The exhibitors of the "Space Invaders" exhibit that includes a 9/11-themed re-mix of the game at Games Convention in Germany knew they didn't have permission from the original arcade game's creators to showcase all the artwork at the event, according to a document found by MTV Multiplayer.
Computer Game Museum Berlin knew it didn't have expressed permission from Square Enix and Taito for the controversial "Invaders!" art piece.
Continuing a story broken at Kotaku this week, I've discovered a text file in the press materials for the exhibit noting the "Space Invaders" publisher had never signed off.
""The artwork "invaders!" is not approved by Square Enix/ Taito," read the short note.
Whether Computer Game Museum Berlin or artist Douglas Edric Stanley will face any of the legal challenges threatened this morning remains to be seen. A statement issued by Taito noted:
"TAITO is seriously considering all available options-including legal actions against the infringer and, if necessary, the Games Convention exhibitor involved-in order to end this unauthorized and impermissible misuse of the Space Invaders content and to protect TAITO’s intellectual properties."
Meanwhile the artist, Stanley, has said, in an interview with the AFP, he considers his art to be a "unusual ... though obvious" metaphor for the 9/11 attacks.
MTV Multiplayer has attempted to contact Computer Game Museum Berlin. We'll let you know if we hear back from them.
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‘Space Invaders’ Vs. World Trade Center — Creator Explains 9/11 Project
Today Kotaku reported and posted an image about a "Space Invaders" mod that, of all things, sets the famous arcade game against the backdrop of the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11.
The game is being presented as an art installation at the Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany as part of a 30th anniversary celebration of "Space Invaders."
Who would make such a thing and why?
I did a web search and found a full explanation on the GC site that's suddenly slow to load.
Here's the deal:
Installation for the exhibition “30 Years of Space Invaders"
Invaders!
Invaders! (2008), Douglas Edric Stanley (USA/F)
The World Trade Center attacks mark a deep cut in our recent history that is still being processed. The French-American artist Douglas Edric Stanley has found an unusual – though obvious – metaphor with his work “Invaders!”, which is based on the 1978 arcade original. In his interactive large installation, the players must prevent the catastrophe by controlling the well- known cannon at the lower screen border with their bodies and firing it using arm movements. Like the original, this trial is ultimately
unsuccessful, thus creating an articulated and critical commentary about the current war strategy. In this regard, Douglas Edric Stanley sees Space Invaders as “a social tale that can be related to historical tales without losing its poetic power” (D.E. Stanley).
You can watch a video of people playing "Invaders!" and judge it for yourself at this YouTube link.
Read more from the creator and even download the game at his blog.
Choosing between an Xbox 360 or a PlayStation 3 version of a game isn't a big deal. These days, the disparity has mostly disappeared.
That's not the case with games on both Nintendo DS and PSP, though. The experiences could be radically different. That's the dilemma I faced with "Space Invaders Extreme."
Square Enix sent both copies over last week, so I took them on the road with me.
Access to both versions or not, I only wanted to spend time really playing one (read: personal high-score competitions don't work cross-platform). It only took a few minutes to learn the decision didn't matter. They're both terrific.
I prefer holding a DS over a PSP, but that's just me. The visual fidelity and sound quality is obviously a little higher in the PSP "Space Invaders Extreme." At only $19.99 each, though, you can't go wrong with either.
Ever have to choose between the DS and PSP version of a game?
I finally played "Space Invaders Extreme" on my DS. And, yes, that's a good game. Bear in mind that I'm seldom nostalgic for old games. I was never into "Space Invaders." Nor "Galaga." But this game takes the mechanics of those, throws in a kaleidoscope of rainbow-techno backgrounds and -- this is key -- a constant re-mixing of the formula.
One level has the enemies turning sideways. Another has giant enemies. Another is full of exploding enemies. You're shooting like-colored enemies for extra-powerful beams. You're switching through these different stages about every 15 seconds, max. Plus, each shot of each laser beam adds a note to the techno soundtrack.
The result is the kind of high-novelty, low-failure game that dazzles the eyes and is a pleasure to play. I'm not finding it that hard -- and maybe that makes this less of a pure success as an arcade-style game than it should be. But it makes the subway ride go quickly. I'm glad I got to it.
Next: Tonight I need some rest. Haven't shaken the cold I caught last week in L.A. My gaming time will be negligible.
