It was cute until the racist character showed up – Weird Guys Review

I LOVED the adorable absurdity of this game until I got to a high enough level to encounter “Owen,” Weird Guy No. 40, an explicitly racist character. He ruined everything. I would be DELIGHTED to go back to the game if his character changes, but for now I am deleting it and telling you all why. My review is mainly directed at a) the developer, to understand why the design of this character is offensive, with the hope that it will be changed, b) parents who might think this game is innocent and appropriate for their kids, and c) anyone else who understands that racist ideas, designs, and art actually help perpetuate racist ideas. All of the characters (the “Weird Guys”) in the game, which you try to collect as you play, are based on the same purposely simple design, with little details changed for each “guy” (sometimes also “gals” – they’re usually gendered) to establish their difference and identity – usually hair or accessories such as sunglasses or hats or gloves. Weird Guys NO. 1 through 39 are *literally* white – white like printer paper, not skin – with facial features and outlines in true black. But then comes Owen, who is completely black with white lips and eyes. But his black isn’t even true black, in contrast to other blacks in the game, but an ashy charcoal black, just like *blackface*. And if that’s not enough, there’s his description: “He got sunburned too much.” Come on! That makes it *explicitly* about his skin (which is not the red of sunburn, of course.) Altogether, these are the common and unmistakable symbols of racist blackface caricature. Such caricatures perpetuate racist stereotypes and are harmful to black consumers of the game around the world and are unacceptable. There is much to like about this game and I would LOVE to continue playing it and discovering its inspired silliness. But “Owen” does NOT fit with the delight the rest of the game inspires, and needs to be redesigned immediately. Should that happen, I would be pleased to change my 2 stars to 5.
Review by DrCMF on Weird Guys.