Fat Princess- Offensive or humorous?

[Teufelsdrockh]

http://kotaku.com/5191328/fat-princess- ... -pigtailed

The game Fat Princess for the Ps3 is supposed to be humorous, and yet may find itself offending people?
One of the hairstyles (pig-tail style) is called "Prison Handles", not to mention the word "fat" not exactly being politically correct, and the game makes a point to be liberal on the blood spillage.  

I find games that don't strive to please everyone to be refreshing. I think humor can be found in almost any topic and I'm glad I'm not the only one that can giggle at tasteless jokes.

Anyone have any objections to games like this? To content like this being shown to our children (game is probably rated M though, I dunno)?

[Will]

They can make it, but I wouldn't buy it for my kid.

[Whitney]

Imo, anything with violence and blood is not appropriate for children.  But, that's not what people are upset about since we all know violence isn't that big of a deal in American culture.

Is there something about the game play that makes this game offensive for some other reason besides being called "fat princess" and having a chubby princess as a character?

I play this game called Overlord, in one of the levels there is a very fat dwarf that rolls around trying to squish you and your minions.  (Overlord has quite a few potentially offensive characters and objectives)  I think this part of the game is funny but I wouldn't think it was funny to see an actual person who was fat enough to look like they could be rolled around.

I guess I just don't see what is offensive about fat characters unless they are being used to belittle fat people.  I doubt people would take much of an issue with the game if it were called "skinny princess" and had a stick figure as the princess character.

[karadan]

Imo, anything with violence and blood is not appropriate for children.  But, that's not what people are upset about since we all know violence isn't that big of a deal in American culture.

Is there something about the game play that makes this game offensive for some other reason besides being called "fat princess" and having a chubby princess as a character?

I play this game called Overlord, in one of the levels there is a very fat dwarf that rolls around trying to squish you and your minions.  (Overlord has quite a few potentially offensive characters and objectives)  I think this part of the game is funny but I wouldn't think it was funny to see an actual person who was fat enough to look like they could be rolled around.

I guess I just don't see what is offensive about fat characters unless they are being used to belittle fat people.  I doubt people would take much of an issue with the game if it were called "skinny princess" and had a stick figure as the princess character.

Unless 'Skinny Princess' could be proven to be glamorizing or promoting the starvation of children. I actually find those 'Bratz' rather disturbing. My neice really loves them at the moment. All i can see that product promotes is emaciated pre-teen dolls fixated on fashion and celebrities. I'm not entirely sure that is a good idea.

[Teufelsdrockh]

The point wasn't really about showing it to your kids. That was kind of a secondary thought.

Is there something about the game play that makes this game offensive for some other reason besides being called "fat princess" and having a chubby princess as a character?

There are a couple of things that make the game offensive to people, using the word "fat" would be only one of them. It paints an unflattering picture of people who are overweight.
"Prison handles" might get people up in a huff too.

[karadan]

The point wasn't really about showing it to your kids. That was kind of a secondary thought.

Is there something about the game play that makes this game offensive for some other reason besides being called "fat princess" and having a chubby princess as a character?

There are a couple of things that make the game offensive to people, using the word "fat" would be only one of them. It paints an unflattering picture of people who are overweight.
"Prison handles" might get people up in a huff too.

So? I don't get offended when my work colleagues call me a dirty smoker - which is what i am. They are belittling me because of an addiction, and in many ways i'm deserving of that belittlement. I see no difference with what you're saying here. If an obese person gets offended when they are referred to as 'fat' then that is their subconscious telling them to lose weight.

Should obese people be flattered about their weight?
As far as i'm concerned, it is a huge issue costing taxpayers massive amounts of money.

[joeactor]

I'm with Karadan...

The game sounds like it *could* be funny (Mr. Creosote anyone?)

Obesity is an issue in this and other countries (another sign of excess?)

Bratz are disturbing (do they come with their own street corner?)

Non-PC humour is great if it is done well.
I know I've done my share in improv.
Just gotta tread the fine line of funny vs. predjudice... and that's the trick.

Humour is a wonderful social tool, and it's a shame we've lost some of that thru the whole PC movement.

Time to bring back some offensive,
JoeActor

[curiosityandthecat]

And finally, a wafer thin mint.

[Teufelsdrockh]

So? I don't get offended when my work colleagues call me a dirty smoker - which is what i am. They are belittling me because of an addiction, and in many ways i'm deserving of that belittlement. I see no difference with what you're saying here.

Just for clarification, I'm not defending the people who are offended. I already said I think the game is refreshing in it's bluntness. I'm only stating the reasons why they would be offended.

Curiosity: Thats a really terrible picture to see when I'm trying to eat.  

[curiosityandthecat]

Curiosity: Thats a really terrible picture to see when I'm trying to eat.   Just be glad it wasn't the Youtube video.  

[Will]

And finally, a wafer thin mint.

Awesome. +10 points

[VanReal]

I agree we go overboard on the entire PC thing and people are losing their ability to laugh at themselves.  I like the smoking example because smokers are definitely the lepers!!  I don't know why people can't just take things as they are.  And, some people get offended even when you laugh at yourself.  Here's a short example:

A woman we interviewed at work was hired recently.  After receiving her job offer, which she accepted she called Edible Arrangements and had a gift basket sent to me and one sent to our boss, her new boss.  The boss' was a fruit basket and mine was cookies.  When they arrived I said "I guess you look like you eat fruit and I look like I eat cookies!" I laughed and everyone else looked around like I had just kicked a cat.  Where is the humor?

Now if Fat Princess looked like someone we all know I would think it maybe offensive, but just having a fat character and naming her what she is, who really cares.....As far as Prison Handles go I think that's less risky than a lot of what was on grand theft auto, and kids these days wear Prison Pants (whole butt hanging out) so what do they care...thicker skin Americans.

[Ihateyoumike]

My motto: If you can't laugh at yourself, I'll do it for you.  

And PC is BS.

[karadan]

My motto: If you can't laugh at yourself, I'll do it for you.  

[Kodanshi]

It sounds awesome. I actually LOL’d when I read the thing about prison handles! And why can’t a princess be fat? Why do they all have to be skinny? I personally see nothing offensive about the word ‘fat’. I consider it a description, a statement of fact.