Nintendo has spoken out about the recent allegations of sexual assault within the Super Smash Bros online community over the past few days. These chilling accusations, many of which have involved minors, have surfaced as part of an ongoing discussion regarding sexism and harassment in the gaming industry.
Aside from Smash Bros players like Keitaro, D1, Nairo, and Cinnpie, several other online gaming personalities (including big names like Tom “Syndicate” Cassell and “Angry” Joe Vargas) have been accused of sexual misconduct, made worse by executives like Twitch CEO Emmett Shear apparently remaining silent on the subject until just recently. It has reached the point where this year's Evo Online event, usually a showcase for the best eSports players in the world, has been cancelled due to several high-profile fighting game publishers like Capcom and NetherRealm pulling out alongside such players as Dominique “SonicFox” McLean.
Now Super Smash Bros publisher Nintendo has released a statement to IGN regarding the numerous sexual assault allegations among the game’s big-name players.
“At Nintendo, we are deeply disturbed by the allegations raised against certain members of the competitive gaming community,” the company said yesterday. “They are absolutely impermissible. We want to make it clear that we condemn all acts of violence, harassment, and exploitation against anyone and that we stand with the victims.”
It hasn’t only been players that have been placed on the hot seat recently regarding acts of sexual misconduct. Several Ubisoft employees have been accused of groping, coercing, and even outright assaulting their female co-workers, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Creative director Ashraf Ismail recently stepped down from his position after news of his extra-marital affairs came to light. Even EVO CEO Joey Cuellar has faced accusations of sexual exploitation, leading to the aforementioned pullout and cancellation of this year’s event.
On the plus side, Ubisoft has since pledged to combat the issues that seem all too prevalent within its walls, a sentiment shared by the likes of EVO and Nintendo. Given the sheer amount and severity of the accusations being levelled against Super Smash Bros players, it’s for the best that Nintendo steps forward in support of the victims sooner rather than later. The fact that these things have been going on in the gaming community unabated for so long is certainly distressing, especially when minors are involved, but now hopefully action can be taken to ensure that popular gaming companies and eSports events are safe and welcoming places for everyone.
Source: IGN