The game is a story of how, with love and courage, one man heroically spray painting crap on a wall can triumph over oppression and give a voice to people yearning to be free.

Or just make Marc Ecko some money.

But that's not all. The designer was, at one time, interested in a video game version of Macbeth. Yes, Macbeth. "I completely re-imagined Macbeth," he told game site Destructoid. "I don't want to give it away."

"Our adaptation, I think, would have made it relevant to people who wouldn't have otherwise known about this great story. It's unfortunate, because a lot of people just don't know Macbeth." Marc Ecko, however, knows Macbeth.

"What, was it sacrilegious when Akira Kurosawa did it?" Ecko asked, referring to the 1957 Kurosawa film, Throne of Blood, an adaptation of Macbeth.

But that was Akira Kurosawa. You're Marc Ecko.

Marc Ecko wanted to adapt Macbeth for a videogame [Dtoid]

Destructoid talked to Ecko and found he's ready to reboot the story of how, with love and courage, one man heroically spray painting crap on a wall can triumph over oppression and give a voice to people yearning to be free. Or just make Marc Ecko some money.

"Getting Up was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears," he told D'toid. "Atari s—t the bed, you know? And I'm gonna f—-ing make that game again if it kills me. I'm gonna do it. I want to see the brand out there again."

I think the last part of his comment is the most revealing. I think this has more to do with spreading the Ecko brand than with satisfying the cries of gamers beating on pots and pans for a next-gen turf-tagging simulation.

Ecko said the game must be untangled from its legal arrangements with Atari, which predate the publisher's current reconstituted form.

Marc Ecko Wants to See Getting Up 'Brand Out There Again' [Destructoid]

I suppose you can cinch up the hood and create a semi-Spartan helmet visor look with it. Still, this garment seems to be more to be a demonstration of Big Brand A + Big Brand B = $$$$, rather than of street cred or gamer bonafides.

Marc Ecko Master Chief Hoodie [Street Level]

Yes, Marc Ecko – that Marc Ecko – has expanded his efforts from rhinoceros-branded jackets and hats into iPhone games. Dexter for the iPhone isn't exactly his game label's first effort at it, but it may be the only one you've ever heard of. Ecko hopes to "scale up" Dexter to the Wii and later Xbox 360/PlayStation 3, which will be the first instance of reverse game development that I've ever seen if it happens.

What Is It?
Dexter for the iPhone is an adventure game that can be played in the first or third person. You play as the title character, a guy who runs around "solving" crimes as part of the police department and then takes justice into his own hands by offing the suspected criminal and storing a sample of their blood in his air conditioning unit.

What We Saw
In the midst of GDC chaos, I found myself in the awkward position of having to run eight blocks through downtown San Francisco with about 11 pounds of journalistic equipment on my back to make it to the 30th story of a posh hotel to spend exactly 20 minutes with the title before running another two blocks to go sit through this.

How Far Along Is it?
If there were such a thing as pre-pre-Alpha, the build I saw of Dexter would be it. I'm giving Ecko the benefit of the doubt, since his games label hasn't had much experience in development – but I couldn't stop myself from wincing when my demo master said the game was 20% done and then proceeded to show me a level with no collision and no objective, purely so I could walk Dexter around and… well, just walk him around. You could call fake levels like this proto-tutorial, but I call it a waste of time for a games journalist to see.

What Needs Improvement?
Lose the Accelerometer: There are several different ways you control motion in Dexter. The default is a set of two buttons that turn Dexter's body or the camera one way or the other, while the accelerometer (tilting the iPhone) actually controls his walking or running. It works in that Dexter does move when you tilt the iPhone, but it's broken in that it makes no sense to move the character like that. My demo master sure seemed to have the hang of it, but I don't think I've ever played any game with a less intuitive control system than if my keyboard had been dipped in concrete and then thrown down a well.

Improve the User Interface: The only UI you see throughout the game is a Mask score, which is a meter that determines how unsuspicious of Dexter the world is. The rest of the time, you don't have a map, an objective arrow or even a noise detector during the sneaking missions to help you out. The game is pre-pre-Alpha, so I'm hoping this will come together. But for now, it's definitely one of the things that needs the most work.

"Use the iPhone in a sawing motion" What?: Not even blowing into the DS mic will embarrass you as badly as Dexter if you happen to be playing the game in public. A crucial portion of the game requires Dexter to off his victims in various ways. My demo master was fond of the bone saw, and when killing time came, the game asked him to turn the phone on its side and actually make a sawing motion with it while the screams of the victim blared out of the speakers. Can you picture doing this on an airplane?!

Integrate the Mini Games: Dexter has a lot of potential to work in mini games. It's not that Ecko hasn't thought about them, it just seems like they haven't figured out which ones are the most important. For example, there are requisite sneaking missions that play out like mini games (get to the end of the hallway without this guy seeing you), but the actual mini game of identifying murder weapons via blood splatter patterns doesn't seem to be required or even integrated into the main game. For the record, that blood splatter game was way more fun than the sneaking – and doesn't Dexter have to do some work for the police to keep the façade up?

What Should Stay The Same?
The virtual joystick: Some of the testers on the game complained about the accelerometer controls, so Ecko included a secondary control scheme where a virtual joystick appears in the lower left hand corner of the phone (when it's turned on its side). This felt way more intuitive to me than the default controls and I'm even tempted to say they should add a second virtual joystick on the right hand side so that we finally have a handheld system that does what we wanted all along: controls almost one-to-one like a console game.

The fidelity to the show: I've got to hand it to Ecko; they aren't creating an utter bastardization of a show just to make a quick buck (sheesh, quick? This is an iPhone game that's been in development for more than a year and they're still in pre-alpha…). It sounds like they're working closely with Michael C. Hall to get the characterization down and the cut scenes for the game were crafted by one of the show's writers.

Final Thoughts.
I'm skeptical, but I see some good ideas going on here. The virtual joystick alone is a moment of "eureka!" for iPhone games. But trying to cram a console game's worth of stuff into one game sounds a little ambitious, not to mention ominous for your iPhone's batter life. Ecko plans to split the game up into three installments for the iPhone which would then be merged into one game for the move to console – if they make it that far. It may be that the clothing designer has bitten off more than he can chew both with the Dexter franchise and with the nature of iPhone gaming.

Dexter for the iPhone features Showtime's psychopathic killer character of the same name. Your job as the gamer is to help Dexter find, incriminate and kill bad, bad people which is somehow supposed to mitigate the fact that you're a murderer.

You'll have to wait a bit for my full hands-on preview. But as a preview to that preview, let me just say I'm on the fence about a 10 hour iPhone game. Don't get me wrong; in-depth stories sell games to people like me — but if I'm going to shell out $300 for a phone, wouldn't I want to use it for things besides gaming?

Human Head, creators of what I believe was one of the most over-hyped games of 2006, just penned a deal with Marc Ecko's new games division, GameDaily reports.

There's really not any details in the announcement other than the typical our game is going "push the boundaries of entertainment" nonsense. Ecko gushed that he is a huge fan of Prey and is "pscyhed" that he gets a chance to work with the studio that made the game.

"Human Head is a premiere developer that is up to the challenge of crafting a title that is conceptually different than any game ever made," said Mike Lynch, President of Marc Ecko Entertainment. "Our entire team is focused on working side by side with Human Head's core group to develop an action title that is truly ambitious in scope. Our job is to change perceptions of what a game can be." ... "When we first met with Marc's team, we were excited by the creative vision that they brought to the table and the fact that they weren't afraid to take risks," added Paul MacArthur, President of Human Head Studios. "We're ready to give players a brand new ride."

Yes, so a next-gen title from Human Head backed by Ecko.

If I was one of the Human Head guys, I'd totally have to ask, everytime we were having a meeting with Marc Ecko, like right in the middle of him saying something: "Is there an echo in here?" and then laugh for two minutes. And I'd do it at every meeting... Yah, one of many reasons I'm not a developer. Brian Crecente

Marc Ecko Entertainment Partners with Prey Developer on Original IP [Game Daily]

Fashion mogul and graffiti "artist" Marc Ecko is forming a new gaming division in his ever-growing company. The division, Game Daily reports, will concentrate on investment and development of next-gen video game properties.

When I spoke with Ecko last year he said he was very interested in getting into the gaming business, so this comes as no surprise.

In that interview he told me that he hoped to make his own publisher, something that could become its own brand:

ou know, so, you know, I just think the medium is an exciting place and I think it's the wild west of media culture and it's a place that I just, you know, I caught the bug, I...its so an amazing professional and creative experience, so, you know...just expect the unexpected. Without showing too much of, just don't expect like more. I don't think I'm gonna do a break-dancing game.

Ecko is expected to officially announce that he is forming Marc Ecko Entertainment tomorrow. The company will be headed up by Mike Lynch, who will concentrate on finding innovative games and then working with publishers to get them into stores.

GD reports that Lynch will be joined by Marc Fernandez and Shawn Rosen, both of whom have extensive game industry experience.

"Our goal is to expand creativity in videogames - we want to try brand new things," said Marc Ecko, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of MEE. "There are so many great ideas out there that either aren't getting the attention they need or are being completely ignored. We will work with the visionaries of the medium and get these inventive titles in the hands of gamers."

"Since the launch of Marc's first game, Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure, last year, we have begun cultivating new game concepts, funding interesting titles that were already in development, and keeping an eye out for progressive ideas," said Mr. Lynch, President of Marc Ecko Entertainment. "One of our initial projects is with a developer that was responsible for one of the biggest hits of 2006. We'll be announcing details on this game very soon."

I've heard some pretty interesting rumblings as well. Hopefully more tomorrow. Brian Crecente

Marc Ecko Expands Game Business [Game Daily]

Marc Ecko sent me a T-shirt today. It's black and says Blame Video Games across the front in white letters. Actually, it looks like he sent them to a bunch of game writers. And he says he'll send them to you too, if you bought his game and are getting hassled by The Man.

Here's the deal, from the letter he included with the shirt:

So I printed up a few Tshirts with a "Blame Video Games" message—wear them for the good of America! Feel free to tell your readers that anyone who bought the game in a city where officials have spoken out against it can get a free shirt by contacting us. Just email blamevideogames@ecko.com with a pic of the game and a physical address.

Is it a marketing ploy? Totally. Did you still get a free shirt if you bought the game? Hells yeah.

Hit the jump for Ecko's full letter.

Videogame controversy is really getting old.

The endless parade of politicians who don't understand there can be games for adults is probably as astounding to you as it is to me. It's troubling some people believe that if someone plays a "Mature" rated game, they are then going to tag a building or go postal. Of Course people play games to do things they can't do in real life—that is what is fun about them! Why does this pointless debate continue, year after year? Since it doesn't seem the storm will pass anytime soon, I decided we might as well simplify things and blame video games for EVERYTHING.

So I printed up a few Tshirts with a "Blame Video Games" message—wear them for the good of America! Feel free to tell your readers that anyone who bought the game in a city where officials have spoken out against it can get a free shirt by contacting us. Just email blamevideogames@ecko.com with a pic of the game and a physical address. I included some other Getting Up stuff as well: a limited edition LP (with Rakim and Talib Kweli) and a "Black Book" with some background on graffiti and the game.

I really appreciate you giving Getting Up a look over the last year. Developing this game has been an incredible learning experience for me. I'm proud of Getting Up and very thankful I got the chance to make the game that I've had in my head for the last seven years.

I'm not going away! Ecko Games is cranking, we've got a lot of fresh stuff to show you soon.

Hope you enjoy everything.

Marc Ecko

Ed's Note: Check out our interview with Ecko for more on what he plans for gaming.

Marc Ecko is trying to bring his Bloc Party to Denver. This is the same party that led to him suing New York City over because they said it was just being thrown to promote his video game and graffiti. I had a chance to talk to Ecko yesterday in his Manhattan office. He seems like a really nice guy. And despite what a lot of people think (yes, including me), I now believe that Ecko actually is a hardcore gamer.

I broke my hour long interview into two parts. The first was about his decision to sue Denver. I used that chunk for a story that ran in the Rocky Mountain News today. The second check was about his game Getting Up, Ecko Games, and all other things gaming. I need to transcribe that part, but I'm hoping to post it up in the next day or two. It was pretty interesting.

For now, here's a taste of my Rocky article.

Ecko says he understands the concerns about graffiti, but doesn't want an overzealous approach to squelch what he calls the most relevant visual dialect of the past 20 years.

"I own property," Ecko said. "I'm a parent. I have a 4-year-old little girl and I don't like it when she writes on my kitchen wall with a crayon. I respect that.

"But there is a lack of understanding about the medium and the culture. We are just trying to educate through the event, trying to get people not to throw the baby away with the bathwater."

New Yorker Prepares to Sue [Rocky Mountain News]

Kotaku commentator Robert Summa recently had a sit-down with fashion's bad boy Marc Ecko. The designer has made his gaming debut with his controversial graffiti game Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure for the PS2 and the Xbox. Ecko shared his thoughts on topics ranging from its ban in Australia to the title's mixed reviews. When comparing gaming and fashion, he says:

If you think that the fashion industry is filled with divas, no, the worst divas are the guys who got wedgies in high school. Game divas are the worst divas than a guy reviewer in a Helmut Lang suit standing in the second row of a show. Those guys are easy compared to the pissy gamers.

This is just a taste of Summa's highly quotable interview with Ecko. Regardless what you think of Ecko or his game, the guy claims to be a gamer. So does Uwe Boll.

Find the Interview Here at Bottom of the Post [New York Metro]

EXIT (PSP)
Taito's stylish action-strategy game puts you in the role of Mr. Escape, professional escape artist guiding victims in peril from disastrous situations.

Full Auto (Xbox 360)
Sega's next-gen racer with crazy desctruction, lotsa weapons and time rewind helps fill out the dry 360 release schedule.

Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (PS2, Xbox)
Marc's first foray into gaming follows the path of a grafitti loving thug who must get up, get in, and get more sales for Ecko Unltd. sweatshirts.

Grandia III (PS2)
It's Square-Enix and Game Arts, so it's an RPG. What more do you need to know? Expect lots of world saving, dialogue reading, and hours in front of the TV.

MTV has acquired the film rights to Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure. The Viacom-owned company says their adaptation is going "to be an homage to graffiti s rich culture."

Ecko will be the movie's producer, which can't help but guarantee its success. (That was sarcasm, by the way.) Ecko says he has been working on the story for the game, which will become the movie, for seven years. He described the story as being set in an alternate reality in a future universe (where fashion pioneers don't get sued for writing games that encourage graffiti). He goes on to say that the storyline "provided a rare look inside of one of the most influential, yet often overlooked, artistic movements in recent history."

So it s a sci-fi, fantasy graffiti movie based on famous events in graffiti history? Sounds like a keeper. Again, sarcasm.