The Big Lebowski Bowling - Seriously

A new game is set to be released on a very small gaming platform - mobile phones. The game, Big Lebowski Bowling, will offer gamers the chance to bowl off against some of the characters in the movie. Granted that The Big Lebowski is an excellent movie worthy of a gaming title of its own surely it is not a second rate bowling game intent on using the popularity of the name to sell the title.


Surely, the movie deserves a better game than this. An adventure game would suit "The Dude's" lifestyle rather than this pseudo sporting title. This kind of title would have been suited to a LucasArts graphic adventure. Something which could capture the subtle comedy implied by the film. Unfortunately, in many ways the graphic adventure, has been dying a slow death. Kids are more into twitch shooters and level grinding than enjoy a game of comedy.

Considering how popular comedy is as a movie genre not a whole lot is done with it in gaming. I'm pretty sure it was Robin Williams who said, that you had to have suffered a lot to write good comedy. LucasArts made a living out of writing comedic games. Sam and Max has had an excellent revival from their fan base. Stubbs the Zombie and Destroy All Humans were only considered cult favourites without having much mainstream success.

Someone has paid good money for the rights to develop the game and the movie studio has gladly taken it. Maybe movie studios are not too picky with what happens with their products. As long as someone pays good money to them for the privilege then who really cares? Look at some of the movie tie ins which have been created. They can be second rate titles just created to capitalize on a market willing to pay for any type of merchandising related to a product.

Is it just too difficult for developers to create quality comedy gaming products? or, is the twich shooter and MMO market just not suited to having a good old laugh?