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Will Wright's Deal with Fox?

Syris writes ""Will Wright, creator of video game sensation "The Sims," has signed a first-look development deal with Fox Broadcasting Co." The story is here ." A surprisingly interesting story.

98 comments

  1. Coming soon... by TaddS · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Who Wants to Marry a Simulated Millionare?" 30 women vie for the affection of a digital man who may or may have a million dollars, or 5 neighbors walled up in the bathroom.

    --
    -"Nice jacket, who shot the couch?."
    1. Re:Coming soon... by emo+boy · · Score: 0

      "a digital man who may or may have a million dollars" ....depending on whether or not there is a Sims Online 2. I think that it sucks that The Sims Online didn't do as well as it could have, to me it seemed like a perfect game to network. Unfortunately when real life people are in a game such as that they aren't going to react the way computer generated players will. This is why I play video games. To get away from the bulshit.

    2. Re:Coming soon... by Deathlizard · · Score: 3, Funny

      either that or "Sims Disaters Caught on tape."

      I still say that the only reason people play "The Sims" is for the Darwin-like ways you can kill your sim.

      Dont Believe me? Ask someone that plays "The Sims" what his/her favorite moment was in the game. Most likely it involves Death in some way.

    3. Re:Coming soon... by emo+boy · · Score: 2, Funny

      I like to put em in a swimming pool and take the ladder out. What's your favorite sim homicide?

    4. Re:Coming soon... by DickBreath · · Score: 3, Funny

      As an addition to the many successful titles in the Sims series, Wil Wright announced today that Electronic Arts will be adding a new title to the linup...

      The Sims Cold Date

      When asked why they needed another title so similar to the existing title The Sims Hot Date, Wil said "We thought it would be really great to start making lines of games for specialty markets, such as Slashdot."

      --

      I'll see your senator, and I'll raise you two judges.
    5. Re:Coming soon... by Acts+of+Attrition · · Score: 1

      Maybe it's some terrible, weird deal to replace Fox Execs with gibberish-spouting Sims. Actually, that sounds like an improvement.

    6. Re:Coming soon... by Fembot · · Score: 1

      havent really played it much, but i've gotta say burning to death is pretty good

    7. Re:Coming soon... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I like inviting a neighbor over to the house, and then building a one square foot room around them, so that they can't leave, eat, or do anything, including lying down. They then cry, wet themselves, and sleep standing up until they die of starvation about 3 days later.

      Now that's comedy!

    8. Re:Coming soon... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Dont Believe me? Ask someone that plays "The Sims" what his/her favorite moment was in the game. Most likely it involves Death in some way
      Too true. My favorite "Sims" moment was when I went into the computer room to play the Sims and saw that my younger brother was playing with MY family that I created. He was purposely messing things up. So, of course, I murdered my brother.
    9. Re:Coming soon... by davidhan · · Score: 1

      Sims Doggy Style really would be brilliant. So would a Midgets Gone Mad add-on.

    10. Re:Coming soon... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I love you! I really mean it too.

  2. Not the usual kind of Simpsons reference... by f00Dave · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why do I imagine little, digital Simpsons characters running around making icons at each other, and seeing who gets kicked off the server each episode? =]

    --
    .f00Dave
    1. Re:Not the usual kind of Simpsons reference... by Hogwash+McFly · · Score: 4, Funny

      Southpark would be better suited.

      Oh my God! They kicked Kenny!

      --
      Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
    2. Re: Not the usual kind of Simpsons reference... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 1


      > Why do I imagine little, digital Simpsons characters running around making icons at each other, and seeing who gets kicked off the server each episode? =]

      SimSimpsons?

      --
      Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  3. No way by Timesprout · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wright has been toying with traditional linear entertainment during the past year

    I think he should stop playing and move to spherical entertainment immediately !

    --
    Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
    What truth?
    There is no dupe
    1. Re:No way by Hogwash+McFly · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      You mean he can't play with his balls?

      --
      Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
    2. Re:No way by makapuf · · Score: 1

      c'mon, I thought it was already 2D at least !

      Linear simpsons should be pretty boring (mmmmmh ... a rounded segment !)

  4. "It could be a sitcom" by da5idnetlimit.com · · Score: 2, Funny

    "It could be a sitcom or something completely different"

    A SimsCom ?

    --
    It takes 40+ muscles to frown, but only four to extend your arm and bitchslap the motherfucker
  5. ha ha by j0nkatz · · Score: 1, Funny

    He want to create a show on FOX that shows the relationship of men and machines??

    One word...
    BENDER!

    --
    Don't mod me, bro'!!!!
  6. Transcript of First Show by LordYUK · · Score: 5, Funny

    (husband and wife, in living room)

    Husband: Blah!
    Wife: Blah??
    Husband: Blah!!!!
    Wife: BLAH???!?
    Husband: (moves towards kitchen)
    Wife: (Walks towards bathroom)
    Husband: (throws trash on floor, plays with stove)
    Husband: (sets self on fire)
    Wife: (takes shower)
    Enter Neighbor.
    Neighbor: (to wife) Blah!
    Wife: Blah!
    Huband: (dead on floor, burned crispy)
    Wife leaves, go gets a job.

    --
    This is my sig. Its pathetic.
    1. Re:Transcript of First Show by Hogwash+McFly · · Score: 5, Funny

      Who modded this as funny? I think it's rather informative.

      --
      Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
    2. Re:Transcript of First Show by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's funnier than the original post! ;)

    3. Re:Transcript of First Show by Ese+L0C0 · · Score: 1, Funny

      Maybe it is "Flame"bait...

      --
      jC - sweet sweet squirrel on sheet metal
    4. Re:Transcript of First Show by EduardoTheBastard · · Score: 1
      That poster is Fredishay!

      But the hot French Maid should definitely be part of the cast.

  7. Prof Frink. by CGP314 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Wright also experimented with a life-sized remote-controlled robot as a concept for a reality TV show.

    I hope he didn't forget to carry the one.

    1. Re:Prof Frink. by LordYUK · · Score: 1

      "I hope he didn't forget to carry the one."

      But Neo weighs a TON!

      --
      This is my sig. Its pathetic.
  8. So ... by peatbakke · · Score: 5, Funny

    Lets hope it's something like Big Brother, except it's entirely up to the viewers to furnish, entertain, and otherwise screw with them.

    I'm voting for no doors on the bathrooms, and too many pets.

    1. Re:So ... by fobbman · · Score: 0

      Let's hope it's like Big Brother, and they let the folks in the UK control everything, so we can see REAL turmoil. Those folks are brutal!

      The US folks are too namby pamby, as witnessed by the first Big Brother, which in the end pitted nice guy against nice guy.

    2. Re:So ... by Hogwash+McFly · · Score: 1

      Yeah we're really brutal over here. Just the other day Big Brother got the contestants dressed up as cub scouts.

      --
      Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
    3. Re:So ... by Wakkow · · Score: 1

      Yessss.. Let them jump into the pool then take the ladder out.

      "Tune in next week to see if Laura finds a way out!"

  9. Knee-Jerk reaction-SUBSIDE! by curtisk · · Score: 4, Interesting
    ...ok...as tempting as it is to jump all over the obvious Sims references/jokes I'll say the guy must have some creativity. I mean its not like anyone can write for FOX, right?

    *rimshot*

    Alright it wasn't that easy to resist making a joke, but really, I'm sure he could drum up a decent show, anyone see any of the "MY Robot"? Its unclear whether they are just in development or are available somewhere. The only skepticism I have is that there is such severe CRAP on TV now anyway, why would FOX of all networks signup something truly against whats "hot" right now? (ie. Joe-masked-millionaire-secret-anna-osbournes-frien ds-season-82-F-list-celebrity-hoedown)

    --

    Sehr geehrter Toilettenbenutzer!

    1. Re:Knee-Jerk reaction-SUBSIDE! by EMH_Mark3 · · Score: 1

      Now now, son, they also make alot of quality entertainment.

      --
      Burn the land and boil the sea, you can't take the sky from me
    2. Re:Knee-Jerk reaction-SUBSIDE! by TaddS · · Score: 3, Insightful

      And cancel it after five episodes...

      --
      -"Nice jacket, who shot the couch?."
    3. Re:Knee-Jerk reaction-SUBSIDE! by ketamineX · · Score: 0

      Fox did do one thing right (after many wrong things): It removed Futurama from a crappy Sunday at 7pm timeslot and let Cartoon Network have a crack at it. Who the hell watches TV before 11pm anyways?

  10. Re:Does Anyone Else Think.. by RobertTaylor · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    "Will Right looks like a child molester?"

    Not spent alot of time with any recently, why? Is there some distingishing features we should be on the lookout for?!

  11. SimCity's worst Disasters by Da+Fokka · · Score: 4, Funny

    With endless reruns on Discovery.

  12. The "thanks for al the fish" realisation... by ZoneKagen · · Score: 0

    Hot Damn! Whats that blue polygon doing above my head!

    --
    - Dost thou think because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?
  13. Re:Does Anyone Else Think.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Pale skin, oddly shaped nose, multi-million dollar record contract, dangling a baby off a balcony...

  14. bah by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He should get a show on broadway like patrick stewart and macolly culkins or something.

  15. In today's episode by stud9920 · · Score: 4, Funny

    In today's episode, the main character will sit on the toilet for 25 minutes, eventhough most males stand while peeing. He will also not lower his pants.

    However, the character will be pixelized and require an unofficial set top box to see completely.

    1. Re:In today's episode by dr.robotnik · · Score: 1
      lol... and prior to going to the toilet, he will shuffle around outside the door for 9 hours in a deadlock with another character also trying to get in. It's true, look I found the source code:
      10 Step forward
      20 oh sorry am I in your way? step back
      30 goto 10
  16. My impression of The Sims by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Kind of a bummer to return home from a long day at work to have to send myself back to work in the game. Wheeeeee! Then there was having to tell people to go to the bathroom, take the trash out, and so on.

    Reminded me of Age of Empires, when I'd have to keep telling hundreds of farmers that, yes, as farmers they must replant their corn every year.

    1. Re:My impression of The Sims by idiotfromia · · Score: 0

      In the new Age of Mythology, it is not necessary to tell them to replant. They keep farming indefinately, as long as they are not slaughtered by the enemy or anything.

    2. Re:My impression of The Sims by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Reminded me of Age of Empires, when I'd have to keep telling hundreds of farmers that, yes, as farmers they must replant their corn every year

      Pfft. When my guys stopped farming, I sent 'em to go break big rocks into little rocks.

  17. Interesting? by guacamolefoo · · Score: 4, Funny

    A surprisingly interesting story.

    As opposed to the usual crap we see posted on /.?

    - Geek builds beowolf cluster out of basmati rice
    - Matrix sequel to include wire-fu shark jumping
    - Richard Stallman shaves self, Darl McBride
    - Mutant Mosquitos

    Who comes up with this stuff? Geez.

    GF.

  18. You're Watching FOX... by da3dAlus · · Score: 1

    "We...are...watching...FOX"

    --

    Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion.
  19. The Sims-sons? by tekrat · · Score: 2, Funny

    New show on FOX. Laugh at the wild antics of the Daddy character, the housewife and the 2.5 children. All drawn in a generic color scheme so they can be anybody. They live in a town with the most common town name in America.

    "D'Oh"

    --
    If telephones are outlawed, then only outlaws will have telephones.
  20. Crossovers are already happening by ianscot · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Gaming's a huge entertainment industry. It's no surprise TV would want to see if they can tie into it. We've already had our (iffy) movie or three based on game franchises, and throwaway FPS games tied to a handful of middling "grown-up" series as promotional moves, leaving alone countless kids' show tie-ins.

    Hard to say whether the great, leveling, lowest-common-denominator of TV will make this marginal even for Fox's viewer base, though. Seems more like an mst3k niche market to me. Or will Wright go more mainstream to get a bigger audience? Even the projects he's done already basically mix genres a bit and come out with a sitcom or a "reality" show/candid camera hybrid. (A sitcom in feudal japan with "suburban issues"? Watching people interact with a robot? Not exactly brand new material, whether or not he uses puppets.)

    But more importantly,

    Wright also experimented with a life-sized remote-controlled robot as a concept for a reality TV show.

    Just how big are robots in real life, before you make them "life-sized"?

    --
    "Fundamentalism" isn't about divine morality. It's about human authority.
    1. Re:Crossovers are already happening by Albert+Pussyjuice · · Score: 3, Informative
      "Or will Wright go more mainstream to get a bigger audience?"
      Why would you think that what Wright creates wouldn't have mainstream appeal? Look at the games he has been responsible - some of the biggest selling games to the non-gamer. He's always been able to create content that was interesting to a large number of people.
      --
      DID YOUR MOM SERVE YOU AN EXTRA HELPING OF DUMB TONIGHT?
    2. Re:Crossovers are already happening by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wright also experimented with a life-sized remote-controlled robot as a concept for a reality TV show. ... until one day the robot went bezerk, killed two stage hands and had to be brough down with a tazer...

  21. More audiance interaction with TV by pdjohe · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Is this going to be something like the TV audience and vote or command the characters (robots) on TV to do something and interact with the other robots?

    I wonder how many votes there will be for 'kiss', 'undress', or 'have sex', etc. Or maybe more intrestingly, if the audience can send in their own ideas, 'stare at thumb', 'chew on lamp cord', or 'say "All your base are belong to us" 54 times'.

    Whatever...

    1. Re:More audiance interaction with TV by rifter · · Score: 1

      Are you suggesting we slashdot this TV show?

      Imagine a beowulf clus---=SLAP!=

  22. Franchis 'R' Us by PRES_00 · · Score: 0, Troll

    I for one, am tired of the Sims franchise. It doesn't seem to want to die. One expansion pack after the other. You would think they'd get the message with the poor popularity of the sims online. Anyway, franchises are the best way to make a quick buck nowadays. Just slap a well known theme on a game or tv series (friends clones)and you are assured at least some kind of audience. Sigh, this proves it, people don't want anything new, just slight variations of the same thing.

  23. Directors? by jolshefsky · · Score: 1

    Don't tell me the Sims now want to direct ...

    --
    --- Jason Olshefsky

    Karma: Poser (mostly affected by adding this line long after everyone else did)

  24. Re:Franchis 'R' Us by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    I for one, am tired of the Sims franchise. It doesn't seem to want to die. One expansion pack after the other. You would think they'd get the message with the poor popularity of the sims online.
    Yeah, you'd think they'd get the message when every single expansion pack goes to the No. 1 slot for sales, and four out of the top 10 games sold every week are Sims-related. What dingbats they are, releasing games that everyone wants to buy. They should immediately stop and put all their efforts into catering for your listless whims.
  25. Great pitch by aziraphale · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The original show concept blended puppetry with animation and was set in feudal Japan but dealt with modern-day suburban situations."

    Man, I'd love to have been a fly on the wall in that pitch meeting.

    Exec 1 - 'I dunno about this feudal Japan idea. and... puppets?'
    Exec 2 - 'You know, our research shows, most Fox viewers live in suburbs - we need something more suburban'
    Exec 1 - 'You're right. We need an angle.'
    Exec 2 - 'Can we deal with modern suburban issues in a feudal Japanese setting?'
    Producer (steam coming out of ears) - 'I guess so, if it means you'll commission the show'
    Exec 1 - 'I feel a daytime Emmy coming on...'
    Exec 2 - 'High Five!'

    Sometimes, I wonder why the entire planet hasn't already been sucked into the bottomless void between TV executives' ears.

    1. Re:Great pitch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Some decent things come out of those weird situations.

      Take the movie the Believer, if I heard someone trying to pitch about a Neo Nazi, but not just any Neo Nazi, get this he's Jewish, I would've thought they were joking. Crazy.

    2. Re:Great pitch by rifter · · Score: 1

      You mean you haven't been? Come play with us....

  26. So what? by Eminence · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Excuse me, but what's interesting in this story? A guy, who happens to have some interesting ideas and likes to play with toys shifts his interests from games to (other forms of) entertainment. He came to know someone from a TV network and had an idea of a TV show. His friend from the network says "Cute, let's try it" and off they go.

    It's nice to see people evolve, but it shouldn't be a sensation that someone doesn't want to develop/design/whatever computer games all his life. Not the kind of stories I expect /. to bring me.

    1. Re:So what? by mandalayx · · Score: 1

      sorry, MIT had an off day today.

  27. Offtopic? by Hogwash+McFly · · Score: 1

    I think he should stop playing and move to spherical entertainment immediately !

    Spheres = Balls
    Playing = Playing

    That concludes your 3 week course about playing with balls

    --
    Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
  28. "A surprisingly interesting story" by SageMadHatter · · Score: 1

    Why is it surprising that this story is interesting? :)

    Mad Hatter

  29. Suprising? by buckinm · · Score: 1

    A surprisingly interesting story.

    An interesting story on slashdot! Now, that is suprising!

    --
    This isn't any ordinary darkness. It's advanced darkness.
  30. Coming soon... by lpret · · Score: 4, Funny
    Sims Gone Wild!

    Ever wonder what's going on when you've turned your game off???
    Now you can find out! These Sims get really wild with each other! You know that hot neighbour your one sim keeps trying to get with? Find out what happens when she hooks up with that other hot neighbour two houses down! It's incredible!!!

    And New this week!! -- Sims: Doggy Style!

    See what happens when we give Snoop Doggy Dog a camera and girls to play with! You'll be amazed at what he can get these sims to do!

    Caution: May not be suitable for sims under the age of 18.
    mad props to the guy in the star wars discussion

    --
    This is my digital signature. 10011011001
  31. Uh oh, it's Fox. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You know what that means. 5 episodes and you'll never see it again.

    1. Re:Uh oh, it's Fox. by schon · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You know what that means. 5 episodes and you'll never see it again.

      Only if it's any good.

      If it sucks, it'll be on forever.

  32. You want me to read? by PetoskeyGuy · · Score: 2, Funny

    The Sims maker has a deal with FOX? It's an interesting story? How is anyone supposed to post their uninformed, off the cuff, ms bashing, Open Source supporting, In Soviet Russia, You Inconsiderate, Beowulf cluster of these responses to just the headlines when you post stories like this. Please stick to the formula. ;)

    No wonder this story only has about 60 posts.

  33. Lew Morton? by Blackheart2 · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Wright has been toying with traditional linear entertainment during the past year, creating several five-minute episodes of "M.Y. Robot" that were written by Lew Morton of "The Simpsons" and "Futurama."

    Strange. I've heard that `Lew Morton' is a fake name which writers use to sign material which is so bad that they don't want to take credit for it.

    --

    BH
    Fools! They laughed at me at the Sorbonne...!

    1. Re:Lew Morton? by nemoest · · Score: 0

      Then it must really suck to be this guy.

      I think you might be thinking of the name Judas Booth.

    2. Re:Lew Morton? by Ack_OZ · · Score: 2, Informative

      Strange. I've heard that `Lew Morton' is a fake name which writers use to sign material which is so bad that they don't want to take credit for it.

      from this page...

      In response to a rumor that Lew Morton is not a real person, Paul Simms responded with:

      "No, Lew Morton is a real writer, but often the episodes on which he gets a "Written By" credit aren't very good ones. It's probably just a coincidence."

  34. BS Alert by Demerara · · Score: 1

    "This deal's not about taking a game and turning it into a TV show; it's about creating new entertainment franchises." Fox Exec

    Do people in Hollywood really talk like this?

    --
    Backward%20compatibility%20is%20over-rated
  35. Obligatory FOX big-wig email addresses by swordboy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Here! (do a select-all to see the white on white text).

    --

    Life is the leading cause of death in America.
  36. Oh, for the love of god, no! by Torgo's+Pizza · · Score: 3, Funny
    I'd like to fast-forward into the future a bit and explore how machines and artificial intelligence will impact human beings and how robots will help us define ourselves," Wright said.

    No Will! You don't know of the powers that you're messing with. Mixing robots and humans in a television show resulted in the worst sitcom that man has ever created: Small Wonder! Run for your lives!

    1. Re:Oh, for the love of god, no! by Thomas+M+Hughes · · Score: 1

      I knew those were robots on the Wonder Years.

    2. Re:Oh, for the love of god, no! by vadim_t · · Score: 1

      Hmm, if that was the same show I saw a few years ago, then I don't see what's wrong with it, it was pretty cool. Although maybe it's a different one, I can't remember if it's the same or not. It had a small girl robot, at least.

    3. Re:Oh, for the love of god, no! by Hognoxious · · Score: 1
      Mixing robots and humans in a television show resulted in the worst sitcom that man has ever created: Small Wonder!
      No, the two worst sitcoms: there's also Metal Mickey. Incredibly piss poor, it was.
      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  37. Sims Survivor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I can see it now.

  38. Yes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A surprisingly interesting story.

    Yes, but not that you read it or anything.

  39. Finally he's back in action by Don+Cron · · Score: 2, Funny
    This is so cool, I'm surprised he hasn't put it up on his web log.

    I can just imagine all the inside Star Trek jokes and Linux references on his new show.

    Who says he's typecast as Wesley Crusher? Go Wil!

    1. Re:Finally he's back in action by Novus · · Score: 1

      You're confusing Wil Wheaton with Will Wright. Will Wright wrote "The Sims". Maybe you should RTFA?

    2. Re:Finally he's back in action by Don+Cron · · Score: 1

      Hmm. I was joking, but perhaps the hyperbole wasn't strong enough for /.

  40. It's a dumb game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and soon to be a dumb cartune

  41. That's funny by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I usually entice my neighbors into the swimming pool -- and then delete the ladder. It's cool to watch their ghosts swimming through the ground!

  42. Fetisch by Hackie_Chan · · Score: 1

    It seems to me that Will Wright have a secret Fetisch for Robots. Every other meaning he speaks ends with "... with robots!". And talk about being short of ideas... They're actually thinking of stuff like SimCity the Sitcom? How boring would that be on a scale from one to ten?

    --

    What's so bad about being lazy? What if there was a war and nobody showed up?
  43. Re:Movie from Linux Distribution? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Are you insane ? What that hell are you rambling on about you twit.

  44. Re:Franchis 'R' Us by ctve · · Score: 1
    People don't want what they had before. The trouble is that games companies try and force feed them what they had before. How many beat-em-ups or 3d shooters do we really need?

    I remember how people went wild about Lemmings where I worked, a totally original game with excellent gameplay. Given a choice of a game of that originality, but with so-so graphics, and another Sims add-on, I know which I'd choose.

  45. Is he working for Fox News? by spress · · Score: 1, Funny

    He could create a whole lot of fake characters to simulate the news, inventing fake but entertaining stories. Of course that would put the existing Fox News team out of a job, but I bet Sim's come a whole lot cheaper.

    --
    Subverting the meta-moderating system since 2003
  46. Re:Does Anyone Else Think.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    More details please, that could be almost any present day celebrity...

  47. In Soviet Russia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The Sims make a movie about Will Wright! ...

    And it watches you!