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

In latest instances, the Preventing Recreation Neighborhood (FGC) has been too critical for its personal good and has forgotten find out how to have enjoyable whereas taking part in the video games they love. I don’t blame the neighborhood, although. It’s simple to lose sight of enjoyable if there’s one million {dollars} dangling in entrance of you to say, 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 pondering it’s a clever 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 preventing sport neighborhood right into a frenzy, pondering that the studio has misplaced its thoughts for eager to return to a observe that’s been thought of barbaric.

Within the midst of all of this, should you’re on FGC Twitter, you then in all probability 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 scrub to scrub their eyes after what they simply witnessed.

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

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

I sincerely imagine that we’d like extra showmen within the FGC. Probably the most enjoyable elements of tournaments are the wild issues which can be occurring on the occasion, akin to 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 We additionally had the outdated Lee “Poongko” Chung-gon, who additionally eliminated his shirt throughout matches that he discovered significantly tough. Sadly, he now not does this and has distanced himself from his outdated identification. Now, he simply performs like a traditional FGC competitor, with out his earlier aptitude.

That is what I’m speaking about once I stated that we’d like extra folks like Hayao within the FGC. These individuals are very entertaining to observe. Seeing Hayao do all these theatrics, doing excellent splits whereas additionally beating up his opponents in essentially the most superb methods. Bear in mind, 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 foremost sport: Road Fighter III: third Strike. He’s known as the “Hugo God,” and he confirmed why he’s positively the most effective third Strike gamers on this planet.

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

Simply check out this.

One other one who’s doing a bit little bit of showmanship himself is Saul Leonardo “MenaRD” Mena II. He mainly does a stare-off towards his opponents within the prime eight of majors, which amplifies the depth of the match to a sure diploma. This sort of showmanship is sort of totally 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 massive cash, basically saying that the FGC is changing into much less and fewer grassroots because the years go by. Nevertheless, I’ve already talked about this numerous instances, 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, they usually all have been very entertaining to observe.

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

In case you’ve been across the FGC for fairly a while, you then may’ve encountered Japanese Road 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, it is 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 opponents, 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 executed in good style, in fact.

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 very best one not too long ago 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 sort of leisure for the lots. Certain, it’s entertaining to observe two folks taking part in on the highest stage of your favourite sport and seeing how sure gamers overcome their obstacles to grow to be the champions they’re destined to be. Nevertheless, for me, there’ll at all times be a particular place for individuals who additionally know find out how to play to the group and provides an ideal present.

Hayao’s efficiency transcended Evo Vegas’s venue. I wasn’t there. I used to be simply watching the event on-line, and I bear 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 facility showmen have, and it may positively make the scene much more fascinating.

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 most probably a uncommon occasion. It’ll additionally really feel very bizarre if the FGC all of the sudden begins performing 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 prime gamers, which is fairly cool. However an actual showman brings a special power to the desk.