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    Plants vs. Zombies

    Game » consists of 22 releases. Released May 05, 2009

    Plants Vs. Zombies is an action-strategy tower defense-style game developed by PopCap that tasks the player with surviving an onslaught of the undead by growing plants on their lawn.

    Michael Jackson Zombie To Be Yanked Out of Plants vs. Zombies

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    BradNicholson

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    Edited By BradNicholson

    The fact that I can't succinctly explain what the Michael Jackson zombie in pseudo-tower defense game Plants vs. Zombies looks like without using the words "Michael" and "Jackson" does a pretty good job in explaining why the zombie--officially dubbed "Dancing Zombie"--has been removed in the iPhone version of the game, and will also be removed in others as well.

    MTV Multiplayer reports that that the Michael Jackson estate has objected to the use of the moon-walking zombie in the casual title. As a result, creator PopCap Games is removing the zombie and replacing it with a disco-themed variant. The Apple handheld version is the first to feel the pain. 
     

    No Caption Provided
     
    In a statement given to the publication, a PopCap representative is calling the move "a business decision" based on the estate's objection. All subsequent "future builds" of the title, including the forthcoming Xbox Live Arcade version that boasts versus and co-op elements, won't have the Michael Jackson zombie. 

    Just FYI: the zombie, which was created in tribute to Jackson's "Thriller," was in the game before the man's death. So, while the estate certainly has the right to bring up an issue, it's not like PopCap tossed the dude in the game as some sort of malicious spoof.    
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    BradNicholson

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    #1  Edited By BradNicholson

    The fact that I can't succinctly explain what the Michael Jackson zombie in pseudo-tower defense game Plants vs. Zombies looks like without using the words "Michael" and "Jackson" does a pretty good job in explaining why the zombie--officially dubbed "Dancing Zombie"--has been removed in the iPhone version of the game, and will also be removed in others as well.

    MTV Multiplayer reports that that the Michael Jackson estate has objected to the use of the moon-walking zombie in the casual title. As a result, creator PopCap Games is removing the zombie and replacing it with a disco-themed variant. The Apple handheld version is the first to feel the pain. 
     

    No Caption Provided
     
    In a statement given to the publication, a PopCap representative is calling the move "a business decision" based on the estate's objection. All subsequent "future builds" of the title, including the forthcoming Xbox Live Arcade version that boasts versus and co-op elements, won't have the Michael Jackson zombie. 

    Just FYI: the zombie, which was created in tribute to Jackson's "Thriller," was in the game before the man's death. So, while the estate certainly has the right to bring up an issue, it's not like PopCap tossed the dude in the game as some sort of malicious spoof.    
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    wonderhare

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    #2  Edited By wonderhare

    Seriously??

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    MuttersomeTaxicab

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    #3  Edited By MuttersomeTaxicab

    Next the sasquatch and the Zamboni estate will be filing papers.
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    Little_Socrates

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    #4  Edited By Little_Socrates

    Apparently the Jackson Estate doesn't like money. 'cause, you know, random homages MAKE YOU MONEY!

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    crusader8463

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    #5  Edited By crusader8463

    *Insert Picard facepalm photo here*

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    zidane_24

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    #6  Edited By zidane_24

    Disappointing.

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    EternalDarkWing

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    #7  Edited By EternalDarkWing

    Boo fucking hoo.

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    mrsmiley

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    #8  Edited By mrsmiley

    what. the. hell. it's people like this that make me hate people.

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    mikemcn

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    #9  Edited By mikemcn

    Not cool

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    lokilaufey

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    #10  Edited By lokilaufey

    That's just bullshit. I am disappoint.

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    scarace360

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    #11  Edited By scarace360

    REALLY. you gotta be fucking kidding me if i was in a game i would be happy.

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    Krakn3Dfx

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    #12  Edited By Krakn3Dfx

    Wait...that's not Mick Jagger?

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    SuperKcross

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    #13  Edited By SuperKcross

    BOOOOOOO

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    RobotHamster

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    #14  Edited By RobotHamster

    Awwwww

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    recroulette

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    #15  Edited By recroulette

    Can we also get an update on whether or not Gary Coleman will still appear in PAIN?

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    cinemandrew

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    #16  Edited By cinemandrew

    I wish my likeness was in PvZ. Maybe I should write to pop cap to tell them I'm officially objecting to the lack of my likeness in their awesome game.

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    DG991

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    #17  Edited By DG991

    I thought it was rick james. 

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    Mikewrestler5

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    #18  Edited By Mikewrestler5

    And how do they plan to take him out of the PC version? An update?

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    FateOfNever

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    #19  Edited By FateOfNever

    Well that's fucking lame.

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    AhmadMetallic

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    #20  Edited By AhmadMetallic

    will be interesting to see the new disco themed zombie !

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    jayc4life

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    #21  Edited By jayc4life
      Get this guy to replace him.
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    EternalDarkWing

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    #22  Edited By EternalDarkWing
    @JessicaBoo said:
    " Ok? Michael Jackson is an idol fine, so bloody what????!?!???!?!?!?!   So next will be, cutting legs of the people that do the moon dancing all around the world???  *moon dances* Thus i conclude, MTV Multiplayer you are an imbecil! "
    Are you stupid all the time, or is it just today?
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    This_Dude

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    #23  Edited By This_Dude

    I'm pretty sure the use of a Michael Jackson esque zombie would be protected under "Fair Use" in the constitution.  since it was used as parody in a small part of a much larger final product.  There's no reason they should remove this zombie.  I gotta find a way to keep steam from updating this product,  cause that was one of the funniest moments of this game,  when the Thriller zombie popped up, i laughed every time.

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    MattyFTM

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    #24  Edited By MattyFTM  Moderator

    If he didn't appear as a zombie in one of his music video's, I could totally understand the objection. But it's a homage to Thriller, it's not in bad taste at all.

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    EternalDarkWing

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    #25  Edited By EternalDarkWing
    @This_Dude said:
    " I'm pretty sure the use of a Michael Jackson esque zombie would be protected under "Fair Use" in the constitution.  since it was used as parody in a small part of a much larger final product.  There's no reason they should remove this zombie.  I gotta find a way to keep steam from updating this product,  cause that was one of the funniest moments of this game,  when the Thriller zombie popped up, i laughed every time. "
    Yeah, I'm sure they could pull that card if they wanted to, but, as they said, it was their own business decision based on the objection.
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    MayorFeedback

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    #26  Edited By MayorFeedback

    Well, I'm definitely setting Plants vs. Zombies to not auto-update in Steam when I get home. 
      
    And, yeah, this should be covered legally as a parody, but the mere threat of a huge lawsuit and all the legal costs associated with it (even a frivolous one) is, I'm sure, enough to make Pop Cap back down.

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    Woodwater

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    #27  Edited By Woodwater

    Worst. News. Ever.

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    oddjob

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    #28  Edited By oddjob

    Not cool at all

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    travisgamedev

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    #29  Edited By travisgamedev

    It's too bad. MJ would have wanted to remain a part of modern day culture. It would make his memory live on. As the estate slowly takes him out of every reference in modern culture, he will slowly be forgotten.

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    frootsnax

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    #30  Edited By frootsnax

    Well I know 1 game i'm never patching.

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    goulash_enjoyer

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    #31  Edited By goulash_enjoyer

    Replacing Michael with... DISCO?  I think I'm going to have a stroke.

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    apathylad

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    #32  Edited By apathylad

    So, are they going to remove every single Michael Jackson spoof from TV shows, too? 
      

       
      
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    EternalDarkWing

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    #33  Edited By EternalDarkWing
    @Apathylad said:

    " So, are they going to remove every single Michael Jackson spoof from TV shows, too?"

    They are going to find and burn all of the copies of Moonwalker.
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    GunnBjorn

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    #34  Edited By GunnBjorn

     
    I sympathize to an extent, since he is dead it's somewhat degoutant to put him in the game as the 'Thriller'-Zombie. Still, it's a pity. MJ was all about entertainment, i don't think he'd disapprove of it.    

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    bonbolapti

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    #35  Edited By bonbolapti

    well I guess that's what will happen to zombie michael jackson now.
    Unless this is a certain context to it :P
     
    but meh, it's no big deal

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    BestUsernameEver

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    #36  Edited By BestUsernameEver

    Guys calm down, it's just one Zombie being replaced, it's not like they announcing PvZ is never coming back.

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    Shabs

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    #37  Edited By Shabs

    Super weak. 
     
    A cultural icon is going to be referenced in popular culture!  Why fight this?  This was the goal!

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    buzz_killington

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    #38  Edited By buzz_killington

    Where the Michael Jackson estate playing Plants vs. Zombies?? That's cool!

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    KillyDarko

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    #39  Edited By KillyDarko

    Bunch of idiots with no sense of humour...

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    lordofultima

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    #40  Edited By lordofultima

    You know, I think the dancing zombie is great homage to Michael Jackson if anything. It's in good fun...so this is the part where MJ's family runs his name into the ground further. Awesome.

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    Turtlemayor333

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    #41  Edited By Turtlemayor333

    So obviously the estate feels the same way about the Thriller video and in light of Jackson's death will refuse to profit from that as well.
     
    ...Right?

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    ELpork

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    #42  Edited By ELpork

    LAME!

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    TheGreatGuero

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    #43  Edited By TheGreatGuero

    That's lame.

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    bulletstorm

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    #44  Edited By bulletstorm

    Every member of the Jackson Estate is a talentless jerkoff who needs the support of Michael Jackson even after his death - I say PopCap doesn't back down and finally shows up to these pricks. 

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    shanchett99

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    #45  Edited By shanchett99

    and once again we lose an ounce of enjoyment. 
    all i can say is. 
     
    That's Ignorance

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    Brackynews

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    #46  Edited By Brackynews

    Kudos to Brad for not using the phrase "Beat It" in the title or body text.
    This ain't no Thorsenink punnery.

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    Shadow

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    #47  Edited By Shadow

    Well that sucks.  Still though, I hate that damn zombie, and I don't care for Michael Jackson so It's all for the best I suppose.

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    fozzyozzy

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    #48  Edited By fozzyozzy

    disco roller skating zombies actually wouldn't be a bad addition.   
     
    Also, since no M. J. how about a zombie wearing torn jeans and a flannel shirt holding a shotgun?  He could be called "Kurt Kobrains".

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    Swaboo

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    #49  Edited By Swaboo

    They could replace it with zombie Jesus that raises 4 of his apostles from the grave with him. That way no one is offended!

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    JessicaBoo

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    #50  Edited By JessicaBoo

    No comment, seriously? 

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