In the 1980s, Invader came up with the project, code named: Space Invader. He decided on this name as he was inspired by the arcade game Space Invaders. He took the concept of in-game aliens and brought it to reality, giving a physical appearance to characters made with pixels in video games. With ceramic tiles, mosaics could be displayed directly on the walls; making it a distinct art style he pioneered. But have you ever wondered, if Invader had this idea from the game, have they taken any legal actions towards them in any way? Let’s find out!

why was Space Invaders chosen?

As an initial inspiration, most of the original mosaics Invader did were primarily based on Space Invaders, especially the alien enemies. Numerous mosaics revolve around the Space Invaders character, as being nostalgic and classic is one of Invader’s trademarks. The first mosaic created by Invader was in Paris, depicting a blue pixelated alien with red eyes in front of a beige background.

There are a few reasons why Space Invaders was chosen. Firstly, it is a classic video game and is a symbol of the early days of gaming. By mixing it with the present world, it gives people a chance to enjoy art and reminisce on their childhoods.

In my own eyes, they are the perfect icons of our time, a time where digital technologies are the heartbeat of our world.

-Invader

Gradually, Invader branched out to other video games, diversifying the characters in Invader’s street art. Though, he predominantly stuck to using alien-like creatures.

Even to this day, Invader’s tile production are still inspired by Space Invaders’ characters.

Taito

Taito Corporation, established in 1953, is a trailblazer in the video game industry, known for its pivotal role in gaming history. Initially focused on vending machines, Taito shifted towards arcade games, culminating in the groundbreaking release of Space Invaders in 1978. Designed by Tomohiro Nishikado, Space Invaders revolutionized gaming with its innovative mechanics, including the mechanic of increasing difficulty and introducing a high-score system. The game's simple yet addictive goal, defending Earth from alien invaders, captivated players worldwide, sparking a surge in arcade popularity and cementing video games as mainstream entertainment.

The immense success of Space Invaders was transformative for Taito, establishing it as a major force in the gaming world. The game's cultural impact was profound, and it even caused a temporary shortage of 100-yen coins in Japan due to its popularity. Space Invaders inspired numerous games and demonstrated the potential of video games to engage and entertain on a massive scale. Taito's innovative spirit through this iconic game continues to be a testament to its lasting influence in the industry.

legal actions

As of 2024, Taito has not sued Invader. At least, not to the public’s knowledge. Though Taito is the creator and the current owner of the video game, they aren’t too fussed about Invader’s street art. In fact, Taito has contacted Invader several times, never-ending with any precautions and warnings. The artist is allowed to continue his journey on placing mosaics worldwide without suffering any legal obstacles.

In a certain way, I work with them (taito), not against them.

conclusion

Considered to be one of the most influential video games of all time, the first fixed shooter game Space Invader with endless gameplay was a banger at first release. The interesting part is that there is no final level or endscreen; the only goal is to defeat as many waves of incoming invaders as possible with a spacecraft armed with a horizontally moving laser cannon. At the time, teenagers were addicted to the game, many even went to the arcade for a whole single day on one single machine. With the company accepting indirectly and not complaining about the current art inspiration, Invader hit the jackpot and rode along the wave of the rising of technology.

In addition, Invader has changed his subject over time. Although his initial source of inspiration was the Space Invaders, he has designed new and original characters himself over the decades which are now quite detached from the four original Taito creatures.

The four original Taito creatures

Invader’s Character

Why was space invaders chosen?

Taito

Legal Actions

Conclusion