Two unofficial pop-up eating places based mostly on quick meals chains which have appeared in previous Grand Theft Auto video games have been deliberate to open subsequent weekend in San Diego, simply in time for Comedian-Con. Nevertheless, that reportedly gained’t be taking place anymore after Take-Two Interactive, the dad or mum firm of Rockstar Video games, despatched the corporate behind the eating places a stop and desist.
In 2004’s open-world blockbuster, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, gamers can go to a couple of totally different quick meals joints which are instantly impressed by real-world manufacturers, together with Cluckin’ Bell (a parody of KFC and Taco Bell) and Burger Shot (a parody of Burger King). These identical parody eateries would later seem in different GTA video games, together with Grand Theft Auto V.
Nevertheless, final yr, certainly one of these pretend in-game chains, Cluckin’ Bell, turned briefly actual when a pop-up model appeared close to the San Diego Comedian-Con conference. Individuals made movies of the place and its uniforms, decorations, indicators, and menus, all of which have been instantly impressed by the GTA video games. And none of this was formally authorized by or connected to Take-Two Interactive or Rockstar Video games. And this yr, the identical folks behind that pretend quick meals location have been planning on doing it once more, and even including a second GTA-themed pop-up eatery, too. However now these plans are useless after Take-Two’s attorneys reportedly acquired concerned.
Mystipaoniz / Rockstar Video games
On July 14, as reported by Rockstar Intel, the businesses concerned with the pretend quick meals areas—-Smokin J’s BBQ and Las Vegas vogue model boyworldwide—have been despatched a stop and desist letter from Take-Two. The businesses had deliberate to open Burger Shot and Cluckin’ Bell pop-up eating places on July 20, simply in time for Comedian Con. However an e-mail despatched to Rockstar Intel by Smokin J’s BBQ makes it clear that plans have modified.
Final Evening, we acquired a stop and desist letter from the regulation agency representing Take-Two Interactive. In response, we have now been compelled to scrap the Burger Shot occasion that was deliberate for this weekend. (At Comedian Con) We’re nonetheless doing a Cluckin’ Bell kind set up subsequent weekend, nonetheless, it’s now going to be a spoof set up branded as Don’t Cluckin’ Inform.
Kotaku has reached out to Smokin J’s BBQ. Take-Two Interactive declined to remark.
In fact Take-Two Interactive shut all this down
It’s not stunning that Take-Two Interactive—an organization that has repeatedly gone after GTA modders and content material creators up to now—would use its authorized crew to close down real-world eating places based mostly on GTA parodies.
It’s probably that final yr’s Cluckin’ Bell flew below the radar and by the point Take-Two discovered of it, it was throughout. However this yr—with all of the press surrounding the quick meals areas and the addition of a Burger Shot—I’m assuming Take-Two was able to act with a stop and desist letter the second the businesses introduced their pop-up plans.
Whereas I perceive that some GTA followers are probably disenchanted by the information, I can see Take-Two’s facet on this state of affairs. Not like fan mods, which didn’t harm anybody and shouldn’t have been legally attacked by the writer, an unofficial restaurant appears way more sketchy. Lots of people may simply assume these locations are formally authorized by and linked to Rockstar. And if the meals is gross or makes folks sick, that would look unhealthy for Take-Two and Rockstar, and could be a large mess for all concerned.
So it’s most likely higher for everybody that plans have modified. I do know GTA followers are hungry for extra content material, however come on.
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