What’s the coolest thing in PopCap’s Plants vs Zombies? The Michael Jackson Thriller-era lookalike Dancing Zombie, obviously. Except it won’t be anymore, because the developer’s been forced to replace it with a totally lame disco-themed zombie wannabe total lamer.
Why’s that? Michael Jackson’s estate hasn’t been in the news enough lately or something, and sent lawyers’ letters to PopCap complaining that the Dancing Zombie character “too closely resembled Michael Jackson”. Seriously? Seriously. Apparently “homage” isn’t a word in the Jackson collective vocabulary. Or maybe they can’t afford another gold-plated orangutan and saw an opportunity for quick litigation and heaps of cash.
PopCap’s saying they’ve made a “business decision” to comply, and are already rolling out updates to remove the offending undead King of Pop, but I think they should’ve responded instead with their own letter:
Dear Jacksons,
No.
Because we’re bad, we’re bad
Come on
(Bad bad – really, really bad)
You know we’re bad, we’re bad
You know it
(Bad bad – really, really bad)
You know we’re bad, we’re bad
Come on, you know
(Bad bad – really, really bad)
And the whole world has to
Answer right now
Just to tell you once again,
Who’s bad
And we have no idea what you’re talking about, lol.
Love,
PopCap
Discuss MJ in Plants vs. Zombies in the forums