What's In A Name: Sucker Punch
by Justin McElroy 
{ Sep 8th 2009 at 10:30AM } 
We loved inFamous despite its unfortunate capitalization decisions, but since it's considered rude to ask about that sort of thing, we instead grilled the folks at Sucker Punch on how they came up with their studio's name.
"The other company founders and I had worked at Microsoft for a decade or so before starting our new company. Having chafed under corporate policies about what constituted an acceptable project code name, we were looking forward to giving the company a name we'd never ever get away with at Microsoft.
"We came up with a list of ten or so names, and eventually my lovely and talented wife saw the list. She said (and I quote), 'I don't care what you call the company -- as long as it isn't Sucker Punch.' We figured that the best way to choose a name a 14-year-old boy would think was cool was to choose a name that a lovely and talented 38-year-old woman thought was unacceptable ... so 'Sucker Punch' it was!
"After twelve years, I believe I've been forgiven."
- Chris Zimmerman, Sucker Punch co-founder and development director
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The Baron @ Sep 8th 2009 10:33AM
capitalization decisions?
Temidien @ Sep 8th 2009 10:38AM
One could ask you the same, mate.
j.howlett @ Sep 8th 2009 10:41AM
they're just insecure because they have to work with a 'q'
nukee @ Sep 8th 2009 10:49AM
inFamous
The Baron @ Sep 8th 2009 2:26PM
Ah, I was thinking Justin was raging against the merchandise, movie being made, and LBP stuff for it.
Kamasama @ Sep 9th 2009 2:05AM
@Temidien: That is not a complete sentence, so there's no need for capitalization. It might even be copypasta.
I don't see the problem with their "capitalization decisions". It was an interesting artistic choice to reflect the dichotomy of your reputation based on the moral choices, but ultimately I don't see it being a big deal. It's pretty sad to have such an issue with it that you think it deserves being complained about.
PSN ID -- TheUnforgivenII @ Sep 8th 2009 10:39AM
Rotfl. Listen to your wife and do the opposite, yay.
j.howlett @ Sep 8th 2009 10:40AM
i love it, wife says anything but that one he he goes that's perfect
LegendaryRedass @ Sep 8th 2009 10:42AM
He has no idea how long women can hold a grudge, does he?
Ghen @ Sep 8th 2009 10:47AM
hopefully just betting his wife doesn't read joystiq and start up the old argument all over again.
Then again, the wife has probably forgiven him after the checks paid by inFamous started rolling in.
Misframed @ Sep 8th 2009 11:12AM
"Then again, the wife has probably forgiven him after the checks paid by inFamous started rolling in."
Exactly what I was going to say!
Burns11 @ Sep 8th 2009 11:38AM
More like when the Sly Cooper checks started rolling in.
Sly Cooper, Attorney at Law @ Sep 8th 2009 5:44PM
what burns said.
Hife @ Sep 8th 2009 10:42AM
And I've decided to still visit your site despite your ridiculous issues with inFAMOUS. Let's call it even.
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Sep 8th 2009 10:46AM
You say that as if there is someone who cares.
Longhorn Slim @ Sep 8th 2009 11:14AM
What? the stiq loves inFAMOUS, you should have been here before it was out. I still remember that article when it only had links to inFAMOUS in a Prototype post
Hife @ Sep 8th 2009 1:35PM
@ Longhorn: I was just referring to their issues with the "unfortunate capitalization decisions." I remember an article where one of them really went off about it. And just for the record, I've been here for quite a while.
@ Spyder: You act like someone cares about any of these comments. Or maybe in your mind I need to comment on every single article, like you, so people "know me" and then someone will care?
Josh @ Sep 8th 2009 10:47AM
Cool beans.
Wardo @ Sep 8th 2009 10:50AM
This was the best one since the first. I don't think anyone will top that story.
bub @ Sep 8th 2009 11:03AM
u tell ur wife dude!!
bongoes the Black Lantern @ Sep 8th 2009 11:07AM
When are we going to find out the story behind Joystiq? I'm sure it's something fascinating and not just "It's Joystick spelled with a Q."
Ashkental @ Sep 8th 2009 11:16AM
I bet it was a poker game with crescente on a boat, the winner would choose the worst name for the looser, thank Joystiq won and kotaku received it's stupid japanese name
miffy495 @ Sep 8th 2009 12:58PM
Poor guy. All that time getting out of trouble for naming his studio what he did, and then he goes and tells the internet his wife's age. That's a personal thing, man. Back in the doghouse for you.
bluetev @ Sep 8th 2009 1:18PM
"then he goes and tells the internet his wife's age"
Or maybe he is smart and his wife is actually 48
Ballistic H @ Sep 8th 2009 1:27PM
52
kevin @ Sep 8th 2009 2:23PM
need to get a job at MS then quit after five so i could make games for the rivial company & throw all loyalties out then window. this is the reason why big software &hardware companies should have contracts of employment w/ strict guide lines so when you leave . ps hope you & that bitch mouse fall on your faces .
kinadian @ Sep 8th 2009 2:57PM
Considering he said "after twelve years" Microsoft wasn't in the console business yet.
Lurkero @ Sep 8th 2009 2:56PM
The better question to ask is whether or not Microsoft was willing to support them in the endeavors before they signed a deal with Sony. Don't just assume the former employees didn't try to associate with their former employer first.
Besides, Sucker Punch was making games before Xbox was released.
Courtney @ Sep 8th 2009 3:48PM
That's hilarious, will have to remember that when I go to name my next company (though it looks like the wife will be a co-founder of it, so this may not work).
hail2dking @ Sep 8th 2009 5:35PM
Did the hire LaGarrette Blount???