Oddworld - Our world

[iliodd]

Aside from the incredible graphics, gameplay, and plot, the messages contained in the Quintology have always been an integral part of the series. They make Oddworld more of a philosophy than a game, while keeping the gaming spirit intact. From parodying marketing techniques with the new LungBusters and BlitzPackers to mocking animal research centers AND PETA in one blow with Vykkers Labs, Lorne and the other Oddworldians seem to have a lot to say about our own world.

What do you like best about the messages within Oddworld? Do you agree or disagree with them? And what might you like to see in this vein in the future, given what we've seen so far?

[Pacen]

Don't forget the importance of nature (ie - Tree huggers/Land Muggers).
Hmm, which message do I like the most? Well I find it interesting that not many people care about Earth's different species yet we are fascinated by the different species of Oddworld. I don't really agree with destroying species for economic purposes (ie - hunting rare species for money) so I suppose that's the theme I've liked about Oddworld so far. It's also good how Oddworld allows us to reflect on our own society and find our faults, enabling us to improve upon them.

[Elum]

I hate how in Oddworld, its all about slautering animals...but in the end everything turns out okay I guess. I dont really see any messages. Its not like they are telling us not to torture animals or anything.

I like the animals on earth just as much as the animals in oddworld.

[iliodd]

Actually, Elum, I've always found that there are real messages in the games. Aside from the anti-slaughtering thing, the games take a hardline stance against worker abuse, animal testing, pollution and rape of the environment, and most notably, modern consumerism. They're pretty left-wing, which is probably why I love them so much

[Sydney]

There's also the mysticism element of the Mudokons, and how they have been robbed of their ancient legacies and put into Zulags.

It's kind of like how native cultures are often pushed aside to make way for other settlements. For example, and most notibly, the Native Americans and the European settlements. A lot of the feathered designs and Mudokon culture is influenced by Native America. It's kind of similar to Australian Aboriginals vs European settlement.

I like how Oddworld is very consciouss of wordly issues. It makes us think about who we want in charge of our countries. I'm going to vote for (when I am 18) Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, the Australian Democratic leader. Their policies are very green.

[Lampion]

I really enjoy the native environments of the games, specially Monsaic Lines, because of all the mystical atmosphere thatt surrounds that place.

I was talking to a friend about Oddworld games, and told him about the heroes, a blue little guy, a slave with no guns, and a another little guy in a wellchair, fighting against a whole cartel of industrialist-land rapers.

I told him about the addictive products, the animal slaughtering, everything. My friend was hooked, without even see a single picture of the game.

Ok, the grapichs are amazing, but what really makes me love these games is the universe where they are placed. Oddworld is like a mirror of our own world, and there we can see our own sins, as modern human beings. that makes me think a lot...

(Lampion is off to meditate...)

[Wil]

The best bit of Oddworld's 'messages' is that it tells us to 'balance things out' rather than to just stop killing ang testing on animals. If there was no meat, no one would be as healthy, if there was no animal research I'd never have been born.

Besides, I love balancing acts.

Although perhaps you're just making the problems into messages. After all, in the games you've got to have something to base the heros' adventures around - so why not problems similar to ours?

[freakyLA]

Wow guys! You´re allright! Oddworld is very similar to our world. I´m writing a fanfict with a message, too at the moment.
I agree with you about the messages.The message wich OW shows us Is what you`ve said.
To Elum: you say you like animals on earth like these on OW. But the questionis how you like Ow animals. Perhaps you hate them. (expect elum and sea rex)

[ZombieX]

Originally posted by Max the Mug
If there was no meat, no one would be as healthy, if there was no animal research I'd never have been born.

Ah Max, how your opinions have changed in but a year.

[M.O.M]

Personally i think Oddworld has a lot of hidden messages, like the mudokons getting along and rebuilding their culture is a bit like WW2 Britain vs Germany, now we are allies.

[Wil]

Ah yes, how they have.

Yes, if you explore Oddworld, you can find all sorts of messages not immediately visable, but it's a shame that in MO the message that animal testing is 'wrong' was less prominant. Almost as if they weren't making fun of it, but using it as a skeleton around which to base humour.

PS: Wow, look at all the old veterans who are no longer about - Iliodd, Lampion, Elum, Pacen, Max the M....oh.

PPS: Wow, Zomb, you must have been searching through the archives.

[M.O.M]

I hated it when i saw those dead elum's on the last level!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Xavier]

some members I even didn't met

[Oddipus]

I agree with you guys. OWI will probably be delighted to see that some people actually try to see the messages. Offcourse you need to know a lot of our own world and problems, too be able to see the similarities.

I love the struggle between native - industrialists. And I also like it that OWI doesn't moralise on everything (which is very popular in Hollywood). They let us face the problem and take conclusions on our own.

[Xavier]

I love the fact OWI never says that glukkons or sligs are BAD guys

[M.O.M]

they dont do they!
wonder why?

[Xavier]

cause on oddworld there are no bad guys, only guys with ideas

[M.O.M]

too true, but i would say the worst species(sadistic wise) would have to be the vykkers

[dripik]

Well, both AO and AE are carrying the message about clean air. They show what happens if we don't stop producing smoke. I mean on Rupture Farms and Soulstorm Brewery.

[Xavier]

and the lung transplantation...
yes OWI is apparently against tabac too

[M.O.M]

more air pollution, more lung cancer, more transplants and more innocent species being cut up fo their body bits and the gluks also get the moolah!

[Wil]

yes OWI is apparently against tabac too

I don't think 'against' is the right term to use. Rather, they consider tabacco a controversial subject that needs to be highlighted to society.

[M.O.M]

Originally posted by Max the Mug
I don't think 'against' is the right term to use. Rather, they consider tabacco a controversial subject that needs to be highlighted to society.

Very good point, and i agree