Feminist gamers upset over Fat Princess...

[Haoie]

You know, I hate hypocrites. Let's see...the Castle Crashers thing is beyond idiotic, so I'm not even commenting on that one. You've got Resident Evil 5, which offends so many people because you're primarily (well...in early builds, anyway - Capcom must've added more white-looking zombies to pacify people) killing black zombies. Now, I'm curious as to how many zombies of other races (especially Caucasian) died before this. Boo hoo...cry me a river. Now, you've got women whining about the representation fo a fat person? How is this some sort of baseless stereotype? I'd say that it's quite a good representation of how fat person might move. People complain about how so many female characters have perfect bodies and exist only because sex sells, yet they get offended over something such as this?

How about getting off of your Rascals and actually walking around a bit, losing some weight and leaving gamers alone. They're probably just mad because the game'll somehow utilize SIXAXIS motion controls and require movement, barring them from playing it without risking their heart rate quadrupling from over-exerting themselves.

Then there's the whole issue of other races in VG altogether.

I remember the stupid argument about why Barrett is black in FF7 from some board.

[ott0bot]

But it's ok to sterotype the skinny bimbos?
I'm confused.

Exactly, duh!

I don't get it either. I think there was just a lack of news for them to trash that day and when this dropped in there lap they just ran with it.

[vejita]

For those who seem confused about feminists getting riled up over fatties and not skinnies, here's what's happening:

Skinny women (or big-breasted, big-lipped women) have dominated video games because its popular. These women are also sometimes the heroine and can give off strong personalities and ability (Silent Hill 3, Lara Croft)

Fat women are ALWAYS disrespected and made fun of in some way. TV shows and movies can never get around a plot that at some point addresses the fatness of a character if there is a fat cast member. However, the skinny women (or "normal" types) aren't necessarily addressed as being beautiful, thin, ideal, etc, because it's taken for granted.

So, why do feminists take offense at a fat chick? Because there is currently a problem with tolerance. People, mostly guys, aren't tolerant of fat chicks, like the ones whose fat spills out over their jeans or those who breathe hard after walking ten steps.

Now, minus the fact that Fat Princess is a video game and that some people think video games are evil, the only offense is the unflattering depiction of a human being, a woman, solely for entertainment. Yes, feminists find offense with the more flattering depictions as well, but there's just so much of it that it may feel futile to even argue that anymore. Plus, the "normal" type isn't generally regarded as dumb, disabled, or contemptible. The fat princess, however, is a fresh, new topic that can be argued (complained about).

Telling people to get out and exercise is not an answer. I've noticed that many people will concede to diabetes and genetics, but why continue to hold a view that is destructive? If one is willing to look past the fat and see an excuse like genetics, why not see past thei individual choices as well? I guess it's too much to ask of people to be more considerate than they believe they should be, but once the line is drawn people will stand behind it throwing stones.

Personally, I have no problem with the game. I may even try it- but feminists who complain like the ones who have are really sabotaging their own ideals. If they wish to break free from the mold (the mold being that fat women, if depicted, are ugly and undesireable) then a new tactic should emerge- one of acceptance and not anger, but the acceptance is not that fat women will always be degraded, but that constantly villifying the people who see no fault may very well be the people who are the most suited to accept the game for what it is.

[Mozgus]

So, why do feminists take offense at a fat chick? Because there is currently a problem with tolerance. People, mostly guys, aren't tolerant of fat chicks,

Wrong. Women taunt and criticize each other's weight so much more. There may be limits, but generally guys don't care if you have some chunk. I talk to a lot of guys, as I'm sure you all do, and seriously when was the last time you saw one of them make fun of a fat girl? Women however, constantly have something negative to say, both in the face of, and behind the back of, their fat targets. I see it all the time. It's actually a monthly deal when I overhear some broad talking about how fat another broad is, and 9/10 times, I think the target actually looks better than they do. The real irony is that the truly obese women around here aren't really made fun of in any way. The healthy ones are. But maybe that's just because in Kansas, the healthy ones are the minority.

[Ramatut4001]

...They're probably just mad because the game'll somehow utilize SIXAXIS motion controls and require movement, barring them from playing it without risking their heart rate quadrupling from over-exerting themselves.

LOL

[vejita]

As far as when I've seen a man make fun of a fat girl, I see it nearly everyday (and now on this site). It doesn't help that I live in a Greek college town, but I've always seen it. I guess it is more common in younger crowds of guys, but then again I think the words "fat" and "obese" confuse what people are really looking at. Most men I know have a limit as to what a woman can look like to be attractive considering their weight. Yes, a woman will say and do very negative things to a woman who is deemed less attractive, but it is predominantly men who make, review, and play the games... If women do it there is a "separate" column like the Feminist Gamer blog- you don't see blogs with "White Male Gaming Community" in the title. Point is, from a feminist's view, men have the upper hand in developing and commenting on society in media and such perspectives are biased- and the feminists fight that authority.

I guess my previous comment did come off like guy-bashing, but it just didn't seem relevant at the time to include women's social patterns of vindictiveness and gossiping. Besides, I was making the point of presenting the view from the feminist's side but then clearly indicate that their complaint is flawed anyway.

As for living in Kansas where you say that the healthy are in minority, notice what that means- generally the obese are the minority in gaming or in certain areas of the country... in a suburban college town like mine, the majority are plastic-barbie recreations with fake tans and ugh boots.

BLARG anyway I will probably play the game

[lordofduct]

...you know, there's nothing wrong with being fat. Just figured I'd say it.

well aside from the numerous health risks from being overweight. I understand that nobody should poke fun at somebody because of your weight but it isn't something people should be ok with.
Anyways, these people need to shut the hell up. This has nothing to do with idealizing women to be slender. this is a silly gameplay concept in a silly game (that actually looks pretty cool). Get a fucking grip.

Aside from the factor there is a difference between fat and obesity. One may have health risks, but being fat is far from unhealthy. It probably could be argued abnormally skinny is a bigger health risk then fat.

I like my girls plump anyways.



Off topic - I gained 45 pounds! WOOT!





Anyways, it makes me wonder what a game with out any stereotypes would be like. Making sure we avoid all possible unpolitically correct topics. Actually it reminds me of this story book my mum gave me as a joke when I was a kid. "Politically Correct FairyTales", the thing was hilarious and sarcastic in pointing out how ridiculous it all really can get.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

w/e i dont care. This game looks incredibly fun. People can bitch all they want about it. Also just to throw it out their i wish people would stop and for once think more about the persons personality over them being bi,gay,lezbian,heterosexual,democrat,republican etc.etc. ITS JUST FREEKING STUPID!!! Thats my $0.02... cary on...

[Lodestar]

How different would this be if it was the Fat Prince?

[arion]

looks like complaining about a game before it gets released has become a trend and it´s not even because of really offensive games it´s just getting silly. Shooting black zombies isnt racist and feeding a princess to make her heavier altho it´s weird it´s not offensive either.