Ask Game Producer: Dilemma… Using Word ‘Blood’ in Company Name
I previously wrote about how to name your game and some days ago I received an email about a problem with a company name. The suggestion contained name ‘bloody’ in it and I’ve changed the other part of the name to ‘Creature’. I bring this question up, because using word ‘Blood’ comes up now and then.
I have a little problem about choosing my company name. Do you think __ Bloody Creature __ is a good name for a casual game company? We put a lot of effort finding a different good name, but we always turned back to the first one.
Pros:
+ Bloody Creature sounds very good
+ Actual logo is nice and a lot of people like it
+ it fits the theme of our last game
+ bloodycreature.com is available
+ we can change the logo with something that reminds a tropical cocktail
+ we are used to use it
+ I strongly want a creature-related nameCons:
- we plan to release a more casual-oriented game; so a name containing the word blood… not for all audience… less customer coming to our site?
- too long?
My first impression was that I wouldn’t use word ‘bloody’ in a company name, and especially not in a casual game. But… after thinking it bit more I’m not sure if that’s such a bad idea after all.
I don’t think portals are keen to have blood and gore in their casual games, but there are games such as Crimsonland which use blood & violence and do (seemingly) okay.
If you are planning to use ‘family friendly’ portals such as BigFishGames then using blood in game (or in company name) might not be such a good idea. On the other hand, if you think you have found your own niche (bloody games?) in casual game space – then why not? I’m sure there are casual gamers who want their games bloody.
In my opinion:
- Check out how to name your game for hints, maybe you find yourself other Creature than ‘bloody’…
- Think where you aim: do you want to aim for typical casual portals? Then using blood might not be the best idea (but this is purely my opinion – I’m not deciding what kind of games get accepted)
- But if you want to aim in not-so-typical portals, and want to use blood & gore – then the company name is more than okay.
Don’t forget, in the UK ‘bloody’ is considered a mild swear word ;)
Bloody hell… thanks for pointing that out.
//+ bloodycreature.com is available
I bet someones registered it now because of this post ;)).
@Mike: yep, I know – the original name (that the guy asked) is NOT bloody *creature*, it’s bloody SOMETHINGELSE.
Another thing to point out: if you don’t care about family-friendly games at this point and decide to use your “bloody” company name, but later decide you want or need to be more family-friendly, then you’ll have a problem. It will be very expensive later on to change your company name, and you will lose whatever name or brand recognition you have achieved up to that point.
I would seriously recommend selecting a less controversial company name that you can continue to build on, no matter what direction you decide to take your company in the future.
Once we wanted to be Aggressive Zombie…
@Troy: that’s true… although keeping ‘everything open for the future’ might lead to problems in focusing today.
@Peter: Why so hostile names… how about Cute Zombie or Friendly Zombie ;)
Bloody Creature is an awesome name for a company. It really stands out, it’s a teeny bit rude (but in context, completely harmless). Sticks in the mind. Like Wii.
I’d use it. And I’d be more willing to visit a website of a company called “Bloody Creature” than “Impressive Games Ltd”.
Do it.
What do you think of “Drunken *Creature*”?