Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Game Over CG Sitcom Debuts, Censored, Gets Machinima

Posted by simoniker on from the not-so-great dept.

Thanks to GamePro for its interview with the creator of UPN's new CG videogame-related sitcom, Game Over, which debuted last night. The interview notes: "For gamers, it's great to see in-jokes and cameos - like when the entire cast of Oddworld shows up in the first episode. But is prime time ready for a gaming 'toon?" Even before debuting, "Game Over has fallen prey to network censors", with dialog and risque CG nudity cut, and reaction to the show is mixed, but to promote it, UPN is giving away an interactive PC game/machinima download in conjunction with Fountainhead Entertainment, so "players are able to use ['Game Over' character Raquel] in interactive and non-interactive ways by employing Machinimation tools" - the download is available via FilePlanet. Update: 03/12 04:10 GMT by S : Reuters are reporting disappointing ratings for the debut episode.

7 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. Actually by kalidasa · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. The characters were pretty good, and the CG was good. I'd give it 2.5 stars out of 4.

    1. Re:Actually by kalidasa · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Because they're planning on moving Enterprise to Neptunday night? I.e., right off the schedule. Yeah, I know, they're saying they'll renew it, but they put it up not only against Angel, but West Wing. The Slot'o'death.

  2. Re:Reviews? by DLWormwood · · Score: 4, Interesting
    The writing needs to be tightend up... or loosened up. They are trying to be both an "Excel Saga" type show while trying to stay "grounded" in the standard "family sitcom" format... These are mutually opposing goals, leading to a wishy-washy feeling to the show.

    They should either let loose and shoot for getting cult status at the risk of losing mainstream ratings... (think Police Squad!) Or they can tighten up the premise in the hopes that it can last long term but risk alienating their original intended audience. (e.g. The Simpsons in recent years)

    --
    Those who complain about affect & effect on /. should be disemvoweled
  3. Re:Game-related 'toon by MMaestro · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Don't forget about the Sonic cartoon and the Captain N show, which managed to rolled all of Nintendo's best characters in one show and mar our memories of them.

    Recently in Japan, video game characters are begining to get their own TV serieses (besides from Pokemon and Digimon being the most obvious). Some of them include a Sonic remake, a series on Star Ocean The Second Story (PS1 game), a Megaman series based on the Megaman/Rockman Battle Network GBA series, and a "sequel" series taking place after the .hack series (both the original TV series and the game series). When it comes to video games, the Japanese love those pixelated/polygon characters.

    (P.S. Did you know they're even doing an online animated Manga/Comic as a prequel story to Metroid/Zero Mission? Look it up, if you understand Japanese)

  4. Re:Not bad, give it a few weeks. by RexHowland · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I even saw a texturing problem when the mom was fighting the big rock monster at the end.

    I noticed that texturing problem, too, but I think it may have been intentional. That's what my suspension of disbelief led me to believe, anyway.

    The monster was so low-poly compared to everything else that it would either have to be intentional, or extremely unprofessional.

    It did look cheesy, but I think (and hope) that it was meant to be like that. Since it was in her in-game world, I think the big scary low-poly rock monster was just for dramatic effect.

  5. Poor ratings - no surprise by wowbagger · · Score: 3, Interesting
    They put this opposite Smallville (at least in my area). As a result the target market is presented with the choice of:
    1. Watching Game Over, then watching the last half of Smallville and wondering what is going on.
    2. Watching Game Over, then watching part of The Mullets, then plucking their eyeballs out with a rusty fork.
    3. Watching Smallville.


    Since UPN will be following the minor networks' habit of repeating shows a few days later to cover up their lack of content (and saying it is for the "convinience" of the viewer) it would be interesting to see if the second showing has better ratings.
    --
    www.eFax.com are spammers
  6. Re:Well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    'Oddworld' was (supposed to be) a series of video games.

    The first was "Abe's Oddysey", followed by "Abe's Exoddus" and "Munch's Oddysey".

    I dunno about "the entire cast".. I only noticed Abe sneaking between two barrels at the toxic-waste dump.