I am not into Movies anymore, I don't find them as interesting/engaging and the price certainly doesn't justify 3D, among other things. And I am not a hardcore Star Trek/Wars person. And maybe that's my problem. 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.

Is it stupid of me to expect businesses to have standards? Probably. And no doubt Bryan will chirp in that this is how the business world works. But I've seen smaller businesses do a better job. So why is it that when they suddenly get big that they lose that ability to do a better job? And why should we accept that as just a common practice? We shouldn't. But we do.

This is who I am. Like it or not. I wish I could be this passionate about politics or other weighty subjects that actually affected the world around us more than just our enjoyment of it. But those weighty discussions are impossible to have outside your close circle of friends. And that saddens me. So this is what I talk about.

King

[QuadShot]

I won't be, I haven't bought an iOS app for a long time now and this won't change anything. I'm nonplussed about this news more than anything....  People will buy anything Star Wars and that's their choice. And this is especially true on iOS so....yeah. Whatever.

So Tim, just curious. How the HECK did you become such a hater on all things "big business" in your young life? You really do tend to be a bummer on a lot of stuff...

I have a great concept for another spinoff game! Angry King! :)

LOL!! Problem is, Tim won't buy it! :)

[Bryancd]

I agree, I don't think you are a hater. As you said, your just disagreeable. :) You know we love you, you big lug. Your young, be optimistic, someone need to be! :)

[QuadShot]

Well King, I must say, that was eloquently written. So my question is: who wrote it for you? :) JK

Dude, you think you're all alone in the world. Guess what? Not always a bad thing, is it? I'll let you paint your own answer for that statement.

I zing on you because it's easy to. You're young and sometimes you make statements that we all KNOW mean one thing but sound like another so you leave the door open. I know that I'm not one of the fav's here because I like to debate things, question the status quo, take the opposite side to most discussions but I'm fine with my place in this little ecosystem. I do have to say though, I too am not a die-hard Star Wars, Star Trek, Buffy, Katie Sackoff, Vampire Dairies, what ever, fan. I LIKE these things, but don't give a rat's buttocks if they exist or not. And I know that makes me not fit in here as well as most. So, in that regard, you and I are alike. However, I have much more hair and can grow a very impressive beard!

One thing I hope people get from me, with the occasional nutso moments, I'll have fun here, poke fun at people (especially Bryan when he refuses to wear a SHIRT), and even rile you up but I hold no grudges. Like is too short to be devoted to a THING to the point of anger. Yes, I do forget that once in a great while as well. But if I can't have fun here, especially at your expense :) then kick me off the forum and ban me for life! But it better be a long ban because I'm immortal.

And for the record, you do come off as seriously bitter against a lot of things, but like you said: that's who you are. And regardless of what you may think, I accept you for that. You'll notice that I generally don't ignore you here! :) If I didn't accept you or didn't like having fun "with" you, you'd never see me post to your comments.

Anyway, stop hating on George. He's a genius, I'm totally devoted to all his does and someday want to have his baby! :) Seacrest out!

[QuadShot]

I agree, I don't think you are a hater. As you said, your just disagreeable. :) You know we love you, you big lug. Your young, be optimistic, someone need to be! :)

And bald.  Don't forget BALD!!!

[jedijeff]

I just hope it is better then Angry Birds space.

[X]

King, let me be the first to tell you that you are not alone. I grew up with very eclectic tastes in things that continued on in my adult life. I've never been a mindless fan of anything and accepting of all that comes out under a certain banner. I was into sports, roleplaying, comics, dating, sci-fi and clubbing. Since I've grown older, I've dropped the clubbing and my wife would seriously frown on me going out on dates.

I think that your main problem is that you grew up in a time where there was no shortage of excellent stuff happening and unfortunately, the glories of our past is oft to color our futures and we tend to build myths in our minds on how those things were beyond great. Then you get to the stuff happening now and it just seems to be either more of the same or not as good as it could be.

Here is a bit of advice from me to you. Don't look at things outside of the context of the package that they present. If you do decide to look at it from the past, remember that some things aren't trying to copy other things, but to pay homage to the things that they grew up loving.

[QuadShot]

X, well said. You and I have stuff in common. I was never one to give my all to one specific thing, I'm into a lot of very different stuff.

Tim, here's another bit of advice: be mindful when trying to find deep meaning in everything. Sometimes a thing is just a thing. Remember, you can spray paint a dog turd gold, but it's still just a turd!

[Dangelus]

Well another interesting Star Wars debate lol.

I just wish George didn't sell out the brand so much. Does he need the money? Seriously what's his cut going to be from this in comparison to re releasing the box sets again? ;)

Star Wars is becoming its own parody and soon there will be a generation that just remembers thus crap and won't have a clue that it all came from some really cool movies a long time ago....

[X]

Well another interesting Star Wars debate lol.

I just wish George didn't sell out the brand so much. Does he need the money? Seriously what's his cut going to be from this in comparison to re releasing the box sets again? ;)

Star Wars is becoming its own parody and soon there will be a generation that just remembers thus crap and won't have a clue that it all came from some really cool movies a long time ago....

Dan, Lucas has been selling Star War to anyone willing to pony up the licencing cash since the beginning of the brand. Nothing at all has changed. Toys, books, rpgs, board games, video games, legos, burger and drink wrappers. How many re-releases are we at now for the same six movies?

There is absolutely nothing that would remotely suggest that this move is out of character and everything to suggest that it is perfectly in character. The question isn't why he did this, but rather did you expect him not to? Angry Birds is a hot property and it keeps the brand in the eyes of people.

It's actually some pretty good marketing and when you explain to the kids that buy the game who the characters are, you are probably inclined to pick up the movies or clone wars to bring them deeper into star wars.

Not to state the obvious, but it's a win-win for Lucas here.

[Dangelus]

I don't disagree with that but I don't think there is another brand that does this to this extent. Also it seems to me that the quality of the licensing has dropped in recent years. Perhaps it is because I'm looking at this as an adult now?

[Dangelus]

Merchandise! Lovely :-)

http://mashable.com/2012/10/08/angry-birds-star-wars-merchandise/

[Bryancd]

My only point of contention is that although this might not be your cup of tea, there are lot's of other fans of the franchise that will derive fun from this and that makes it 100% ok in my mind. I was over at my coaches home yesterday and his 4 year old son loves Angry Birds and STAR WARS. He was so excited when I told him about this. Seeing a young kid getting excited about a STAR WARS tie in for another property was terrific. And I think as adults we need to not be so defensive and judgmental of our childhood pleasures. Your welcome to your opinions but I'll go with that smiling kid every time then a lot of whining about Lucas ruining STAR WARS when in fact he is keeping it relevant so my kids will know of it as well. Future generations are going to need their own gateways into the franchise, not just some really old movies that will seem very dated tot hem.

[Dangelus]

Good points.

[X]

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.