Tim Schafer Blames Lack of Humor in Gaming on Self-Censorship

Videogames are no laughing matter, and according to Double Fine’s Tim Schafer, it’s game developers’ fault.

In an interview with CVG‘s Tim Ingram, Schafer said there is nothing stoping more games from being laugh-out-loud funny, but developers aren’t taking the opportunity.

“The other thing is to avoid self-censorship. There are a lot of funny people in the games industry, and [they seem to] think of the funny thing, and then say: ‘No, I can’t do that. Let’s cut that out because someone might be bothered by that,’ Schafer said. “I think if people censored themselves less there’d be a lot more funny stuff out there.”

There are obvious examples of humor in videogames, like Double Fine’s games, the Ratchet and Clank series, and indie darling The Behemoth, but it drops off pretty quick after that. Most developers seem to have a good sense of humor, but for some reason appear scared to show it off. Blizzard always sneaks in a few jokes, but hasn’t really made what I would call a funny game (no relation to Funny Games) since The Lost Vikings back in the 16-bit era.

Then again, there are times when a little self censorship probably worked out for the best. In Masters of Doom, early id Software staff members recall the development of Wolfenstein 3D, which at least in the early brainstorming phase, could have allowed the player to cannibalize enemy corpses for health. Funny, in a sick sort of way, but that joke would have gone over like a lead balloon with most people.