Fan Makes Own Super Mario Game: Why One Company Isn’t Having It [Video]
Who says Nintendo games have to stop when the video game console gets turned off? Game designer and blogger Erik Ross has created a 3D version of the first level of Super Mario for N64, Mashable.com reports. The site went on to say that the game can be played in a user’s browser using the Unity plugin, and that this offers a more smooth and realistic feel to it than the original game. However, like many other types of media on the internet, the game was soon attacked by Nintendo’s lawyers as a copyright violation, Mashable added.
Some hardcore gamers from the 1990’s and beyond might remember what it felt like to boot up that first N64 and play in 3D. While console technology has come a long way since then, even going so far as to include voice commands and mobile apps inside of a video game console, Super Mario isn’t a bad attempt given the time period. Still, even Nintendo has caught up to the times; its latest console, the Wii U, now features a technology called Amiibo.
This handy little option gives players the ability to purchase small action figures featuring Nintendo characters and scan them into the game utilizing a barcode system. Players can then see their characters come to life in stunning graphics that are one step away from popping off the screen. Other consoles like the Xbox Kinect by Microsoft upped the ante by adding voice commands, music streaming, and the ability to control games using bodily motions to their devices.
Ross’ official notice that his Super Mario rendition was being taken down cited “…[Nintendo’s copyright] including but not limited to the audiovisual work, computer program, music, and fictional character depictions”, said gaming network IGN. IGN also reported on a blog post from Ross in which he stated that he will not be creating any more of the game and also warned others not to use his version of Super Mario for profit.
As the Inquisitr noted, Nintendo recently entered into an unexpected alliance with Japanese mobile gaming company DeNA to bring Nintendo games to mobile devices everywhere. With such a wide variety of games, many of them reinvented classics such as the Super Smash Brothers and Mario Party series, it’s likely that Nintendo’s Wii U will be successful as a console. For what might be the first time since the release of Nintendo DS, Wii U and Wii also offer brain training and other games that will likely engage the entire family and encourage them to play together (really, this is the best opportunity for a child to teach their parent something for once).
It will be interesting to see what unfolds in the gaming community over the next few weeks, as well as what this could mean for free speech in this niche. Historically, gamers and other heavy internet perusers do not like their free speech to be violated and even exercise that right in the extreme alá Gamergate, a recent social media war against female video game designers that brought up issues involving misogyny and free speech. Whether there is backlash from gamers or not, Nintendo has the legal right to protect its intellectual property, but where does that right end and the rights of fans who just want to make their own versions begin?
