Movie Producers Ask Chinese Video Game Pirates If They Can Make An Official Version Of The Game

from the embracing-the-infringers dept

Tue, Oct 4th 2011 7:57am — Mike Masnick

Sheri Candler points us to this fascinating story, where the Finnish producers of a "sci-fi Nazis-on-the-moon spoof" movie called Iron Sky have decided to try to work with a Chinese company who turned the movie into an unauthorized "pirate" video game for the iPad, to see if they could turn it into the official version of the game.

Rather than sue the company, "Iron Sky" creators are now in talks with Ziiso to make a legitimate iPad game.

"The people at Ziiso apologized to the 'Iron Sky' team in an interview conducted by the largest newspaper in Finland, Helsingin Sanomat," said "Iron Sky" director Timo Vuorensola.

"The apology and Ziiso's willingness to correct their error convinced me that we could co-operate with them on the game project. We are currently negotiating with Ziiso about revamping the game and publishing it as part of the official 'Iron Sky' merchandise."

Of course, we've talked about the Iron Sky producers in the past, and their history suggests that they're really open to embracing such things, rather than freaking out about them. They're the same folks who created the amazing Star Wreck film years ago for free. They then turned the massive success of that into Iron Sky, which was funded with $10 million in a hybrid funding model that combined some traditional financing along with a ton of fan support by allowing fans to buy "War Bonds" to crowdfund part of the movie.

These are clearly folks who always look to embrace what people out there want... rather than freak out and try to block others.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: business models, china, embrace, iron sky, movies, video games

31 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

College of Content, 4 Oct 2011 @ 8:18am

Video Games
Gotta love the new video games. It keeps the interest of everyone, despite their age! =)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
out_of_the_blue, 4 Oct 2011 @ 9:15am

Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
See the difference there?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Oct 2011 @ 9:23am

Call me when they turn a profit from the $10M seed money.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 4 Oct 2011 @ 9:32am

Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
Seriously, your not going to argue that the pirates will just pirate the game? You're really going with one digital good is going to make money where as another digital good won't?

I don't know how the judges are going to react, make it work.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
out_of_the_blue, 4 Oct 2011 @ 9:43am

Re: Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
Knew there'd be freetards who can't see that video game at least potentially HELPS the movie producers while pirating the movie does NOT, at best returns nothing. That's synergy (which I'm FOR), not just theft.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
HothMonster, 4 Oct 2011 @ 9:48am

Re: Re: Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
You're the only one who would think "creating an add-on product is not the same as illegally releasing the same product" and think its worth noting.

0/10, no shit Sherlock
[ link to this | view in thread ]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it

Anonymous Coward, 4 Oct 2011 @ 10:06am

from the embracing-the-infringers dept

from the obvious-pirate-apologist dept
[ link to this | view in thread ]
HothMonster, 4 Oct 2011 @ 10:14am

Re:
from the broken-record-dept in conjunction with the who-cares-what-you-think-dept sponsored by the repeating-an-argument-with-weak-supporting-evidence-dept at the request of the you-should-probably-look-up-apologist-in-the-dictionary-because-hes-not-really-defending-anything-ju st-congratulating-a-fringe-company-for-reaching-out-to-another-fringe-company-to-work-for-their-mutu al-benefit-dept
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Cowardly Anon, 4 Oct 2011 @ 10:15am

Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
I see the difference, but I'm afraid you're still missing it.

Mike isn't making a link between ppl who download and ppl who buy, like you are here. He was making the link between studios who freak out when people use their intellectual property to make something new.

That is, finding someone "stealing" their ideas to make a new and desirable product, then suing them into the ground for having the audacity to do it.

In this case, the Iron Sky guys decided to go a different direction and actually work with those people. It comes out as a win/win for both the studio and the 'pirates'.

So, now do you see the difference?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Oct 2011 @ 10:15am

Re: Re: Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
As usual, you're delusional.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
out_of_the_blue, 4 Oct 2011 @ 10:21am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
Mike calls this "embracing-the-infringers" and labels game makers as "Pirates" in the title. SO I'm going along with those implications and his history if believing that piracy in itself helps a movie. In fact, I don't call making a game infringing, and am surprised that Mike would, but he's often hasty in writing.

2nd, it's NOT the same product as you confuse it: 'You're the only one who would think "creating an add-on product is not the same as illegally releasing the ***same*** product" and think its worth noting.'

That it's DIFFERENT products IS my point. You freetards try to say there's value in pirating the movie -- this ain't that case.

But now "HothMonster", since you say it's OBVIOUS, I don't expect to see you ever (again) dispute the statements in my post title: "Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME." If you do I'll refer you back to your (tacit) admission here. That's the value of computerized memory, prevents contradicting in future.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
out_of_the_blue, 4 Oct 2011 @ 10:26am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
As always, you're a coward, have only a negative one-liner with which to SUBTRACT from discussion, merely cluttering the page.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
out_of_the_blue, 4 Oct 2011 @ 10:31am

Re: Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
@"Cowardly Anon": READ THIS copied from above. NOTE TIME STAMP IS MORE THAN HALF HOUR PRIOR TO YOUR POST.

Re: Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
identicon
out_of_the_blue, Oct 4th, 2011 @ 9:43am

Knew there'd be freetards who can't see that video game at least potentially HELPS the movie producers while pirating the movie does NOT, at best returns nothing. That's synergy (which I'm FOR), not just theft.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
HothMonster, 4 Oct 2011 @ 10:33am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
Its obvious that one is not like the other, so obvious that I think you are a moron for thinking you have some clever argument here that is worth going on and on about as I know you are willing to. But I'll be nice and pretend I agreed with you rather than pointing out that, no shit an apple isn't an orange.
Yes pirates releasing movies is not a direct source of income for the content creators, whether there is value from pirating that is received by the content creator or whether content creators(and middlemen) could make money by being more like pirating is a whole other argument.

"2nd, it's NOT the same product as you confuse it: 'You're the only one who would think "creating an add-on product is not the same as illegally releasing the ***same*** product" and think its worth noting.'"

how did i confuse anything? by same i meant the original as in not creating an add-on product. I guess i shouldn't expect reading comprehension from you.

"In fact, I don't call making a game infringing, and am surprised that Mike would, but he's often hasty in writing."

Making a derivative product from someone else's IP is infringing. I can't just go make a lord or the rings or matrix game without licensing the IP. But im not surprised this confused you as you are often hasty in your stupidity.

I look forward to your logic vomit
[ link to this | view in thread ]
HothMonster, 4 Oct 2011 @ 10:38am

Re: Re: Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
"Knew there'd be freetards who can't see that video game at least potentially HELPS the movie producers while pirating the movie does NOT"

he didn't say that, at all, in the slightest, not even a little bit, no, no, no
[ link to this | view in thread ]
out_of_the_blue, 4 Oct 2011 @ 10:40am

Re: Re: @ "HothMonster": please quit spamming the page with gibberish.
Do you fanboy-trolls have ANYTHING EXCEPT NEGATIVE AND GARBAGE? A glance is all it takes to learn that should be skipped because has NO thought in it, just free-association rambling.

Again, you're mistaken if you believe that you're /helping/ Mike or the site with such comments.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
pbarker (profile), 4 Oct 2011 @ 10:51am

Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
I take exception to the "Pirated movie = No Value" phrase. I have seen many movies in my lifetime via various delivery methods: movie theaters, school class rooms, streaming video, rental stores and kiosks, and yes - "pirated" movies.

Just because I have seen a movie via any of these methods does not mean I will never see it again. Nor does it mean I will never buy a ticket or pay for a video game or associated merchandise.

When I see a good movie, or sometimes even a really really bad one, of course I will want to watch it more than one time.

I have seen movies that were "pirated", and then gone to see it on the big screen. Yes, actually buying a ticket to a movie that I would otherwise never see. I have also bought the movie on dvd or blu-ray when it was available.

Its not as clear cut as you would have it. Not all people pirate movies. Not all people who do pirate never set foot inside a movie theater or video store.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
out_of_the_blue, 4 Oct 2011 @ 10:53am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
@"HothMonster": "I look forward to your logic vomit" -- I just bet you do! Your specialty seems to be slinging mindless invective, don't really care about the topics.

I'm always keen to elicit thoughtless revelations such as: "But I'll be nice and pretend I agreed with you". -- So, trapped by your prior statements, you both embrace them and back away from them, pretending that you were (or are) pretending. Okay, gotcha, you're a pretender, we can't trust anything that you say.

You also seem to despise logic, further nailing that down.

I don't, however, look forward with relish to your reply. I'd be happier if you didn't, if you'd just ignore me.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
freak (profile), 4 Oct 2011 @ 11:17am

Re: Re: Re: @ "HothMonster": please quit spamming the page with gibberish.
You know, I'm really tempted to make a separate account for counter-trolling you.

The lulz would be epic, if time-consuming.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
out_of_the_blue, 4 Oct 2011 @ 11:41am

Re: Re: Re: Re: @ "HothMonster": please quit spamming the page with gibberish.
@freak (profile), Oct 4th, 2011 @ 11:17am

You know, I'm really tempted to make a separate account for counter-trolling you.

The lulz would be epic, if time-consuming.

----------------------------

You don't HAVE any "lulz", sonny, just imagine that you do, that's the sad fact. So it's not a threat that you make. No more than a squeak by a stepped-on puppy.

And I can always ignore you. Not going to waste material on this bunch of trite dullards.

But thanks for admitting you're here to troll. Part of your permanent record now.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
HothMonster, 4 Oct 2011 @ 11:52am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
No i just don't like when people dodge the point that their original post was pointless, misconstrue what I did write and try to use the misconception to prove how right you are and then try to put words in my mouth. I wasn't agreeing or disagreeing with anything you said only pointing out that saying A != B was a worthless and obvious statement, particularly worthless because no one was claiming it.

Feel free to remind me that I said "You're the only one who would think 'creating an add-on product is not the same as illegally releasing the same product' and think its worth noting." whenever you want. But since you want to try adding meaning to it and your reading comprehension is horrible I gave you the deeper meaning. I was never saying I agreed that there is no value in pirating, I was just saying your an idiot for thinking "apples are not oranges" is a worthwhile and non-obvious comment. I never meant to imply that agreed with how you felt about the oranges, but then was kind enough to clarify with another statement you can feel free to bring up whenever you please. It happens that i do agree that there is no income from pirated movies however income != value which I believe is was your plan to say that I thought pirating has no value for the content owners.

Seems like you might really be upset because you forgot to capitalize words at random in your post because even though the internet has been around for about 2 decades you still think that doesn't make you look like an idiot. Hows that for invective?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
HothMonster, 4 Oct 2011 @ 11:58am

Re: Re: Re: @ "HothMonster": please quit spamming the page with gibberish.
yes im sorry i should have given a more thoughtful and kind response to his trolling. If he wants to troll one line of useless stupidity all I ask is that its original, amusing or at least enraging. This same old hat shit is boring.

I don't think I'm helping anyone, I'm just passing some time at work by responding to peoples bullshit with my own bullshit. I don't know why the anti-mike pointless attacks are worthy of defending but the,i guess pro-mike but really just anti-troll, attacks are worthy of your scorn. I would love to know why the OP comment is worthy of your white-knighting or why that comment deserves anything more than what i gave it.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Oct 2011 @ 12:27pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: @ "HothMonster": please quit spamming the page with gibberish.
not my permanent record, oh noes!!!!!!!!!!! please don't call my parents.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The eejit (profile), 4 Oct 2011 @ 12:30pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Working game = added value. -- Pirated movie = NO INCOME.
Hypocrisy, they name is...You, Barbie.[/Cox]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The eejit (profile), 4 Oct 2011 @ 12:37pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: @ "HothMonster": please quit spamming the page with gibberish.
I'm bugfuck crazy, what the hell is your excuse?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Oct 2011 @ 12:38pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: @ "HothMonster": please quit spamming the page with gibberish.
Not going to waste material on this bunch of trite dullards.

Of course you are. Why would you stop?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
HothMonster, 4 Oct 2011 @ 1:39pm

Re:
i don't know how you expect them to profit when even Star Wars can't:

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110912/13500315912/hollywood-accounting-darth-vader-not -getting-paid-because-return-jedi-still-isnt-profitable.shtml

/sarc
[ link to this | view in thread ]
HothMonster, 4 Oct 2011 @ 2:37pm

Re: Re: Re: @ "HothMonster": please quit spamming the page with gibberish.
Lets see i called him a "broken record". Said "who cares what you think". Pointed out that he keeps "repeating an argument with weak supporting evidence" and also pointed out that he "should probably look up apologist in the dictionary because he(Mike) was not really defending anything(which is what apologists do) just congratulating a fringe company for reaching out to another fringe company to work for their mutual benefit" and probably should have added "instead of suing the hell out of them"

The fact that you consider any of that free association tells me so much and more about your reading comprehension.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
freak (profile), 4 Oct 2011 @ 7:01pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: @ "HothMonster": please quit spamming the page with gibberish.
You COULD always ignore me. The potential is there.

You won't.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
mrsleep, 5 Oct 2011 @ 11:52am

The Chinese Dev apologized?
Apologized for what, getting caught?
You know they didn't give a wet fart about the legality of what they were doing.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Bearfoot, 6 Oct 2011 @ 4:51pm

Re:
And how much more likely would a profit be if they burned a bunch of money on litigation?
[ link to this | view in thread ]