I just feel like ranting right now. If
you don't know, I'm a fighting game fan; mainly Street Fighter. But
some recent events have happened that have just pissed the hell out
of me. If you are unaware, Capcom had a reality stream show called
Cross Assault. Ten players were selected to two different teams, Team
Street Fighter and Team Tekken, to compete for $25,000 by playing the
upcoming game Street Fighter X Tekken, which comes out March 6th,
2012. You may have read some news regarding the most recent Cross
Assault episodes.
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| Most unorganized SHIT EVER |
Here is a quick rundown. Each team has
a coach; for team Street Fighter it was Alex Valle and for Team
Tekken it was a guy named Aris. Apparently, Aris “sexual harassed”
on of his players; Miranda Pakozdi aka Super_Yan. He said some odd
things to her like inquiring about her bra size. Also, apparently she
was being treated differently and getting no coaching because she was
female. This blew up into the first mainstream drama the Fighting
Game Community has experienced. Last night, a player named Long
Island Joe, had a stream in which various players called in to
express their thoughts. This included a call from Aris himself. Aris
explained that the entire situation blew up and that he wasn't doing
anything he wasn't supposed too. He said he was treating everyone the
way he normally treats people and that some people can handle and
come can't. Now, LI Joe told the stream that he knew that Aris was a
nice guy. Another female player, Ciji Thornton aka StarSlay3r, also
called in expressing that Aris was also a good person. She also
displayed her thoughts towards Super_Yan stating that if something
happened, that she needed to take care of it, not wait and just
forfeit her spot. In regards to this, on the first to last episode of
Cross Assault, Super_Yan did forfeit her position which lead to the
discovery of all her concerns.(Long Island Joe's stream:
http://twitch.tv/thisislijoe)
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| Long Island Joe(left) w/ Seth Killian(right) Mad props to Joe for the BEST STREAM EVER |
Ok, now, I thought Cross Assault was a
terrible idea. I hate reality TV and the fact that it mixed with
something I like, is bogus. I mean, I was happy that something this
big was happening, but now that I see what has unraveled, I am very
disappointed. I read a Giant Bomb article that Jowski sent me and I am going over the edge. Aris explains
that sexual harassment is part of the scene and that fighting games
wouldn't be the same without it. Now, I'm assuming he means hitting
on girls, but still, dude, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! I DO
NOT, feel that this is part of the scene and if everyone thinks it
is, then consider me an ex-member of the Fighting Game Community.
This is something so great and he is making it seem like some high
school bull shit. I mean, are we supposed to alienate anyone that
wants to be part of these games? Like FGC is some high society? No.
It is a fucking video game and anyone that can pick up a controller
or stick is allowed to play it. Cross Assault was FGC's first attempt
at something mainstream and because of this bullshit drama, it has
tainted the Fighting Game Community in my opinion.
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| Aris(right) w/ Mike Ross(left) |
How does anyone expect to get big when
something like sexual harassment is being stapled as “a part of the
scene?” How can justify something like this? It is thinking like
this that will keep fighting games, along with a piece of video
games, shunned for the public eye. Now, whenever FGC will try to make
a push to get big, everyone will think that it is linked to illegal
behavior and will automatically be cast out. FGC today is so immature
and so unwilling to adapt that you might as well put a gun to its
head and pull the trigger. Players don't care about what others think
but when something like this happens, you have to. This selfish
thinking and childlike behavior is not going to be accepted if FGC
tries to make more advancements towards a larger scene. Now, some
players don't want it to get bigger because players will have to
behave like adults; which would eliminate a lot of attitude the game
has. But is someone like Aris is saying that crude behavior is part
of the scene, then I say make all players behave themselves. I'm
sorry, but I'd rather be considered a polite bitch than a womanizer.
One more thing about Joe's stream,
Isaiah TriForce Johnson called in an explained something that
actually made me give him mad respect. He explained that the guys
need to leave the female players alone and accept them into the
community. That is was a shitty thing to do to mistreat someone
because of their sex and it was making the community look like shit.
I agree. I do not want to be a part of something that is so selfish
and high-horsed. Everyone should be accepted regardless of anything.
In closing, Cross Assault did nothing
but hurt FGC. I've been interested and consider myself a part of the
community for a couple years now and I have not experienced anything
like this. I mean, it's up to these big named players to decide the
future of everything. If we get more situations and issues like with
Aris and Super_Yan, then kiss the big spot light goodbye and FGC will
have no choice but to stay underground. I mean, this is so insulting
and I feel the events on Cross Assault has made FGC take steps
backwards. This is scene is made up of mostly men, but after this
shit, it seems it is made up of mostly boys. GROW THE FUCK UP PEOPLE!
Update!!! Aris has posted an apology in regards to his recent actions(Source: kotaku.com) Also, I hate streaming news from other sites like this, but I feel everyone should know:
I understand that I said some controversial statements on the Cross Assault show, and a lot of people are deeply offended with what was said. When I made these statements, I was very heated as I felt that the culture of a scene I have been a part of for over 15 years was being threatened. I unfortunately used extreme examples in the heat of the moment and feel that my statements don't actually communicate how I feel. This is similar to what people say when they get into an argument with their girlfriend, and they say things that they deeply regret. I sincerely apologise if I have offended anyone. My statements do not reflect those of Capcom or myself. The last thing I want to do is get them in trouble for giving me and the fighting game community the opportunity to have an amazing show like this.
What I was trying to communicate is that mild hostility has always been a defining characteristic of the fighting game scene. Back when arcades were more prevalent, people didn't like newcomers, and players needed to fight and pay their dues to get respect. The debate I was in was with a person who supported professional leagues, who have intent to censor the community to make it more accessible. I think the sink or swim mentality is something that defined our culture, and if that succeeds it removes something which has been important to help create some of the best fighting game players of our time. I was unfortunately unable to make this point clearly. Again, I am deeply sorry for offending anyone. This was a combination of the people taking things out of context and my own inability in the heat of the moment to defend myself and the community I have loved for over 15 years.
Aris
All I have to say about this is GOOD. An apology and explanation should be given. I'm happy that he has recanted and clarified. Now, whether people believe it or not, is up to them. What do you think?
Final Update: Conclusions and final discussions regarding all the above will be discussed on Geek Juice Radio, episode 11, which will air Thursday, March 8th, 2012, at 6pm EST, 5pm CST, 4pm MST, 3pm PST.
Update!!! Aris has posted an apology in regards to his recent actions(Source: kotaku.com) Also, I hate streaming news from other sites like this, but I feel everyone should know:
I understand that I said some controversial statements on the Cross Assault show, and a lot of people are deeply offended with what was said. When I made these statements, I was very heated as I felt that the culture of a scene I have been a part of for over 15 years was being threatened. I unfortunately used extreme examples in the heat of the moment and feel that my statements don't actually communicate how I feel. This is similar to what people say when they get into an argument with their girlfriend, and they say things that they deeply regret. I sincerely apologise if I have offended anyone. My statements do not reflect those of Capcom or myself. The last thing I want to do is get them in trouble for giving me and the fighting game community the opportunity to have an amazing show like this.
What I was trying to communicate is that mild hostility has always been a defining characteristic of the fighting game scene. Back when arcades were more prevalent, people didn't like newcomers, and players needed to fight and pay their dues to get respect. The debate I was in was with a person who supported professional leagues, who have intent to censor the community to make it more accessible. I think the sink or swim mentality is something that defined our culture, and if that succeeds it removes something which has been important to help create some of the best fighting game players of our time. I was unfortunately unable to make this point clearly. Again, I am deeply sorry for offending anyone. This was a combination of the people taking things out of context and my own inability in the heat of the moment to defend myself and the community I have loved for over 15 years.
Aris
All I have to say about this is GOOD. An apology and explanation should be given. I'm happy that he has recanted and clarified. Now, whether people believe it or not, is up to them. What do you think?
Final Update: Conclusions and final discussions regarding all the above will be discussed on Geek Juice Radio, episode 11, which will air Thursday, March 8th, 2012, at 6pm EST, 5pm CST, 4pm MST, 3pm PST.
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