Opinions on rip-offs of app names ("Angry _____ ")

T8TRG8TRT8TRG8TR Member Posts: 120
edited December 2011 in Business and Marketing Theory
I'm thinking about making a game that somewhat rips off the Angry Birds name but isn't much like the actual game. Would this have a positive/negative effect on sales? Is it just a dumb idea? Would it annoy you/others? I like my game idea I just don't know if I want to go down that path.

Comments

  • SlickZeroSlickZero Houston, TexasMember, Sous Chef Posts: 2,870
    Personally, I don't care for it. It seems un-creative and un-original. When I see games on the App Store piggy backing off someone else's great idea, to me shows a lack of sincerity, and opportunistic tendencies. This is just my opinion, of course. I wouldn't do it, but lot's of people do.

    I know this isn't what you are talking about doing, but there's a game on the App Store right now called Angry Chickens, and it's exactly like Angry Birds, I mean exactly. To me it's pathetic, but it's gotten a lot of downloads.

    Give it a shot if it's what you want to do.
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  • LiquidGameworksLiquidGameworks Anchorage, AKMember, Sous Chef Posts: 956
    Depends on the game. If the purpose is to make a quick buck on an unoriginal idea, then sure, by all means draw comparisons via similar name.

    If the game you're building is original and something you're proud of, you're only doing yourself a disservice by being so careless with a name.
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  • T8TRG8TRT8TRG8TR Member Posts: 120
    Yeah this is a really tough choice. I know what you're talking about with the lack of originality. The free hits might make it worth it though. I'm just not sure. I think I'll start developing the game and put off the decision until later...

    I'd still love to hear other people's opinions.
  • ultimaultima Member, PRO Posts: 1,207
    edited December 2011
    if you want to do that. make it a completely rip off with completely different content.. otherwise NO.
    call it angry bird-killer. (or such) and make a car racing game where your goal is to hit as many bird on your windshield as possible. they can't claim ownership as you are using it in different context, with bird-killer being in the context.. and they can't copyright angry .. and as long as your game uses no round "angry bird" looking bird.. instead gothic dark black crows .... it'll work and you'll probably make tons of money.

    and if apple fuss with you or ravio fuss with you you can take them to court, but... what's the point... most people who rip off anything is just wanting to ride on the free wave.. amazon has app store, barns and noble has app store everyone has app store.. but... they are just trying to cash in... kind of tired of people trying to rip stuff off ... remember that if you focus on rip off that's what you will be doing for the rest of your life.. try to lead. not follow... make some progress.
  • tenrdrmertenrdrmer Member, Sous Chef, Senior Sous-Chef Posts: 9,934
    I find this whole concept humorous. Mainly your question. See the thing is if you have to ask it means in your gut you know its wrong. So to me its like your asking for permission to have poor ethics, and justifying it by others poor ethics. the only logical reason to "Rip-Off" a name is to ride on the coat tales of others success. if you can sleep well at night knowing you did not fully earn every penny yourself. Well, then go for it.
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  • T8TRG8TRT8TRG8TR Member Posts: 120
    The thing is, if I do the "rip-off" and people download it a lot and its a good game, have I really done anyone a disservice? Would making the same game but naming its something different and getting a significantly smaller number of people playing it be any better.

    I'm not ripping off any gameplay, just somewhat the name.

    So basically @tenrdrmer you're right I know in my gut it's wrong. I just really want people to play my games :/

    On a different note, how has Angry Chickens not gotten taken down/sued? It looks almost exactly like Angry Birds.
  • ultimaultima Member, PRO Posts: 1,207
    edited December 2011
    i'd love to name my new cell phone making company appl =) and make really great phones, computer. i'll be rich muhahahaha. and i'll be honest.. i really just want to get rich.. i do =D
  • ultimaultima Member, PRO Posts: 1,207
    edited December 2011
    c'mon dude we are just trying to help you out. it happened before in the community.. and the guy was harassed by apple for a long time.. finally it was published and didn't do as well and we all agreed it was fun game... you are not doing anyone disservice... WE are actually doing you the favor to guide you the right way.. we are not your parent you can rebel and go against the society all you want, we just don't want people to help promote the bad image of GS as we are all suffering from it. here you are asking for advice, and some really nice people is actually giving you some sound ones.. so take it and smile =)
  • tenrdrmertenrdrmer Member, Sous Chef, Senior Sous-Chef Posts: 9,934
    If you know in your gut it is wrong the RIGHT thing to do is…. NOT DO IT!

    it should not matter what anyone thinks. if your game needs a ripped off name to win. its probably not that great of a game on its own.
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  • EatingMyHatEatingMyHat Member Posts: 1,246
    If you have an original game and the name makes sense, than go for it. As long as you don't try to mislead people or steal actual IP from someone else, you should be fine.

    Look at Cut the Rope and Burn the Rope, similar name but both are very different good games. I don't see how burn the rope could be blamed from rip off since the name make sense in respect to the gameplay. On the flip side, cut the birds is a complete rip off of 3 games at once (name from cut the rope, images from angry birds and gameplay from fruit ninja).
  • CaptFinnCaptFinn Member Posts: 1,828
    Alot of these are comical parodys to angry birds. Some are people trying to use the angry bird hype and concept to rake in money. Both is fine. Until Angry Birds decides what you are doing is out of line. At that time. They will decide for you if what you are doing is good or bad. Do it.. Dont do it. Just know what the possible future consequences are and decide if youre willing to deal with them if they come up. If youre willing to.. then do it. if youre not willing to... dont do it.
  • mychonymychony Removed Posts: 56
    This might be unrelated but, is the game 'Angry Anna' currently on the appstore?
  • JohnPapiomitisJohnPapiomitis Member Posts: 6,256
    come on now... be original.

    If you want people to play your games its simple, make a good game
  • tenrdrmertenrdrmer Member, Sous Chef, Senior Sous-Chef Posts: 9,934
    @mychony - I Dont believe it is. I think its arcade only. They get away with the obvious "rip-off" because of the political satire. Its not made to make money. Its made to broadcast a message.
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  • mychonymychony Removed Posts: 56
    @ten thanks, I have been curious for a while :_)
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