Topic

Subversive vs. Sleazy

I like the vaguely subversive (and silly) tone of the game: nibbling on pigs to get meat, etc.

However, I was taken aback by a quest about milking butterflies that was called "Happy Endings" (or at least I think it was a quest).

Really? The game is making a joke that I'm giving out handjobs? Instead of finding it funny, I just found it kind of skeevy and gross. Come on. You're better than this!

Posted 19 months ago by magic panda Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

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  • Hey, I'm over 65, and I think the bawdy humor(humour) in the game is great, lol. Pleeease, don't dumb Glitch down! It is clearly not intended for children, and I'd add not for overly sensitive people. I agree, if something here bothers you so much, you should find a game thats more your style. I could say much more, but I'll zip it. :^)
    Posted 19 months ago by Phoebe Springback Subscriber! | Permalink
  • 8O...there's no old guy lurking on the subway to sexually harass you on the way to Groddle Forest? DAMN!! Now I have nothing to look forward to!
    Posted 19 months ago by sgjo Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I hope you mean 'clearly not intended for children', Phoebe! :P
    Posted 19 months ago by Millie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Hahaha, yes Millie, I caught that on re-reading & changed it.
    Posted 19 months ago by Phoebe Springback Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Probably just restating what other people will have said, but do people think this about, say, books and films? Not to open the "Are games art?" question, but to say that rarely do people think a film should be for everyone, or that a book must be for 0-1000 year olds.

    I don't think anything in here would harm anyone to see, and that any warnings in the sign-up are mainly to stop people joining if they're easily offended (or easily offended-on-behalf-of-others).

    Does Farmville have any warnings that it's not for the discerning gamer?
    Posted 19 months ago by beechamel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Poor me - I'm obviously a total innocent - I had no idea Happy Endings meant anything, or the other one Rub eleven out? I still don't get them.

    (Mind you in discworld I didn't get the Mrs Palm reference either - maybe I'm the wrong sex.)
    Posted 19 months ago by Momo McGlitch Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I have a great sense of humor like the best of them...but I am for keeping it as clean as possible for the kids. I have kids who want to play this game real bad..but, if the adult humor is too much then I won't let them play. They get enough innocence lost in the real world.
    Posted 19 months ago by Miss Muffett Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I don't have a problem with the humor of the game. 

    Do certain people have a problem with language/suggestive themes because it's a free game?  Or, do they only have a problem with the language/suggestive themes with GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Duke Nukem and others, because they have to purchase the game?

    Let's not forget how much innuendo was/is in Disney/Pixar movies.

    Lastly, using beechamel's remarks I will close with the following quote:

    "The greater the decrease in the social significance of an art form, the sharper the distinction between criticism and enjoyment by the public.  The conventional is uncritically enjoyed, and the truly new is criticized with aversion."  -Walter Benjamin
    Posted 19 months ago by frenchphenom Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1 @Harley "One point I would like to make. Since when did it become the job of a game to make parent type decisions for kids. Isn't that what parents should be doing??"


    Well said
    Posted 19 months ago by Araldia Subscriber! | Permalink
  • One of my kids wants Red Dead Redemption real bad because they love the fact they can ride the horses in the game.  I won't buy the game because of the adult content. It is obvious the game is for adults. This game is an awesome game for kids of all ages. Why not protect the kids if we can? Is it really going to ruin the game for the others? I don't think so.
    Posted 19 months ago by Miss Muffett Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Regarding keeping it clean for the kids, I would happily play this alongside my niece and nephew knowing that they wouldn't understand the jokes anyway. For my 13yo nephew, you'd pretty much have to come right out and say "LOL THIS BUG'S GETTING A HANDJOB!" before he'd uncomfortably laugh and excuse himself to go get some zombie head shots on xBox. My niece is young enough that she would assume happy endings meant fairy tales. By the time most kids are old enough to get the innuendo, they're old enough to be playing games that have innuendo. 

    For some context, this is coming from an annoyingly PC and often overly sensitive nanny. If I'm not worried about the kids, that's saying something ;)
    Posted 19 months ago by leah Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I too found myself questioning if my kids would understand some of the humor. I thought about that before I posted anything. I think they might not understand but what if they do? They surprise me at what they do understand. Personally I didn't find anything distasteful. But, as for being able to name an animal that doesn't belong to you in your own home in the game does cause me some concern.
    Posted 19 months ago by Miss Muffett Subscriber! | Permalink
  • "I have a great sense of humor like the best of them...but I am for keeping it as clean as possible for the kids."
    {bangs head on desk}
    Glitch. Is. Not. Intended. For. Children.
    Now I too have a headache.
    Posted 19 months ago by Phoebe Springback Subscriber! | Permalink
  • LOL.....o.k o.k...whatever...
    Posted 19 months ago by Miss Muffett Subscriber! | Permalink
  • you can't really blame them for being attracted to all this smooth, muppety nakedness, though, can you?  
    Posted 19 months ago by Nanookie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Nanookie speaks the truth.
    Posted 19 months ago by Shwan Subscriber! | Permalink
  • If they do understand, then they already know enough to understand. They're not being exposed to anything new. Also as stated elsewhere, parents should be deciding what their kids are exposed to, not game creators. 

    For me, sanitizing this game would remove a significant part of my enjoyment. I like this game because I personally feel like it's an amazing combination of Avenue Q-type humor mixed with art, delivered in an adorably packaged sandbox MMO. I look forward to seeing what animals and objects in the game will say when I interact with them just as much as I look forward to seeing the artistic style of new zones when they open. 

    I find it interesting that people seem to be ok with sanitizing games even when it's been stated games will have age limits. People don't do this with TV shows, books, movies, art, etc. They accept that all content is not meant to be enjoyed by all people and they move on. It'd be great if this could extend to games.
    Posted 19 months ago by leah Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Glitch is adorable, any kid would be wild to play it. I don't blame the kids at all. Thats why a private filter would be perfect, if do-able. But actually, I haven't seen anything I'd think would startle or embarrass a child. Parents have to decide whats suitable tho, and its very much an individual thing. But why take away the only game thats made for adult funny-bones? I've come across a huge ton of games that are great for family play.
    Posted 19 months ago by Phoebe Springback Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Ok, from THIS TOPIC:
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Three things:

    1. This is definitely not a game intended for kids.

    (Having said that, it would be great if we create something that works perfectly on multiple planes – the Simpsons does this pretty well: the slapstick makes kids laugh while the adult humor goes right over their heads. But, there will be an minimum age spelled out … probably 16, maybe 18.)

    2. Austang - if you re-read your first comment above, it would not surprise me to hear that you regret the tone a bit. Everyone's been expressing reasonable opinions and it's a fair thing to discuss.

    3. Re the joke that started the thread: the humor, such as it is, comes from the silly nature/clownishness and immaturity of the spinning wheel itself. I don't think it relies on implying that "boobies" are intrinsically funny. And, given the standards acceptable in contemporary entertainment across all major media, "boobies" is a pretty tame and inoffensive word, IMO. Posted 6 months ago by stoot barfield | Permalink ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Posted 19 months ago by Shwan Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Nice shawn :)
    Posted 19 months ago by frenchphenom Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Well, Hburger linked it above, but I felt this thread needed something a little more... direct.
    Posted 19 months ago by Shwan Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Well...now that I am better informed I feel a little lame for typing my opinion...if the game isn't intended for the younger crowd it should say that on the Glitch web page for starters. I am not offended by the humor of the game. In fact I love it. I don't have to let my kids play. Too bad it looks so cute and interesting to them. I love this game because of the game itself just the way it is. A good point was made that just because they are almost tall enough to drive a car doesn't mean I am going to turn them loose with one.  :)
    Posted 19 months ago by Miss Muffett Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Is it too obvious to say that medication often looks like sweets?
    Posted 19 months ago by beechamel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Don't feel lame Miss Muffett!!  We're all learning about the game... just at different stages!!  Welcome! :)
    Posted 19 months ago by Pirate Apples Subscriber! | Permalink
  • It is true though, that there's nothing (that I can see) on the main site to suggest it isn't for all ages. This is also true of, say, cars, except that the wider public knows cars are age-restricted.

    Might be worth putting on the sign-up page and glitch.com/about/
    Posted 19 months ago by beechamel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thanks Pirate Apples.  :)
    Posted 19 months ago by Miss Muffett Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Miss Muffett, your dilemma reminds me of my mothers solution when we kids wanted something of "hers". Special cookies....she'd hide out in the pantry to eat them LOL.
    So, carefully turn your screen toward the wall, and keep an eye peeled for little ones who might wander in and want to see what your doing.
    I totally agree, a disclamer is needed, in plain sight.
    Posted 19 months ago by Phoebe Springback Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thanks magic panda for being bold enough to post your opinion and take the harsh comments from so many.  I too enjoy bawdy, subtle, and implied humor.  I agree, for me, some of it here is quite overt and juvenile at times (which to me is a bit disappointing because I think they can do better).  But as someone else mentioned, it is a fine line as to what some will find humorous and others will feel goes over the line.  I'd agree that at times they go over that line, but alas, we all have the option to play or not, to pay attention or ignore.  I think it's great that you brought this up now while they are in beta because if everyone just agrees and are yes people here then the devs never get real feedback to make the game better.

    And per the discussions about the disclaimer, this really should be done...I've heard that this game is for everything from over 21 only down to 15yo, and there are even postings in the forums of those younger than that.  I agree it needs to be clear what the minimum intended age for this game is, and to also have to agree to their TOS up front before playing. Otherwise you open a whole other can of worms in mixing adult players with children without all the required restrictions, which I don't think anyone wants (especially the chat censorship if there are children playing).
    Posted 19 months ago by b3achy Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I guess you all haven't got the quest where you and the butterfly share a cigarette?
    Posted 19 months ago by Mac Rapalicious Subscriber! | Permalink
  • And South Park is a really adorable little cartoon. And I will bet everyone's 10-year-old has snuck at least one episode.
    Posted 19 months ago by Mistress*of*Fishies Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm up to the quest with 2 butterflies, some no-no powder and a DR-3 block...
    Posted 19 months ago by Shwan Subscriber! | Permalink
  • OP here. Whoa! 81 replies!

    I dunno. I guess it's just a matter of taste. For me, I found the very oblique refernces to sex were fine (what? You're going to millk me right away? Warm me up first) but literally tying it to hand jobs seemed gross. Ok, so I am jerking these creatures off, and I am making cheese out of the results, and so forth.

    I am not saying that talk like that should be banned from the game. I'm saying that it it didn't add to my enjoyment of the game.

    Also, it could just be that this is just me misreading the tone the game is going for (being a new player). Another poster above compared the humor to Avenue Q. If that's where this is going, then maybe this is mild stuff compared to what's coming ahead. My only point was that given my particular sense of humor, the thought of milking butterflies is funnier than the concept of jerking them off.
    Posted 19 months ago by magic panda Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I honestly have no words.

    I do not understand why so many people cry about the content in games.  This is tame compared to many, many games not suitable for children.  The humor is subtle and you have to know the terms or be able to read into the meaning which requires at least an IQ of a goldfish which the latest gaming genertation seem to lack as they want everything handed to them on a plate or everything made accessible to them even though they are terrible players.

    As many people have said previously, the game is not tailored to your requirements and there will be people that disagree with many of the things presented to them.  I, along with many others find this type humor to be hilarious. 

    The only answer I have to your problem is quit.  Please, do everyone a favor and don't complain.  The minority always screws things up for the majority.
    Posted 19 months ago by Vexxe Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Wow. I must have touched a nerve. I will now just back the fuck off.

    You know, it would have been simple to just say "yeah, the jokes are kind of off color but we like it" without going into all this hand-wringing about how people like me are ruining the game and should just leave.

    Sheesh. Thanks. I will shut up.
    Posted 19 months ago by magic panda Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Sorry if I came accross a little harsh, but its the truth.  I have seen too many games go from being awesome and on edge to a dumbed down piece of crap.  Don't wonna see it happen to this game.
    Posted 19 months ago by Vexxe Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Vexxe, that was rude. What right have you got to tell people not to complain? Oh, you like the game exactly the way it is, so that means only your opinion matters? 

    What's wrong with people making suggestions? That's what the devs wanted when they opened an alpha and a beta. They will still do what they feel is best for the game, but I'm sure they want to hear what people think!

    Your statement about games going from awesome to crap is so vague it means nothing in this context. You're just complaining about people having an opinion.
    Posted 19 months ago by Cefeida Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Err, obviously this is an important issue based on this (and other previous) threads.

    I think part of the problem is it looks like a kids game, but talks like a mouthy adult - which is unexpected when you think it's a kids game.

    I say keep it how it is, but work harder so people know in advance what they are getting themselves into.  R rated movies are OK so long as we know they are before we enter.  I think most people secretly like being challenged - oh they'll complain alright, but still come back for more (a la rollercoasters, horror movies, dinner with the inlaws, etc).

    Having an age restriction is a start, but some adults are also easily offended.  I can still remember my initial surprise at the whole nibbling pigs thing, but now I 'get' the overall vibe so something like that wouldn't surprise me anymore.

    The question is how to convery that vibe early on?  Maybe this could be part of the tutorial stage at the beginning, maybe even a quest to find something questionable, saying things like "you might come across some things round here that would make your mother blush, so let's see if you're up to the task"?
    Posted 19 months ago by MeetHead Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Cute + controversial = curious public

    See: Fat Princess
    Posted 19 months ago by Nanookie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @magic panda

    I think you caught the tail end of a shitstorm that's been going on in multiple other threads (take a look through the forums and you'll see it comes up again and again). Don't take it too hard, there's plenty of not-quite-as-aggravating discussion to be had.
    Posted 19 months ago by wurzel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Magic panda, my Avenue Q comparison wasn't meant to be direct - I have a feeling Glitch will remain far more subtle ;) It has a similar feel for me because of the cognitive dissonance someone pointed out in another thread. I think that sort of dissonance is necessary to the game. If you stripped Avenue Q of all of the un-PC and bawdy humor, you'd have Sesame Street. If you stripped Glitch of its humor...well, I don't know quite what you'd have since the game's still growing and changing, but it wouldn't be the same. That had more to do with the "for the kids" comments than yours though. It doesn't seem like you want to change the flavor of Glitch at all but rather tweak it a bit here and there. 

    I'm glad you brought this up, magic panda. It seems like a good number of people are fine with pointing out bugs and ways to make the game play smoother but as for the ideas in the game, for some reason those have an "off limits" vibe and people stopped being testers and started being defenders. Someone pointing out something they don't like doesn't mean the developers are going to totally change the feel of the game. It also doesn't mean the person pointing things out is attacking the game. I think that's an important thing to keep in mind when responding. Some of the responses here were pretty rude and crappy and that's not the best way to create dialogue about potential content issues. 

    From stoot's posts in the forums, it seems like they're aware that they're walking a fine line with some of the content and are doing their best to preserve their vision of the game. I think it's important for people to criticize more than just game play in beta so that Tiny Speck knows how the game as a whole is being received. It can only help, right? Ultimately it's their decision what they change, but they should make their decisions with the help of feedback from the public since we're the ones that will be buying the product. 
    Posted 19 months ago by leah Subscriber! | Permalink
  • FWIW, I don't think that Vexxe was rude, and I'm sorry I got a bit bent out of shape. I'm just surprised by the vehemence of the thread. I think I stepped into an area that is contentious. Maybe I shouldn't have opened my mouth without understanding the community first.

    At the risk of prolonging a thread that no one wants to have, I want to clarify a point.

    I'm not trying to make the game safe for kids. My point is that the game should strive to be subversive and weird, which is different from skeevy.

    I was originally interested in Glitch because it looked like a cross between Game Neverending and The Woodcutter, which for those of you who weren't there at the time, was one of the early interactive Flash pieces from 97 with weird psychedelic and nonsensical imagery, like an angel with wings made out of meat with a wound in her leg that would talk to you, and a poodle that when you touched its tail, the head would come off and a fountain of piss would come out. By today's standards, the site now looks kind of simple and stupid, but back then, it was awe inspiring in its weirdness. People talked about it as if it were art.

    So I'm not trying to make the game "safe". If anything, I would love it if the subversive elements would be amped up. I was just making the point that I find jokes about paid hand jobs to be gross and juvenile, rather than weird and inspiring, and that the team should be striving for better weirdness.

    But whatever. I am fine with it being in the game, and different people find different things funny. I will now actually shut up.
    Posted 19 months ago by magic panda Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I don't think you should quit, magic panda. 
    Posted 19 months ago by Mac Rapalicious Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Neither do I. While I don't agree, MP, I have absolutely nothing against you voicing your opinion. And you should know, don't get the wrong impression from this thread - this is a touchy subject, but usually the majority of players are kind, fun, and helpful :-]
    Posted 19 months ago by Cupcake Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Yeah, don't shut up. I mean, we all run the risk of talking in circles at some point (oh so guilty myself) but you're not there yet and it's good to say what you think.
    Posted 19 months ago by Cefeida Subscriber! | Permalink
  • You know, the butterfly milk thing? It's kinda like milking cows, yet I don't see anyone laughing at farmers milking cows.
    Posted 19 months ago by KitkatCat Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Double entendres play a large part in Glitch, how much attention you really pay to them is up to you - I think most of them are brilliantly written and full of dry glitchy humour which you just don't see in any other game. As has been mentioned already, there have been a number of threads lately complaining about everything from the term 'booby prize', to the offense of having a cross as a gravestone (pauses for a moment here to roll eyes and sigh dramatically)..personally I don't get what all of the fuss is about..it's a few lines of text that vanishes in a few seconds - are you really so offended by that? The game is aimed at adults and certainly contains a good dose of adult humour...with the thousands of catchphrases, bad jokes and cheesy attention grabbing lines that Team Speck have to write, there are bound to be some that certain people won't like, that's just the law of averages I'm afraid. So enjoy the humour, take everything with a pinch of salt (you make it with a grinder!), and just try to enjoy the game for what it is...because (god forbid!) if this world becomes normal, I'm outta here. ;-)
    Posted 19 months ago by Morticia Addams Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Sometimes the double entendres can be *really* subtle. But then, I'm pretty focused when I'm mining. Today I saw one that made me lol. A sparkly rock commented, "I'm not just any old ore". No telling how may times I'd seen that before, but just got the joke! So, yes, please please, don't change the humor.
    Posted 19 months ago by Phoebe Springback Subscriber! | Permalink
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