Ubisoft has gone on record saying that it changed the name of Gods & Monsters to Immortals Fenyx Rising because it was a better fit for the game's vision. But apparently, there's more to it than that. As VGC reports, trademark documents say that the name 'Gods & Monsters' was actually opposed by energy drink brand Monster Energy.
As you may already know, Monster Energy has ties to the games industry. It's not uncommon to see the brand sponsor esports teams and events, for example. It even appeared in Death Stranding as Sam's drink of choice. As such, it felt as though the name 'Gods & Monsters' would have some impact on the recognition of its brand. Er, okay then.
Monster Energy's opposition began back in April, and by June, Ubisoft had already decided to scrap the Gods & Monsters name internally. Supposedly, the French publisher would have been able to defeat the opposition had it engaged in a legal battle, but it decided against going to court in a bid to save time and money. And so we have Immortals Fenyx Rising.
In case you missed it, Immortals got a lengthy gameplay demo over the weekend that's well worth checking out if you're interested in the open world game.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 39
...sure.
And Monster Hunter is OK? I really doubt Monster Energy has the rights to a generic word like 'monster'.
@Octane Monster Hunter's fine because it's an established brand and Monster Energy would never be able to dissuade Capcom from using it.
Gods & Monsters was something totally new, and for some mad reason, Monster Energy thought it was worth opposing. According to the trademark documents, it worked!
If true someone outta bring the horror hammer down on "monster" energy co
Imagine if people continued to call it "Gods & Monsters" because it's easier to say than "Immortals Fffnxrsn" and it just becomes the norm. What will Monster Energy do then?
"No, no stop calling it that. Yer confuzin ar brendingz."
@ShogunRok Gotcha so no new IP with monster in their title from big developers. Indie's are fine, because they can't disrupt anything, but you never know. So stupid.
Maybe: Gods and Beasts as a new name or:
Gods and cans of drink 😊
Disney (Pixar) should have sued Monster Energy for taking their idea of canning children's energy in Monsters Inc.
Too bad. I liked the simplicity of "Gods and Monsters."
Monster Energy are just salty cause they couldn't get the main character to sip from a Monster can during custscenes.
Better snap this up quick, just in case
Another reason to hate that trash "drink". Also, that doesn't explain the "Fenyx" part. So stupid.
That's suck, I think there's a clear difference between Monster drink and Gods and Monster video games 😕
I heard that they spelt it Fenyx because Joaquin was kicking off.
@sabaki08 Yeah it's super dumb.
Wasn't there a film called Immortals? It wasn't very good as I recall. That is a more obvious link and brand damaging than an energy drink. They should have just renamed the game Gods and generic energy drinks just to be salty.
@Turbodream I don't like the "Fenyx" part either. Like they are trying to be hip and trendy.
"To a new world of Gods and Monsters," was a line from 1935's Bride of Frankenstein. There was also a movie of that title about Bride's director James Whale. It's ridiculous to think anyone would confuse it with an energy drink...
How stupid and over-lawyered this makes Monster Energy look. You'd think they'd be happy for the free publicity. Douchebags.
Monster have a history of this aggressive type of behaviour. I believe they also sued the Toronto Raptors over an element of their logo, as well as various other products/IPs I can't seem to bring to mind right now.
Unbelievable. I wish they held their ground on this, Gods & Monsters is an infinitely better name than the new one.
Gods and Monsters was a great name. I wish they could have come up with a better alternative though. Immortals Fenyx Rising is wretched. I guess it will go along better with the microtransactions Ubisoft is sure to put in there.
@ShogunRok k - that doesn't make any sense - so, going forward, the word "monster" isn't allowed to be used by anyone in the WORLD? i could see if another drink company tried to use it; but, this has nothing to do with drinks.
Monster does not own the word monster🤦♂️
@Enigk Yes, there is a 2011 film and it's about greek mythology... Well maybe they will have to change the name again to something like Undying Fire bird ascent.
@Deadhunter Thanks for the trivia. Do you think it was intentional or just a cool coincidence?
@Turbodream I'm sure it was originally intentional, it's a very well known quote. Which makes it more eye-rollingly silly that Monster Energy would make a big deal of it.
I wanna make a game and call it Monster just to piss them off
On one hand I wish they kept the name to spite Monster Energy.
On the other hand, there are so many great games out there vying for my attention, and one with a name like "Gods & Monsters" would not even get a second glance so I am glad they changed it.
I love Immortal... their music is great! ☺️ and that movie is also cool
On the other hand I also looking forward Dyablo 4 and another ynFeymus.
Rising, rising everywhere... or isn't that rysyng?
sorry I let myself fall to the flow... anyway I am not interested in this game anymore, also as these lemonades...
I understand it i always mix up videogames and disgusting energydrinks...
Ironically the reputational damage suffered by monster energy drink in making this vexatious claim is greater than zero loss they would’ve suffered if gods and monsters had kept its original name.
Wow this is lame. The new title is so awful...
‘Fenyx’ ????? Sounds like some 2000s edgelord name.
Not that I ever bought that rubbish, but still I especially won't now.
I don’t understand how this could possibly be true. You can’t own the name Monster. Monster Hunter?
@Akimi terrible name... I would even go so far as to say the name will confuse customers and the title will bomb.
They've set the precedent, don't expect others to not try this in the future...
sounds like a lot of garbage to me, must be some weird PR spin they're trying, more likely China didn't like the title.
@Bad-MuthaAdebisi You might want to re-read tbe article. Ubisoft aren't the ones saying it was Monster Energy that forced the change, so it can't be their PR. This is from an independent report that shows the trademark document that states it was changed because of the drink company.
@Matroska you obviously don't understand how PR works
@Bad-MuthaAdebisi PR works by your PR department claiming one thing while a legal document shows they're not telling the whole truth? Wow, thanks for the insight PR genius.
@Matroska if you think a PR department only works by putting out direct messages then again, no, you obviously don't know how PR works
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