Something went wrong. Try again later

Giant Bomb News

690 Comments

Aris "Aris" Bakhtanians Releases Statement on Recent Comments

The man at the center of this week's controversial remarks regarding sexual harassment in the fighting game community speaks out and apologizes.

Aris
Aris "Aris" Bakhtanians, leader of Team Tekken, was largely silent as events unfolded today.

While reporting yesterday's story about leading members of the fighting game community discussing the issue of sexual harassment in the fighting game scene, I reached out to the parties involved.

Besides Capcom, all silently declined.

The comments took place during Capcom's Cross Assault reality show, a competition acting as a promotion for next week's Street Fighter X Tekken. In the stream, Twitch.tv community manager Jared Rea brought up the issue of sexually inappropriate language alienating potential fans of the fighting scene, and a debate ensued.

It's best if you just read what happened next.

Miranda “Super_Yan” Pakozdi, member of Team Tekken and the female participant at the center of this, chose not to talk to me.

Aris "Aris" Bakhtanians, the male coach of Team Tekken attributed with the questionable commentary, did the same.

A few moments ago, however, Bakhtanians reached out to me over email, and released a brief statement. I asked Bakhtanians if he'd be willing to talk about the situation at length, but he unfortunately declined the opportunity.

His full statement is featured below:

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.

It's unlikely, however, Bakhtanians' statement alone will put this issue to rest.

I've received an enormous amount of feedback since the story ran, and I'm still filtering through the comments from both inside and outside the fighting game community. I'm setting up interviews as we speak. We'll revisit this soon.

Patrick Klepek on Google+

690 Comments

Avatar image for internetdetective
InternetDetective

356

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@RurouniGeo: Oh yes, Dr. Sub Zero. He is very respectful of women. You have seen his audition video for the show right? He is very proud of being exactly the same kind of dirtbag Aris is.

Keep defending these guys and maybe they will be friends with you. You and Aris can watch anime tentacle porn and trade button bushing strategies.

Avatar image for wmoyer83
wmoyer83

1166

Forum Posts

1119

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 6

Edited By wmoyer83

This guy is a complete loser. He can stick his weak apology up his bum.

Avatar image for rurounigeo
RurouniGeo

143

Forum Posts

9

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By RurouniGeo

@DesertDog said:

@RurouniGeo said:

No I will not shut up. How are you going to tell a girl how and what to think and that she's a victim too? Sherry is respected and has beaten top players in weekly tournaments before. She's famous for putting down sexual harassment with the "No you cannot." Meme when one time a player asked to put his arm around her for a photograph and she looked at the camera and said "No you cannot". Later she joked with Dr. Subzero and Bronson about Bronsonassault a contest to win a date with her and continues to joke about that even after all this.

She was laughing when saying "yo man aris was trying to cheat" You didnt even watch the show I know what segment she was talking about. Aris told Capcom, Team Tekken and Team Street Fighter since Team Tekken would be outgunned since this is a streetfighter/capcom game and that Team Tekken would use every advantage that they could to help there team. No tekken players are going to Final round to compete for the 25K. What she was talking about was ARIS TRYING TO GET TEAM STREET FIGHTER DISQUALIFIED IN A TEAM CHALLENGE FOR THROWING MATCHES.

How can you even say that you know better than someone who was in the room with Miranda for all 7 days? Or Dr. Sub Zero who is in her own words Miranda's White Knight on the show? Or than Miranda herself?

How big of an ego do you and all these other mindless bashers have that you know better than everyone even those on the show?

I never claimed that Sherry was a victim. I said that she is blaming the victim. I know Sherry's "no you cannot" video and it has nothing to do with this situation. The person in question was not Aris the guy who wanted to put his arm around her was a timid tub of lard. Aris is offensive and aggressive from the beginning.

What you're doing is proving my earlier point correct. Obviously Sherryjenix is a strong willed individual and she speaks her mind and knows how to stop a situation from becoming a big deal. Sadly not everyone is the same. SuperY4n is not Sherryjenix. There are many variables in a persons life that can determine what kind of person they turn out to be but it's very clear that SuperY4n would rather avoid conflict than confront it head on. This makes her different and her own person. Not any better or worse than Sherryjenix just a different person. The fact that you're asking SuperY4n to do the same and change while blaming her for the ordeal goes to show just how ridiculous your way of thinking is.

Aris is a sick and disgusting human being. Sherryjenix thankfully understands how to deal with this sick fuck and knows how to take care of herself in his presence but that doesn't mean that everyone else does or that it was ok for him to CONTINUE DOING IT TO MIRANDA EVEN THOUGH HE COULD CLEARLY SEE IT BOTHERED HER WHEN HE ASKED WHY SHE WAS POUTING AND UPSET!

Still you didnt answer my question. Who are you and how do you know better than Sherry, Miranda herself and All the others involved who've spoken out and been ignored by or misquoted by the gaming media? Does your ego allow you to be more right about things than people who were there live and around these people for 7 days?

You and many others are talking with a moral authority like you were God himself. You aren't infallible and you aren't omnipresent. You werent in the room and you certainly dont know better than the people in that room.

Also you are still getting the context of sherry's comments wrong but hey everyone else is flying off the handle feel free to do whatever makes your feel better as a person and make you fit in by yelling at those bad fighting gamers.

Avatar image for hailinel
Hailinel

25785

Forum Posts

219681

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 28

Edited By Hailinel

@BelligerentEngine said:

@Homelessbird said:

@BelligerentEngine: I'd love to hear what you think the "greater context" that was excluded in this debate was, since the excerpts were directly from a publicly available video which was linked with the article.

Also, I'd advise you not to write that you have "no time" to comment on such a "non-article" before telling people to "get off their pedestal." It's confusing.

By greater context I mean the concept of etiquette in the FGC as a whole, while Aris, did an admittedly shit job of presenting his perspective on the argument, this article does absolutely nothing to advance that conversation. It instead focuses on publicly admonishing him for his position. It also tries to manipulate the meaning of certain statements, while words like "bitch" and "rape" admittedly are charged terms. When used as insults in gaming their intended impact, and use are hugely different from their more common implementation.

I also take issue with the constant comparisons to Starcraft as if there is some wide gap in the kind of behavior going on in that scene. While certainly it has a much more presentable public face, Brad's attempt to pass of it's seeder side as, "establish heels" was laughable. What's next an article about how on Idra's stream he sometimes calls korean starcraft players on the ladder, "cheesy fucking gooks" and other nonsense. I fail to see how this example is in any way worse, I would in fact argue that it is less so, since the quotes people are getting so heated over weren't even made by the person being brought under question, he was simply trying to present the perspective that trash talk is an integral part of the FGC.

Whether he's right or not, and people's opinions about the value of that kind of behavior, could be an interesting conversation starter. Instead we're left with a TMZ-esque personal rag that focuses on attacking an individual for his admittedly stupid remarks, but I fail to see the value in having thousands of people descend on him in a rage of distaste when he for all intensive purposes can only speak for himself. Especially when the majority of the people who are so offended have little to no stake in the community being represented.

Sometimes, in order for a lager group to get a clue, a prominent figure in their midst must suffer for his mistakes. Supporters that see what got Aris in trouble and his absurd non-apology apology should look inward and see if they share at least some of the blame for allowing someone like him to thrive.

Avatar image for belligerentengine
BelligerentEngine

354

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Homelessbird said:

@BelligerentEngine: I'd love to hear what you think the "greater context" that was excluded in this debate was, since the excerpts were directly from a publicly available video which was linked with the article.

Also, I'd advise you not to write that you have "no time" to comment on such a "non-article" before telling people to "get off their pedestal." It's confusing.

By greater context I mean the concept of etiquette in the FGC as a whole, while Aris, did an admittedly shit job of presenting his perspective on the argument, this article does absolutely nothing to advance that conversation. It instead focuses on publicly admonishing him for his position. It also tries to manipulate the meaning of certain statements, while words like "bitch" and "rape" admittedly are charged terms. When used as insults in gaming their intended impact, and use are hugely different from their more common implementation.

I also take issue with the constant comparisons to Starcraft as if there is some wide gap in the kind of behavior going on in that scene. While certainly it has a much more presentable public face, Brad's attempt to pass of it's seeder side as, "establish heels" was laughable. What's next an article about how on Idra's stream he sometimes calls korean starcraft players on the ladder, "cheesy fucking gooks" and other nonsense. I fail to see how this example is in any way worse, I would in fact argue that it is less so, since the quotes people are getting so heated over weren't even made by the person being brought under question, he was simply trying to present the perspective that trash talk is an integral part of the FGC.

Whether he's right or not, and people's opinions about the value of that kind of behavior, could be an interesting conversation starter. Instead we're left with a TMZ-esque personal rag that focuses on attacking an individual for his admittedly stupid remarks, but I fail to see the value in having thousands of people descend on him in a rage of distaste when he for all intensive purposes can only speak for himself. Especially when the majority of the people who are so offended have little to no stake in the community being represented.

Avatar image for desertdog
DesertDog

21

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By DesertDog

@RurouniGeo said:

No I will not shut up. How are you going to tell a girl how and what to think and that she's a victim too? Sherry is respected and has beaten top players in weekly tournaments before. She's famous for putting down sexual harassment with the "No you cannot." Meme when one time a player asked to put his arm around her for a photograph and she looked at the camera and said "No you cannot". Later she joked with Dr. Subzero and Bronson about Bronsonassault a contest to win a date with her and continues to joke about that even after all this.

She was laughing when saying "yo man aris was trying to cheat" You didnt even watch the show I know what segment she was talking about. Aris told Capcom, Team Tekken and Team Street Fighter since Team Tekken would be outgunned since this is a streetfighter/capcom game and that Team Tekken would use every advantage that they could to help there team. No tekken players are going to Final round to compete for the 25K. What she was talking about was ARIS TRYING TO GET TEAM STREET FIGHTER DISQUALIFIED IN A TEAM CHALLENGE FOR THROWING MATCHES.

How can you even say that you know better than someone who was in the room with Miranda for all 7 days? Or Dr. Sub Zero who is in her own words Miranda's White Knight on the show? Or than Miranda herself?

How big of an ego do you and all these other mindless bashers have that you know better than everyone even those on the show?

I never claimed that Sherry was a victim. I said that she is blaming the victim. I know Sherry's "no you cannot" video and it has nothing to do with this situation. The person in question was not Aris the guy who wanted to put his arm around her was a timid tub of lard. Aris is offensive and aggressive from the beginning.

What you're doing is proving my earlier point correct. Obviously Sherryjenix is a strong willed individual and she speaks her mind and knows how to stop a situation from becoming a big deal. Sadly not everyone is the same. SuperY4n is not Sherryjenix. There are many variables in a persons life that can determine what kind of person they turn out to be but it's very clear that SuperY4n would rather avoid conflict than confront it head on. This makes her different and her own person. Not any better or worse than Sherryjenix just a different person. The fact that you're asking SuperY4n to do the same and change while blaming her for the ordeal goes to show just how ridiculous your way of thinking is.

Aris is a sick and disgusting human being. Sherryjenix thankfully understands how to deal with this sick fuck and knows how to take care of herself in his presence but that doesn't mean that everyone else does or that it was ok for him to CONTINUE DOING IT TO MIRANDA EVEN THOUGH HE COULD CLEARLY SEE IT BOTHERED HER WHEN HE ASKED WHY SHE WAS POUTING AND UPSET!

Avatar image for hailinel
Hailinel

25785

Forum Posts

219681

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 28

Edited By Hailinel

@Homelessbird said:

@Evelgest: Those folks have yet to speak out on as large a platform as Aris had in the past couple of days.

I'm sure GB would welcome an alternative perspective from a FGC luminary.

And Patrick has been working on that. He has a metric ton of responses to sift through.

Avatar image for rurounigeo
RurouniGeo

143

Forum Posts

9

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By RurouniGeo

@DesertDog said:

@RurouniGeo said:

http://www.twitch.tv/thisislijoe/b/309985394 <- Actual Evidence for you Mr. Detective. Team Street Fighter player Sherry Jenix defending Aris at 5:32:00 in this video

Shut the hell up. I went to the link and I time skipped to the video! She is NOT DEFENDING ARIS! Sherryjenix I REPEAT IS NOT DEFENDING ARIS! Sherry is in fact accusing Aris of being a cheater and being booted for cheating at the game!

What she does say is the SuperY4n isn't forward enough and does not defend herself well. Sherryjenix is sadly falling into the same trap that all people who hear of sexual abuse (especially in rape cases thought this was obviously not one) and she's blaming the victim. Sherryjenix here is in the wrong along with many of you. Sherryjenix is basically saying that it was SuperY4ns fault for letting Aris go to far and not telling him to fuck off sooner and with force.

What people like Sherryjenix who are using this same tactic to defend Aris don't understand is that not everyone has the gumption and the ability to conjure up the willpower necessary to confront another human being like that. SuperY4n / Miranda was either not taught well enough about standing up for herself or she's just not that kind of person in the first place. She is still a victim and so are the other people that Aris accosts and harasses. Male and female. This is not acceptable and we shouldn't be blaming the victim but the perpetrator.

No I will not shut up. How are you going to tell a girl how and what to think and that she's a victim too? Sherry is respected and has beaten top players in weekly tournaments before. She's famous for putting down sexual harassment with the "No you cannot." Meme when one time a player asked to put his arm around her for a photograph and she looked at the camera and said "No you cannot". Later she joked with Dr. Subzero and Bronson about Bronsonassault a contest to win a date with her and continues to joke about that even after all this.

She was laughing when saying "yo man aris was trying to cheat" You didnt even watch the show I know what segment she was talking about. Aris told Capcom, Team Tekken and Team Street Fighter since Team Tekken would be outgunned since this is a streetfighter/capcom game and that Team Tekken would use every advantage that they could to help there team. No tekken players are going to Final round to compete for the 25K. What she was talking about was ARIS TRYING TO GET TEAM STREET FIGHTER DISQUALIFIED IN A TEAM CHALLENGE FOR THROWING MATCHES.

How can you even say that you know better than someone who was in the room with Miranda for all 7 days? Or Dr. Sub Zero who is in her own words Miranda's White Knight on the show? Or than Miranda herself?

How big of an ego do you and all these other mindless bashers have that you know better than everyone even those on the show?

Avatar image for barrock
Barrock

4185

Forum Posts

133

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By Barrock

@SinisterMephisto said:

@Barrock: Wow someone is not paying attention. Rape that bitch was directed to phoenix in MVC3 bcos she is OP and kills the competition. Dont just open your mouth making noise.

Yes, I know that "Rape that bitch" was directed at Phoenix. That was clear. The bra size questions and pervy bathroom comments were directed at a female competitor.

Avatar image for desertdog
DesertDog

21

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By DesertDog

@BraveToaster said:

@Brodehouse said:

I can't believe how short-sighted some of these comments are. It's such snap defensive reactions, that they're defending a sexist asshole rather than distancing themselves. He's done well to confuse the issue that "they're trying to take down our community" and not "sexually harassing women is not okay". And that's exactly what he was doing. If you don't believe so, try that fucking shit in your office or on the street and see where it gets you.

You have a point. It's just like when someone calls out Chris Brown and he manipulates his brainwashed fans into thinking that he's a victim.

Not only that exactly correct both of you. I wonder if Aris would let his someone talk that way to his mother, or his sister. Even in jest. Would you be ok if someone asked his mom or his sister their bra size? Would he let them ask them whether they were going #1 or #2 in the bathroom? What if we informed people over a live stream and in the room that assholes on the internet are creating Twitter account names with his mom's body parts.

The real litmus test is if you would ever let someone ask your mother, or your sister, or your girlfriend, or your wife these things. If you agree then I guess you truly do believe Aris was ok, and you really are the lowest dregs of society.

SuperY4n is somebody's daughter, maybe even somebody's sister. There is no reason to act like that towards any person in the world. I would not stand it for any of the women in my life nor any of the men and I don't see how anybody could ever possibly defend his position.

Avatar image for hunkulese
Hunkulese

4225

Forum Posts

310

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Hunkulese

Anyone else think that dude could pass for Ryan's brother?

Avatar image for bravetoaster
BraveToaster

12636

Forum Posts

250

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By BraveToaster

@Brodehouse said:

I can't believe how short-sighted some of these comments are. It's such snap defensive reactions, that they're defending a sexist asshole rather than distancing themselves. He's done well to confuse the issue that "they're trying to take down our community" and not "sexually harassing women is not okay". And that's exactly what he was doing. If you don't believe so, try that fucking shit in your office or on the street and see where it gets you.

You have a point. It's just like when someone calls out Chris Brown and he manipulates his brainwashed fans into thinking that he's a victim.

Avatar image for octaslash
octaslash

804

Forum Posts

18

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By octaslash

@BelligerentEngine said:

I've received an enormous amount of feedback since the story ran, and I'm still filtering through the comments from both inside and outside the fighting game community. I'm setting up interviews as we speak. We'll revisit this soon.

I laughed out loud when I saw this, the quoted text is a perfect example of the kind of stalling tactics I would use on message boards when I was fifteen and realized I needed to reevaluate a poorly presented opinion.

You really think that's a "stalling tactic"? You're fucking delusional.

This is getting huge, obviously people are going to speak up and new information is going to present itself. Some of that information is going to warrant a follow-up article.

Avatar image for homelessbird
Homelessbird

1681

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Homelessbird

@Evelgest: Those folks have yet to speak out on as large a platform as Aris had in the past couple of days.

I'm sure GB would welcome an alternative perspective from a FGC luminary.

Avatar image for belligerentengine
BelligerentEngine

354

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@PulledaBrad said:

@BelligerentEngine: So if I call him a Gimli-looking motherfucker, that isnt ok?

It wouldn't be if it wasn't so funny, you have my axe on that one!

Avatar image for homelessbird
Homelessbird

1681

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Homelessbird

@BelligerentEngine: I'd love to hear what you think the "greater context" that was excluded in this debate was, since the excerpts were directly from a publicly available video which was linked with the article.

Also, I'd advise you not to write that you have "no time" to comment on such a "non-article" before telling people to "get off their pedestal." It's confusing.

Avatar image for desertdog
DesertDog

21

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By DesertDog

@RurouniGeo said:

http://www.twitch.tv/thisislijoe/b/309985394 <- Actual Evidence for you Mr. Detective. Team Street Fighter player Sherry Jenix defending Aris at 5:32:00 in this video

Shut the hell up. I went to the link and I time skipped to the video! She is NOT DEFENDING ARIS! Sherryjenix I REPEAT IS NOT DEFENDING ARIS! Sherry is in fact accusing Aris of being a cheater and being booted for cheating at the game!

What she does say is the SuperY4n isn't forward enough and does not defend herself well. Sherryjenix is sadly falling into the same trap that all people who hear of sexual abuse (especially in rape cases thought this was obviously not one) and she's blaming the victim. Sherryjenix here is in the wrong along with many of you. Sherryjenix is basically saying that it was SuperY4ns fault for letting Aris go to far and not telling him to fuck off sooner and with force.

What people like Sherryjenix who are using this same tactic to defend Aris don't understand is that not everyone has the gumption and the ability to conjure up the willpower necessary to confront another human being like that. SuperY4n / Miranda was either not taught well enough about standing up for herself or she's just not that kind of person in the first place. She is still a victim and so are the other people that Aris accosts and harasses. Male and female. This is not acceptable and we shouldn't be blaming the victim but the perpetrator.

Avatar image for pulledabrad
PulledaBrad

631

Forum Posts

54

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By PulledaBrad

@BelligerentEngine: So if I call him a Gimli-looking motherfucker, that isnt ok?

Avatar image for chylo
Chylo

134

Forum Posts

232

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By Chylo

@Sweep said:

@Evelgest: Fair enough, but I think the issue here is that it's accepted within the community that this sort of behaviour is acceptable. You could ask around and, of course, people would say things like "It's despicable and it's nothing to do with me" but at the same time they are attending these tournaments and taking part in this community and are perfectly happy to let this behaviour continue. I mean, I assume this is the case? There is nobody else speaking out against this kind of thing, right?

It's not acceptable, and there are players and community members speaking out against it, but guess what, those folks aren't being interviewed nor mentioned. The community is only being bashed, and honestly, this isn't the right way for the FGC to learn nor is it the correct way the public should learn about the FGC. The FGC hasn't seen such a significant rise in popularity in more than a decade, and even when fighting games were dead, the core members of the community, Aris included, worked hard on keeping the scene alive. And finally, when the FGC has weekly tournaments and majors each month up until EVO, it gets little coverage in the gaming media and few sponsors outside of the community, but an incident like this occurs and now it's "oh, the FGC is made up of rapists." Yes, I've unfortunately seen that comment made.

Avatar image for spartanlolz92
spartanlolz92

520

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By spartanlolz92

@Ronald said:

So he's using the "Not to sound racist" excuse? Actually, in "the heat of the moment", what you say is what you really mean, not the other way around. However, this is not what he wanted to say in a business sense. And this response is trying to keep Capcom happy without backing down because he's afraid of change. Because, sorry, the excuse that in arcades new people were shunned and so that should continue is bullshit. No arcade I ever went to acted that way. And for those that did act that way their behavior should not be encouraged.

no people can say stuff they regret, i have although i usually apologize right after. not defend it like this guy did

and the offer an apology once it became news

Avatar image for belligerentengine
BelligerentEngine

354

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

After listening to the bombcast at work and hearing Patrick and Brad rail on this guy, who as far as I can tell is just a dude who got put on the spot and did a poor job of arguing his case. I was all set to come home and write a long diatribe about why using limited excerpts from a conversation that you've no investment in and then publicly defaming the person who made those statements without presenting the greater context is poor journalism.

However I have limited time in my day and at the moment would rather play NS2 than spend thirty minutes arguing about what amounts to a non-article from my perspective.

I will simply state that anyone reading this try to look at it from the other perspective before getting on your pedestal and vilifying this guy.

As an additional note, though I enjoy irony. If you must continue to jump on the hater bandwagon, I'd advise you avoid using slurs and hateful speech, when that is the exact thing you are criticizing this guy for. It makes you look like the worst kind of hypocrite.

I've received an enormous amount of feedback since the story ran, and I'm still filtering through the comments from both inside and outside the fighting game community. I'm setting up interviews as we speak. We'll revisit this soon.

I laughed out loud when I saw this, the quoted text is a perfect example of the kind of stalling tactics I would use on message boards when I was fifteen and realized I needed to reevaluate a poorly presented opinion.

Avatar image for homelessbird
Homelessbird

1681

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Homelessbird

@RurouniGeo: Uh... not saying I'm agreeing with the person you're replying to, but the existence of a female Aris apologist isn't really proof of anything.

Avatar image for octaslash
octaslash

804

Forum Posts

18

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By octaslash
Only one of the two girls said he was harrasing them.

Oh shit! He only harassed one girl? This changes everything.

Avatar image for lind_l_taylor
Lind_L_Taylor

4125

Forum Posts

6

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

Edited By Lind_L_Taylor
What sort of jackhole says 'I apologize but only if I offended anyone'
in his statement?  The guy should just sincerely apologize for being 
rude, crude, & totally obnoxious & be fucking honest with himself &
the audience. And then go to Confession.  That statement of his sounds
like Lawyers were involved.
 
He said he was "heated".  Guy should have taken himself to a restroom
& did a bit of the "hot, bubbling, over" to get that angst out of his system.  
He was practically turning the show into a porno.  Imagine if her bf had
showed up & decided to kick his ass over those remarks?  People have
surely had their asses kicked over less.
Avatar image for spartanlolz92
spartanlolz92

520

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By spartanlolz92

@ptys said:

People make mistakes, you shouldn't be held to randsom for slipping up occasionally. The problem is if one persists with antisocial behaviour, then people should get offended and take action. Seems like the internet (and the world) is so?.. angry nowadays that everyone is looking to punish anything that doesn't tow the line of politically correct. Its so common that people must prefer dishonesty to the actual truth of one's opinions.

its not like he was booted off the show

Avatar image for churrific
churrific

501

Forum Posts

5

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By churrific

@DesertDog said:

@churrific said:

Well I'm not the reporter that Patrick is supposed to be, but it's on the stream archives of the show. If Patrick felt like actually doing the research and digging through the hours of footage of the show, there's one moment where Aris grabs a guy and straight up unbuttons his shirt on stream while he's playing. No mention of that anywhere.

Ok you've made your point. I fully agree. Not only does Arris sexually harrass women but he's also abusive and accosts males on the show too. Both those things are wrong.

Now you could have written an article about it and submitted it as a freelancer. Of course you didn't do that. You either sat on that knowledge and didn't tell anybody so you're part of the problem. Or you found out afterwards like we are all just finding out and are using it as proof that it's ok that Aris did that to SuperY4N in which case... YOU'RE A BIGGER PART OF THE PROBLEM.

Hey don't get me wrong. I'm just criticizing Patrick's work on this. I never gave an opinion on the situation itself. I actually agree with I think that's on Patrick and his due diligence. That's all.

Avatar image for kashif1
kashif1

1543

Forum Posts

882

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 1

Edited By kashif1

What are you guys arguing about? I can't fan the flames if I don't know what they are.

Avatar image for rurounigeo
RurouniGeo

143

Forum Posts

9

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By RurouniGeo

@InternetDetective said:

@RurouniGeo: So, not only do you not know what sexual harassment is but you also don't know that companies can be sued when they allow it to happen?

Aris was being employed by Capcom when he harassed these ladies was he not?

Rurouni I am so disappointed that you are defending this bearded cretin.

There is good in you Rurouni, I just know there is.

Uh real talk. Its done and over for Miranda and Aris. They are trying to put it behind them. Miranda just got home today. She isnt going to bring up any cases and none of the parties involved will be sued. Get factual information please.

Only one of the two girls said he was harrasing them. Sherry Jenix THE OTHER GIRL ON THE SHOW CALLED IN AND DEFENDED ARIS MONDAY NIGHT IN A CALL STREAMED AND PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON LI JOE's Video feed

http://www.twitch.tv/thisislijoe/b/309985394 <- Actual Evidence for you Mr. Detective. Team Street Fighter player Sherry Jenix defending Aris at 5:32:00 in this video

Seriously Dude you are the worst detective ever. You have no evidence or clue about anything you are saying. Especially saying I dont know what sexual harassment is because Sweep had to delete a ton of comments off of this thread earlier of me defending people like Kayo police and other transgendered people in the FGC from being called "mutilations" so you better hold that shit.

Avatar image for spartanlolz92
spartanlolz92

520

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By spartanlolz92

@NoelVeiga said:

@artgarcrunkle: I try my best to not say dumb shit and that's not the image I have of the gaming community as a whole.

There's a serious case of metonymy going on here. People who are harsher push the normal guys towards silence and eventually the harsh style is considered to be intrinsic to the whole group. That's unfortunate. I'm glad this is being discussed so that more level heads can prevail and in turn rope in more reasonable people.

so true usually the loudest and most vocal person in a game/forum whatever is the a**hole. normal people need to make a stand.

if you see someone being an a** in a game tell em to stop, it goes a long way in preventing this type of behavior

Avatar image for spartanlolz92
spartanlolz92

520

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By spartanlolz92

@artgarcrunkle said:

This dude got hung out to dry so the rest of us ridiculous manchildren could get all indignant and pretend we don't say dumb shit sometimes. Every single competitive gaming community is like this, a bunch of dorks with arrested development who probably didn't have much of a filter to begin with getting together and letting loose.

i say dumb shit but not to anyone im playing against

and secondly he said this on camera. where there is no anonimity i doubt the gaming community as a whole is that stupid or unaware of social norms

Avatar image for kashif1
kashif1

1543

Forum Posts

882

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 1

Edited By kashif1

So are we all agreed that on some level Aris is a jerk?

Avatar image for homelessbird
Homelessbird

1681

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Homelessbird

@TeflonBilly: I guess you should stop expecting "better" of the entire Internet, then. I really don't understand your standards at all, though.

Also, I suppose I should point out that arguments made on an official Capcom livestream as a "team leader" and FGC diehard are different than comments made in a private Ventrillo conversation.

But you probably already knew that.

Avatar image for internetdetective
InternetDetective

356

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@RurouniGeo: So, not only do you not know what sexual harassment is but you also don't know that companies can be sued when they allow it to happen?

Aris was being employed by Capcom when he harassed these ladies was he not?

Rurouni I am so disappointed that you are defending this bearded cretin.

There is good in you Rurouni, I just know there is.

Avatar image for deactivated-5d7bd9e4bef30
deactivated-5d7bd9e4bef30

4741

Forum Posts

128

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Homelessbird: I guess I should stop expecting better of Patrick. A shame really, I used to put him a higher regard than most other investigative games journos.

But, I guess I better prepare to hear him report on the latest news of who called who a motherfucker in Ventrillo or whatever :P

Avatar image for desertdog
DesertDog

21

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By DesertDog

@churrific said:

Well I'm not the reporter that Patrick is supposed to be, but it's on the stream archives of the show. If Patrick felt like actually doing the research and digging through the hours of footage of the show, there's one moment where Aris grabs a guy and straight up unbuttons his shirt on stream while he's playing. No mention of that anywhere.

Ok you've made your point. I fully agree. Not only does Arris sexually harrass women but he's also abusive and accosts males on the show too. Both those things are wrong.

Now you could have written an article about it and submitted it as a freelancer. Of course you didn't do that. You either sat on that knowledge and didn't tell anybody so you're part of the problem. Or you found out afterwards like we are all just finding out and are using it as proof that it's ok that Aris did that to SuperY4N in which case... YOU'RE A BIGGER PART OF THE PROBLEM.

Avatar image for internetdetective
InternetDetective

356

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Mechabolic: Can't we talk about this? Don't go!!!!!!!

Avatar image for huser
huser

1452

Forum Posts

81

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By huser

@TeflonBilly said:

@huser said:

No you have the ability to be obtuse, but I can see how that might be conflated.

The question was whether an alternative definition of the word was the intended one. Given the average person wouldn't even be AWARE of such an archaic definition, let alone have it be the dominant one in mind, then I think it's fair to question if it's relevant in the least. Particularly in the context provided here in regards to "rape that bitch", not your sterilized hypothetical example.

But in the quote from the original article, it WAS used in a context much like the one I made. On screen, in a video game, Player 1 was beating the shit out of Player 2 who was playing Phoenix who is a much scorned character due to being overpowered who just happens to be a woman, when somebody in the audience decided to cheer on Player 1, by telling him to keep "RAPING THAT BITCH". You could make the argument that the fact that Phoenix is a woman makes it problematic, however I really don't think you'f have a different reaction if it was Wesker and he was as overpowered and scorned in MvC3 that Phoenix is.

Hell, when PR Balrog trounced Viscant's Phoenix with Tron Bonne at the final at EVO last year with a Level 3 Super, my thoughts were probably in the same vein as well. I know I marked out.

Fair enough. I'm certainly willing to accept people use "rape" on more than just the defeat of female players or characters, for me the second part of the phrase is the telling one and makes it especially troubling. I mean "making someone your bitch" isn't exactly a rare comment in this context either. So while your example speaks to the actual physical context, Player 1 beating Player 2, the actual diction flavors the interaction a lot beyond that particular context. Even if it's INTENDED to be gender neutral (and frankly due to demographics it probably is on some level), it speaks to a greater cultural blindness.

I will say I appreciate the civil tone, these comments have gotten to Fallout apocalyptic levels.

Avatar image for homelessbird
Homelessbird

1681

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Homelessbird

@TeflonBilly: Researching and gathering material on what? This is a pretty straightforward presentation of what went down on that livestream, which is what these articles are about. They were never intended to be a thesis about the state of the fighting game community. What data is there to mine?

If Patrick had wanted to do an in-depth expose on the ins and outs of the FGC, that's what he would have done. This is traditional-style reporting on an event that happened very recently. A lot of the use-value of it is knowing about it now, as the discussion is going on.

Also, what prevents him from doing exactly what you said, and offering more in depth coverage as he has the time to do so, JUST LIKE HE SAID HE WOULD AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS ARTICLE?

What journalistic entity operates in the state that you would have GB operate? The New Yorker and the Economist report on things in that fashion, but those are periodical magazines. We Internet Users generally like our news hot off the presses, so to speak.

Avatar image for hailinel
Hailinel

25785

Forum Posts

219681

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 28

Edited By Hailinel
@TeflonBilly Every bit of research and every article published leads to more information and discussion toward your desired destination. Personally, I think Aris is getting what he deserves with the attention focused on him. It exposes him as a dirtbag and highlights problems in the community that encourage him.
Avatar image for deactivated-5d7bd9e4bef30
deactivated-5d7bd9e4bef30

4741

Forum Posts

128

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Homelessbird: How about letting dirtsheets like Kotaku report on this drama and put it in the piggy bank and save it for a serious article about it at a later time like I suggested earlier. You know, a nuanced one, which might merit some intellectual worth rather than a transcript from a livestream, a YouTube clip and a tweet or two. He could've used all the information he'd collected to make a proper bit of news rather than regurgitating whatever he could get his hands on and throw up on the site so he could get the scoop on Destructoid. You know, researching and gathering enough material to have something worthwhile to show for.

Avatar image for klarion18
Klarion18

203

Forum Posts

2493

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Klarion18

Pretty much what Jeff said on the podcast.

Avatar image for mechabolic
Mechabolic

126

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Mechabolic

@InternetDetective: You are implying that you haven't been doing that the entire time- OH SHIT, NOT AGAIN. I was having a good day, I don't need your shit right now. It's ok though, keep saying that calling people bad names are wrong while calling said guy an asshole, jerk, neckbeard, ect. I'm tired of arguing with a brick wall. Welp, so much for GB being an honest journalistic site...

Avatar image for octaslash
octaslash

804

Forum Posts

18

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By octaslash

@RurouniGeo, RuisuX: He was obviously being hyperbolic.

Avatar image for ruisux
RuisuX

50

Forum Posts

445

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By RuisuX

@InternetDetective said:

@RurouniGeo: Capcom needs to cut Aris loose before some poor girl sues them into bankruptcy.

Yea, because Aris is affiliated with Capcom and that Cross Assault is still going on, right? Good job Detectiving the Internet.

Avatar image for hailinel
Hailinel

25785

Forum Posts

219681

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 28

Edited By Hailinel
@Mechabolic

@RurouniGeo: I wouldn't even try arguing with people outside the FGC. The comments here have reached reddit levels of retardation and strawman arguments as far as the eye can see. Thanks for shitting up GB by posting this tabloid tier "article" Patrick...

No, reddit levels of retardation is senselessly coming to the defense of a goon unworthy of such support.
Avatar image for rurounigeo
RurouniGeo

143

Forum Posts

9

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By RurouniGeo

@InternetDetective said:

@RurouniGeo: Capcom needs to cut Aris loose before some poor girl sues them into bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy? Are you serious?

Congratulations you have proved finally once and for all that this has without a doubt been blown out of proportion. This is going to BANKRUPT CAPCOM? Please go tweet patrick immediately and give him the scoop! Aris "Aris" is going to bankrupt Capcom if these keeps up. Everyone is going to boycott Resident Evil 6 and Devil May Cry! Capcom is Ruined!!!

You have proved your lack of knowledge and information too with that statement. This was the first and last time Capcom has ever been involved with Aris and the show ended on Tuesday and so ended any affiliation he had with the company which was very little to begin with. He is a Tekken player. He comentates on Tekken Streams. So you aren't even writing an angry letter to the right people to be honest with you.

Stay Free Mr. Detective.

Avatar image for homelessbird
Homelessbird

1681

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Homelessbird

@TeflonBilly: I seriously don't understand this line of argument as far as the article is concerned.

The quotes are from the posted video. They are given in the context that they were expressed - question and answer format, with no edits, straight from the video. I've watched it, and can confirm that much. All parties were given a chance to respond. This article is about Aris' response.

This article also ends with: "I've received an enormous amount of feedback since the story ran, and I'm still filtering through the comments from both inside and outside the fighting game community. I'm setting up interviews as we speak. We'll revisit this soon."

What else would you have had Patrick do?

Avatar image for deactivated-5d7bd9e4bef30
deactivated-5d7bd9e4bef30

4741

Forum Posts

128

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@huser said:

No you have the ability to be obtuse, but I can see how that might be conflated.

The question was whether an alternative definition of the word was the intended one. Given the average person wouldn't even be AWARE of such an archaic definition, let alone have it be the dominant one in mind, then I think it's fair to question if it's relevant in the least. Particularly in the context provided here in regards to "rape that bitch", not your sterilized hypothetical example.

But in the quote from the original article, it WAS used in a context much like the one I made. On screen, in a video game, Player 1 was beating the shit out of Player 2 who was playing Phoenix who is a much scorned character due to being overpowered who just happens to be a woman, when somebody in the audience decided to cheer on Player 1, by telling him to keep "RAPING THAT BITCH". You could make the argument that the fact that Phoenix is a woman makes it problematic, however I really don't think you'f have a different reaction if it was Wesker and he was as overpowered and scorned in MvC3 that Phoenix is.

Hell, when PR Balrog trounced Viscant's Phoenix with Tron Bonne at the final at EVO last year with a Level 3 Super, my thoughts were probably in the same vein as well. I know I marked out.

Avatar image for octaslash
octaslash

804

Forum Posts

18

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By octaslash

@Mechabolic said:

@RurouniGeo: I wouldn't even try arguing with people outside the FGC. The comments here have reached reddit levels of retardation and strawman arguments as far as the eye can see. Thanks for shitting up GB by posting this tabloid tier "article" Patrick...

You're the only one trying to deflect and avoid the real issues of sexual harassment. After your weak defence of that creep, Aris, you're obviously attempting to target the strawman (poorly, I might add).

Avatar image for huser
huser

1452

Forum Posts

81

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By huser

@High_Nunez said:

@huser: With all due respect, I don't see how that applies here. Insulting a person isn't the same as killing a person. Neither is a cool thing to do, but one's definitely less cool than the other.

The point was that people have died (and continue to within the US) based on the hate contained on insults to ethnicity, gender, or sexuality. Sometimes truly horrifically. When the hate that leads to pointing out someone is wearing glasses, their height or weight leads to them being murdered, THEN we can wonder why we don't compare those insults more equally.

That's not to excuse THOSE insults. They are no less hateful, they just don't carry the obvious historical and even current mortal danger that the first group does.