is using the yi fat guy sprite ok in todays world

[Nessa]

i think the use of a obese character for funny traeds a fine line of body shaming in modern world days. ppl probably thought it of comedy to do in the 90s but were pass those times

[SonicZetrex]

Oh dear...

Not sure if I'm up for that decision but..sure?

[Evil Yoshi Toes]

I don't have a problem with it, but I'm sure there are people out there who'd be mad at it. It's really hard to say something is just not OK because different people find different things offensive.

[Yakibomb]

Well, to add to what Evil Yoshi Toes is saying, any person that views fat as a "negative" trait might find it offensive.

Negative in quotes because it isn't a negative thing unless it's made to be. But I guess it's entirely a broad psychological statement I'm making and I shouldn't really get into that.

I don't believe it is inherently negative, to be honest. I don't find it will be deemed offensive UNLESS it is portrayed as something shameful. Just being a "fat" is not inherently a bad thing, and it shouldn't be.

[Mario]

Great thread, this kind of subject isn't really asked about with fan games too often.

It really depends on how you'll use the character and the intended audience. If they're used for some fat jokes or w/e then the plus sized community probably won't be too happy about it. However, I guess if it's in some horny/feitsh context then that audience will be pretty happy with it and most people aren't going to get close to it lol.

But just having fat characters probably won't offend anyone other than people who get mad when they see people that don't look like them. Really depends on how much of the character's design you'd consider a visual gag or just having a fat character I suppose.

[Pedigree]

Having fat characters in your game wouldn't be a problem, it would be how you use them that could offend people.

 

[VinnyVideo]

Basically, what Evil Yoshi and Pedigree said. If it's just the regular Fat Guy sprites ripped from YI, I doubt too many people would be offended by that.

On a semi-related note, I like seeing a variety of body types in video games, especially in more realistic games.

Course clear! You got a card.

[Saltman]

It's as offensive as Punch Out's characters.


That means, I don't really care because I find it funny.

[Spritanium]

I'm pretty sure anyone who sees a comically-obese character called "Fat Guy", and is offended because they think that character represents them, should probably lose weight

For me the "fat acceptance" movement is more about NOT treating people as subhuman because they're overweight. It's not necessarily about glorifying obesity, and it doesn't mean I can't appreciate the classic comedy of a fat guy trying to run fast

[Mario]

yeah I mean do whatever, it probably won't be as offensive as Spritey's post

[Pedigree]

I'm pretty sure anyone who sees a comically-obese character called "Fat Guy", and is offended because they think that character represents them, should probably lose weight

I'm afraid it's more complicated than that, and I'd like to believe you know that because you're more intelligent than this statement would suggest.

People struggle with weight loss for a variety of reasons because it's not as simple as getting on a treadmill for 30 minutes a day. A variety of factors effect weight gain and loss such as: age, gender, genetics, stress, thyroid issues and more. If you're not aware of these factors and their effect on weight gain/loss, you should really do more research before you comment on this issue in the future.

Even with all the diet and exercise fads out there, America is still the number one country in obesity. Do you just assume everyone is being lazy and eating 3 big macs from McDonald's a day?

 

[Evil Yoshi Toes]

I think Spritey's post contrasting with most of the other posts on here exemplifies what I was talking about in mine. I have friends who are overweight that find fat jokes funny, and I have friends who are overweight who take offense to it. As long as something is not said with malicious intent it is hard to say that it is always wrong because whether or not it is found offensive is going to vary on an individual basis.

I agree with Spritey that fat acceptance should be about treating unhealthily overweight people as people while still encouraging a healthy lifestyle, but I think the issue at hand is more complex. We are talking about whether or not it should be OK for someone to make fun of fat people, not whether or not people should strive for a healthy body. I do see where he is coming from when he says that if someone is uncomfortable seeing a comically fat character in a show because he associates himself with him then he should lose weight, but I think it's worth noting that making fun of someone isn't always the best way to motivate them to change.

[Spritanium]

Disclaimer: I'm a fat guy who doesn't exercise so I'm allowed to comment on this issue

Regardless of the reason for a person's obesity, obesity is unhealthy. Presenting it as an optimal state of being is just dishonest

"Acceptance" to me implies that a person's lifestyle shouldn't be used to invalidate their value as a person. I'm still allowed to think cartoon fat people are funny. It's not like, the pinnacle of high-brow humor, but it's not too offensive. Nothing a tub of Ben & Jerry's won't fix

[Nessa]

Having fat characters in your game wouldn't be a problem, it would be how you use them that could offend people.

the problem is fat guy and gourmet guy were drawn to be funny so theirs no way to use their sprites without appearing to laugh at overwait ppl even if its not the intend behind ur game

spritanium ur attempt at psych analysis has a lot of holes. their are many ppl who embrace body positivity and are comfortable with their bodys. part of body positivity is fighting for the notion that bigger waigt is not something to be laughed at or shamed. u dont have to be insecure with urself to fight against laughing at the expense of overwaigt ppl. its part of the movement

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and just cause ur a bigger person urself doesnt give u a free pass to be insensitive and rude

[Spritanium]

their are many ppl who embrace body positivity and are comfortable with their bodys.

Congrats to them. I'm sure there are also people who are comfortable with being addicted to cigarettes; that doesn't mean they're going to avoid lung cancer

There are plenty of outliers who are technically considered "obese" but are perfectly healthy. I'm not denying that. The people I'm talking about here are the ones who are over 400 pounds and use body positivity as an excuse to neglect their health

part of body positivity is fighting for the notion that bigger waigt is not something to be laughed at or shamed. u dont have to be insecure with urself to fight against laughing at the expense of overwaigt ppl. its part of the movement

Here's the thing: cartoons are for laughing at. We take parts of ourselves and exaggerate them for a humorous effect. When I see a fat shy guy, I don't think "oh he probably has a thyroid problem, how sad". I think "hey, there's a shy guy who probably ate a shitload of cake, that's funny". How is that laughing at the expense of overweight people? It's not like I condone fat-shaming human beings out in the real world.

Like are there really people who played the first Paper Mario and felt victimized when the Fat Guy geeks out over a cake? Most fat people probably like cake. Isn't that like, a statistical probability? Why can't body positivity include a celebration of the things that actually make people fat?

and just cause ur a bigger person urself doesnt give u a free pass to be insensitive and rude

Who gives out these passes? Can I buy one?

[Pedigree]

I'm moving this to General Chat, because it doesn't have a whole lot to do with Developer Discussion.

 

[Nessa]

spritanium im not saying its bad that u dont take offense im saying u shouldnt tell others not to be offended

[Spritanium]

People have the freedom to be offended, I'm offended all the time, and when it happens I say "f*** off" and go do something else. We don't need a whole movement to protect people from caricatures

I love body positivity, don't get me wrong, but the point of the movement is supposed to be to keep people from thinking they have to look like photoshopped supermodels. There's a big difference between someone who struggles with their weight due to a medical issue, and someone who just likes to eat a lot and is mad that people don't find them attractive.

[Nessa]

i should also add that stereotypes in kids media make a bad impact to society. when a kid sees a overwaigt shy guy whos only character trait is wanting to eat cake and cant be bothered to get on his feet to get it himself what kind of impression does that give to a kid about overwaigt ppl? especially if that kid has yet to encounter somebody overwaigt irl

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People have the freedom to be offended, I'm offended all the time, and when it happens I say "f*** off" and go do something else. We don't need a whole movement to protect people from caricatures

so u have ur own way to deal with things. if u dont support the movement fine but u dont get to tell others that the movement they support is pointless

[Spritanium]

i should also add that stereotypes in kids media make a bad impact to society. when a kid sees a overwaigt shy guy whos only character trait is wanting to eat cake and cant be bothered to get on his feet to get it himself what kind of impression does that give to a kid about overwaigt ppl? especially if that kid has yet to encounter somebody overwaigt irl

Your point is valid but I don't understand why this isn't something parents should be responsible for. If a child is raised correctly they should realize people have more complexity and depth than cartoons.

so u have ur own way to deal with things. if u dont support the movement fine but u dont get to tell others that the movement they support is pointless

See my edit, I support body positivity wholeheartedly; I just don't support people who exploit it to justify their voluntary obesity. The ideal weight for every person is whatever weight they are when they're eating healthy and exercising frequently. The Fat Guy character isn't a critique of fatness, it's a satire of gluttony. That's what I mean when I say that anyone who identifies with that character should probably lose weight.