"Toons"... are we playing Loony Toons?
By
8Seconds,
Posted on: 2006-09-22 10:36 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
Personally, I prefer character over toon. Then again, I am an elitist SOB.
[u]My current mains:[u]
Guardian
Pink Pummeler - Inv/EM - "BAM! BAM, BAM, BAM!"
Shalva - AR/Nrg - "Shalva means peace, as in, 'Rest in...'"
Victory
Atomic Balm - Emp/Rad - "There's nothing like gamma rays for clearing the mind."
Words have as much power as the listener gives them.
I didn't always refer to my characters as toons, but picked it up over time in CoX.
I think "Grease Monkey" has derogatory undertones(presented by the speaker) that toon doesn't carry, but then I gotta remind myself:
"Words have as much power as the listener gives them." 
Edited to add: Every one of my characters/ toons has a bio unique and thought out to them. All of them are thought out from power selection to costume creation(which never takes less than an hour to get just right.) So I do take great pride in my toons 
I guess for me the two words have become synonymous.
[ QUOTE ]
We're tiny.
We're toony.
We're all a little looney.
And in this MMORPG, we're invading your PC!
[/ QUOTE ]
LOL
That is just what I needed before I left work for home. Thank you! 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Simple, they're animated characters.
Cartoon -> Toon.
If this seems frivolous, consider that perhaps your exposure to mature animation is more limited than your exposure to gaming or comics.
I would not call, for instance, "Graveyard of the Fireflies" frivolous or childish. It is a fairly straightforward drama and one of the few movies that can make me cry sober.
On the American side, consider something like "Cool World" which was certainly frivolous in its own way, but was definitely not a 'kiddie' show. Still, many of the lead characters in that were animated.
For me, toon is a reference to an animated character not directly derived from real life imagery. Your 'character' happens to be animated in real time by a computer, but is no less animated than Bugs Bunny.
My 2 influence of course.
[/ QUOTE ]
References to Fireflies or Cool World aside, the fact is that "Toon" is a very specific term outside of games that, while derived from "cartoon", carries the connotations of the "Looney Tunes" set of characters and the later "Tiny Toons".
So while, yeah, it refers to any animated character, some people are going bristle at the application of it as much as a mechanic might when called a "grease monkey".
Personally, I prefer to think of my characters as characters. They are not tied to the medium of the game. I would submit that players that prefer not to be called or not to use the term toon do so, whether consciously or not, because they feel their character supercedes their representation in one medium or another. For example, Superman isn't a "toon". He's a character, and has a life beyond comics, cartoons, or whatever.
So, similarly, they are not "toons", but the characters have been made into "toons".
I also feel weird being compared (unintentionally) to Daffy Duck or Bugs Bunny.
PS: You're despicable.
[/ QUOTE ]
Photon theekers, GO!!
[/ QUOTE ]
You thir, have made a powerthul enemy.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Simple, they're animated characters.
Cartoon -> Toon.
If this seems frivolous, consider that perhaps your exposure to mature animation is more limited than your exposure to gaming or comics.
I would not call, for instance, "Graveyard of the Fireflies" frivolous or childish. It is a fairly straightforward drama and one of the few movies that can make me cry sober.
On the American side, consider something like "Cool World" which was certainly frivolous in its own way, but was definitely not a 'kiddie' show. Still, many of the lead characters in that were animated.
For me, toon is a reference to an animated character not directly derived from real life imagery. Your 'character' happens to be animated in real time by a computer, but is no less animated than Bugs Bunny.
My 2 influence of course.
[/ QUOTE ]
References to Fireflies or Cool World aside, the fact is that "Toon" is a very specific term outside of games that, while derived from "cartoon", carries the connotations of the "Looney Tunes" set of characters and the later "Tiny Toons".
So while, yeah, it refers to any animated character, some people are going bristle at the application of it as much as a mechanic might when called a "grease monkey".
Personally, I prefer to think of my characters as characters. They are not tied to the medium of the game. I would submit that players that prefer not to be called or not to use the term toon do so, whether consciously or not, because they feel their character supercedes their representation in one medium or another. For example, Superman isn't a "toon". He's a character, and has a life beyond comics, cartoons, or whatever.
So, similarly, they are not "toons", but the characters have been made into "toons".
I also feel weird being compared (unintentionally) to Daffy Duck or Bugs Bunny.
PS: You're despicable.
[/ QUOTE ]
Photon theekers, GO!!
[/ QUOTE ]
You thir, have made a powerthul enemy.
[/ QUOTE ]
Ho, Haha, Guard, Turn, Perry, Dodge, Spin, Ha, Thrust!
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Hyperstrike
English does not borrow from other languages. English follows other languages down dark alleys, hits them over the head, and rifles through their pockets for loose grammar.
|
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I use toon, simply because my "characters" exist in the pen and paper rpg world. The ones I've created here simply don't have the same feel or intensity.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well who's fault is that? 
Each one of my characters has a background and motivation, even if I haven't committed them to text.
[/ QUOTE ]
So do mine, but when you get right down to it, they don't matter. A pen & paper character's background and motivation are important because they'll be integrated in the campaign. This character would do this because of X event in his past, but he won't do that because he's afraid of Y due to Z, and so on. The constructed personality does more than shape the character. It has an effect on the course of events.
In this game, whatever personality you concoct doesn't really have all that much effect. It might influence the powers you pick some. It might affect the contacts you decide to run. That's about it. The game itself progresses about the same way to about the same denouement with a personality you layered on top of your guy for aesthetics.
In a game like Fallout or Bloodlines or Fable or Star Control 2 or Neverwinter Nights or something, where the in-game decisions you make have an effect on the outcome of stories, even if it's just the side quests, those feel like characters.
This is my first and only MMPORPG thus far, and so I first heard the term here, used it, but later dropped it in favor of "hero" or "villain" -- "character" is just too associated with PnP days and RPGing (which I do only to a very small degree in CoH/V). But I've probabaly used it to describe my heroes and villains also.
Don't really have a dog in this hunt; it is just a game.
Perhaps "token," "piece," or "man" (not to be sexist) would work . . .
some of us think of the cartoon heroes/villians we grew up watching on tv or reading about in comics. From that toon seems a pretty normal name to use.
"I think I'm cute. I've got gold medals.
I've got the moves that make them all tap out.
The Angle Slam, the Ankle Lock.
Marty Jannetty...still can't walk.
I'm just the sexy Kurt.
I'll make your ankle hurt.
I'm just the sexy Kurt.
I'll make your ankle hurt."
Kurt Angle
4 letters to type vs. 9.
yes, i'm that lazy
205723: A Different DESTINY
When Soldiers of Arachnos got their names added to the Destiny List, Longbow managed to get a copy of the list and began rounding villains up. But one name on the list shocked them...
[ QUOTE ]
You can call your Hero a toon, but you can't toon a fish! 
I swear, I oughta charge for this [censored]!
[/ QUOTE ]
What - you should charge for stealing ideas from REO Speedwagon?
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I use toon, simply because my "characters" exist in the pen and paper rpg world. The ones I've created here simply don't have the same feel or intensity.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well who's fault is that?
Each one of my characters has a background and motivation, even if I haven't committed them to text.
[/ QUOTE ]
So do mine, but when you get right down to it, they don't matter. A pen & paper character's background and motivation are important because they'll be integrated in the campaign. This character would do this because of X event in his past, but he won't do that because he's afraid of Y due to Z, and so on. The constructed personality does more than shape the character. It has an effect on the course of events.
In this game, whatever personality you concoct doesn't really have all that much effect. It might influence the powers you pick some. It might affect the contacts you decide to run. That's about it. The game itself progresses about the same way to about the same denouement with a personality you layered on top of your guy for aesthetics.
In a game like Fallout or Bloodlines or Fable or Star Control 2 or Neverwinter Nights or something, where the in-game decisions you make have an effect on the outcome of stories, even if it's just the side quests, those feel like characters.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree with you, but they matter to me! The fact that we're all trapped in this spandex combat simulator doesn't mean I have to accept that that's all there is to my characters.
I started referring to my characters as toons after I read it in use on the forums. Sounded like a convenient name for computerized entities based on comic books. Seeing how many people get uptight over it, I try to remember to use character instead these days. I figure I could care less either way, so why irritate people.
I've never yet taken a hit from a bad guy skidding across the floor on his keister.
~~~__O
~~~_/
~~/ /
Learn the knockback, live the knockback, love the knockback!
[ QUOTE ]
some of us think of the cartoon heroes/villians we grew up watching on tv or reading about in comics. From that toon seems a pretty normal name to use.
[/ QUOTE ]
How True. HAIL HERCULOIDS !
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I don't know, I can't bring myself to call them toons. It makes me cringe a little every time someone else does.
[/ QUOTE ]
I would hate to be around you when someone says something really offensive.
[/ QUOTE ]
Then you haven't heard the offensive things I've said to people.
~Missi
http://tinyurl.com/yhy333s
Miss Informed in 2016! She can't be worse than all those other guys!
I came over from Anarchy Online. I pretty much remember everyone calling them toons or avatars over there too.
I don't see any problem with calling them toons. Sure it sounds like a referance to cartoon. But you know what, this is america, the land of taking one word and making it mean something else for a differant purpose. So there you go.
[ QUOTE ]
the fact is that "Toon" is a very specific term outside of games that, while derived from "cartoon", carries the connotations of the "Looney Tunes" set of characters and the later "Tiny Toons".
[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry, it doesn't have those limited connotations to me. To me it means animated character.
I use the term rarely, preferring character, alt, etc. But I do use it from time to time. I also occasionally use the term "avatar", but that usually connotates a representation of the user, and I don't at all think of my characters here as "me".
In reference to someone else's post, I was exclusively an FPS player before I found CoH. I don't think I had a name for my representation in those games. That was "me".
Blue
American Steele: 50 BS/Inv
Nightfall: 50 DDD
Sable Slayer: 50 DM/Rgn
Fortune's Shadow: 50 Dark/Psi
WinterStrike: 47 Ice/Dev
Quantum Well: 43 Inv/EM
Twilit Destiny: 43 MA/DA
Red
Shadowslip: 50 DDC
Final Rest: 50 MA/Rgn
Abyssal Frost: 50 Ice/Dark
Golden Ember: 50 SM/FA
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I use toon, simply because my "characters" exist in the pen and paper rpg world. The ones I've created here simply don't have the same feel or intensity.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well who's fault is that?
Each one of my characters has a background and motivation, even if I haven't committed them to text.
[/ QUOTE ]
So do mine, but when you get right down to it, they don't matter. A pen & paper character's background and motivation are important because they'll be integrated in the campaign. This character would do this because of X event in his past, but he won't do that because he's afraid of Y due to Z, and so on. The constructed personality does more than shape the character. It has an effect on the course of events.
In this game, whatever personality you concoct doesn't really have all that much effect. It might influence the powers you pick some. It might affect the contacts you decide to run. That's about it. The game itself progresses about the same way to about the same denouement with a personality you layered on top of your guy for aesthetics.
In a game like Fallout or Bloodlines or Fable or Star Control 2 or Neverwinter Nights or something, where the in-game decisions you make have an effect on the outcome of stories, even if it's just the side quests, those feel like characters.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well stated.
Another part of it for myself, is the rping aspect. Yes I know there is rping here, and one of the guys I play pen and paper games with is heavily into the RP here. I've tried it, but it's lacking something for me. Maybe it's the interaction from sitting across the table from someone and being able to see the facial expressions or hear accents, that I miss. Or it just the smell of cigars and stale beer.
@IronHoss
@Payamma Gurl
I'm sorry that your crew was stupid enough to fire on a station filled with a quarter million civilians, including your own people. And I'm sorry I waited as long as I did before I blew them all straight to hell. ~Sheridan, The Fall of Night
I say toon because I refuse to say "my digital polygonal super hero avatar representation"
[ QUOTE ]
What - you should charge for stealing ideas from ELO?
[/ QUOTE ]
Nah. But he should charge for stealing from REO.
C'mon, Bruce. Don't bring me down.
As to actually being on-topic, I forced myself to use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation when chatting via programs like ICQ, IRC, AOL IM, and etc. so typing speed isn't much of an issue for me. Hence, I tend to use longer words in conversation (and say a whole lot more than most of my teammates) simply because I've got scary-fast fingers. Plus, it's easier to make snarky comments mid-battle.
Have you or someone you know been the victim of Nerd Rage?
Find answers, get help.
avatar, av for short - emphasizes that the thing referred to is the representation of the player in the game-world. Has complimentary, respectful overtones from its primary other usages being deity-related.
cartoon, toon for short - emphasizes that the thing referred to is an animation. Has humorous or belittling overtones from its primary other usages referring primarily to a broad, jokey sort of cartoon. "Cartoon" implies not only animation, but simplification, in many of its older usages it meant something like "sketch."
character, char for short - emphasizes that the thing being referred to is a fictional person. Connotations are neutral and roleplaying-inclined. Probably the most common choice.
hero/villain - emphasizes the role of the thing being described in its particular gameworld. The most specific to CoH/CoV, not ported in from some other multiplayer game or virtual world. The equivalent in some other games might be "adventurer."
alternate, alt for short - emphasizes that the thing referred to is one of several; neutral connotation, but can have a similar/possibly confusing meaning as "an avatar/cartoon/character/hero/villain that is not the one I primarily play" (whereas the one primarily played would be the "main" )
I picked-up on "toon" from other people, and still use it because:
--"alt" and "main" are good until I cap an old main and some other alt becaomes my new main. Confused yet? Yeah so would folks in chat, even my friends. It always continues with "is this your new 'main'"?
--"Character" is the best word...and too long to type fast, when most "conversation" is in combat or has to happen fast for various reasons. Can't use "Char" since that's a power name, and outside of geek circles I'm surprised how many people don't know what it abbreviates.
--"Hero" and "Villain" are likely the second best, dunno why I don't use those except while "hero" is easy to type fast, my brain gets muddled with "villain" when typing in a hurry. That and most people at this stage use "alt"
In the end, everyone seems to understand instantly when I use "toon" so I just used it out of courtesy and clarity of understanding. Same reason I chat (and to some extent type in forums like thes) using "chatspeak" but write formal correspondence in proper English.
CURRENT MAINS: Akero (V) | Polly Spark (V) | Project MALWARE (V) | Barium Bunny (VIP)
ACTIVE INCARNATES: Polly's Revenge (V) | Stygian Kitten (V) | Archon Abrasax (V) | Alpha Antares (V)
Felines | Wolves | Avians | Bovines | Griffons | Centaurs | Insects | Robots
What, you really think HUMANS are going to save the world? LOL!
I've played many a computer role-playing type games in my time. Many had a separate screen with a representation of you character, your gear, your stats etc.. This screen could be refered to as your "character" or "character sheet" whereas your "toon" would be the mobile representation you see while you play the game.
What baffles me is seeing that people use the words "toon" and "alt" interchangably. Alt is an abbrieviation for alternate, and should ONLY be used to refer to characters or toons that you do not consider to be your main or primary.
Being an RPG-er originally, I refer to my characters as 'Characters'. Took me a while to get used to people calling theirs 'Toons' but, I suppose that if your only exposure prior to this was Saturday Morning Cartoons then I suppose the appelation fits.
[ QUOTE ]
im not tryingto be rude.. but why does this matter again ?
[/ QUOTE ]
It doesn't...
...at all...
*L*
Wow, I never expected to get this many replies on this thread... or to have so many people take it so seriously. All I wanted to know was where it started, and state my opinion that to me it sounds goofy.
In the end it's just a preference, but to me I use character because I did get my start on P&P RPGs and comic books (I started on comic books about the time Kitty Pryde joined the X-Men if that gives you an idea, hehe)... Sure I've played video games over the years, and sure I've watched just about every type of cartoon made over the years, from zany stuff like Looney Tunes to mature content rated shows like Legend of the Overfiend and Animaniacs But to me, cartoons and comics have nothing to do with the other, unless the cartoon is an adaptation of said comic. "Toons" to me carries with it the connotation that there's little to no depth to the character. Ie, we know Daffy Duck is greedy and jealous of Bugs, but other than that he's pretty one dimensional (Much as I love him... Woo hoo! Woo hoo!)... A character on the other hand, has depth... in our sg for example, I've been involved in some pretty heavy forum based RP, and I enjoy it immensely. To me, the more my character in CoH is developed, the more meaning taking on each mission or fighting each mob has. My main character has a sister that was as a part of the RP kidnapped by a Tsoo slaver, and nearly got shipped overseas to be sold into slavery, had the sg not intervened and saved her. Now, whenever I take on a mob of Tsoo, it means so much more than if any other character fought them. I even have special binds just for those occasions, hehe. To me, this isn't a standard video game, it's an MMO adaptation of the comic book superhero genre, and that makes it more akin to a comic book than to a video game or cartoon.
But then, everyone's welcome to call their walking, fighting collection of polygon bits whatever they want to call him or her
[ QUOTE ]
I never got the "toon" thing either. To me it's a bit too frivolous a term to be applying to any of MY characters, but what the heck, if other people think of it that way, I can't stop 'em.
Buttered Cat
Nerf-Herder - Spines/Regen
[/ QUOTE ]
'Cause "Buttered Cat" and "Nerf-Herder" are such serious names?