Monster Power, the power drink firm that places artificially-flavored gloop in cans subsequent to gaming setups worldwide, is pushing an indie studio to alter the identify of its recreation. Glowstick Leisure’s 2020 horror title, Dark Deception: Monsters & Mortals is outwardly “confusingly much like their power drink,” Glowstick CEO Vincent Livings mentioned in a Twitter thread.
“Yep, that’s actually their declare,” he continued.
Monster, which is partially owned by Coca-Cola and has a market cap of $55.8 billion as of writing, is a recognized “trademark bully.” Over time, it has sued a small Ohio restaurant for utilizing “monster” in its signage, a Georgia welder for utilizing an “M” much like its brand, and as soon as entered a authorized battle over the identify of a person’s aquarium interest discussion board, MonsterFishKeepers. In 2020, Ubisoft modified the identify of its recreation Gods & Monsters to Immortals: Fenyx Rising following Monster’s declare that the title can be too simply confused with its model.
Learn Extra: “Gods & Monsters Isn’t The First Time Monster Power Has Been Annoying About Naming Rights”
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All of that’s ending salt for Monster—it has pretzeled itself in lots of obscure authorized battles with obscure little guys, and it’ll doubtless fortunately proceed to take action. However Livings is projecting Mortals & Monsters and received’t go down simple.
In accordance to another thread, Monster “calls for that, in alternate for permitting us to make use of the identify ‘Monsters & Mortals,’ we conform to by no means identify another recreation any variation of the phrase ‘Monster,’” Livings mentioned.
“It additionally forces us to conform to by no means use a inexperienced & white brand on a black background for any recreation we ever make,” he continued. “In order that they personal the colours inexperienced & white too, apparently.”
Livings plans to push again on Monster in court docket, and is advocating for a boycott within the meantime.
“Dishonest corporations like Monster Power rely upon doing their bullying in secret, whereas presenting a clear picture to their base (athletes & avid gamers),” he said. “Displaying their true face publicly is the one actual option to cease them.”
Monster didn’t reply to Kotaku’s request for remark in time for publication.
