Mention The Godfather game to someone and they might not bat an eyelid, but tell them you were at Marlon Brando's house two weeks before he died and they'll sit up straight.

You'd better sit up straight.

Meet Phil Campbell, a guy you've probably never heard of. But you've probably played his games and you'll definitely know the people he's met. He's got stories for days. This is one of them.

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EA has won its court case against the estate of bank robber and gangster John Dillinger.

EA was sued for calling a Thompson submachine gun clone "The Dillinger". The Dillinger estate claimed ownership of the name and said EA hadn't asked permission - meanie.

The Dillinger estate wanted the courts to retroactively grant 1996's right-to-publicity for Dillinger's name and possessions.

But the judge, Jane Magnus-Stinson of US District Court in Southern Indiana, said no. She ruled that the statute does not apply to personalities who died before it became law.

Furthermore, the association of Dillinger with the Thompson submachine gun she said came about because of popular culture. EA naming a similar gun "The Dillinger", then, was free speech, and that's covered by the First Amendment.

EA made two Godfather games, but neither was great. Eurogamer's Godfather review turned up 6/10. Eurogamer's Godfather 2 review turned up 4/10.

So it was unsurprising when, in 2009, EA said there won't be any more games based on The Godfather IP.

Video: The Godfather 2.