So, what happens to ‘Michael Jackson: The Video Game’?
The cover art from one of Sega's "Moonwalker" game versions in 1990.
Now that the Gloved One has become the Eternally Loved One, history awaits a verdict on Michael Jackson’s legacy, perhaps to be punctuated by toxicology test results that require several days to resolve.
If Jackson’s frail-looking body was chemically dependent, he will enter the pantheon of performers who turned to drugs in search of control over or escape from their fame-wracked emotions. Otherwise, Jacko won’t seem wacko, just vulnerable to the rigors of celebrity.
Music outlets have spewed his songs almost from the moment Jackson was declared dead Thursday afternoon. But what of the video games he starred in over the years — and one he was supposed to be starring in later this year?
For a time, Jackson was an attraction in arcades as well as the stage; his side-scrolling “Moonwalker” game from the early 1990s, also on Sega consoles, was memorable for the digitized Jackson’s white duds, the dearth of decent Jackson music in the soundtrack, and the way sparks flew from MJ’s toes whenever he dance-kicked someone to death.
Thereafter, Jackson appeared mainly as a cameo player in games, even appearing as an unlockable character in a version of “Ready 2 Rumble Boxing,” though with those high kicks and fire-spewing feet he was better suited for a UFC bout.
Then on Thursday, just after Jackson’s death, began rumors that his demise also killed further progress on a console game set for release on PlayStations 2 and 3 and Nintendo Wii this fall. The Jackson-owned MJJ Productions Inc. was said to be shepherding the project, though nothing was said before or since Jackson’s death what the game was about or how it was to be marketed.
MJJ Productions has not responded to inquiries about the alleged game, leading Game Guy to think this might be little more than part of the speculation about what Jackson was up to in his final months. He was scheduled to perform in a 50-show concert series in London, starting in July. The video game could have been a promotional tie-in to that series, which reports say was sold out long before Jackson’s death.
There’s no reason to think Jackson’s passing would undermine the project, given the public outpouring of interest in the man and his music the past couple of days. His legacy is likely to approach that of Elvis and cling to us for generations, making even more money for the Jackson empire than the entertainer might have mustered while alive.
It’ll be a little weird trying to play that Jackson video game the first time, however. Everyone would hunt for clues to his life and death in the imagery, point to sure signs of conspiracy, allege the game itself is Jackson’s last desperate message to his fans, maybe even try playing the game backward to hear if he sings “I killed Bubbles.” Players won’t want so much to enjoy the game as to channel the Gloved/Loved One’s spirit through it.
And surely that is something the accounting office at MJJ Productions would love to see happen.
Now that he’s gone, everyone is buying his album and listening to his music, and of course, everyone is concern about the development of the video game! Hopefully, they’ll revise that Moonwalker or Thriller-inspired game would be great.
Gloved One, Loved One
(For Michael Joseph Jackson)
My heart is heavy, as I watch news footage of you gliding across the stage
and gyrating your pelvis,
At this moment in time this is bigger than the Duke, man, this is bigger than Elvis!
Though you made your living with words, today there are no words to
express the way the world feels,
Right now there is no need to go into your discography
because it encompasses valleys and hills.
But where do I begin, should I start with your amazing solo
career or should I start with the Jackson 5,
When you were just a cute little boy,
On stage you were talented and outgoing,
Yet off stage you were introspective and coy,
In the 70’s, you put the world into a trance with your Œfro and bell bottomed jeans as you did the robot,
Michael, you had everyone at your feet because when you danced and sang you gave all that you got!
Michael, Nat King Cole was a merry ole soul as he sat perched up against momma’s old wooden phonograph next to Billie Holiday, Roberta Flack and the Jackson’s Destiny album,
Lord have mercy you all looked so mature, sexy and handsome!
I am old school and I remember coming home from school putting on your album, These were the days before CD¹s, MP3 players, and IPODS,
Goodness, listening to your music was heaven sent directly from God.
Ooh wee, or should I say ‘hee hee hee’ about that pulsating falsetto,
That reached every country, mansion, island, barrio, prison, hut and every ghetto!
You were a great admirer of the legendary James Brown,
It warmed my heart to see you at an award show holding his crown.
You ruled the 80’s with a glittering iron glove,
Moon walking into the hearts of millions Moving as gracefully and as freely as a dove.
Newborns coming into the world already know your name,
Ailing grandparents in their last days know the same.
You were Gary’s finest but the world dubbed you the ‘Gloved One¹
Michael, your legacy is HIStory, DESTINY, OFF THE WALL, INVINCIBLE,
BAD and most definitely a THRILLER.
You are the King of Pop the ‘Man In The Mirror!
You ‘rocked our world¹ for over 40 years.
You gave us such memorable songs as Who¹s Lovin You, Gotta Be There,
Heart Break Hotel, Butterflies, PYT, Billie Jean, Earth Song, Can You Feel It,
Working Day And Night, The Girl Is Mine, Say, Say, Say, and we ‘Remember The Time¹ you told us that ‘We Are The World’and to ‘Ease on Down The Road.’
You sold out football field stadiums and integrated MTV music videos!
Back in the day we wore your buttons and donned white socks and penny loafers,
Now here we stand today in shock and sadness but we know your pain is over.
Michael, we miss you and though you said ‘Heaven Can Wait’, ‘You Are Not
Alone’, and “I Can’t Help It, “Human Nature’is the reason that ‘I Just Can¹t Stop Loving You’.
You were a great humanitarian a sensitive human being,
Who came to earth and completed your journey now you can have eternal rest,
The world loves you ‘Gloved One¹ but the Lord truly knows best.
We ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’ to you ‘Lovely One.’
WE LOVE YOU, MJ.