The Most Controversial Cozy Game NPC? | Stardew Valley

I think, like anyone, Clint has flaws. But do I think there is zero room for redemption? Nah. He's a bit of a weirdo, sure, but that's not exactly crime. Besides, I have faith in CA to write him a good storyline upon pursuing, and I also think that a lot of people who protest him now might possible come around to him when we learn more. Right now, there's not much of a backstory. We don't know why he is the way he is. That's going to change soon, and with it, I think a lot more is going to change.

I am very excited for Sandy though !! like, what's her real name? how do u know emily? tell me everything about yourself gurl!

NEVER HEARD OF THIS MAN BRO I'VE BEEN PLAYING SINCE 2021 AND I NEVER KNEW 😭🙏

someday my dear wizard… Someday…😭

30 seconds in, THE SCENE IS BETTER THEN THE ANIMAL CROSSING ONE I'LL SAY IT-

I want live streams

Clint is definitely the victim of "bad faith criticism" where people exaggerate Clint's problems because they don't like him, looking plainly at the stated content of the game Clint is a lonely, socially awkward, somewhat depressed guy with a crush on Emily who is oblivious to his feelings and he's too nervous to confess either getting cold feet or using indirect methods that get misinterpreted.
People act like Clint is an awful person despite the fact that he never really does much wrong on an objective level and the few mistakes he does make get blown out of proportion meanwhile other characters have flaws that the fanbase ignores or excuses, like people forget that Shane wasn't originally a bachelor and his rudeness and alcoholism were initially left unaddressed until he got added as a bachelor and he only became a marriage option due to a poll.

I think counts cute I genuinely think he's a cute guys and but idk I'm a gay man the loves chubby men /bears

As much as I would have loved having a romantic rendezvous with the wizard (or let's face it, just more lore with him in general since I mostly romance characters to learn more about their stories) I think the folks who are against Clint kind of overlook the main obvious reason Concerned Ape probably chose him: he has the most growth potential out of the friendable NPCs.

Characters like the wizard and Linus are kind of the type of characters I like to refer to as already having completed their arcs at the start of the story. They already know what they're about from the get go and the reason it feels they don't have much "development" is because they kind of already had their development arc before the story started. You're instead learning about what brought them to the closures they've reached – and they certainly spark intrigue in this way, but tossing a romantic arc in with them would be adding a growth arc that they wouldn't necessarily need.

Clint, on the other hand, is left open ended. He clearly still has some growing he can do with his lack of self confidence and, ideally, understanding that romance isn't some end all be all goal (which I know is ironic for a romantic interest, but establishing a precedent that healthy relationships can be platonic allows for a better frame of mind that can lead to proper romantic relationship building, rather than having an unhealthy mindset that a romantic relationship is the end goal no matter what). There is fundamentally growth potential that can be built on, and it wouldn't take much coding wise to do so on a character who already has a routine cycle in town and other baseline story events, unlike some of our resident "I'm just here to serve a purpose" NPCs.

That being said, if we could get Gunther or Marlon some more love in general by getting them out from behind their desks that would be great lol

I personally do not talk to Clint a lot, so realistically, I don't hate him. I just say I do for the love of the game. It's mostly because I've never romanced Emily and only experienced her events through other people who made Clint out to be a bad guy. I'm a Shane and Elliot girly, I'm just happy my boys aren't the most hated unless Clint is redeemed.

Okay 1st red flag you mentioned, can totally see why someone can think that's creepy but… It really also could also be him being very shy/awkward/possibly not socially aware. I personally code Clint as autistic and if so interactions like these would make a LOT more sense. They might still be a lil weird but there are lots of weird people that wouldn't harm a fly. And even if he wasn't autistic, this could still be explained by Clint not getting enough socialization as a child bc he was inside learning to be a blacksmith from his pop. Blacksmith skills are very intensive; it's not something you learn overnight. It's also dangerous and exhausting work. After learning to blacksmith/working at the smith, I can't imagine Clint would have much energy for socializing either. Socializing might come naturally/easily to some, but for many of us it takes a considerable amount of energy, especially if you are also autistic. If you don't have that energy, either you can't socialize at all, or your social skills will suffer, and it will be obvious to others even if not to you at that moment.

2nd – I get why him saying that is cringe and makes one roll their eyes. TBH tho I think that line was more from CA than Clint lol like it was one of those 'wink at the player' kinda things but yeah, not my favorite line. But still, a far cry from something like, "Hey baby huhhuh… Wanna stroke my beard?" XD (Bonus points if you get this ref lmao)

3rd – Ugh… The bush scene… THE FARMER LITERALLY DOES THE SAME THIIIIIIING YOUR FARMER CHARACTER IS CANONICALLY JUST AS MUCH OF A CREEP IF THIS IS THE BAR LMAOOO… XD And THEN the farmer pressures him to go ask her out before he's ready and does so by THREATENING him emotionally! This scene literally shows that the farmer is the one with issues! Heck I'd argue that the farmer spying on Marnie and Lewis is even more creepy than this. In that case you are spying on a late-night date nearby their house and then you feel the need to comment on/judge the relationship of these two clearly much older people… Like, I think that's just a bit weirder than wanting to ask someone out, chickening out and hiding…

4rd – I actually feel like this scene shows some of Clint's maturity lol…? Yes he is having a visible emotional reaction, are men supposed to be emotionless? He might be miffed but I'm definitely not getting outright mad from him. He is clearly way more sad/disappointed. Him congratulating you can be seen as sarcastic I guess, but it could really just be him trying to convey that he knows when he's been beat/when to give up, which to his very small credit lots of guys DON'T know when to do that… Buuut yeah, he's also jumping the gun on that lol. Also as for 'cute', yeah it'd be weird to expect someone who is just a friend to say you look hot, but 'cute' can be an emasculating word for men too. Something more neutral like "Looking good dude!" or "Very stylish!" works better for a guy than calling them cute lol.

5th – I hate this scene too. It makes me sad for Emily. Clint you are being a butthole rn. BUT, in fairness, when things are awkward between you and other people, oftentimes people who are awkward anyways are… Just gonna hide away for a while. And social butterflies like Emily often will interpret that as "being mad at them" when it might be more like, "I just don't know what to say around you right now and my emotions are running high so I should probably just stay away so I don't say something I really don't mean."

6th – Ugh yes okay he's reading too much into that one XD;; But like you said, that IS something people with a crush do sometimes do… I feel like him actually asking you that out loud lends to my "Possibly autistic" theory tho… XD;;

7 – I think this is more annoying that he doesn't have the same dialogue when you are a male. XD;; It's weird ngl but again this is something a very socially awkward person might think/wonder. The fact that he actually says it out loud tho… XD;; Again, juuust saying, it's a certain type of person that tends to "think out loud"…

Finally I'm just gonna add that it definitely is what Clint SAYS not what he LOOKS like that is the problem with him but I also DEFINITELY think there is something to be said for Pretty/Handsome Privilege too. The same comment said by a person considered ugly vs someone considered attractive can be taken totally different depending on the person.

“congrats farmer” im married to Emily’s sister YOU WERE THERE

Honestly I think part of clints controversial personality was just kinda for its time?

People where super into borderline obsessed shy characters at the time SDV came out.

I think it's funny tho because Clint is kinda a reflection on the farmer, considering we have all the villagers schedules mapped out in detail, every liked and disliked gift in detail, and can just…..show up exactly where they're gonna be. He's no worse than us 😂

I view Clint as near cripplingly awkward. To the point, where he comes off as creepy. And regardless of good intentions, creepy is still creepy.

I personally choose to view Clint with a far more comedic lense. He’s awkward, jumps into a bush over just talking to the woman he likes, and is the world’s biggest wallflower of the valley. Which is kinda funny, because he’s the big blacksmith by the museum.

With the right idea in mind, Clint can be seen as a sweet character. But sometimes he’s got weird dialogue! And you can’t fully excuse it away. It’s just good to keep in mind, that basically every male bachelor can have some weird lines.

Notable people being Alex with his occasional sexist comments if you play as a girl. And Shane with all his pizza dialogue- Omg Shane stop saying I taste like pizza rolls.

I don’t really hate Clint but I can understand why people were not happy about Clint being the new male candidate to date/marry with how he would act, especially if you play as a female farmer.