The Great Game Robbery?

I was fascinated to read recently of the withdrawal from sale in the US of a game called “Limbo Of The Lost”, for allegedly stealing loads of scenery/level design from other games.

Apparently Unreal Tournament 2004, Elder Scrolls: Oblivion and many other games have been pretty shamelessly ripped off – there are comparison screen shots all across the internet that at first glance you’d assume were the same game.

What astonishes me is that the developers didn’t think that anyone would notice (or perhaps care) – I can only assume that they didn’t realise that many gamers are massive nerds who spend their time spouting their opinions on the internet. *cough cough*

Reading about this took me (a long way) back in time to when I used to have a Commodore 64, and on it I had a marvellous game called “The Great Giana Sisters”. At the time, I had no idea that it was the most complete and utter blatant rip-off of “Super Mario Brothers” that you could ever hope to find, but looking back at it now I suppose the title was something of a give-away.

I may not have noticed, but apparently Nintendo’s lawyers did, and that game also got pulled pretty quickly. Supposedly an original copy of it is quite the collectors item now…

Anyway, my reminiscing got the better of me and I looked around the internet, and lo and behold, there is a flash version of “The Great Giana Sisters” available on the net here.

As I played it, it took me back so far I almost expected a ten year old boy to knock on my door and ask if I was coming out to play, and then we’d go out on our bikes and have an “ace” or “skill” time down the park. Great days!

Funny thing though, shamelessly copying a game like that. I’ve been trying to think of another example, but struggling somewhat. Hang on, now I think of it – Miss Pacman was something of a rip-off of Pacman… (or was it really just Pacman in drag?)