Fallen Earth fan gets tattoo, hasn't played game yet
by Tracey John 
Sep 15th 2009 at 1:00PM
Filed under: Fallen Earth, Fan art, Interviews, New titles
World of Warcraft tattoos are probably a dime a dozen, and if you've gotten one, you're relatively safe, because clearly that title's proved to have staying power.
But how about getting permanent ink for a game that's not even officially out yet?
That's what 25-year-old Sweden resident Joakim has done. The support technician for a Swedish internet service provider has gone out and gotten the logo for the upcoming post-apocalyptic MMO Fallen Earth on his leg.
Both Joakim and developer Fallen Earth LLC have sworn that this isn't some coordinated PR stunt. We recently got a hold of Joakim via e-mail, and he explained why he got the tattoo and why he'll never regret it.
Why did you get this tattoo?
I've been planning on getting a post-apocalyptic tattoo for over a year now, though I couldn't really find the right motive for me. Then one day in May a Swedish gaming website posted an article on Fallen Earth. It immediately caught my attention since I'm big fan of that genre, and when I saw the logo for Fallen Earth, I knew that's what I wanted for my tattoo.
How did you decide on the design and where to put it?Well, I showed the the original image to a friend of mine who is a tattoo artist, he also got hooked on the design and felt that it would be a fun project. So we tossed ideas and designs between each other and this is what we came up with.
Have you played Fallen Earth before?
*laugh* As silly as it may sound, I haven't actually played the game yet. Although what I've seen and read so far it looks really promising.
Why did you get a tattoo for game that's not even out yet? Why not wait?
In my eyes, it's both a Fallen Earth tattoo and a regular post-apocalyptic tattoo. And I've been searching over a year for the right motive for this tattoo so when I found it, it just felt right to go ahead and do it.
What if the game is a failure? Do you think you might regret it?
Well, even if the game would become a failure I still got myself the post-apocalyptic tattoo that I've been waiting for, so I can't imagine that I will regret it.
What do your significant other and parents think about this?
My mom isn't too fond of it, but she's getting kind of used to it since it's not my first body modification. Although she can appreciate the craftsmanship of the tattoo. On the other hand, my girlfriend absolutely loves it.
What do you say to all the people who might make fun of you for this?
I really don't care if people would make fun of it. It's my tattoo, and I got it because I wanted it and that's all that matters. You don't get a tattoo just to please others. But so far, all I've got is praise and admiration of it, so I don't think that it will be a problem.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
M said on 1:03PM 9-15-2009
People a just f'in nuts that's all there is to say about it
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Pingles said on 1:08PM 9-15-2009
Next month's headline:
Swedish Fallen Earth player reacts to latest patch nerf by cutting off own leg
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Wartooth said on 1:11PM 9-15-2009
hahaha wow, i played the beta and it sucked. When this guy plays it he's gonna want to cut his leg off lol!
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Rudegato said on 1:18PM 9-15-2009
I don't see the problem. The guy really liked the logo, and looks like it's some really nice work done. it's not as if the fellow got "This is the Online Game I like" tattooed on his forehead. Just a good example of someone appreciating a good design.
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Jen said on 1:32PM 9-15-2009
If I'm reading the interview right, he just likes the design, it spoke to him. He wanted something post-apocolyptic. I think it's a cool design myself and I don't intend to play the game.
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pbintx2001 said on 1:35PM 9-15-2009
If i was this guy i would want the game to fail. Its really a cool logo and an even cooler tatoo, if the game fails, not many ppl see the logo from the game, and he could even tell ppl he designed it, who will know then :)
yavozerb
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specialjohn said on 1:39PM 9-15-2009
I'd still consider getting the Tabula Rasa logo inked and we all know what happened to that game. It doesn't matter about the game, if you like the art and it feels right then get the ink done
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Adeus said on 1:43PM 9-15-2009
Hey Billy! I got this really good idea for how to get you a lifetime subscription to that new game you want to play! Gimme your leg.
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Mr Angry said on 1:57PM 9-15-2009
I'm investing all my money in laser tattoo removal technology right now, as I more I look at the internet, the more I see people defacing their bodies on a regular basis.
I feel there is potentially a lot of money to be made from people's impulsive stupidity. If he really wanted this done, wouldn't he be happy just to get it done rather than advertise it on the internet?
"Hey guise, look wot I done!!!!!"
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Biophazer242 said on 2:08PM 9-15-2009
Guy has a swedish girlfriend... he can do whatever the hell he wants with his body.... SWEDISH GIRLFRIEND.
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Jay said on 5:40PM 9-15-2009
This guy is a support technician for an Internet provider. These guys don't have girlfriends... well not real ones.
theremover said on 2:13PM 9-15-2009
I just threw up in my mouth a little.
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Macabre said on 2:14PM 9-15-2009
I've seen *much* worse...
Besides, it's not like he got the words "Fallen Earth" along with it. To the unfamiliar, it simply looks like a generic biohazard tattoo with a gasmask.
I would never get such a thing, but like I've said, I've seen much worse. Just look here for some examples of truly bad tattoos:
http://www.asylum.com/photos/ink-that-stinks/481213/
Those make the FE tat seem entirely sensible in comparison, lol.
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Jess said on 2:19PM 9-15-2009
OMG it's a generic tattoo. Gas mask + biohazard symbol isn't exactly that specific. It's not like he got the Funcom logo on his leg, or a EA Mythic torch thing, or even the Warcraft "W".
BTW I don't care how much staying power WoW has, getting a tattoo of a specific MMO image is pathetic.
Music bands, sure.
Quotes, Scripture, Proverbs, sure.
Specific computer game images? Get a life.
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Wjowski said on 3:34PM 9-15-2009
"You're favorite hobby isn't cool enough for a tattoo!"
The Claw said on 6:43PM 9-15-2009
"Music bands, sure."
Yep, because no once-great band has ever turned to colossal suck, not once, never in the history of rock & roll.
Jess said on 3:53AM 9-16-2009
"Yep, because no once-great band has ever turned to colossal suck, not once, never in the history of rock & roll"
WTF who cares, music is fomething that touches the human soul on a deep and fundamental level. So what of a band goes downhill (many, if not most, do). At the time of you getting a tattoo of, say, Opeth, the band touched your soul and influenced your life, then the tattoo is relevant regardless if the band sells out or w/e. At absolute worst, all you have to do is add the dates of the years the band was awesome under your tattoo "1996-2001".
Wjowski said on 4:01AM 9-16-2009
I'd say getting a Winger tattoo is worse than getting a Fallen Earth tattoo.
ScytheNoire said on 3:44PM 9-15-2009
While the game sucks, nothing wrong with the tattoo. It's a biohazard symbol with a gasmask. It looks fine even if someone has no clue about the game. Not like that poor guy who got the Hellgate: London tattoo on his arm.
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The Claw said on 6:44PM 9-15-2009
Agreed, in fact I'd go so far to say that the tattoo is vastly superior to the game. Given the choice between having that tattoo and having to play Fallen Earth, I know which I'd go for.