I was alone, alone, alone at today’s SFV tourney
I went to a Street Fighter V tournament benefiting a charity today and I was the sole woman there to compete. There were plenty of other women there, but none to actually pick up a controller & throw down too.
It bugged me, a lot and I tweeted a bit about it while I waited my turn to go, since my bracket wasn’t going until 3:30 and there was no chance to get into the friendly casual spot a lot of people were camped on…I had time to ponder. Mostly my collated tweets on this event follow.
Lots of POC here to compete, but every woman I’ve talked is here in support of a dude. I know women play fighting games. Where y’all at? This is disheartening y’all. So many dudes, so many. Yet no other women here to compete that I’ve seen. I know it seems like I’m harping on it but damn, this is bothering me. I know we have to be out there
I got a couple responses as I tweeted out my dismay.
I kept looking around, hopeful that among women I hadn’t noticed before someone was there to compete. Alas, I again had my hopes dashes. While I continued to wait, and wait… I brought up the one micro-aggression I’d encountered during my brief time getting in some time at the friendly casual spot (after I sniped a chair the second someone got up)
Ok so I’ve only had a minor micro aggression today. Copped a spot in the Friendly casual area earlier. Dude next to me is all oh are you trying to play? Me… -_-
Was tempted to tell him I’ve been playing longer than he’s been breathing cause he looked 20, maybe 23, if I’m giving credit. Once he realised I could play, then he started talking strategy with me. So tired of people assuming things. Spoiler, I’ve been playing fighting games since Street Fighter, Killer Instinct and Mortal Kombat were just in arcades.
I’m not world competitive skill level but I do fucking know a hadouken from a kikkouken. I think I’m just extra salty because no other women are here to compete. Seeing plenty of women handing around dudes looking bored AF but none with a controller in hand. I’m probably irritated because I feel like its reinforcing stereotypes that women don’t compete or play fighting games.
So tl;dr I was feeling pretty damned alone as the only woman there to compete today. I know there are other women who play fighting games, but come on y’all. Not ONE other woman showed up for the tourney? It’s sad, and a lot of the replies I got on twitter explain why. I know lots of women don’t feel safe, or wanted in FGC things but…I dunno, it made me sad. I would have loved to find another woman there to chat strategy with, or enjoy some casual practice but it was not to be. :(
Now I really really wanna collab with @ChicagoEsports for a Women’s FG Invitational. Let’s see if I can make this happen.
