Why Have All These Games Suddenly Changed Their Names to “Edge”?

Posted 11/13/2009 at 2:21am | by Nathan Grayson

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Ever made a joke about how you’re going to trademark some ludicrous idea and sue the pants off anyone who comes within two inches of it? Well, for Tim Langdell, it’s no joke. He currently holds trademark dominion over the use of the word “Edge” in relation to any videogame product. There’s just one problem, though: Langdell hasn’t created a game since the early nineties. Now, nearly twenty years later, he sits atop his trademark throne, sicking his lawyers on such household names as (but certainly not limited to) “Mirror’s Edge,” “Edge Magazine,” and – most recently – indie game “Killer Edge Racing.”

Slightly less recently, EA attempted to strip Langdell of his precious trademark once and for all. And now, other developers are following suit, with indie developers currently leading the charge. The result? A hilarious protest campaign, wherein countless indie games have, in some way, changed their titles to “Edge.”

For instance, Fez is now Fedge, Critter Crunch is now Critter Credge, and Canabalt is now Canabedge. Also, a (huge) number of new games have been announced by a multitude of indie devs, like Edgeform: On The Edge of Insanity, EeeeeEEeeeEEEeeEEEEeEEEEEdge! A Feckless Disregard For Poopieheads, and – our personal favorite -- Edgeward McEdgington.

Now if only all protests were this well thought-out…