“I want to create a completely real world for grown ups so that people talk about video games the way they talk about films and music.”
On september 15th 2015 BBC Two released a British made relatively mainstream straight to TV and BBCIplayer feature length docudrama called ‘The Gamechangers’ (TRAILER). Gamechangers was part of this year’s BBC season centred on coding-based programmes and activities.
‘The Gamechangers’ tells us the story of the legal feud between Rockstar Games president Sam Houser (Daniel Radcliffe) and controversial attorney Jack Thompson over Rockstar’s popular video game series Grand Theft Auto (more than 220 million units sold, as of September 2015), and the debate regarding the psychological effects of violent video games.
Grand Theft Auto V (GT5) released in 2013, shipped 54m copies (SEC filings) and it remains the fastest game to ever make a billion dollars, which it raised in three days. GT5 broke 6 sales world records according to the Guinness World Records, amongst: Fastest entertainment property to gross $1 billion. The Telegraph even ranked the GTA series among Britain’s most successful exports, and Rockstar Games was awarded the prestigious BAFTA Academy Fellowship at the BAFTA Games Awards (Youtube)
- You can watch the ‘Mr Robot’ like Gamechangers BBC-produced factual drama here – BBC IPlayer
- Rockstar Games not impressed with the BBC drama Game Change
- Everything That’s Wrong With the BBC’s GTA Movie by IGN
During shooting of the film in April, Rockstar games even filed a lawsuit against the BBC. Here is Rockstar’s statement in full, issued to IGN:
- “Take-Two Interactive has filed suit against the BBC for trademark infringement based on their movie currently titled ‘Game Changer’ as it relates to Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto video game series.
- "While holders of the trademarks referenced in the film title and its promotion, Rockstar Games has had no involvement with this project. Our goal is to ensure that our trademarks are not misused in the BBC’s pursuit of an unofficial depiction of purported events related to Rockstar Games. We have attempted multiple times to resolve this matter with the BBC without any meaningful resolution. It is our obligation to protect our intellectual property and unfortunately in this case litigation was necessary.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We do not comment on legal matters.”
Also recommend the September 16th 2015 published BBC special Horizon episode:
“Are Video Games Really That Bad?”
- Horizon explores the differing opinions on video games. They frequently stand accused of causing violence and addiction in young people – but is there truth in the claim? One-to-Watch!
Photo credit: NerdReactor/British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC Scotland).