The Problem:
Though it has gone on for a while, it recently came to my attention that the FGC is in disarray over some remarks said at 2 events streamed for the said community. The spark of this came from the streaming series Cross Assault, a a live event series broadcast on the net that promotes the upcoming game title Street Fighter X Tekken, which releases this month and made by Capcom. Now then, apparently on that show, there was a little talk going on involving Team Tekken's Coach, Aris, and one of the players of the said team Miranda, or Super_Yan, as she's called. Aris made some rather... distasteful remarks, such as guessing her bust size during a broadcast (which already warrants a red flag for most people), which ultimately made her forfeit a match in which her supposed opponent gave her prizes out of concern (how thoughful of him.) Natrually, Aris' words sparked an ongoing controversy that erupted within the FGC, following an article on Kotaku which covered the whole incedent. While she felt that the community was responsible, she directed her aim of guilt towards her team coach, who is, as described by people within the community, naturally like that with anyone. Debatable statement maybe, but since then Capcom has since apologized, despite the people of Cross Assault not representing the company themselves. It's also surmised that Aris, too, has apologized for his actions, but this is just as well debatable based on his exact wording in that apology.
You would think with that done, the issue would be put to bed, but no, not so fast. Wednesday Night Fights, or WNF, a streaming podcast produced by Level|Up, and sponsored by FGC website Shoruyken (SRK) was another venue in which distasteful commentary was made. After pointing out what was said, through various areas, especially one involving the women of NOS (a type of energy drink, if I remember right.) Regardless, when statements were said, the community once again fumed on both sides of the issue: those trying to brush it off, and some that feels it's wrong (to which most of the time, it normally IS wrong.) The two commentators that were in the episode from 2 nights ago (yes, this was pretty recent) were pulled from commentating anymore WNFs, or any event in which are done under Level|Up. To add, the commentators, Marn Phan and Christan Cain, have apologized as well for their statements in the episode 2 nights ago.
The Uproar:
With both of these, there were people on both sides voicing their opinions on the matter. Now, quoting something I hear often, though not sparking any controversy much like the one I'm referring to: "An opinion is like an asshole, in which everyone has one." That said, I'm afraid that some opinions just go a little out there, demeaning those of the FGC like myself. First, I'll get into the comments made in response to the respective articles. One such article, involving the Cross Assault scandal, someone mentioned her possibly staging the whole thing, or allowing it to continue, then getting mad off camera. To that I say a few things. To start, what I heard from one guy held a grain of truth. With Aris saying all those things, Miranda could have told him to ease up. But instead of causing a scene on camera, she tries to play it all, which is commendable. And frankly, that's a hell of a lot better than the shots I see take place on actual local news segments. To conclude, she voiced her disapproval over her Twitter (the post themselves now deleted), but as she was offended, to which one should be, I find her actions expected and I do not criticize her for it. But she didn't ultimately reject the FGC, which she initially felt they did to her. That said, reading all of this gave me a lot to think about, especially since I hear sexism shots taken often, but on that note, it doesn't make it any less or any more ignorant as it is already, therefore uncool. There were even talk about alienating females from the FGC, which would normally throw me into a rage (don't ask why it would...), but for the sake of this post, I'll try to say this as calm as I can, without blowing up: Granted in the FGC, there is so few women FGC players over a mainly male-dominant community. This is kind of sad, given the fighting characters in games are diverse in gender, orientation, race, and fighting styles the world over. But with remarks like this popping up, it comes as no surprise that heard in the wrong ears, something said as a "means of passion" could be taken too far. Inkblot of SRK did a few posts pertaining to such behavior, saying things such as:
"If we continue to let the worst elements in the scene speak for us or excuse their bad behavior, we deserve whatever criticism we get. It’s everyone’s responsibility: the players, the content producers, the tournament organizers, and the fans. We need to be just as serious about the way we treat each other and how we reach out to others online as we are about the game."Now while I don't necessarily agree with him all the way, he is right. We do need to seriously consider how we not only engage our fellow fans, but also how we attract others into our world. And making remarks such as the ones said by those 3 individuals (which I will not post here, the articles on Kotaku and SRK were nice enough to provide them) are not doing the job. They're just causing trouble, some belittling the type of people we of the FGC really are. It shouldn't do so, but that one saying "One rotten apple ruins the bunch" seems to apply here as well.
Inkblot, Hurtful Speech: Time To Take a Good Look in the Mirror, Shoruyken
http://shoryuken.com/2012/03/01/hurtful-speech-time-to-take-a-good-look-in-the-mirror/
AS AN FGC FAN, MY FINAL THOUGHTS:
The actions are deplorable, the fact that such beings represents what we are as gamers is insulting, yet some of us thinks its okay to say such things, making light of how hurtful they can be. Well wake up: regardless of what is said, how it's said, where it's said, and who it's said to, some things, Freedom of Speech or not, AREN'T okay to say, and if you think otherwise, and feel that saying things like "Rape that Bitch!" or whatever they say (that CAN and WILL be hurtful) is alright, then it's time for you to put down the controller, because it's making other FGC voices/faces look bad. It's enough that the community is mixed with newcomers and pros, spectators and enthusiasts the wold over, waiting to see the next big phenom in the gaming world, or to hone their skills to fight and surpass the best. Even with those, newcomers are sneered, but not to the point where it's outright bullying. Some play for fun, some play for keeps, and some play to get better at what they do. What it comes down to is that whether you're a winner, loser, or some bystander looking onward, we should treat one another with respect. That applies to face-to-face match-ups, as well as online battles. That's not to say act like the days of old and kiss someone's hand like in The Godfather, but don't be arrogant, disrespectful, and (above all else) sexist to fellow gamers. It demeans character, regardless of whether it's by word or action. As gamers of FGC, we need to change, so that it's an even playing field for everyone. If you're a newcomer, don't come in just to start beef, and if you're a pro, don't be such a snobbish jerk and play with fairness. And if you're a commentator, watch what you say. But then again, the latter could apply to everyone.
Before I rag on forever (this post is becoming way too long) I leave one final message, accept it or not, it's up to you: Grow up, Step up, and Change up, or put your controller up and go elsewhere. This is Seiko Takeda-Wolf, signing off and saying:
"To FGC fans, prepare for the next battle!"
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