The Super Smash Bros competitive community is still recovering. You may ask, “from what?” Poor viewership? A broken game? No, worse, much worse. Ever since July, the community has been riddled with sexual misconduct allegations. Finally, the dust has settled and we can take a closer look through this episode of State of the Community.
Hate the Players, Not the Game
In previous iterations of State of the Community where a community is failing, we’ve often pointed the finger at the developer. However, in the case of Super Smash Bros, Nintendo is not to blame. Actually, ironically enough, a week before the story broke out, a new update contented the community greatly.
So, what exactly happened?
Victims Broke the Silence – Targets Fly
Overall, over 50 victims spoke out on social media. Personalities within the community are burning under the limelight. An incredible thread on Reddit listed every single one of the accusations, and it’s simply shocking. While the entire FGC was under fire, the following is a list exclusive to the Smash Bros community:
- ‘IGTUnknown’
- ‘Jtails’
- ‘Keitaro’
- ‘LSDX’
- ‘Mane’
- ‘Nairo’
- ‘PBnJ’
- ‘RelaxAlax’
- ‘Sherwood’
- ‘Sky Williams’
- ‘ZeRo’
All-in-all, it’s simply horrific to see the endless list of accusations and confessions to all of the acts. The list almost reaches a tally of 100. Although it’s easy to understand that this is ‘bad’ – let’s look ahead to see how this could affect the entire competitive scene.
For the most part, we don’t have to look far.
EVO 2020 Cancelled – Players Retire
Indeed, EVO is the largest event for the FGC each year. Packing all communities together under one roof for the largest prize pools, it’s a staple event. For 2020, EVO made the transition to online and was scheduled for 4th July. However, the entire event was cancelled after Joey ‘Mr. Wizard’ Cuellar was accused of sexual misconduct.
The community was shocked and all game developers withdrew. Pro players screamed for action. Just like that, the largest event of the year was cancelled.
Compiled with the situation in the Super Smash Bros community, Nintendo themselves spoke out:
“We are deeply disturbed by the allegations raised against certain members of the competitive gaming community. They are absolutely impermissible.
We want to make it clear that we condemn all acts of violence, harassment, and exploitation against anyone and that we stand with the victims.”
Nintendo May 2020
Accordingly, Nintendo is swiftly banning most of the players involved.
Targetting the Source
Figuratively, the community just found a nest of hornets right in the cake. The question to ask here is this – how long has this been taking place? What is the cause of it all?
To clarify, Jacqueline “Jisu” Choe sat down with Kotaku and offered the following answer. What’s more, is that he herself is a proclaimed victim:
“I can’t speak for every other community, but I know in Smash, there was never a voice to speak up and air out the truth.
While the world at large has finally reached its boiling point and sparked change through movements like #MeToo, the insularity of Smash culture has made it hard for anyone to talk about anything outside of the game.
These types of behaviours have been happening for years, and when sporadically brought up, were quickly swept aside because it upsets the people. Even worse are people calling it an attempt to ‘clout-chase’ or ‘stir drama’ because the viewer is incapable of seeing how these players they idolize could be horrible people.”
Jacqueline ‘Jisu’ Choe with Kotaku
Altogether, it’s a mindset stuck to a certain generation. Hence, by eliminating this wave of players, a way for the future may be paved.
The Future of Super Smash Bros?
Right now it doesn’t look too swell for the community. Besides the cancellation of EVO 2020, further consequences are expected to reflect on the community.
In addition, third-party event organizers might begin refusing to host tournaments for the title. In all fairness, would you want to be associated as a co-ordinator? Apart from that, such an awful occurrence has stained the community deeply: new players may be discouraged to join the scene entirely.
The paradox lies in this solution. Yes, Nintendo needs to beef up security at their events, but in the end, a new wave of fresh players needs to be introduced into the scene. Honestly, that’s the only way a problem like this may be solved.
Particularly, this could have happened to any esports scene – it’s essential that the industry learns from this. Certainly, demonising players won’t achieve much for the scene, new players must take their place and reinvent the scene.
By all means, to view our previous episode of State of the Community, visit:
https://www.esportsguide.com/news/state-of-the-community-why-is-pubg-dying.
Of course, for live, detailed broadcasts for competitive Super Smash Bros, visit:
https://www.esportsguide.com/game/smash.
