Recently, the mods of the r/StreetFighter subreddit asked what we in the Fighting Game Community are thankful for. Many of the responses are about games themselves – in various answers, people voice their gratitude for BlazBlue, Fatal Fury, Marvel vs. Capcom, Pokken, Samurai Shodown, SoulCalibur, Street Fighter, Super Smash Bros., Tekken, and UNIST. A few other answers focus on the FGC’s other great love, namely, food. But the overwhelming majority of the respondents credit the community itself. In doing so, they remind all of us what makes the FGC so special.
Hey FGC, what are you thankful for?
— r/StreetFighter (@RedditSF) November 27, 2019
One key characteristic of the FGC is that it’s a grassroots entity. Even today, despite increasing support from game developers and other corporate partners, the vast majority of activity in the FGC is truly community-driven. We’re all here because we share a love in common, and we show that love through our work. That’s what Twitter user @BrianDeyErmand is thankful for.
Getting more involved and seeing the wonderful work that was happening right under my nose, both local and online.
— oilypenguin (@BrianDeyErmand) November 27, 2019
Along with work comes growth and improvement. This is obviously true for competitors, but it’s equally true of tournament organizer, commentator, artist, musician, writer, and everyone else in the FGC. Together, we improve ourselves and gain inspiration from the improvements of others. @That_Masher speaks to this in his response.
I’m thankful to the people in my life who have helped me be confident in myself while helping me grow. To all the people who see me as someone who can teach them in games we’re passionate about, and I’m grateful to the opportunities that I’ve been given this year to help grow
— LAGr | That_Masher 🔜 🤷🏻♂️ (@That_Masher) November 27, 2019
By working in such close proximity with like-minded people, we naturally form close relationships with one another. Those relationships see us through good times and bad, as @SubtleBanter and @TriggerOfTheFGC note.
The friendships made through rivalry.
— Aristotle (@SubtleBanter) November 27, 2019
I want to thank Fighting Games and the FGC for helping me up when life just wants to knock me down.
— Trigger just HAD to pick up SFV. (@TriggerOfTheFGC) November 27, 2019
We can also be thankful this year that, despite the challenges the FGC faces, we continue to mature as a community. Growth in skill and scale are excellent, of course. Growth in honor and kindness are even better. This past year saw important steps for the community, from our growing support of overlooked regions to the Women of the FGC panel at the Evolution Championship Series. FGCers like @Bealank are thankful for – and part of – our continued maturation.
For awesome artists that let me commission them for their skills, for the FGC itself which is giving me a platform to incentive more women to try FGs, my kitties, my parents for letting me just be myself and play fighting games when I was a wee lass.
And for rum. Thanks Rum!— Bea – Brazilian FGC Mum (@BeaIank) November 27, 2019
All in all, there’s no way to list each and every facet of the FGC that’s worthy of gratitude. That’s because we’re more than a hobby or a pastime. The FGC is a deep source of fellowship, creativity, motivation, and wisdom. Perhaps @Tanim_Ahmad summed it up best.
I’m thankful for having met such good people, and the FGC scene is like a closely knitted family! I hardly play fighting games but still have friends from FGC. It’s a lifestyle, it’s a fellowship; and fellowship is life. 🙏
— 🐳 (@Tanim_Ahmad) November 27, 2019
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers in the US, and thank you to everyone who helps to put the FGC in the topmost of tiers!