Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

January 20, 2009

Do video games make you fat?

It depends on how many you eat!

*rimshot*

A new commercial (left) for the UK government’s Change 4 Life initiative seems to have irked a few game industry types by linking video games with obesity and other health problems.

The commercial, created in stop motion with plasticine characters, features a boy playing a Space Invaders-like game. While he works the controllers, the camera zooms in on his body to observe all of the fat he’s storing. Cut back to the TV, where he zaps an in-game representation of himself for Game Over. The boy and his father look at the screen in horror before hurrying outside to exercise and eat healthily.

An unidentified insider at “one of the world’s biggest producers of fitness games” told MVCUK:

Any initiative that encourages people to move towards a healthier lifestyle can only be a good thing. But this is just another example of naive stereotyping and scapegoating. Video games can be a part of an active and healthy lifestyle for everyone of all ages.

Actually, because video games are playing such an important and fun role in people’s lives, the very audience this advert is supposed to address and speak to might dismiss it purely because of the naivety and ignorance shown.

Richard Keith, publisher for Future’s games portfolio added:

You would have to pretty hard-headed not to support the aims of the Change 4 Life campaign… However, it should be noted that when it comes to house-bound activities, gaming is much more ‘active’ than most – whether that’s exercising the brain with puzzles, rocking out with Rock Band or playing a few sets of tennis with Wii Sports, there’s more to gaming than sitting playing Space Invaders.

-Reporting from San Diego, GamePolitics correspondent Andrew Eisen…

Posted in

Comments

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Kharne on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 21:02.

It's a commerical that at one point has a game in it, so... um... yeah. Personally, I think the ads more about how we're having weight problems due to lifestyle changes in general than any finger pointing at games.

On that note however I whish the current media rush of "ZO NO, TEH FATS!" would die down already, maybe it's becasuse the year just started and everyone's on thier new fool's quest to try and loose weight, but every time I turn around there's more shit about weight loss and obeisity being thrown around. Guess what kiddies, being fat is bad for you! Who'd of guessed?!

And don't get me started on the reality shows. "Oh noes! I'm a fat, ugly monster! Save me, heartless TV Execs!"

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Baruch_S on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 00:58.

Most of the obesity problem is caused by the unhealthy, synthetic food-like substances that people in developed countries seem to be addicted to. If people would lay off the Oatmeal Cream Pies (yeah, they're good, but check out the calories in one of them) and the Big Macs in favor of fruit and a healthy lettuce salad, the obesity problem wouldn't be anywhere near as big as it is. Of course, if we started eating real, natural food instead of synthesized food-like products, farmers would have to grow something besides corn, and many food processors would go out of business...

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Austin_Lewis on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 20:00.

I want you all to take a close look at the letter E in the word LIVE.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Andrew Eisen on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 20:15.

It looks like an E.

I do feel sorry for the guy on the bottom though.

Andrew Eisen

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Wolvenmoon on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 18:50.

So if I shoot myself I'll end up fat?

Okay, got it. I won't shoot myself.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by gamegod25 on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 17:04.

I'm actually ok with the change 4 life commercial. Yeah it was obviously made by a non gamer but it didn't single videogames out either and is very positive.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Andrew Eisen on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 17:15.

And it shows an orange, plasticine caveman bopping a tyrannosaurus on the noggin with a club. Awesomeness!

Andrew Eisen

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by PeVo on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 17:30.

Totally!

-- Olly

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Andrew Eisen on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 16:37.

This is one of my favorite "video games = fat kids" videos.

Andrew Eisen

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by LegendaryGamer00 on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 16:40.

It looks like they tried to rip-off Doom.

-------------------- Making sure I retain my INSANITY

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Austin_Lewis on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 19:43.

It looks fucking hilarious.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by PeVo on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 16:31.

That commercial isn't an attack on the video games industry, and people who see it as such need to get out more.

The message is "lead a balanced life", which is pretty sound advice if you want to make it past 50.

-- Olly

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Baruch_S on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 00:53.

I think people are more annoyed that it's sterotyping gamers as obese, although the implication that video games make you fat is also annoying.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by SimonBob on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 13:38.

Good thing video gamers like us can differentiate fiction from reality, right? Otherwise we'd all be going off half-cocked at this scandalous media representation of what appears to be a terminally boring game where you shoot yourself and then earn a game over!

...Oh, wait.

---
The Mammon Industry

---
Fangamer

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by DarkSaber on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 12:51.

It's the see-sawing 1-2 combo critics of games like to use, just when the violence debate dies down, up pops this one.

--------------------------------------------------

I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

-------------------------------------------------- I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Shadow D. Darkman on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 12:48.

I saw something similar to that vid. The kid was playing a derivative of Pac-Man, and was getting all these sweets. Eventually, he gets too fat to squeeze in there to get the candy.

*facepalm*

Stupidity, thy name is anti-obesity. At least, in this case.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Game on, brothers and sisters." -Leet Gamer Jargon

-----------------------------

"A Chrono Trigger is anything that unleashes its will or desire to change history!" -Gaspar

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by nekusagi on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 11:38.

I think that was a Subway commercial.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by mikese on Mon, 05/04/2009 - 11:09.

I do get exercise each week and take vitamins as well as play my games i dont see the problem. Lots of kids get fat doing nothing

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by CBell on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 13:47.

Yeah, I was gonna make a reply about that one. I think the one you described is worse. Atleast this one puts other things with it, like sitting on the couch watching tv, and not having to hunt our food like we used to thousands of years ago.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Mechadon on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 12:42.

Pfft. Change 4 Life? I'd rather play Left 4 Dead.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by LegendaryGamer00 on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 16:38.

"The Zombie Apacolypse You Can Play With Your Friends!"

-------------------- Making sure I retain my INSANITY

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Outrun1986 on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 12:40.

In theory reading a book would do the same thing, since your still sitting there, so why not some hatred against books? From what I see most kids like to read now and ask for books along with video games for presents.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Baruch_S on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 00:49.

I don't think you can count trash like Twilight as reading...

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by BrandonL337 on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 20:47.

Hey, we don't all like that shit. Personally I'm into Stephen King's books

There have always been motherf*ckers, there will always be motherf*ckers, but what we can't do is let them control our motherf*cking lives. -John Oliver, December 1st, 2008

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Vake Xeacons on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 12:19.

Or remember the old Gamefly commercial, with the fat guy playing games, then the doorbell rings; it's the mailman and the fat guy just grabs the Gamefly envelope from him and slams the door in his face? Gamers bashed by a gaming company?

Or how about in the new "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" where Mike TV was also a gamer in addition to his TV obsession.

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but the brain burns calories more effectively than any mussel in the body. Gamers, even before Wii Fit and Guitar Hero, were more fit per capita than most TV couch potatoes.

I don't see anyone bashing TV anymore. Doesn't it rot the brain? Doesn't it turn you into a vegetable? Noooooo...but games do.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by SeanB on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 12:06.

Millions upon Millions of people are overweight

Millions upon Millions of people play video games.

Wow, if comparisons for proof were that easy

Millions of people eat beef every year

Millinos of people die every year. Ban Beef.

WOW!

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by DeepThorn on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 13:43.

millions of people believe what their churches say

millions of churches say science lies

so why not get rid of science...

wait wait wait...

millions of people use computers

millions of people get sick

heck, lets get rid of every computer in the world, counting cell phones... there we go... wait... that didnt solve anything and now people's medical records are lost... shit

Nido Web Flash Tutorials AS2 and AS3 Tutorials for anyone interested.
How to set Xbox 360 Parental Controls

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Wolvenmoon on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 18:47.

Science can't lie. Science can only show what it finds based upon how well we can test.

Claiming that the untestable is science is a lie, and that's just what these churches are saying to avoid, unless you get into the small fringe groups, which would not be millions.

These small fringe groups are the same as any other fringe group, an asociation of nutcases determined to dominate others. Unfortunately, they're the only ones that get any media attention, much like any other U.S. politics.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by zel on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 15:20.

That was sarcasm, you'll see alot of it around here, lighten up :P

------------------------------------

I am a signature virus, please copy and paste me into your signature to help me propagate.

------------------------------------ I am a signature virus, please copy and paste me into your signature to help me propagate.

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by E. Zachary Knight on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 11:49.

This reminds me of a commercial I saw growing up about excersize. A fat kid was playing a game and finally beat it. He then jumps up to do a celebratory dance. He is jumping around and whooping and hollering and about 5 seconds into it gets out of breath and has to sit down.

Good times.

E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma

E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Kharne on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 20:38.

Didn't GP cover that commerical?

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by E. Zachary Knight on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 09:01.

That commercial was a LOOOONG time ago. Long before GP was conceived.

E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma

E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Abadox50 on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 12:18.

I remember that commercial. "WHO'S DA MAN!?"

--- "Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow?" -Andrew Ryan

--- "Is a man not entitled to the jizz in his mouth?" -Antonio Banda

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by Master_E on Tue, 01/20/2009 - 14:23.

I remember those... they were at the end of Ghostwriter weren't they? And weren't they sponsered by 'Sega'?

Re: Anti-Obesity Commercial Riles Some Game Biz Types

Submitted by jiggaman on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 09:41.

That's cool, but Sega didn't had enough brain fitness exercise games because companies like Cognifit made them only for PC.

Shout box

ZippyDSMlee: Something I did by hand on my convertiable laptop, http://zippydsmlee.deviantart.com/art/Cotlop-zelda-unfinished-sketch-WIP-finish-373937163 forgot if I posted it befor.06/19/2013 - 7:44pm

Conster: Also, I guess The War Z changed its name so they can scam some more people?06/19/2013 - 7:44pm

Conster: AE: when even HuffPo makes the same joke, it's not something you want to take credit for. :P06/19/2013 - 7:43pm

Andrew Eisen: Hey look! The War Z changed its name to Infestation: Survivor Stories. http://infestationmmo.com/06/19/2013 - 7:23pm

Andrew Eisen: You're going to have a lot of company in prison, RedMage. Most of the internet has stolen MY joke. Bastards!06/19/2013 - 7:06pm

RedMage: The cover art thing points to an industry trend of only wanting to appeal to teen boys despite the talk of "broadening the appealz"06/19/2013 - 6:17pm

RedMage: I'd like to turn myself in for unintentional theft of a joke. Ignorance of the law is no excuse :o06/19/2013 - 6:17pm

Andrew Eisen: Remember the fight to get Last of Us's Ellie on the game cover? Check this out: http://cheezburger.com/758618624006/19/2013 - 6:12pm

Andrew Eisen: RedMage - Thief! You stole my joke! You're a horrible, loathesome person! Or you simply had the same idea and didn't read my earlier shout!06/19/2013 - 5:35pm

RedMage: Maybe they're going to rename it the Xbox 18006/19/2013 - 5:26pm

IanC: Bet EA are pissed.06/19/2013 - 5:17pm

Andrew Eisen: Ah, James is just a little quicker on the keyboard than I!06/19/2013 - 5:07pm

Craig R.: Too little, too late.06/19/2013 - 4:52pm

DorthLous: PWAHAHAHAH, the MS spinning sound woke me up :)06/19/2013 - 4:27pm

Andrew Eisen: Microsoft's new console shall now be known as the Xbox One-Eighty.06/19/2013 - 4:17pm

Andrew Eisen: I imagine we were typing our respective shouts at the same time.06/19/2013 - 4:14pm

MaskedPixelante: So Andrew... is there going to be a new poll now? I mean, the one about the XBO DRM is kinda no longer relevant.06/19/2013 - 4:13pm

Andrew Eisen: In light of Xbox One's furious backpeddling on its DRM policies, I'm closing the poll for now. I'll probably write a new one later today or tomorrow.06/19/2013 - 4:11pm

IanC: Found three people whining about this so far. Saying that its because of cheapasses and that its going to be horrible online now. W T and indeed F.06/19/2013 - 4:09pm

Andrew Eisen: Technogeek - I agree but: "After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again." Why do I need to connect online to set up a system I'm not going to use online?06/19/2013 - 4:07pm

All shouts

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