The battle to be “The Best…”
Lately I’ve been getting asked a lot of questions, one of which seems to keep arising is “Why don’t you call yourself ‘The best female guitar hero player’ or ‘The best female street fighter player’ or ‘the best female *insert game here* player’. Well basically the answer is this…
There is ALWAYS someone better out there than me, and I’m smart enough to realize this. First of all, I don’t want to call myself the best FEMALE anything because that is just drawing attention to the fact that I’m a girl, and if I’m correct… all of us are trying to break the stereotypical “I have boobs watch me play games” stereotype right? Well, the closest thing to BEST anything you’ll see on my profile is that I am the TOP FEMALE all around gamer. I believe there are SEVERAL top players, but no one person is ever “the best”. I’m hoping to break a few world records and rack up some more top 5 finishes to earn the ability to be able to call myself THE TOP all around gamer period. As of right now I haven’t attended Iron Man of gaming to see how I place and I currently don’t hold any world records, so I don’t see it fit to say anything other than … so far I am the top female gamer in the industry. With 30+ top 5 finishes for 8 games in 3 genres I am doing pretty well considering I have done professional gaming on the side for 10 years coming 2nd to having a full time job, going to college, and managing a family. All but 1 of my 30+ top 5 finishes were from tournaments that had either all male or both male and female competitors.
In ten years I’ve come a long way as a GAMER period, and I don’t intend on stopping anytime soon. From becoming one of the top guitar hero players in the world (highest ranking was 5th overall on scorehero.com in 2008 and ranked 7th overall in the pan american region of the world at the world cyber games pan american championships in 2009) to traveling the world as a host covering gaming news all over the U.S. and Japan, I try to ensure my life revolves around gaming in every aspect.
While I have placed well in many tournaments, I will probably never label myself THE BEST FEMALE at any one particular game anytime in the future… even if it’s true. My goal is to be a top player in general. In the end it doesn’t matter how many battle points you have, what your true skill ranking is or how many songs you full comboed ONCE to get on top of the charts…. basically what it all comes down to is are you good enough to last in tournaments? Are you good enough to do well under the pressure, with all lights on and all the faces staring at you? It’s so simple these days to crack under pressure and lose in a match you shouldn’t have or wouldn’t have if you were at home in your room with the lights off and your techno music blaring… in the end… THAT is what matters. I just like to go to tournaments often to ensure I always know what the competition is up to. Yeah, so I’m ranked higher than “player x” and below “player y” but that doesn’t mean that “player x” won’t whoop my ass at a tournament sometime in the future… people need to realize that with all games mistakes happen, we are only human, and no one TRULY deserves the right to call themselves THE BEST anything without solid results to back it up.
I will not hide behind a title of BEST FEMALE whatever for attention, I will show you my skills as I take on both men and women alike and still come out on top… Male or Female doesn’t matter, so for those who fight for the title “BEST FEMALE…” stop drawing attention to yourself for being a girl, because basically that’s THE ONLY thing that you have going for you. No boobs, no attention, your gaming resume is a joke. I place well… and I JUST HAPPEN to be a girl.
In closing… only 2 people have the right to call themselves “THE BEST” 1- Fatal1ty and 2- Justin Wong. Rant over! 
Representing the Valkyries of Arcadia… GAME ON!
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Posted on October 3rd, 2009 at 4:02 am
Very good read!
Your right on the fact when it comes to gaming there’s online play then theres tournament play. can you stay calm and collected under the lights and the eyes. I hope one day you’ll beat some records and get recognized as a top GAMER, Its your goal just stick with it dont let your talents go to waste.
I look at the whole girl gamer thing as if you don’t respect them because of Gender then you have no idea what it is to be a GAMER. Just like in anything respect is earned through your play, your actions and what you do for the game.
Nice rant!
Posted on October 3rd, 2009 at 4:02 am
I completely agree with you on this Ciji, you are a awsome all around player. You will reach your goals soon, I mean you have already jumped across the world to do work. Nothing can stop you unless you let it.
I cannot consider myself the best at anything, because I have not been able to go into tournments yet. Just had partys with friends and usually end up not playing some of the games I have completed all the way. Usually this is because they cannot find the proper line to run on. Mostly play racing games, but I do enjoy playing SF, Tekken, Halo series, GOW 1, 2. Some others like call of duty and tom clancys games as well.
Keep up the good work on the site and gaming, you’ll make it where you want to be.
Emmett
Posted on October 3rd, 2009 at 4:13 am
I totally agree with you about online play vs. tournament. I have beaten a lot of people on SF4 online, but I never really get too nervous when playing at home. However at the past two Underground Tournament League events, when it’s time for me to have my matches I get soooooooo nervous. My hands start shaking and the adrenaline just takes over and I make stupid mistakes. And that’s just a few people watching. I can’t imagine being in a WCG tourney. Or a major SF4 tourney (although the next UGTL sounds like it’s going to be crazy). So yes, bringing it in public is so much bigger then at home.
As for saying you’re “The Best” whatever, I’ve always said that you should never say you’re the best at anything unless you have some way to back it up. You’re right, Justin Wong has the #1 rank for SF4 right now, and Fatal1ty has been #1 for however long now, but also, on any given weekend, at any given event, they could lose. They probably do lose. It’s just at that one moment when it counted the most they won. There’s always going to be someone better, or at least you should hope there is. Once you become the best, what is driving you to compete? It’s the fight to become the best that in the biggest inspiration. Besides, this is why I always say I’m you second biggest fan ;D
Posted on October 3rd, 2009 at 4:48 am
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