Please don’t get me wrong I admit that I am new to feminist philosophy, and so I might say something that might be found offensive to feminists (not that I’m trying to use this as an excuse), however I do feel that most of the feminists articles that are against fat princess sound so angry, so much so to a point that isn’t necessary in my opinion. one of the things that I find that all the articles have in common (including yours) is that they say that the “fat princess” mechanic isn’t needed, that it is just something that was added by the developers to supposedly make the game more quirky and appealing, and that it could easily be replaced by something else (like the “treasure chest” idea proposed in Mighty ponytail’s article, for example). I completely agree with all this and I would love to argue that the developers didn’t mean to be sexist. However, someone could easily argue that just because someone doesn’t mean to be evil doesn’t mean that what they did wasn’t; in other words “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” And rightfully so.

Realistically I think that the both you and I know that the developers are going to go through with their game idea anyway, despite for the complaints, and its something both parties (feminists and developers) are going to have to deal with; feminists with the fact that the game exists and developers with the fact that feminists have an endless list of complaints that are for the most part accurate.

What’s my point? Well, to put it simply I believe that if people really do feel this strongly about the game being offensive, they should come up with a way to get the developers to make a realistic compromise. My idea, for example, is to have a the soldiers that are saving the princess, be both men and women (I don’t know if its like that already, as far as I know all the soldiers are guys) and also make the game with a “fat prince” mode where the game would be played exactly the same but you have to save a guy from your enemies, before they get to fatten him up. I think that seems like a logical idea. I know people will say, “but that still leaves the fact that they are enforcing the fat stereotype, in this giant fat joke of a game.” This is true, but consider this: the game is called fat princess for a reason, because the company has already made up their mind about the “fat princess” mechanic and they have advertised it plenty. there is no way they can take back the idea without losing money, setting back the games development by a lot and/or looking like huge asses. I feel that if the idea of a unisex army and a “fat prince” mode were added to the game, that could be considered a victory. A small victory, yes, but a victory nevertheless.

Btw I have to say your article is very well-written.

it’s just a game.. stealing the opponent’s gold still means someone has to carry it. Why wouldn’t they drop it, then? If we’re going to argue in those terms, then I feel offended that someone has to carry the gold and it’d be a guy, wouldn’t it? Why do guys have to be portrayed as always being strong enough to carry so much weight that their speed is reduced so greatly? Also, using katamari ideas means they could just rip off the items from themselves.. what else did you want them to protect? it’s too much to get mad over something this stupid.

Why would we make any form of entertainment? If you’re going to go for universal acceptance, you’ll fail miserably. We have freedom to publish or say whatever we want.. if anyone is corrupted by it that’s because of their little minds. Heck, i’m offended by the fact that girls are supposed to wear dresses and guys aren’t. so? not everyone is. deal with it. accept it.

Every game, movie, song, or form of media or art demeans somebody. EVERY one… In some way, someone feels offended. It’s just another one. I don’t even think the stupid game’s gonna get big, and you’re just giving it more propaganda.

The critique of the game is great, and its very easy to read it that way, because those are messages it is sending out. I love the fact that people are so up in arms over the critique being made. They seem to come at it with a fevered defense as if claims are being made against them for viciously creating such a horrible caricature of a person. Not realizing that the game is just using old stereotypes that have been around for a long long time.

No one’s saying Fat Princess is creating the stereotype, just that its banking on the stereotype that fat = funny.

That said, even I laughed at the game. I mean the princess is utterly adorable, and the idea of force feeding your enemy’s chosen until they balloon up is silly.

But that’s the point, I laugh at it because it is absurd and because I can tear it apart.

The problem though is not everyone’s capable of making proper analysis.

Of course this doesn’t have the saving grace of making fun of the stereotype that fat people are funny. Because it is just using the stereotype rather than pointing at its flaws.

And thankfully enough there’s academic groups like the PCA and the ACA out there letting researchers do work on these sorts of issues, so we just need more professional critique like this to occur and hopefully we can finally get the gaming industry to a more mature stage.

I mean, it’s my choice to get offended by this. “If they make this game that makes fun of fat people, fine, I won’t let it affect me.” If the entire world said this, than there would be no problem, would there? It seems to me the real issue is low self esteem, and it’s easier to get angry at the game than to address one’s own personal issues. As soon as I stop getting angry at the idiot calling me fat, I realize that the aggressor’s words are ultimately futile, then the antagonist loses all power. Why try to change your opponent when it’s much easier to change yourself? Because changing yourself requires one to admit to one’s self that they have a flaw, and that is something few are willing to do.

Now don’t take this as saying that you should just ignore injustice and oppression, but there are much more pressing issues that a game about a fat princess. Just ignore the small stuff, such as this, and direct your attention to something bigger that will have a lasting positive impact on the world. Fight something that is hurting someone’s family or home or ability to live, not something that just hurts their pride.

tl;dr: fuck you.

I was pushed to do this by my desire to not have chest pains when climbing up stairs, and because the insult that were flung at me made me look at myself, and it made me realize I was a lazy asshole.

I will continue to diet and exercise until I become thin, and at that point I will remain on a moderate weight-maintaining plan.

Fat people are not some sort of group that needs to be protected from prejudice. Fat people need to have prejudice forced upon them to the point where they finally get off their asses.