Loco Roco is in deep trouble

[thorbahn3]

http://www.next-gen.biz/images/stories/Companies/Sony/loco%20roco.jpg

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3331&Itemid=2



And people thought the pokemon Jynx's appearence was racist. Hell, that's nothing compared to this.

[Fanboy]

It does look Sambo-esque, and why the watermelon there? Without the watermelon, it's a little more ambivalent, but that's nailing quite a number of the stereotypes (well, maybe from 1910) in one image:

- Nappy hair
- Big lips
- Savage appearance
- Slice of watermelon

Has this game been released Stateside? If not, I expect content changes before release. If that creature is dancing and eating fried chicken I expect a LOT more complaints headed Sony's way than just about their pricing and PQ.

[Oktoberfest]

Being Chinese, I am actually offended by the obesity of the yellow blob (planet?)

[crystalklear64]

Lawlz...anything thats black and has big lips is rasict symbology? Bad 1Up blogger!

[Scorch]

Anything thats black and has big lips is rasict symbology?
Same thing I was thinking. It's retarded.

[Dr Mario Kart]

throw some fried chicken at him!

[dratsacras]

I'm just offended that it comes to the US region last. Europe is supposed to always get the shit end of the stick when it comes to release dates, not us.

I'm writing my congresscritter.

[Metal Boss]

Oh noeeees!!!!11!1

[VanillaGorilla]

Yep, that animated cartoon creature looks just like your average black man. Just another example of people searching for things to be offended by.

[onetrackmind]

Being Chinese, I am actually offended by the obesity of the yellow blob (planet?)

"The Big Yellow Ones The SUN!"

[graf1k]

In Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan), the "Sambo" depiction of people of African ancestry is still used in newspaper cartoons, manga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga), video games (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_games), and anime (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime). In the popular manga and anime Dragonball Z (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonball_Z), the character known as Mr. Popo is an overweight black genie with absurdly pouty red lips. The popular video game/anime series Pokémon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon) has a character named Jynx (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jynx_%28Pok%C3%A9mon%29) with similar features.

Not saying that confirms anything, but an interesting tidbit nonetheless.

[javeryh]

Look at him! It's just like the encyclopedia said.

[epobirs]

I've played the demo, both Japan and US versions, repeatedly and never made that connection.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Japanese artsit can be tone deaf about other culture's obsessions. They also love to adorn magic using characters with symmetrical six-pointed stars that many would immediately associate with Judaism. It's only in last few centuries that the symbol took on that significance throughout the Westermn world, much as Hannukah was a minor holiday until the growing prominence of Xmas gift giving pressured Jewish parents to compensate.

One example is the orignal version of the Sega game sold in the US as Decap-Attack. In Japan it was called Magical Hat. It had different graphics but an obvious common code base. The player charcter is depicted on the box art with a big six-pointed star on his shirt. My first thought when I saw it for the first time wa, "Wow, when else has there ever been an identifiably Jewish character in a Japanese game?"

[jer7583]

Locoroco-
http://www.next-gen.biz/images/stories/Companies/Sony/loco%20roco.jpg

Coincidence? I think not.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/55/Picaninny_Freeze.jpg/200px-Picaninny_Freeze.jpg

From Wikipedia:
n the U.S., by the 1950s, the NAACP had begun calling attention to such demeaning portrayals of African Americans and mounted a campaign to put an end to blackface performances and depictions. For decades, darky images had been ubiquitous, particularly in the branding of everyday products and commodities such as Picaninny Freeze ice cream

It's blatant resemblance to a legitimate (and banned) blackface advertisment is unavoidable.

This game looks real cool, but don't expect it to be released in the same state in the US.

[Pancake Rabbit]

I am so sick of all this politically correct bullshit.

[Kuma]

this shit is gonna blow up by the weekend

[terribledeli]

So any word if the things yell out "Oh mammy!" when they die?

[paz9x]

this thread has forced me to put in a chapelle show dvd.
i have to watch the time haters.

[62t]

for those that dont understand why this is a problem i suggest watching Bamboozled.

and that Florian Eckhardt must not be familar with the issue. This is not the first time a similar image is being used by a different culture (look up on Mexican cartoon character Memín Pingüín or Darkie/Darlie Toothpaste)

If this is getting a US release the image will get censor. We have lesser things censored already.

[furyk]

Sure, it's racist. But it's Japan where there is almost complete cultural uniformity and the concept of racism against blacks isn't a concern. Hell, the more pressing issue of racism against Koreans is barely noted in Japanese culture. I think the yellow blob's expression is pretty hillarious though.

[swetooth9]

wow...these people who point out these things should go listen to conversations of students in schools...this is nothing compared to some of the racist comments people say at my school, hah

[graf1k]

You live in Raleigh. No wonder...

[dafoomie]

I'm offended by people who will seize on anything and declare racism.

Slavery still exists in this world. There is a genocide taking place TODAY against black people in Sudan. And this is where you chose to spend your time and effort? This is a petty waste of time.

You want to do something? Tell your politicians to get serious about Sudan. Those people are still being murdered and they're still starving. The UN had to cut aid because no one but the United States has actually paid what they've pleged to. People are going to die because of that. If there were half the uproar over Darfur that there is over the petty, perceived slight of the day, we would be saving those people right now.

By the way, those Europeans like to sit on their high horse, but I don't see them putting their money where their mouth is.

[Redeema]

I know people want to say this is PC crap, but (and I'm not black) you can't do stuff like that. You just can't. It's not really about being PC, it's about being an understanding human. Why do you think you've never seen Song of the South on Disney DVD? Even if it's not overtly racist (and it may be, it's been at least 20 years since I've seen it) it's bound to offend some people, and you just can't do that.

[Chacrana]

Who fucking cares? Can anybody honestly say that a black person's going to play the game and say "hey, that looks like me?" People just look for shit to be offended by.

[62t]

the thing is this is really simple for sony to cenor this . Even if people here doesnt care, someone will. The last thing we need is for Loco Roco to be seen as a racist game and for video games to be seen as something negative.

[camoor]

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Japanese artsit can be tone deaf about other culture's obsessions. They also love to adorn magic using characters with symmetrical six-pointed stars that many would immediately associate with Judaism. It's only in last few centuries that the symbol took on that significance throughout the Westermn world, much as Hannukah was a minor holiday until the growing prominence of Xmas gift giving pressured Jewish parents to compensate.

That's nothing in comparison to the big ass crosses that you pummel your enemies with in Castlevania games (ironic if you think about it...)

Hitman's last level is a shootout in a church and was also going to have a "Rosary Bead" garrote available on completion of the game - they took it out but you can still tell by the missing outline of the beads on the wall of his toolshed. They also had to remove a level about killing a cult leader because the cult complained (too bad - it's a good level!).

Tenchu:WOH has your ninja invading a temple and killing Buddhist monks in one level.

And of course, there's the upcoming "Left Behind" game which puts "Bille Graham's Bible Busters" to shame by subjecting all of the game's NPCs to a simple choice - convert or die.

[Z-Saber]

We seriously have better things to do than point out any form of non-destructive, questionably blatant/unintentional racism.

[Strell]

"Look at him. He loves it."

Someone has to get this remark. Please.

[asianxcore]

why am I not surprised that the blogger is from Santa Cruz?

someone should give him pictures of Mario and Luigi for his next whine and dine essay.

[Tromack]

Sure, it's racist. But it's Japan where there is almost complete cultural uniformity and the concept of racism against blacks isn't a concern. Hell, the more pressing issue of racism against Koreans is barely noted in Japanese culture. I think the yellow blob's expression is pretty hillarious though.

Oh, the rascism against the Koreans is noted in Japanese culture, hell it's a big part of Japanese culture. The Japanese loved the whole SARS epidemic because it gave them a legitimate excuse to say, "look at those dirty Chinese and Koreans, this would never happen in wonderful Japan."

[mykevermin]

Locoroco-
http://www.next-gen.biz/images/stories/Companies/Sony/loco%20roco.jpg

Coincidence? I think not.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/55/Picaninny_Freeze.jpg/200px-Picaninny_Freeze.jpg

From Wikipedia:
n the U.S., by the 1950s, the NAACP had begun calling attention to such demeaning portrayals of African Americans and mounted a campaign to put an end to blackface performances and depictions. For decades, darky images had been ubiquitous, particularly in the branding of everyday products and commodities such as Picaninny Freeze ice cream

It's blatant resemblance to a legitimate (and banned) blackface advertisment is unavoidable.

This game looks real cool, but don't expect it to be released in the same state in the US.

Thank you for pointing that out. I'm somewhat surprised that people would defend this as coincidence. I'm not surprised that people seem to not be concerned by this; despite most people's claims of anti-racism, most genuinely are. The indifference shown to this is proof positive enough of that.

Dafoomie brings up a fantastic point, but I used to heckle the old man who would protest in front of Planned Parenthood every day when I rode my bike to school. "Go downtown," I told him, "and help out the people who are alive and hurting." You won't be able to convince many to take up actual effort in their lives if they are contented with the degree and extent of their efforts.

Though, more back on point, wasn't MMA fighter Kevin Randleman given the nickname "Donkey Kong" when he was in Japan? Japan is a notoriously xenophobic country; few save the biggest idiots would try to argue that point. If you think that somehow a country can be xenophobic to that degree and not employ racist charicatures, then I've got a brand new GBA game, fresh from Hong Kong, that I'd like to sell you on eBay. Shit just ain't real.

Then again, perhaps this is just evidence of the level of comfort people have with blatant racist images, as long as its nonwhites. Just like Chief Wahoo. It's cool, we're honoring other peoples. :roll:

[argyle]

First, I'm 99% sure that watermelon is photoshoped into that pic. I've never seen any shot of the game that had anything like that in it.

Second, I was looking at my wallpaper I had up for this game just the other day and as I looked at the enemies I thought that someone would start bitching about that sooner or later. I can see it, yes, but I doubt it was intentional. They are black floating blobs, they don't look like people period.

Finally, I had to comment on this:

Even if it's not overtly racist (and it may be, it's been at least 20 years since I've seen it) it's bound to offend some people, and you just can't do that.

Can't do what? Offend people? I see things I find offensive in movies/songs/tv shows all the time, but no one gives a rats ass. You can't offend CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE would be more accurate.

Then again, when I see something I find offensive I don't pitch a fit and start a silly news campain, I just change the channel. *shrug*

[Purple Flames]

"Look at him. He loves it."

Someone has to get this remark. Please.

Dave Chapelle: Killin' Them Softly

[thorbahn3]

SCEA reply
"LocoRoco is a fantasy game geared towards a worldwide audience that takes place in a vibrant pastel world with colorful landscapes and characters and is not based on real-life places, people or things."


http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3338&Itemid=2

[Strell]

Dave Chapelle: Killin' Them Softly

Thank you.

HEY BABY

[RegalSin2020]

first off in the Japanese culture they do not have a soup pot of people and there various diffrences.

For the love of goss the creature is no diffrent then the Nats you encounter in Zelda and in Kirby crystal Shards.

Again in the jungle you will find and see all kinds of crazy creatures like this.
Take for example "Porky In Wakko land" where Porky went to
"This is as dark as you get Africa" in truth Africa houses such creatures as well
as Southern America. They have Spiders, and Flowers that can devour you along with Panthers, primates, and various of other frigged up hypo natures creatures that will amaze you.

This game is as clean as Viewtiful Joe with Mr. Whitey and Mr. Blackey. Dumb Dumb Ditaly Dumbone this blogger is for not knowing anything about Japanses culture. In fact in Japan they still use the Naszi Mark as Good Luck along with various others meanings.

[Roufuss]

Showed it to my girlfriend, she didn't pick up on the racism either, until I told her specfically what it was, and then she saw it.

Most people would never have noticed it but now someone is going to "educate" them on this matter where there really dosen't need to be "educating".

[62t]

um it does matter if the japanese think it is racist. I dont even care if you dont think this is racist. What matter is this will be consider racist in the US. (look up my example of Memín Pingüín or Darkie/Darlie Toothpaste) We want sony to bring this game over, and this kind of thing wont help. As for people mention other ways they get offended, remember sony will want this game to be E+10, and having to recall this would be very bad (just ask take two)

A few things to clear up
1. Korea wasnt hit by SAR
2. yes you can get real gba games in hong kong. Dont generalize because of ebay.

[62t]

Showed it to my girlfriend, she didn't pick up on the racism either, until I told her specfically what it was, and then she saw it.

Most people would never have noticed it but now someone is going to "educate" them on this matter where there really dosen't need to be "educating".

try this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memin
this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darlie
and this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboozled

[Vinny]

While it looks it could be more than a coincidence I doubt the developers had done this intentionally.

[Theenternal]

We seriously have better things to do than point out any form of non-destructive, questionably blatant/unintentional racism.

Minstrels, blackface etc, (that this image depicts) was very distructive to equality in the states. And although, most of us don't know the history behind this imaginery it is something that can be very upsetting. I don't believe the original designers ment any harm with this look, as this type of racism was pretty isolated to the states. So its a matter of perspective. To me it's just an image, even though I know the history behind it. However, I can really understand if people get offended, especially since some of these themes ran until the 70's or 80's.

[62t]

Well the mexican and chinese probably werent meant to make something offensive, but that doesnt prevent people from complaining.

[thorbahn3]

The thing people need to know is that people in Japan don't know any better. They see a blackface drawing and see it as just that, a drawing. They become inspired and use the idea not knowing anyone would be offended. The real question is why nobody at SCEA made the comparision and asked for at least a change in body color. If you made them blue instead of black nobody in America would've noticed and wouldn't take long to do. But now they have to deny it.

[fart_bubble]

first off in the Japanese culture they do not have a soup pot of people and there various diffrences.

For the love of goss the creature is no diffrent then the Nats you encounter in Zelda and in Kirby crystal Shards.

Again in the jungle you will find and see all kinds of crazy creatures like this.
Take for example "Porky In Wakko land" where Porky went to
"This is as dark as you get Africa" in truth Africa houses such creatures as well
as Southern America. They have Spiders, and Flowers that can devour you along with Panthers, primates, and various of other frigged up hypo natures creatures that will amaze you.

This game is as clean as Viewtiful Joe with Mr. Whitey and Mr. Blackey. Dumb Dumb Ditaly Dumbone this blogger is for not knowing anything about Japanses culture. In fact in Japan they still use the Naszi Mark as Good Luck along with various others meanings.

Hate to break it to you but the swastika is as old as Hinduism. The reason its prevalent in Japan is because Buddhism was founded by a Hindu preist. It wasn't until WWII when the symbol was flipped.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastica

[io]

The only thing worse than being politically correct is whining about other people being politically correct :D. I see much more of the latter, by the way, than I EVER see if the former. In fact, one might say the most politically incorrect thing in America right now (and for like the last 15 years) is to be politcally correct - everyone jumps all over you for it and puts you down. Thus, by definition, it is not "politically correct", as it offends all the people who like to pretend nothing is ever wrong with anything :D.

Have to admit those comparison images are pretty damning. HOWEVER, I'd have to see how this looks in game, if it is even really in the game, before I decided anything.

[Sleepkyng]

having tolerance (as in not being PC) is one thing.

having a fucking pickanny in a game is totally another.

Japanese are racist - sorry to break it to you otaku fanboys - they stare at you and are fascinated by your presence in their country - they smile and stuff but you're still a scary gaijin.

it's one thing to stereotype a person and use it as satire - it's another thing to just blatantly associate a thing (pickinny) to imply a whole range of human attributes.

http://www.ferris.edu/news/jimcrow/picaninny/

[kristianator]

i'm offended that filipinos haven't yet been racially stereotyped in video games yet.. where's the equality?

[Z-Saber]

Minstrels, blackface etc, (that this image depicts) was very distructive to equality in the states. And although, most of us don't know the history behind this imaginery it is something that can be very upsetting. I don't believe the original designers ment any harm with this look, as this type of racism was pretty isolated to the states. So its a matter of perspective. To me it's just an image, even though I know the history behind it. However, I can really understand if people get offended, especially since some of these themes ran until the 70's or 80's.
Pssh, I took a black world studies and fully understand the imagery. I just think pointing something out that looks marginally similar and is knowingly unrelated is retarded.

[ananag112]

I don't know. I downloaded the European version of the game to try it out and I found that these looked like spiders. I think people are just over analyzing these creatures.

[Brak]

Either way you look at it, how is Loco Roco "in deep trouble"?

[soliddragon]

Minstrels, blackface etc, (that this image depicts) was very distructive to equality in the states. And although, most of us don't know the history behind this imaginery it is something that can be very upsetting. I don't believe the original designers ment any harm with this look, as this type of racism was pretty isolated to the states. So its a matter of perspective. To me it's just an image, even though I know the history behind it. However, I can really understand if people get offended, especially since some of these themes ran until the 70's or 80's.

Well stated. Most people, especially in this day and age don't get the history.
And yes the imagery is pretty upsetting for those that get it. It seems to be symptomatic of the Japanese Culture in the way they portray African Americans in most facets of media, ie. Anime, Games, etc.

I also agree with Sleepkyng.

[mykevermin]

(1) marginally similar and (2) is knowingly unrelated

(1) your mere opinion disguised as fact
(2) prove it

[Death2Sanity]

oh my dear god.

I'm not the first to say it, but I wish to reiterate it.

Seek, and ye shall find.

Racism continues to exist partly because people keep looking for it.

[Death2Sanity]

having a fucking pickanny in a game is totally another.

Japanese are racist - sorry to break it to you otaku fanboys - they stare at you and are fascinated by your presence in their country - they smile and stuff but you're still a scary gaijin.

http://www.ferris.edu/news/jimcrow/picaninny/

1) How can that possibly be described as a 'pickanny' (sic) when the one image that shows any such resemblance only does so as a result of a photoshopped/edited-in watermelon slice? Are we not allowed to have black-hued bad guys any more? Are the mages in Final Fantasy some sort of stereotype? Where do you draw the line?

2) They are? I'll have to rethink how I'm treated here in Japan then. They're no more/less racist than any other people, and I've been treated rather fairly and helpfully.

Although today, a guy did try to say 'good evening' to me and when I replied, he dashed off in a nervous fit.

The racist bastard.

[Dogpatch]

oh my dear god.

I'm not the first to say it, but I wish to reiterate it.

Seek, and ye shall find.

Racism continues to exist partly because people keep looking for it.

Or is continued by some who wish not to move forward.

There are more important things going on in this world. Not that I don't care what another person may feel.

[Sleepkyng]

1) How can that possibly be described as a 'pickanny' (sic) when the one image that shows any such resemblance only does so as a result of a photoshopped/edited-in watermelon slice? Are we not allowed to have black-hued bad guys any more? Are the mages in Final Fantasy some sort of stereotype? Where do you draw the line?

2) They are? I'll have to rethink how I'm treated here in Japan then. They're no more/less racist than any other people, and I've been treated rather fairly and helpfully.

Although today, a guy did try to say 'good evening' to me and when I replied, he dashed off in a nervous fit.

The racist bastard.

look, to say all japanese are racist is a rash generalization - but they are pretty damn homogenized - i'd put them up there with scandanavians.

black face is pretty distinguishable- it's not a black bad guy, or dark hued - it's a round faced toothy big lipped creature with nappy hair.

[javeryh]

Thank you.

HEY BABY

Sorry Strelly, I had you beat... I was thinking the exact same thing. :D

Look at him! It's just like the encyclopedia said.

[CocheseUGA]

oh my dear god.

I'm not the first to say it, but I wish to reiterate it.

Seek, and ye shall find.

Racism continues to exist partly because people keep looking for it.

QFT. This whole thing is as stupid as Chavez saying the US is going to invade Venezuela because Mercenaries 2 takes place in South America.

[Sleepkyng]

and here i thought i loved it because it's delicious.

[basketkase543]

While I wouldn't go so far as to call the developers racist, I won't deny the absolutely demeaning qualities that those characters possess. The developers have resorted to crude stereotypes of Blacks, and in the process, are hearkening back to images that were historically used to belittle an entire group of people. Anybody who wants a gritty look at blackface and its effects should check out Spike Lee's Bamboozled. While Sony has stated that the game takes place in a fictional world with fantastical elements, you can't deny the immense power and negativity in those designs.

There is an interesting comment on 1up.com that brought up good points:

The thesis is this. It's funny how easy those of you who have never experienced racism can deny it. The LocoRoco character is clearly modelled after blackface - in the tradition of many other Japanese characters like Pokemon's Jynx. If that wasn't enough, then the big chunk of watermelon in front of him pretty much seals the deal.

Do I think that the company has any real malice towards black people? No. I think that they find blackface amusing - just like many white people did when it was popular here in the U.S. However, what they fail to acknowledge - CANNOT even begin to understand - is its association with a long history of degradation.

So perhaps it is funny - in the same way that a big squinty-eyed buck-toothed guy with a small penis chewing on a stick of bamboo and acting like a retard would be funny. After all, silly things are funny. Does it mean that they're acceptable, though? No. And would I call on that Japanese cariacature as being racist and take its creators to task? Hell yes, because I don't tolerate it in any form, against ANYone.

Now does LocoRoco offend me, as a "black" person? No, I couldn't care less. It's a stupid video game, and has no bearing on anything that matters. But what DOES offend me is how many people have demonstrated willful ignorance and denial of racism in general, and their attempts to turn the criticism back on people who DARE to notice it, who DARE to be offended, who DARE to be subjected to it. Yeah, because racism will stop existing as soon as black people (or other victims) stop noticing it, right?

[Strell]

Sorry Strelly, I had you beat... I was thinking the exact same thing. :D

You know, when I read your comment, I kept thinking that, but I wasn't sure.

However, it is good to know we were.

:D

[javeryh]

You know, when I read your comment, I kept thinking that, but I wasn't sure.

However, it is good to know we were.

:D

Heh, I probably should have thrown a "Johnson" in there but I didn't want to be to obvious since everyone is all serious and crap in this topic. :D

"Look at him, Johnson!"

That shit is rich.

[Strell]

Heh, I probably should have thrown a "Johnson" in there but I didn't want to be to obvious since everyone is all serious and crap in this topic. :D

That shit is rich.

Zip it up and zip it out.

[CocheseUGA]

While I wouldn't go so far as to call the developers racist, I won't deny the absolutely demeaning qualities that those characters possess. The developers have resorted to crude stereotypes of Blacks, and in the process, are hearkening back to images that were historically used to belittle an entire group of people. Anybody who wants a gritty look at blackface and its effects should check out Spike Lee's Bamboozled. While Sony has stated that the game takes place in a fictional world with fantastical elements, you can't deny the immense power and negativity in those designs.

There is an interesting comment on 1up.com that brought up good points:

OK, I've looked at that picture pretty closely. I can't see a watermelon anywhere, not even on the demo I have. But that's not the point.

http://www.mobilemilitia.com/upload/images/psp/locoroco/16.png
To me, that looks like a chupacabra-type villian.

http://www.mobilemilitia.com/upload/images/psp/locoroco/14.png
http://www.johnpotter.org/games/minesweeper.jpg

Like it was said, people find racism because they look for it. I was the only white person who worked at my store. I never even thought about it until someone came into the store and was causing a scene (this person was black). All of us were attempting to escort him out of the store until he turned to me and said he was being mistreated 'because he was black' (apparently not noticing the three other black employees escorting him out) and the entire store was racist.

If you're going to go through life taking every single thing as a slight, then crawl in a hole.

[Namelessloser]

While I wouldn't go so far as to call the developers racist, I won't deny the absolutely demeaning qualities that those characters possess. The developers have resorted to crude stereotypes of Blacks, and in the process, are hearkening back to images that were historically used to belittle an entire group of people. Anybody who wants a gritty look at blackface and its effects should check out Spike Lee's Bamboozled. While Sony has stated that the game takes place in a fictional world with fantastical elements, you can't deny the immense power and negativity in those designs.

There is an interesting comment on 1up.com that brought up good points:
I totally agree with that comment from 1Up. Honestly, how can anyone sit around and say "OH that isnt racist" When they have never been a target to racism.

I dont know about Loco, it all depends if a watermelon is really in the game (which doesnt look to be so). But it is very similar to blackface. If Jynx appearance was changed this will likely be changed as well.

[soonersfan60]

In fact in Japan they still use the Naszi Mark as Good Luck along with various others meanings.

Actually, it is a "backwards" swastika (points are to the left, Germany's are to the right) that has been a religious symbol in Japan (and I believe other parts of Asia) for a long time before Hitler came to power.

[psiufoxx2]

i'm offended that filipinos haven't yet been racially stereotyped in video games yet.. where's the equality?Soon enough...

http://www.hackenslash.net/gamingscene/index.php?story_id=55880

[crystalklear64]

Hmm... the watermelon picture is gone >.>... CONSPIRACY!

[Z-Saber]

(1) your mere opinion disguised as fact
(2) prove itI don't usually respond to people discrediting me, but I will. Once.

(1) My opinion is mine, mere or not. I was not disguising it as anything else, fact or otherwise.

(2) http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3338&Itemid=2
Sure, you could shrug it off as just PR damage control, but how is a game about a little yellow blob thingy rolling around and getting attacked by little black spidery things somehow indicative of racism?

For more convincing forms of video game racism, see GTA, The Godfather, True Crime, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

WARNING: The below picture is 100% bonafide racism in a video game. If this offends you, sorry.

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/2367/tom28lk.jpg

This is Square's depiction of Jim from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer for the NES. He is a black characature of a fictional character from the 1870's. This is racism.

http://www.mobilemilitia.com/upload/images/psp/locoroco/16.png

This is a spider guy from Loco Roco. He is an odd looking creature with tentacles/legs, fangs, and large lips. He hails from a minimalistic fantasy world. This may be seen by some as racism. I understand yet disagree.


I am done. Reply and argue as much as you want. I am now an observer and not a participant.

[RegalSin2020]

This is not anything relating to African Americans in any way.
This character is a dilly dally creature that is in a Jungle setting like Tarzan a guy that was raised in the jungle.
Okay in the Jungle or wild wild rainforests or such creatures exsist.
I am sure somewhere in the world there is creatures like these.
Again this is from Japan not from the mind of a person who hails is glad when a dark skinned person dies.

This is from the minds of people who created the Wizrobes, Black mages, and various furrys of all sorts.

For crying out loud in Japan they even have animated poo and pee (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGbewHT7zKU&eurl=).

This is probably the same dumb founded reason the first US made Castlevania never was completed. The Blogger obviously wants you to waste time talking about the subject and to get people to join.

[GuilewasNK]

As a black person I am not offended in the least. The art may be slightly stereotypical, but to say it is outright racist is ridiculous. I'm not saying stereotypes are a good thing, but stereotyping isn't the same as racism and people need to realize that. We all have been guilty of stereotyping to some degree. We just learn from it and try to improve ourselves.

I'm offended by people who will seize on anything and declare racism.

Slavery still exists in this world. There is a genocide taking place TODAY against black people in Sudan. And this is where you chose to spend your time and effort? This is a petty waste of time.

You want to do something? Tell your politicians to get serious about Sudan. Those people are still being murdered and they're still starving. The UN had to cut aid because no one but the United States has actually paid what they've pleged to. People are going to die because of that. If there were half the uproar over Darfur that there is over the petty, perceived slight of the day, we would be saving those people right now.

By the way, those Europeans like to sit on their high horse, but I don't see them putting their money where their mouth is.

Thank you. :applause:

We seriously have better things to do than point out any form of non-destructive, questionably blatant/unintentional racism.

Thank you as well. :applause:

[MSI Magus]

*bets there are 10,000 games on the market with people shown as red necks*

I wouldnt give a shit if they had him portrayed in bling with a watermellon in one hand a peice of fried chicken in the other and he was saying I like large assed white woman.

People need to stop whining about every God damn thing that seems racist and start asking themselves was the INTENT racist.

[camoor]

http://www.mobilemilitia.com/upload/images/psp/locoroco/16.png

This is a spider guy from Loco Roco. He is an odd looking creature with tentacles/legs, fangs, and large lips. He hails from a minimalistic fantasy world. This may be seen by some as racism. I understand yet disagree.

I suppose that for your next trick you're going to try and convince me that Mario really isn't Stalin.

http://www.monochrom.at/english/pictures/communist-mario-thumb.jpg

The proof is so obvious, you can't deny it!

[Z-Saber]

I suppose that for your next trick you're going to try and convince me that Mario really isn't Stalin.

http://www.monochrom.at/english/pictures/communist-mario-thumb.jpg

The proof is so obvious, you can't deny it!Crap, I can't argue against that. That proof is SOLID.

You win. :bomb:

[Apossum]

I'm totally offended. This guy is clearly acting like a stereotypical dumbass with a blog. On behalf of the dumbasses with a blog federation of the U.S. we demand that he come up with a coherent argument to remove any traces of stereotypical dumbass blogger behavior.

"[Loco Roco] kinda makes me uncomfortable" doesn't cut it...he dances around the possiblility that the developers are racist and says that "this" is part of a larger problem but never comes right out and says anything. I'd like to know what he means exactly.

can't just throw out little bits and pieces of evidence without anything to anchor them to. well, I guess you can if you've got a blog.

[Roufuss]

So wait, was the watermelon photoshopped in?

Because that screen cap that was posted of the monster earlier, I never would have thought of that as racist, but if someone photoshopped in that watermelon then that is swaying opinion.

[camoor]

So wait, was the watermelon photoshopped in?

Because that screen cap that was posted of the monster earlier, I never would have thought of that as racist, but if someone photoshopped in that watermelon then that is swaying opinion.

Holy crap you're right dude!

I just figured that fruit factored into the game (IE cherries to Pacman)

I guess "spiders" are now considered racist.

Where is this going - I mean the next time I play GTA, I half-expect the enemies to look like this :grouphug:

[epobirs]

That's nothing in comparison to the big ass crosses that you pummel your enemies with in Castlevania games (ironic if you think about it...)

Hitman's last level is a shootout in a church and was also going to have a "Rosary Bead" garrote available on completion of the game - they took it out but you can still tell by the missing outline of the beads on the wall of his toolshed. They also had to remove a level about killing a cult leader because the cult complained (too bad - it's a good level!).

Tenchu:WOH has your ninja invading a temple and killing Buddhist monks in one level.

And of course, there's the upcoming "Left Behind" game which puts "Bille Graham's Bible Busters" to shame by subjecting all of the game's NPCs to a simple choice - convert or die.

Recall also how insanely afraid NOA used to be that they might offend anyone. In the Japanese version of Caslevania IV, the tombstone displaying the high scores is carved to forma cross at the top. Made perfect sense since it was a style used frequently in the Eastern Eurtopean setting of the game. When the time came for the US version NOA said the cross had to go. It didn't matter what the context was, they just didn't want any kind of religious symbol in a Nintendo game.

It could be worse. At Cinemaware there was a game called Rocket Ranger that had you fighting Nazis and their alien allies. In Germany you simply cannot depict Nazism and any of its symbols in a game. We had to make a separate version for that country with different graphics and text for a altered storyline in which a fictitious European country starts conquering the world of the 1940s thanks to technology from alien allies.

It was a lot more fun when you were shooting Nazis.

[Strell]

//POTENTIALLY INFLAMATORY JOKE THAT IS NOT MEANT TO BE TRULY OFFENSIVE ON THE INCOMING. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Just call that enemy gay and no one will care.

[furyk]

Apparently Loco Roco wouldn't be the first time they edited a PSP game for the US for appearing too racist.

Japan:
http://www.atomic-fire.com/gallery/albums/classic/mmpu/normal_oilman-pu_jp.jpg

United States:
http://www.atomic-fire.com/gallery/albums/classic/mmpu/normal_oilman-pu_us.jpg

[yukine]

Apparently Loco Roco wouldn't be the first time they edited a PSP game for the US for appearing too racist.

Japan:
http://www.atomic-fire.com/gallery/albums/classic/mmpu/normal_oilman-pu_jp.jpg

United States:
http://www.atomic-fire.com/gallery/albums/classic/mmpu/normal_oilman-pu_us.jpg

Hmm...

[Zoglog]

man I want to bukkake on all the anal fucks who would find this offensive. plz take the sticks out of your asses. kthnx

it's sad that the Dev Greggman even took the time to respond to this little prick.

in addition
Loco Roco is in deep trouble title incredibly misleading...

[AshesofWake]

wait, if THIS is racist, then what the fuck do you call all japanese anime????

[Z-Saber]

Apparently Loco Roco wouldn't be the first time they edited a PSP game for the US for appearing too racist.

Japan:
http://www.atomic-fire.com/gallery/albums/classic/mmpu/normal_oilman-pu_jp.jpg

United States:
http://www.atomic-fire.com/gallery/albums/classic/mmpu/normal_oilman-pu_us.jpg
I'm not seeing anything.

[mykevermin]

*bets there are 10,000 games on the market with people shown as red necks*

I wouldnt give a shit if they had him portrayed in bling with a watermellon in one hand a peice of fried chicken in the other and he was saying I like large assed white woman.

People need to stop whining about every God damn thing that seems racist and start asking themselves was the INTENT racist.

Didn't you jump down my throat the other month declaring how amazingly NOT racist you are? Well, so much for that anymore, huh? Just because the deliverer of the message didn't *intend* to be racist? This shows you have *NO* idea how racism works. Period. You can live in a world where racism is simply defined by overt actions that can be coupled with the clear intent to commit racism. Fucking c'mon. Google "color-blind racism," "benign racism," or anything the fuck else. This ain't "To Kill a Mockingbird" that we live in. Society is complex, and so is racism.

To emphasize intent is foolish. Last nite, we were laughing at the bar because of some hillbilly bumper sticker that said "bin laden is a $$$." Now, it doesn't mean that he is a homosexual and/or Cher fan, but instead that he sucks and is yet another dutiful reminder on the part of our diligent citizenry to remind us that Osama bin Laden is a bad person who we need to kill. It isn't *intended* to be offensive to homosexuals. But is it?

Apparently Loco Roco wouldn't be the first time they edited a PSP game for the US for appearing too racist.

Now that's interesting; the Japanese Oil Man would have gotten a *ton* of shit in the states. It just shows you how much trouble could have been saved if Sony changed the hue on the pickaninny monsters in Loco Roco.

Zoglog, people need to have an intervention on your behalf. That's the single most dreadful attempt at an argument I've ever read. It shows a complete incapacity to grasp what anyone is discussing here, so little tact as to resemble a temper tantrum thrown by a five year old in the toy store than a grown adult trying to reason, and is so laden with vulgarities as to be impossible to comprehend. Next time you think you want to contribute to the discussion...DON'T.

[Zoglog]

Zoglog, people need to have an intervention on your behalf. That's the single most dreadful attempt at an argument I've ever read. It shows a complete incapacity to grasp what anyone is discussing here, so little tact as to resemble a temper tantrum thrown by a five year old in the toy store than a grown adult trying to reason, and is so laden with vulgarities as to be impossible to comprehend. Next time you think you want to contribute to the discussion...DON'T.

no u

remember kids, bukkake is something you do, not something you say.

[Sleepkyng]

good one

[camoor]

Didn't you jump down my throat the other month declaring how amazingly NOT racist you are? Well, so much for that anymore, huh? Just because the deliverer of the message didn't *intend* to be racist? This shows you have *NO* idea how racism works. Period. You can live in a world where racism is simply defined by overt actions that can be coupled with the clear intent to commit racism. Fucking c'mon. Google "color-blind racism," "benign racism," or anything the fuck else. This ain't "To Kill a Mockingbird" that we live in. Society is complex, and so is racism.

To emphasize intent is foolish. Last nite, we were laughing at the bar because of some hillbilly bumper sticker that said "bin laden is a $$$." Now, it doesn't mean that he is a homosexual and/or Cher fan, but instead that he sucks and is yet another dutiful reminder on the part of our diligent citizenry to remind us that Osama bin Laden is a bad person who we need to kill. It isn't *intended* to be offensive to homosexuals. But is it?

I would have thought you would have slunk back to your ivory tower by the time that we learned the watermelon was photoshopped in and the enemy in question was just a dopey spider.

I know what's coming next - an essay about spiders being victimized by negative anthropomorphization.

[Matrix2k3]

Socail taboos piss me off. Just because someone interperts somehing as being racist, doesn't mean that it is racist. People are a bitchy lot and someone will be offended by anything. That doesn't mean we should fucking change everything to make sure it suits the entire fucking world. That shit just wouldn't work, anything can be found offensive in the right light with the right(wrong) minded people. Besides it was a fucking spider enemy, what color should it have been? Purple?

[CoffeeEdge]

Oh for christ's fucking sake. Is this some sort of stupid fucking joke?

[DT778]

Socail taboos piss me off. Just because someone interperts somehing as being racist, doesn't mean that it is racist. People are a bitchy lot and someone will be offended by anything. That doesn't mean we should fucking change everything to make sure it suits the entire fucking world. That shit just wouldn't work, anything can be found offensive in the right light with the right(wrong) minded people. Besides it was a fucking spider enemy, what color should it have been? Purple?
"From Sony's official LocoRoco game page: "The peaceful world of the LocoRoco are under attack by the not-so-nice Moja Corps! These evil outer space creatures have come to take the LocoRoco from their land of blowing flowers, lively creatures and pastel scenery."'''

[Z-Saber]

"From Sony's official LocoRoco game page: "The peaceful world of the LocoRoco are under attack by the not-so-nice Moja Corps! These evil outer space creatures have come to take the LocoRoco from their land of blowing flowers, lively creatures and pastel scenery."'''
We all know that "outer space" is quite simply a metaphor for "Africa."

[AdamInPlaidum]

We all know that "outer space" is quite simply a metaphor for "Africa."

:rofl:

Damn, has this thread been good for some humor.

[VanillaGorilla]

I'm offended by people who will seize on anything and declare racism.

Slavery still exists in this world. There is a genocide taking place TODAY against black people in Sudan. And this is where you chose to spend your time and effort? This is a petty waste of time.

You want to do something? Tell your politicians to get serious about Sudan. Those people are still being murdered and they're still starving. The UN had to cut aid because no one but the United States has actually paid what they've pleged to. People are going to die because of that. If there were half the uproar over Darfur that there is over the petty, perceived slight of the day, we would be saving those people right now.

By the way, those Europeans like to sit on their high horse, but I don't see them putting their money where their mouth is.

Wow, only on CAG will you see someone turn something so silly as this Loco Roco hubub into a hard cutting political statement! We get it, you're ever so concerned about others, but take that stuff to the politics page, and let the people who aren't mega-sensitive and hyper-critical have some fun here.

[camoor]

"From Sony's official LocoRoco game page: "The peaceful world of the LocoRoco are under attack by the not-so-nice Moja Corps! These evil outer space creatures have come to take the LocoRoco from their land of blowing flowers, lively creatures and pastel scenery."'''

I see how it is. The LocoRocos couldn't take a world with darker colors.

[Z-Saber]

I see how it is. The LocoRocos couldn't take a world with darker colors.:applause:

EDIT: By the way, I'm still wondering about this page's first post. If it has images, I'm not seeing them. Another Firefox issue? Or perhaps Adblock?

EDIT Deux: I think it's an anti-leeching issue. I looked at the root directory of where the image is linked and found it. I find that more plausible than the blackface spiders, but still a bit of a stretch.

[Zoglog]

Wow, only on CAG will you see someone turn something so silly as this Loco Roco hubub into a hard cutting political statement! We get it, you're ever so concerned about others, but take that stuff to the politics page, and let the people who aren't mega-sensitive and hyper-critical have some fun here.

DONT LIE YOU BASTARD! Loco Roco is a PRE-EMPTIVE brainwashing tool for us to invade IRAN so we can set up WALMARTS and STARBUCKS There!

[Kawnhr]

..Why he hell is this being considered racism? Because it's (literally) black and has lips?

While we're at it, why don't we claim the LocoRoco blob is obviously representing a Chinese sumo wrestler?

In fact in Japan they still use the Naszi Mark as Good Luck along with various others meanings.

The symbol isn't a swastica. It's backwards, and therefore it is a manji, a Buddist symbol for peace/intelligence/strength.