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jackass-remakes-911-with-littlebigplanet-flies-sackboy-into-world-trade-center

With all the positive press out there showcasing the great things that can be made using the LittleBigPlanet level editor, it was only a matter of time before someone made something not so great.

If you thought the use of Space Invaders to mock the events of September 11th was tasteless, then you will likely cringe when you see Sackboy pilot a plane into the twin towers in this user created LBP level.

The video is available after the jump, though we completely understand if you decide to pass on this one. Read more…

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digital-artist-pulls-space-invaders-911-art-after-immature-response-to-his-work

Edric Stanley, digital artist and all around space cadet, began to pout over the public outcry that ensued when Kotaku brought his “Space Invaders blows up the World Trade Center” art to the attention of the internet masses.

Upset with what the artist deemed an “immature” response to his work, Stanley has requested that his work be removed from the Leipzig Games Convention show floor.  The image above is a photo of the letter he wrote which now stands in the spot his art once was. Read more…

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taito-denounces-911-space-invaders-art-cites-misuse-and-threatens-legal-action

The conversation I envisaged at Taito about this tribute, celebrating 30 years of Space Invaders, never happened it seems – parent company Square Enix has come out of the flutter, claiming the exhibit at Leipzig was planned without Taito’s knowledge or consent.

But they didn’t pass comment on the art’s message. According to their press release:

“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.”

It’s since come to light that the Computer Game Museum in Berlin, which is running the exhibit, didn’t see fit to get sign off for the project. From their own website:

“Note: The artwork “invaders!” is not approved by Square Enix/ Taito.”

No doubt that will come back to bite them if Taito decide to unleash the lawyers.

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gc-08-space-invaders-takes-on-911-aliens-blow-up-world-trade-center

“What do you think would be best to celebrate 30 years of Space Invaders? Oh I know, let’s go to Leipzig and parody the destruction of the World Trade Center!”

How I would love to have sat in on that meeting when Taito decided that this was a good idea, let alone a fitting tribute to a classic title. But they did, and according to Kotaku you can see a non-interactive display of typical Taito invaders zapping the Twin Towers at Leipzig right now, apparently replete with leapers in all their 8-bit glory.

Yet it’s not meant to be a game – it’s an art exhibit.

It’s the work of French-American artist Douglas Edric Stanley, who sees Space Invaders as a “social tale that can be related to historical tales without losing its poetic power.”

Actually, I wish I was making this up. Taito have yet to comment. More on Stanley here.

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