Ben Kuchera reports on Aris' comments towards Super_Yan on Cross Assault
Patrick Klepek reports on Aris' comments the following day
Isaiah T. Taylor offers a good viewpoint for why the fighting game community felt defensive
Victor "Sp00ky" Fontanez offers his own comments
Opinions are everywhere on the subject, but those pieces cover most of the situation as I see it. A recap for those on 56k or poor phones: On the live stream for Cross Assault, a reality show about two teams competing for $25,000 through a new fighting game, Team Tekken coach Aris Bakhtanians Miranda "Super Yan" Pakozdi by asking for her bra size, smelling for the benefit of the viewers, and making frequent references to the condition of her thighs ("How are your thighs doing today, Miranda?"). Then, Pakozdi forfeited a match the would have determined whether she was still eligible for the prize money. An appropriately large negative reaction ensued.
I don't feel as though I have much to add at this point, so I'll make this quick. Aris was unequivocally wrong but doesn't represent the entire fighting game community. Miranda can't be blamed for what she did. Calling people "White Knights" for defending her is idiotic. She made frequent enough mention about how uncomfortable she was that her not reporting the issue sooner is not an issue. If you think she was doing anything other than getting on the show for the purpose of gathering attention, you're missing the point by such a large margin I'm afraid you might actually hit a bystander in the crowd (this analogy implies arguing is like an archery competition, in case you're lost).
On the other hand, the press is not responsible for giving your community coverage. And if they do cover it, it's not their job to paint the scene in a positive light. They can only offer as much perspective as possible, and should attempt to contact as many sources as possible when reporting on a touchy topic.
The exposure the community got over the whole affair is a good thing. And not in the "any publicity is good publicity" way. You cannot solve an issue unless it's exposed and there are consequences as a result of that issue. It's the only repeat offenders can learn the problems they are causing. I'm sure Aris is feeling that now, and has apologized. A little late, but all we can do is move on. But imagine if this hadn't caught fire. Aris would still make lewd comments, commentators would not know there's a line, and the scene would have stayed the same, bullshit and all. If this issue forces more strict regulation on what can be said on a stream, that's a good thing, because it allows more people the ability to watch a sport they love without having to make excuses and give anyone who might not understand the scene a disappointed "Yeah, I know, but..." I want to watch fighting games. As Jared Rea has asked, I want my fighting games without sexual harassment. There are limits to free speech.
If the community can learn from this, clamp down on its bullshit just by keep its mouth shut some of the time, we're all better off. Making sure people don't yell "rape!" during a match won't change your lifestyle. Think about having sex with fictional characters all you like -- just don't let me know about it. There's still a lot to love about watching people play fighting games, but we don't have to love all of it. I want this community to grow, but it doesn't have to be filled with ignorance for it to work. Just watch Wednesday Night Fights tonight.
And yes, I'll be getting a copy of Street Fighter X Tekken when it comes out, because my team can consist of a rotund Mega Man and a Bear.
I don't feel as though I have much to add at this point, so I'll make this quick. Aris was unequivocally wrong but doesn't represent the entire fighting game community. Miranda can't be blamed for what she did. Calling people "White Knights" for defending her is idiotic. She made frequent enough mention about how uncomfortable she was that her not reporting the issue sooner is not an issue. If you think she was doing anything other than getting on the show for the purpose of gathering attention, you're missing the point by such a large margin I'm afraid you might actually hit a bystander in the crowd (this analogy implies arguing is like an archery competition, in case you're lost).
On the other hand, the press is not responsible for giving your community coverage. And if they do cover it, it's not their job to paint the scene in a positive light. They can only offer as much perspective as possible, and should attempt to contact as many sources as possible when reporting on a touchy topic.
The exposure the community got over the whole affair is a good thing. And not in the "any publicity is good publicity" way. You cannot solve an issue unless it's exposed and there are consequences as a result of that issue. It's the only repeat offenders can learn the problems they are causing. I'm sure Aris is feeling that now, and has apologized. A little late, but all we can do is move on. But imagine if this hadn't caught fire. Aris would still make lewd comments, commentators would not know there's a line, and the scene would have stayed the same, bullshit and all. If this issue forces more strict regulation on what can be said on a stream, that's a good thing, because it allows more people the ability to watch a sport they love without having to make excuses and give anyone who might not understand the scene a disappointed "Yeah, I know, but..." I want to watch fighting games. As Jared Rea has asked, I want my fighting games without sexual harassment. There are limits to free speech.
If the community can learn from this, clamp down on its bullshit just by keep its mouth shut some of the time, we're all better off. Making sure people don't yell "rape!" during a match won't change your lifestyle. Think about having sex with fictional characters all you like -- just don't let me know about it. There's still a lot to love about watching people play fighting games, but we don't have to love all of it. I want this community to grow, but it doesn't have to be filled with ignorance for it to work. Just watch Wednesday Night Fights tonight.
And yes, I'll be getting a copy of Street Fighter X Tekken when it comes out, because my team can consist of a rotund Mega Man and a Bear.
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