[Click on image to enlarge]
The Blue Monster has been turned into a game. Ryan Anderson from Fuel Industries in Canada sent me the following e-mail:
Hi Hugh,
We’re just entering the early stages of the development of the game that will include the Blue Monster, and I just wanted to show you how he was being integrated. The idea of the whole promo is to take IT people through a game that shows them the benefits of Technet, which is one of their key IT support services. Right now, the Blue Monster shows up in one of the mini-games, where the hero IT guy has to destroy bad packet requests on the network, identified by port without destroying the real requests (I’m told it’s fun if you’re a geek).
He flashes on the screen and eats all the bad packet requests and leaves the good ones. There’s not much of an explanation of who the Monster is, other than that he’s on your side. I would like to integrate it into the dialogue of the quest game (think Leisure Suit Larry meets The IT Crowd) just as an acknowledgement of it. Mostly, it’s just meant to be a little nod to those who know it, and perhaps we can link to an explanation of what the Blue Monster is… that much is not decided.
I’d love to hear what you think about it, from “cool.” to “I think this is stupid.” Also, if you wouldn’t mind sending me an email that just states clearly that you’re okay with Microsoft using the image in a game in this context, I’d really appreciate it. As I’m sure you’re aware, MS has a lot of lawyers who need things like that, and apparently our exchange on Facebook isn’t enough for them.
I’ve attached a screen capture of the Blue Monster in action… though he moves quickly so I couldn’t get a shot with his mouth open. This is not a final screen design, but it gives you the idea.
Let me know if you have any questions / comments, etc., and I’ll let you know about any changes or additions we make with BM.
Cheers,
Ryan
I certainly don’t think it’s stupid. I think it’s wonderful. Totally. The only thing i would say is I’d love to see a few Stormhoek bottles in there somehow. But I would say that. Heh.
[Note to MSFT lawyers:] Yeah, I’m totally cool with the Blue Monster being used in a Microsoft game. Just in case you had any doubts etc.
Thanks, Ryan. Rock on!
[PS: Yes, this is indeed a Social Object etc.]
