discussion Does how close a parody character look to the original affect your enjoyment of a game?

[DameJudyMench]

I mean, if it's a parody, should it really be that close? Parody's are supposed to be funny and not to be taken seriously. So, it's kind of a oxymoron to want it closer to the original - unless the original was already farcical. Unless there's a lot of inside jokes, I get just as much out of them as not regardless of parody.

But doesn't parody necessitate similarities. Like if you make a harry potter parody and Ron isn't a ginger then what are you parodying.

if it's just in the same world as then I see it more like a companion/side story

 

[LewisCarroll]

But doesn't parody necessitate similarities. Like if you make a harry potter parody and Ron isn't a ginger then what are you parodying.

if it's just in the same world as then I see it more like a companion/side story

Well, I guess the general rule would be that it must be similar enough to be recognized as a parody, but no further. There's a point where it no longer is a parody that it becomes imitation.

 

[Baron Mist]

Incredibly so, if the character is supposed to be a specific character and doesn't look like them at all, it completely pulls me out and puts me off

 

[rocketsheep]

I really don't care about visual similarity. For me it's more about getting the character and plot right. Except for possibly adding humor where it is lacking in the original, or spoofing the original for a proper parody, they need to get the feel of the original right in the same way as when it is taken from one medium to another, or is remade well. (Most American remakes of European films are crap because they don't get the original feel right. It has nothing to do with the actors looking different, although the fact that American actors mostly look like cloned photo models instead of individuals obviously doesn't help. Precisely because it changes the feel.)

For example, starting with Star Trek - The Original Series, the novels based on it as well as Star Trek - The Animated Series keep the essence of the original, and so do many fan productions of new Star Trek episodes even if they don't look right. I once saw a Star Trek porn parody. Something like that could be good, but it was crap because they didn't get the feel of the original at all. (Plus it was bad porn, too.)

Of course if the original is very much about visual style, then you need to get that right as well. I guess an example for this is Totally Spies! and its parody Paprika Trainer. (A pretty good game for playing as a game and a parody, not really for porn.)

But in general, you can change a lot of things and even replace all the characters and still have a good parody. Lust Academy is probably the best Harry Potter parody, even though its setting is a magic school in America and basically the only visual resemblance to the original is the unavoidable Emma Watson lookalike classmate.

 

[noaway]

Not really. I think if looks similar enough to the original it should do the trick.

 

[User_3471]

Nope not one bit.

 

[albatross]

It should be close, I think.

 

[MajinGuu]

Honestly yeah. I'm playing it because I'm interested in the IP they're parodying. If it's super off model I don't see the point. Same if the characters have inaccurate personalities

 

[User_9860]

If its close enough thats fine. doesnt need to be spot on

 

[Wulf]

If you're gonna do a parody, i think you should get as close as possible to the real thing. Only if you change art styles i guess you get a little bit of leniency (like a 2d to 3d, or 3d to 2d etc)

 

[Karamchad]

Personally I think it is incredible cringe to make your game an entire fanfic of something.
Creation is unlimited, be proud of what your can pull out of your imagination and work with it.

 

[entry1]

it depends on the style of the original

 

[jbk304]

I have no issues with different styles. I like to see how the artist takes things.

 

[Delpp]

For rule 34 it only really works if it is almost the original (if not the original). For a parody I think it's still best to remain very close.

 

[Seo In-guk]

There is no problem if the quality is better or lower, my criterion is like a parody, it should not be so equal, but hey, everyone has their opinion

 

[UStinky]

If it doesn't even look like them.. is it even worth saying it is them?

 

[xurbec]

It does not have to be perfect but the closer the better.

 

[Silicon12]

Yeah,l if it looks way too different from the original it rubs me the wrong way.

 

[Johngawn61]

I don't really have a preference, not into parody games very much, but I guess if I was to make a parody I'd want to emulate the art style.

 

[cptgrinner]

I find it fun when games parody actresses video game characters ect