Dead Rising creator fends off fans at mall

by Christopher Grant { Aug 9th 2006 at 10:15AM }

You could say a lot of things about Capcom's Keiji Inafune ("he looks youthful"), but you can't say he's without a sense of humor. Why else would the creator of a video game about a man trapped in a shopping mall fending off swarms of brain-hungry zombies trap himself in a shopping mall to fend off swarms of autograph-hungry fans?

Despite the veiled insult, fans lined up for a chance to get some of Inafune's brain droppings scribbled on various things. Fans like Joystiq VIP Philip Palermo, creator of the super limited-edition Joystiq-zilla tee. Philip managed to make it out alive, but not before taking some great snaps of the mayhem, Frank West-style, and sending us in his observations of the event.

"Oh the irony. Dead Rising Executive Producer Keiji Inafune celebrated the release of a game set in the middle of a mall by hanging out in the middle of the mall. Fans lined up outside the Redmond EB Games to meet with the man behind Dead Rising, Lost Planet, Mega Man and etc. etc."

"Inafune signed copies of his new Xbox 360 game, as well as blasts from his past like Megaman 2. Those in attendance included fans of his older games, at least one Joystiq reader and, curiously, a handful of Nintendo of America employees."

"The man on the right, displaying an excellent taste in clothing (ahem) goes by the name Raymond. I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw him walk up, but I didn't tell him why. Hope he didn't think I was laughing at him!"

Of course, Philip designed the shirt. Go Raymond!

Oh God! It's horrible! The zombie hoards have been sated with signatures and t-shirts ... don't look ... turn away.

Tags: Capcom, Dead Rising, DeadRising, Keiji Inafune, KeijiInafune, Mall, Redmond, sightings

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

logikil @ Aug 9th 2006 10:32AM

Shit like that never happens in Colorado. Damn it.

Chris @ Aug 9th 2006 10:39AM

in the 4th pic it looks like he wet his pants

bob @ Aug 9th 2006 10:43AM

@ Chris

why are you even looking in that vicinity.

Marty @ Aug 9th 2006 10:54AM

I wonder if he is armed with Teddy bears to ward off hungry fans.

Batman @ Aug 9th 2006 11:03AM

# 1
You think this stuff never happens in Colorado...
u should try living in Canada.

jeremy @ Aug 9th 2006 11:05AM

The last picture is great. Especially the one boy that does't quite look "Mature!" Go ESRB!!!

Gary @ Aug 9th 2006 11:13AM

I commend Keiji Inafune for meeting with fans. It brings a tremendous sense of community to the gaming scene and speaks volumes for his character. I admire people like that.

kiwir @ Aug 9th 2006 11:13AM

Umm... that 4th pic is not Philip. No, really..

WebPimp @ Aug 9th 2006 11:18AM

#6. Excellent observation. Didn't even notice that. I'm still laughing about it :)

Dallas @ Aug 9th 2006 11:21AM

People should have all dressed up as zombies.

I'm disapointed in the lack of free time these people have.

MusashiX2 @ Aug 9th 2006 11:26AM

i love that last pic so much. notice the chick on the left? the way she is looking at these losers, you know what she is thinking as she walks by...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/MusashiX2/inafune_mall_5-edit.jpg

and btw, somebody should tell frenchy on the right in picture 5 that Italia won the cup! =P

Matt @ Aug 9th 2006 12:00PM

#5
I was going to say the same about Wisconsin, but I am pretty sure you've won. ;)

Matt @ Aug 9th 2006 12:02PM

As a side-note, EB and Gamestop as a company require all employees to card those purchasing Mature rated games, and can't even sell a title to somebody without making sure they're of-age (the POS, or computer system, makes them verify age). It is also a coporate policy to check ID, and if an employee does not they can face termination. Just thought I'd throw that out there...

Morkath @ Aug 9th 2006 12:09PM

He also left at least 15 minutes early, so those of us who had to work didn't get anything signed.

C. Grant @ Aug 9th 2006 12:19PM

kiwir: you're right. I missed the part of Philip's email detailing that pic! There was actually another Joystiq fan representing the 'stiq! Raymond rules!

sumdum gai @ Aug 9th 2006 12:26PM

Too bad Crapcom can't get that game to any other stores. My brother keeps getting automated phone calls telling him the preorder will be in "this afternoon" two days in a row. Half the Best Buy's are giving out conflicting delays while the other half got the game, and Best Buy's site even downgraded to back order status.

Philip Palermo @ Aug 9th 2006 1:34PM

I was about to leave when I saw Raymond walk up and I thought, "I've got to get a photo of this."

Jason B @ Aug 9th 2006 1:40PM

Just got my copy from the local BestBuy in Marietta, GA for $49.99 as myself and two other friends were able to get them to price match with Fry's.

BTW - they had a crapload of copies.

-jasonb

Rare Hare @ Aug 9th 2006 2:10PM

"As a side-note, EB and Gamestop as a company require all employees to card those purchasing Mature rated games, and can't even sell a title to somebody without making sure they're of-age (the POS, or computer system, makes them verify age). It is also a coporate policy to check ID, and if an employee does not they can face termination. Just thought I'd throw that out there..."

I've mentioned this before, and I'll second it now. Don't go blaming the stores that sell the games, as they won't sell Mature games to those under 17. It's written into corporate policy, and it's the very reason that attempting to actually outlaw the act is ludicrous.

If that guy is under 17 and owns a copy of Dead Rising, it was purchased for him by someone else. Most likely his mother or father.

Anyway, cool pics, Phillip. Thanks! I want this game so badly but I don't have a 360.

otakucode @ Aug 9th 2006 2:14PM

Matt: Which is a sad insult to those under the age of 18 everywhere, NOT a badge of honor.

I'm glad the kid in the last pic got a fun game.

Scott Rogers @ Aug 9th 2006 2:44PM

Funny how the game is rated M(17 and older) yet one of the photos shows two children in the front row holding copies of Dead Rising. This is why the industry gets such a bad rap. Could they have at least only sold to adults while the cameras were rolling? I wonder if the author of the game signed their copies. Shameful!

BPM? @ Aug 9th 2006 2:49PM

Haha, I noticed the guy second to the right in the last pic is wearing Viewtiful Joe's HMD shirt.

Wow, an original Megaman 2 box! That's pretty cool...

I would've liked to have met Inafking (too bad I don't live anywhere close to Redmond...). And maybe express my Megaman fanboyishness. Stuff like, "Any plans on MegaMan Legends 3?" or "Why was all the bonus content in Megaman X Collection removed?!" Et cetera.

jeremy @ Aug 9th 2006 2:54PM

I didn't mean to make it seem that I was implying EB and Gamestop employees are not following the proper checks on age. I'm sure his mom or dad is off to the side or he is at least 17 or older. It was a statement of sarcasm only.

It's good to see that kids still get to play awesome games such as this. It's interesting to note that there is no real interest in the movie rating system and how effective it is versus the game rating system. After all, movies can be just as violent and filled with sex as a video game. Adults Only for Hot Coffee in GTA? What about all the rated R movies that have more explicit scenes. Did I miss the difference between R and Mature? Does the ability to interact with the medium deserve more strict standards?