The FGC has become too serious and we need more people like Hayao

In current occasions, the Preventing Sport Neighborhood (FGC) has been too severe for its personal good and has forgotten the way to have enjoyable whereas taking part in the video games they love. I don’t blame the neighborhood, although. It’s straightforward to lose sight of enjoyable if there’s one million {dollars} dangling in entrance of you to assert, so long as you’re ok.

It additionally doesn’t assist that the online game business goes via one thing of a downturn, with Sony considering it’s a smart thought to cease producing bodily CDs and to make Marvel Tōkon: Preventing Souls not playable in over 100 international locations. This has clearly despatched the combating recreation neighborhood right into a frenzy, considering that the studio has misplaced its thoughts for desirous to return to a follow that’s been thought-about barbaric.

Within the midst of all of this, in the event you’re on FGC Twitter, then you definately most likely have been flashbanged by legendary Ryuji “Hayao” Hayashi’s behind in your timeline. In my case, it was really Andrew “Jiyuna” Fidelis’s tweet that introduced it to my consideration.

Then, the chain impact began. Christopher “NYChrisG” Gonzalez tweeted about it, whereas different members of the FGC tried to clean to clean their eyes after what they simply witnessed.

It’s undoubtedly an important tonal shift. Perhaps even too jarring for different folks. Nevertheless, I imagine that we want extra folks like Ryuji “Hayao” Hayashi. Simply to make clear, no, I’m not speaking about individuals who would publish issues like that regularly.

I’m speaking about what Hayao’s function is within the FGC.

I sincerely imagine that we want extra showmen within the FGC. Probably the most enjoyable components of tournaments are the wild issues which might be occurring on the occasion, resembling Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique taking part in Tekken 8 shirtless and spreading money throughout his arm. We additionally had the outdated Lee “Poongko” Chung-gon, who additionally eliminated his shirt throughout matches that he discovered notably troublesome. Sadly, he now not does this and has distanced himself from his outdated id. Now, he simply performs like a traditional FGC competitor, with out his earlier aptitude.

That is what I’m speaking about once I mentioned that we want extra folks like Hayao within the FGC. These persons are very entertaining to look at. Seeing Hayao do all these theatrics, doing excellent splits whereas additionally beating up his opponents in probably the most superb methods. Take note, this man is 43, and he’s nonetheless extra versatile than I’m.

I used to be first uncovered to Hayao throughout Evo Vegas 2024, the place he confirmed prowess in his fundamental recreation: Avenue Fighter III: third Strike. He’s referred to as the “Hugo God,” and he confirmed why he’s undoubtedly the most effective third Strike gamers on the earth.

Throughout the match, he was accountable for a sequence of occasions referred to as the “Evo Second #38,” the place he air parried Franklin “FrankieBFG” Nunez’s air tatsumaki kicks whereas at dangerously low well being and gained the sport due to it. All whereas performing some theatrics in entrance of the already amazed crowd.

Simply check out this.

One other one that’s doing a bit of little bit of showmanship himself is Saul Leonardo “MenaRD” Mena II. He mainly does a stare-off in opposition to his opponents within the high eight of majors, which amplifies the depth of the match to a sure diploma. This sort of showmanship is sort of completely different from Hayao’s flamboyant show, nevertheless it’s nonetheless nice.

Not as nice as Hayao’s, although, however that’s simply me.

That is the essence that the FGC has misplaced all through the years. Some attribute this to the modernization of the FGC and the doorway of huge cash, primarily saying that the FGC is turning into much less and fewer grassroots because the years go by. Nevertheless, I’ve already talked about this numerous occasions, however I merely don’t imagine in that sentiment. Video games like League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, and VALORANT all have personalities that match the “showman” archetype, and so they all have been very entertaining to look at.

Now, don’t get me improper. I’m not saying that everybody needs to be a showman. It’s simply that there’s a scarcity of it in the neighborhood, which is sort of unhappy to see.

In the event you’ve been across the FGC for fairly a while, then you definately may’ve encountered Japanese Avenue Fighter 6 gamers performing some humorous match celebrations at Combo Breaker 2026. It’s the Joey Wheeler face from the anime Yu-Gi-Oh!, the place Joey did a bizarre face in one of many episodes.

For me, this can be a robust reminder that there are nonetheless folks within the FGC who’re having enjoyable. Let’s face it, it’s true that the present state of the world is miserable – and this extends to the esports circle. Nevertheless, folks like Hinao and Hayao present us that whereas they’re very robust rivals, they’re nonetheless right here to have enjoyable.

Whereas they could not discover this, their antics give happiness to the spectators and even the casters. So long as it’s achieved in good style, after all.

At present, it’s the Japanese FGC that appears to get this idea. North America tends to be fairly unfastened and informal, however more often than not, they don’t actually do any big-time theatrics on digicam. The perfect one just lately might be Victor “Punk” Woodley teabagging at Evo Japan 2026, and nothing else comes near it. [Editor’s Note: And Americans called it “disrespectful” while Japanese fans celebrated it.]

Esports, similar to conventional sports activities, is a kind of leisure for the lots. Positive, it’s entertaining to look at two folks taking part in on the highest stage of your favourite recreation and seeing how sure gamers overcome their obstacles to change into the champions they’re destined to be. Nevertheless, for me, there’ll at all times be a particular place for individuals who additionally know the way to play to the group and provides an important present.

Hayao’s efficiency transcended Evo Vegas’s venue. I wasn’t there. I used to be simply watching the match on-line, and I keep in mind the sensation of pleasure after Hayao’s win. It made me really feel like I used to be on the venue with him, celebrating his win along with the opposite individuals who went as much as the stage and gave him excessive fives.

I imagine that is the ability showmen have, and it will possibly undoubtedly make the scene much more attention-grabbing.

I discuss showmen within the FGC like they’re a dime a dozen. I do know that they’re fairly uncommon and that seeing one which’s nearly as good as Hayao is more than likely a uncommon occasion. It’ll additionally really feel very bizarre if the FGC immediately begins appearing like Hayao. It’ll make the entire scene really feel like a circus and may flip off potential viewers or folks within the style.

I genuinely hope there are extra of them on the market simply ready for his or her likelihood on the highlight. We do have cosplayers, artists, and creatives who’re additionally high gamers, which is fairly cool. However an actual showman brings a special vitality to the desk.