Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Understanding Bratz Games


There always seems to be someone, somewhere who struggles to understand the appeal of Bratz games. After all – the dolls are cute, but not amazing, at least not to the casual observer. But then the casual observer isn’t the one who falls in love with the Bratz dolls and takes on the entire culture of the games. Bratz games are powerful for a few reasons:

Bratz games are simple but entertaining. Sometimes you just want something fun to play that’s not going to make your brain do more than just enjoy itself. Bratz games are perfect for that sort of distraction.

Bratz games are creative in nature. You have a chance to do something creatively when you play Bratz games. Sort through clothing and fashion styles to make something new and feel proud of your accomplishment.

Bratz games are fun to share. Discussion boards and emails let you share your finished creations with others. Just printing them out for a notebook or your bulletin board lets you be proud of what you’ve created.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Bratz Games Keep an Eye on the Future


Things just keep looking up for the Bratz games. Of course a year or so ago things were looking bad. The company that makes the Bratz dolls lost a law suit and were facing some serious consequences. They were told to turn over the Bratz games to Mattel, the company that makes Barbies. But so far, nobody has forced their hand. The Bratz dolls are selling like hot cakes and everything seems to be business as normal. At least everything seems to be going well for the moment.

The Bratz games have been protected it would seem by an injunction, or a stop by the court system. The courts decided to not force the company to give up its dolls, molds and profits – at least not yet. There’s not telling what will happen in the future, but at least for now, the Bratz games are still very much in production and still very much available for the rest of us. And, of course, that works out just fine for those of us that love the big-eyed fashion creatures.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Bratz Games and the News


Bratz games spend a lot of time in the news. There are all the lawsuits to cover and the ongoing drama of the ruling in the lawsuit, but, of course, the Bratz games continue to draw fire from the news for how outside of conservative norms the dolls are. The Bratz games are urban girls who like to dress somewhat provocatively and stylishly.

Media outlets never seem to tire of bashing the poor Bratz games. The girls haven’t really done anything wrong – they are sassy and fun, and there’s not a thing wrong with that, but somehow we all have to be up in arms that they have short skirts or that young girls are interested in wearing clothing styles like the Bratz did. The only problem as far as this blogger is concerned is that the girls are wearing the clothing outside of playtime. If they want to dress up like Bratz, so be it. Just make it a dress up game like everything else and maybe the news can relax for awhile.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Bratz Games Are Here For Good


I recently read a little news piece that mentioned the ongoing problems with Bratz games. The original manufacturer of the Bratz games lost their lawsuit for the dolls and was ordered to turn them over to Mattel and to break the plates so that no more dolls could be made. But then didn’t. And now the courts are trying to figure out if the original ruling will stand. Mattel might not even get the Bratz dolls after all, and they have already started a line of Bratz under the Mattel label to be released.

I don’t really care about the lawsuit side of things, but I do care that Mattel is planning to continue with the Bratz games. I’d hate to think that the Bratz would all go away after the lawsuit was enforced, but it looks like things are going to continue as normal for a while, and even when it’s time for Mattel to take the reins, there are Bratz dolls waiting in the wings. Bratz games are here for good.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Bratz Games and Me


Of all the various fashion games, Bratz games are easily my favorite. Why, you might ask? I like them for the same reasons most girls do – the dolls are funky and fun in a different way. You’ll hear complaints that the Bratz games don’t have enough clothing on or that they are a bit too sultry to be a fashion doll, but I think it’s all in your perception. Barbie has done some skimpy clothing in her day. If the Bratz are so outlandish, why are they so popular?

I think it’s because the Bratz dolls adequately reflect our society. Girls play with Bratz games, but that doesn’t mean that they all want to become their own Bratz dolls. I can like trendy, even sexy clothing on dolls without becoming a charlatan in my own right. That might not be true for everyone, but then parents would know better than anyone how their children will respond to a certain doll or toy. If your child likes the fashions for her, talk to her about it and what they mean. But if she just likes playing fashion games, relax and let her – it’s just the styles after all. 

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Bratz Games in the News


It was all over the news when Mattel won the trial against MGA Entertainment and got back the Bratz dolls based on a copyright issue. But now a judge has put the proceedings on hold for a while. In the meantime, Mattel has started their own Bratz doll line and is ready to launch something new and different once they gain control of the dolls. MGA is planning the next line of Bratz dolls to be produced from their company. It’s a mess.

When the judge declared Mattel the winner, MGA, the original manufacturer of the Bratz dolls was ordered to give everything over to Mattel and break the molds of the dolls (figuratively speaking, of course.) MGA has yet to do so and continues to produce and sell the dolls while Mattel prepared to dominate the doll industry once again with both Bratz and Barbies. What will happen now is truly anyone’s guess, but my money is on Bratz games coming through in the end. After all, those girls are tough and could easily take Barbie down if need be.