D&D General Thaco the angry clown... really?

[happyhermit]

There is a big difference between making fun of a thing (or a rule) and making fun of people who like a thing. There is also a big difference between making fun of people like yourself and making fun of people you disagree with. This definitely seems like they are making fun of a group of people who are not like them.

Whether or not it's offensive is subjective of course but if someone is upset by this, it isn't because they made a joke about a rule.

 

[Bolares]

This definitely seems like they are making fun of a group of people who are not like them.

But how? "They" are people who played with Thac0 (Perkins plays this game, and designs it since forever). Making a sad clown named thaco is making fun of people in what way?

 

[Argyle King]

I have no doubt that the comparisons to these other topics that you are prepared to make regarding a game mechanic are in no way false equivalences.

Perhaps they are, but that's not my position (nor is it a claim I'm making or not making).

As I said, I personally think the joke is funny. I also think that being deeply offended by this particular joke is thin-skinned.

At the same time, my amusement doesn't invalidate someone else's offense. Reflecting upon that makes me realize that there are likely other times that something I found entertaining may have been viewed differently by someone else.

If, as a company, a statement is made concerning a general outlook on how a product should be approached, so as to remove all objectionable material. There are those who will speak up when it is felt that something objectionable is found.

 

[Bolares]

No one is saying that people shouldn't be offended. People should feel what they feel. We derive meaning and build our identity from a myriad of things and experiences, and that may cause us to atribute a joke directed at something we like as a joke directed at us. That is a natural human response. That said, I think it's valid to differentiate when a joke is pointed at a thing we like (even if I as a person derive identity form it) from when a joke is directed at a person or a group.

 

[Scribe]

But how? "They" are people who played with Thac0 (Perkins plays this game, and designs it since forever). Making a sad clown named thaco is making fun of people in what way?

Name - Thaco, clear ties to older version of the game, and all that entails, favoured still by some.

Appearance - out of shape, older male, and in the close up, bad skin.

Attitude - sad, tired.

Outlook - hates kids.

Role - Gatekeeper.

---

Now, if you take this as a whole? It's very very easy to see this as a statement about more than Thaco. Intended or not.

I look forward to the later NPCs which surely will come that poke at other stereotyped 'tropes' of groups of players.

Right?

 

[the Jester]

It's not very logical. If someone makes fun of a thing, that means they must also remember that thing.

That's not always true- I have made fun of many things that I have heard of but never actually seen. I'd argue that's not the same as remembering it- though I can see the counter argument as well.

 

[the Jester]

There is a big difference between making fun of a thing (or a rule) and making fun of people who like a thing. There is also a big difference between making fun of people like yourself and making fun of people you disagree with. This definitely seems like they are making fun of a group of people who are not like them.

Whether or not it's offensive is subjective of course but if someone is upset by this, it isn't because they made a joke about a rule.

Hard disagree.

 

[Argyle King]

No one is saying that people shouldn't be offended. People should feel what they feel. We derive meaning and build our identity from a myriad of things and experiences, and that may cause us to atribute a joke directed at something we like as a joke directed at us. That is a natural human response. That said, I think it's valid to differentiate when a joke is pointed at a thing we like (even if I as a person derive identity form it) from when a joke is directed at a person or a group.

On a personal level, I would agree that there are nuances (and matters of context) involved in jokes, human responses, and etc.

 

[Mort]

Name - Thaco, clear ties to older version of the game, and all that entails, favoured still by some.

Appearance - out of shape, older male, and in the close up, bad skin.

Attitude - sad, tired.

Outlook - hates kids.

Role - Gatekeeper.

---

Now, if you take this as a whole? It's very very easy to see this as a statement about more than Thaco. Intended or not.

I look forward to the later NPCs which surely will come that poke at other stereotyped 'tropes' of groups of players.

Right?

I played when THAC0 was a thing.

Couple years ago I actually wore a shirt around Gen Con that read "I REMEMBER THAC0" (which pokes fun at my age more than THAC0, would post a picture but can't find the shirt).

Speaking for myself, I found the clown pretty funny.

 

[Zaukrie]

That's Wizards of the Coast sending a clear message that they are confident enough in the new fans to keep the game alive. They don't want anything to do with us grogs anymore, so they can afford mocking us.

Wow. Really? I've been playing forever. This isn't aimed at us at all. Not even close. You can feel that way, of course. But they aren't mocking us at all, imo. They are mocking bad game design, that they own. I find it funny.