Lionhead Offers Stylish Accessories For Disapointing Fable 2 Co-op
There has been a bit of a backlash to how Lionhead implemented co-op in the recently released Fable 2. The main issue being that when you enter someone else's Albion your character model is replaced with a generic "henchman" character, preventing the other player from seeing your customized character. On your own system your character will still appear in all of their customized glory, but the only way to show off your character to others is for them to join your game. Of course then you won't be able to see what their character actually looks like, hence the problem. With most games, this might be a minor issue, but considering that one of Fable 2's most prominent features is character customization this becomes a big deal. Especially considering that when Peter Moleneux first announced co-op he billed its primary purpose as to show off your Fable 2 character to your friends. So of course, disappointed gamers flooded the Lionhead forums with nonconstructive complaints such as "THE COOP SUCKS!!!!" and calling it "watered down crap." Lionhead employee and forum moderator "Woody" posted a simple reply to the complaints with the above image and the question "Handbag anyone?"
Needless to say, this didn't help the issue. For those unfamiliar with the term, a handbag is the female equivalent of calling someone a tool (thanks Urban Dictionary). Now, I probably should be angrier with this response. After all, it completely ignores the fans' complaints (poorly worded as they are, the complaints are legitimate) but it's also specifically derogatory toward women. It seems a bit inconsistent to see such a backwards comment coming from one of the people that helped create such a progressive game that not only lets you play as a woman, but also allows for same-sex marriage. But at the same time, I can't stay mad at him for too long because I'm too busy actually playing Fable 2 and enjoying the amazing game that is there. Besides, you've gotta admit, Woody's got a nice handbag selection.
UPDATE: Being the silly American that I am, the term handbag isn't really part of my vocabulary in referring to people. Turns out my attempt to explain the phrase was completely wrong. As M points out in the comments, handbag is a culturally English term for people who are being annoying, which makes the comment much less inflammatory. But this might explain some of the more bitter backlash to the comment that has appeared on the Lionhead forum, since those of us in the US aren't familiar with the term making it easy for misinterpretations to occur.
Lionhead Forums - Are you Serious with the Co Op? [Lionhead Forums]
NaviFairy
Posted to Video Games on 22 October 2008
· Comments (5)
Other stuff like this: coop, fable 2, handbag, Lionhead
I've never really thought about it before.
From a UK perspective I'd say "handbag anyone" as a response to someone that was being needlessly bitchy rather than as a "you're a tool" insult.
Over here I'd be delivered with a mock-gay patois style, like the monty Python sketch with the parading soldiers:
"Ooh, get her! Whoops, I've got your number ducky, you couldn't afford me dear, two three. I'll scratch your eyes out!"
Now I think about it. it's such a culturally entrenched insult I could simply make a 'clenching handbag to chest' gesture and most people here would know what I mean.
Another potential origin (Any excuse, classic line):
Lady Bracknell's line, "A handbag?" has been claimed to be the single line in English drama that has given rise to the most varied interpretations, ranging from incredulous through scandalized to just plain baffled. There is scarcely an actress who has not tried to put her own personal stamp on it, but the most famous is that of Edith Evans, seen both on stage and in the 1952 film The Importance of Being Earnest, who delivered the line loudly in a mixture of horror, incredulity and condescension.
I think this is a disappointing discovery. I was playing Fable II last night and had just made it to the first major development in the story--the underground ruins of the guild hall--when a bubble with the face of Sonic the Hedgehog representing one of my online buddies from my CoD4 gay group came floating by. Made me laugh.
I sorta feel bad for Lionhead. They work their asses off for years crafting a truly beautiful game that's hilarious and cuddly while at the same time a fun hack and slash and the first thing 'fans' do is run to the forums to bitch about a sleight that could easily be fixed down the road. As a member of Lionhead staff, I'd be miffed too. Seriously, did anyone buy this game with co-op as the foremost reason?
On an unrelated note, my first character is a pure, good man whose looking for another good man to settle down with. I've only met a couple of gay blokes in the game...an older town crier (not my type as I'm not really into silver foxes) and a rather wimpish man in Bowerstone. Anyone run across some gay hotties in Albion yet? :)
I did want to purchase it with co-op in mind, theres not alot of games me and my boyfriend can play online with each other unless its shooting games, so im kinda dissapointed that fable has a watered down co-op.
Oh and as an edit I answered your question a bit to literally, I haven't bought the game obviously lol. I suppose I just got caught up in the passion there, those guys at LH really got me riled, and the handbag comment I being American actually took it completely differently. I took it as a stab at someones sexuality, If I were to reply to a friend who was complaining with a simple "handbag?" or "dress?" that would be almost surely implying that he was a feminine type or the horrid gay stereotype that all gay men are feminine. And frankly, unless "Woody" states otherwise that's how it sticks. He should have known better than to make a comment like that. Anyway damage is done I think that many people are on that thread that are new to lionshead in particular and that couldn't have earned them any points in ANY demographic.