Gwimbly is the titular character in the Smiling Friends episode "Gwimbly: Definitive Remastered Enhanced Extended Edition DX 4K (Anniversary Director’s Cut)."
Background[]
Gwimbly was once a star of the popular Gwimbly video game series back in the late 90s during the 3D platformer craze. However, after leaving his company, Insane Groundbreaking Games, he began to fall on hard times as the video game landscape began prioritizing microtransactions and DLCs. He became destitute, relying on fan requested content on Cameo for sustenance. After teaming up with Pim and Allan, they requested to see the IGBG CEO, who mocked their proposition of featuring Gwimbly in a new game. The three then attempted to crowdfund a new, independent Gwimbly game. Provoked by this idea, the CEO ordered Troglor to kill Gwimbly and his accomplices to retain complete control of Gwimbly’s license as an IP. After the CEO was killed, Gwimbly teamed up with Troglor to star in a new, Super Smash Bros-style fighting game.
Personality[]
Jaded and rudderless after his experiences with the video game industry, Gwimbly has contempt for his old, unappreciative company as well as little prospect for his own future. He appears to be sickly and frail while also prone to violent outbursts if insulted. He has a large sense of pride and self-respect, initially declining the help from Pim and Charlie and later violently rejecting the humiliating offer from the IGBG CEO. That being said, Gwimbly is grateful and kind to anyone who is a fan of his work. He is quick to forgive those who have previously wronged him, as shown by his willingness to work alongside Allan and Troglor, and appreciates his former co-workers Mr. Millipede and Count Groxia. In general, Gwimbly is an eccentric, endearing character whose self-reliant and quick-tempered personality traits result from falling on undeserved hard times. Eventually, he finds joy in letting go of the past and starring in a new, modern game.
Appearance[]
As a video game character from the fifth generation of video games, Gwimbly has an appearance composed of low-resolution polygons. He is marsupial/rodent in appearance, has a long snout that resembles a banana, a wide mouth with two front teeth, saggy blue eyes and sickly yellow fur. He wears a shirt with a retro arcade carpet design as well as a blue and black baseball cap with a magenta brim. He also has a fluffy pink tail (hopefully) on his rear. His skin has numerous scabs and bruises, and his left shoe has a worn-down hole exposing his toes. This also apples to his gloves, which have also been worn out, exposing his fingers. Even his voice has a tiny compression to it.
His flat head and bulging eyes are, unfortunately for him, reminiscent of Jar Jar Binks from the Star Wars prequel movies.
Interestingly, he looks much smoother and his visage is more refined whenever he records himself on his phone.
In his appearance in the Smash Clone towards the end of the episode, Gwimbly regains the brighter and cleaner likeness he had during his prime, albeit now with a much higher fidelity 3D model.
Quotes[]
"Stop, man! Stop it, b-- buzz off, why don't ya?"
"Oh cool, rock on brother! I wish this red thing appreciated me like you do. I HATE this red thing, I spit on you! *spits*"
"I don't need your help, I-I'm doing my own thing now, and I'm thriving. But I can do my iconic Gwimbly victory dance for only $5! I take Venmo."
"Well, I don't do my iconic victory dance for nothing. Okay, I guess just this once I can do it for nothing. Ooh-ooh-ooh! Okay, I guess I can do one more for nothing. Ooh-ooh-ooh!"
"Yeah, no, I-- I'm alright. I think it was just the second dance that did it. Ugh... Do you have any creamed corn?"
“I’m seeing here I should also tell Tyler to go to hell? I don’t know who Tyler is or what that means but uh—“
"Oh, I swear to God, if I had my GWIMBLY GUN ON ME RIGHT NOW, I'D--"
"Yeah, well, I'll always be the iconic of this damn stupid company!"
"Oh, FUCK you!"
"Oh, come on, it'll be just like the old days! Remember when I used to beat your ass over the creamed corn?"
"Well, there is my trusty sidekick Mr. Millipede. I wonder what he's up to."
"It's just wrong, man. Mr. Millipede was like a damn brother to me. And I'm gonna say what nobody else is willing to say; America has a fuckin' fentanyl crisis. Ooh-Ooh-Oooh…(SOBBING.)"
"I'm sick of bein' alone too."
"Okay, s-sure, haha! What do you have in mind?"
Trivia[]
- Gwimbly's voice is somewhat similar to Abe's from the Oddworld franchise. Gwimbly's victory chant, "Oooh, oohh, ooooh," even sounds a bit like the noise Abe makes when he is chanting.
- Gwimbly is inspired by several platformer video game mascots who have dropped significantly in popularity, if not almost completely fallen into obscurity. Design-wise, he seems to be inspired primarily by Rayman.
- Gwimbly’s relationship with the CEO resembles many game companies' general disinterest in new games for platformer game series IPs they own, particularly the Banjo-Kazooie series, which is currently owned by Microsoft following their acquisition of series developer Rare in 2002.
- The music which plays when a clip is shown of Gwimbly’s game uses the same soundfont as Banjo-Kazooie music.
- Gwimbly’s sidekick Mr. Millipede could be a reference to Kazooie.
- Finally, Gwimbly enters a “fighting game” at the end of the episode, referencing Banjo-Kazooie’s addition to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
- Pim’s promise to get Gwimbly’s game crowdfunded is a direct reference to the development of Yooka-Laylee, made by former members of Rareware, to act as a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie.
- Gwimbly's 3D design and Motion Capture was done by Youtuber Hoolopee.
- Gwimbly's name may be a reference to Gumbly, also known as Graggle Simpson, a metafictional character purported to be a character from The Simpsons that had be removed from the series.
- Gwimbly is the first client who didn’t ask the Smiling Friends for help himself, which is noted by Charlie to be against the rules.