Mario Party 8 recalled due to "spastic"

Reginald

Reginald

Newbie
Joined
Dec 8, 2004
Messages
6,060
Reaction score
2
Mario Party 8 for the Wii has been recalled from retailers in the UK due to the word "spastic" being included on some copies.

No further release date has been given.

Link

LOL
 
It's offensive to people who have seizures I assume?


I never even knew that that word originated from Epileptics seizures, assuming now that it is.


I'm going to has a spaz attack!
 
Bob_Marley said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spastic
Click to expand...

Oh I see. Offensive in the UK.

Here is how it goes down in the US.

wiki said:
In American slang, the term "spaz" is generally inoffensive, most Americans considering it casual slang for clumsiness, sometimes associated from overexcitement, excessive energy, or hyperactivity. It was especially common in Valley Girl or preppy pop culture trends of the 1980s which emulated the affectations of affulent urban youth of Southern California. Though at the time, the term "spaz" could be considered an insult in the same light as "nerd" or "geek", it has evolved with those words through the advent of the technology culture to represent a self-effacing expression of technical aptitude or affinity, e.g. "I am such a spaz when it comes to new electronics."

On occasion North American TV series or movies, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Meatballs, will use the term "Spaz" and get a different reaction from British and American audiences.

The difference in understanding of the term was highlighted by an incident with the golfer Tiger Woods; after losing the US Masters Tournament in 2006, he said, "I was so in control from tee to green, the best I've played for years... But as soon as I got on the green I was a spaz." This comment went uncommented upon in America where the term does not have the same connotations that it does in the UK.

As with Tiger Woods, it is often said of oneself in moments of clumsiness, awkwardness or absentmindedness. On learning of the furore over his comments, Woods' representative apologized for causing offense a few days later. [1]

Most Americans were surprised when they learned about the controversy. In fact, at least one American dictionary (Merriam Webster's) makes no reference to cerebral palsy in its definition or word origins. It simply defines "spaz" as a shortening of the word "spastic" and "one who is inept."
Click to expand...

Also,
Many products in America use the word Spaz as part of their name because of the American connotation of energy and excitement.

Controversy arises if products are sold in the UK under the same name. In particular the manufacturers and importers of the Spazz wheelchair were criticised by the British SCOPE charity when they put the wheelchair on sale in the UK. SCOPE expressed a fear that the usage of the word as an insult would increase again, after a steady decline since the 1980s. [3]

A caffeinated lipbalm created by a police officer is called "SpazzStick." [4] "Spaz-Stix" is the company that produces high end remote control car/plane paints.

An energy drink is called "Spaz Juice" and has a slogan, "all the energy you need to annoy everybody else." [5]

Working Designs a video game publisher used the term Spaz as a secondary publishing label mainly for action/adventure games.
Click to expand...
LMFAO @ spazz wheelchair.

ROFL.
 
Wow, thats offensive in the UK?

The drumline here actually gives out a "biggest spaz" award.
 
What a ****ing retarded ass recall.
 
In the UK spaz is a slur for a mentally retarded person.
 
I'm still laughing at the Spazz brand wheelchairs.

HAHAHHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!!





I died.


OK, Respawned.


Timmmyyyyy!!!!!
 
An energy drink is called "Spaz Juice" and has a slogan, "all the energy you need to annoy everybody else."
Click to expand...
bwAAAHahahahahahaha

Spaz juice - annoy everyone just like a real spastic would! oh god.
 
If they put "SPAZ JUICE" on sale in the UK, I'm sure it will become a massive cult success in the three minutes before it's pulled from the shelves.
 
It's political correctness gone mad!! Oh no a word I dont like too much is on a screen! :O RALLY THE SOCCER MOMS!

Also I think a PSP/DS quiz was recently pulled because of the same word being used.
 
This is gay. Stupid political correctness crap (I didn't want the game, but still, this is silly - thats two games banned from going on sale here because of some politically correct assholes)
 
AHA-Lambda said:
It's political correctness gone mad!! Oh no a word I dont like too much is on a screen! :O RALLY THE SOCCER MOMS!

Also I think a PSP/DS quiz was recently pulled because of the same word being used.
Click to expand...

yeah, I just read that a brain game for a nintendo system was pulled.
 
We have a SPASTIC FOUNDATION here, dedicated to HELPING spastics.

Wtf.
 
Atomic_Piggy said:
This is gay. Stupid political correctness crap (I didn't want the game, but still, this is silly - thats two games banned from going on sale here because of some politically correct assholes)
Click to expand...
Not banned, withdrawn.
 
Jintor said:
We have a SPASTIC FOUNDATION here, dedicated to HELPING spastics.

Wtf.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but I dunno... As much as I'm against censorship in games (and I really am), I don't think there's much to complain about with this.

There are Cancer Institutes and Foundations as well, but it'd still be pretty insensitive if a kids' game called the player 'cancer boy!'.

'Spastic' is kind of like a less stigmatised 'mongoloid' - that became a popular playground insult when I was in school, but a lot of people still use the term to refer to Down's Syndrome sufferers. Let's say there was a 'catch the mongoloid!' game in Wario Ware or whatever; it'd be a justifiable shitstorm.

'Spastic' is a pretty offensive term for me. In fact I've been trying to re-popularise it as an insult, and I know that when I am calling someone an effing spastic, I am definitely trying to imply that they are mentally crippled, they dribble, make annoying noises, flail their arms and soil themselves. I don't want Nintendo to make it family friendly...! >:[
 
I can understand it. It sounds like the word is on equal footing as any other curse word in the UK, and nobody would find it strange if a children's game was recalled because it contained swearing.

On the other hand, society's preoccupation with such trite matters is always a bit puzzling. I suppose people like to believe they're shielding their children from the horrible sin of derogatory language, but believe you me by the time they even understand the concept of a 'bad word', they probably know many of them already.

I suppose it's like the whole silly trend that nudity is worse for society than violence and death. At least, that's the only thing you can assume if you were to look at any swathe of ratings.
 
Point is, this isn't a curse or swear word, it is a word for a neuro-physical disability. Only ignorance makes it an insult and takes insult from it. The reason it was withdrawn is because it just isn't appropriate within the context that it is used in, whereas something like 'epileptic' would be. But as usual the political correct brigade have to jump on the band wagon.

I must admit to laughing at poor old Joey Deacon on many occasions and belming at friends when I was a wee kid though. Sorry Joey, you are a legend.
 
It's political correctness gone mad!

Okay really, spastic used to be a word in ordinary use ("he flailed at me with a spastic energy") but now it's fairly rude. Why does everybody call it a 'politically incorrect' term? If I was disabled I'd be fairly pissed off if someone called me that - in the right context it's downright offensive - so like Laivasse said, it's right that they pull this back. It's just a delay; they're not banning anything.

Heh, mongoloid.
 
Reginald said:
Mario Party 8 for the Wii has been recalled from retailers in the UK due to the word "spastic" being included on some copies.

No further release date has been given.

Link

LOL
Click to expand...

Yeah, we only recieved 2 copies at my store. I was going to put it out on the shop floor, till I found out the price (?999).

I was shocked at first, and then realised thats what we do when we recall products :D, so as to deter buyers if that product is already out.
 
Atomic_Piggy said:
This is gay. Stupid political correctness crap (I didn't want the game, but still, this is silly - thats two games banned from going on sale here because of some politically correct assholes)
Click to expand...

Shut up spaz, you have no idea how offensive that word can be, even to none spazzes.
 
Oh, so someone decided to name a Shotgun Spaz, because there could possibly be no consequences in doing so, except possibly a gaping hole where your asshole use to be.
 
Not that it bothers me, but I've just found an instance in Pok?mon Pearl when a member of Team Galactic called my character a "little bugger."

Nintendo are going to have to get their translators understanding regional differences a little better in future. The word bugger is restricted until after the 9 pm watershed on TV here. Mind you, it is an import copy so it may be less offensive in the US.
 
Reginald said:
Not that it bothers me, but I've just found an instance in Pok?mon Pearl when a member of Team Galactic called my character a "little bugger."

Nintendo are going to have to get their translators understanding regional differences a little better in future. The word bugger is restricted until after the 9 pm watershed on TV here. Mind you, it is an import copy so it may be less offensive in the US.
Click to expand...
Not really related, but I remember the days when 'bugger' used to pop up all the time in Allo Allo. One time the BBC screened the word 'bollocks' at 6:30pm on a repeat of Waiting For God. Those were the days.

None of that tops Slash using the f-word in a kids' Saturday morning TV show interview with Cat Deeley though.
 
bugger is a bad word there? Are you shitting me?

here it is the least offensive of the least offensive terms and is practically a compliment.

Speaking to a 5 year old, "You little bugger, I'm going to get you!" *chases kid around the house*
 
VirusType2 said:
bugger is a bad word there? Are you shitting me?
here it is the least offensive of the least offensive terms and is practically a compliment.
Click to expand...

True here aswell, it's one of the oldskool profanities from biblical times that we have all become desensitised to, but you would be amazed at how few people actually know what the word means.
 
VirusType2 said:
bugger is a bad word there? Are you shitting me?

here it is the least offensive of the least offensive terms and is practically a compliment.

Speaking to a 5 year old, "You little bugger, I'm going to get you!" *chases kid around the house*
Click to expand...

It means "to f**k in the ass".
Really.
 
hehe if I got the UK I will say to all the ladies "I want to bugger you"
 
It's an understandable withdrawl, the term spastic is totally inappropriate for a computer game. SPASTIC was originally a charity organisation for people with mental or physical disabilities. Due to the connection of the term spastic and the people it supports, kids and people alike used it as an insult or slur. That has been happening for years and it's been such a problem for the charity they changed their name to Scope. Just a temporary withdrawl to fix a pretty bad mistake is a good idea.
 
Its weird, I'd say spaz is acceptable in some circles when spastic isn't. [UK btw]. Also,
magiok.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Krynn72
You guys, what the **** is up.
Replies
11
Views
2K
Tollbooth Willie
Tollbooth Willie
Hectic Glenn
Valve and Perfect World Announce 'Steam China'
Replies
0
Views
20K
Hectic Glenn
Hectic Glenn
bbson john
Hi everyone. I am new to this forum!
Replies
11
Views
6K
Tollbooth Willie
Tollbooth Willie
B
Barking Dog Studios' work for Valve
Replies
0
Views
12K
Barnz
B
MFL
Fascinating look at the ongoing psychological evolution of flat hieirarchies.
Replies
2
Views
2K
Tollbooth Willie
Tollbooth Willie
Back
Top