#gamesrcool

[freaks309]

Disability in the FGC

I would like to point out two examples of people with a disability within a community I consider myself a part of, the fighting game community (FGC). The first example is Mike Begum, who uses the pseudonym Broly Legs. Begum is a physically disabled Super Street Fighter player specializing in the character Chun-Li. Due to his condition; he plays by using his controller with his face. Although many fighting games require precise hand coordination to be skillful, Begum challenges what it means to be a great player. He overcomes many opponents with his own unique technique, despite his apparent disadvantage. The fact that he has striven to become even a decent player inspires me, as he teaches others in the community that dedication and practice can counteract such significant hindrances. Additionally, despite his disability, Broly Legs is accepted and continues to socialize within the FGC.  Cross Counter TV’s interview of him can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83nSodg-HTU

The other example of disability within the FGC that I’d like to point out is Jason “Mew2King” Zimmerman, one of the top 5 Smash Bros. Melee players in the world. Zimmerman is not physically disabled. However, he does have mild Asperger’s, OCD, and ADHD. This causes him to be very awkward and at times unknowingly rude in social interaction. There are often large miscommunications within the society about him because of his apparent lack of communication skills. However, he possesses amazing technical ability as a player; he memorizes game frame data and nuanced interactions between players and between characters at an amazing level.  In this way, Mew2King characterizes the “savant” trope discussed by Kidd in the chapter “Handi-capable” of his Pop Culture Freaks book. Mew2King is hindered by his social ineptitude but possesses a special talent uncharacteristic of people in the norm. However unsociable he may be, Mew2King is widely accepted and admired in the Smash Bros. community.

- manuel-irl-iirc

Kidd, Dustin. “Handi-capable.” Pop Culture Freaks: Identity, Mass Media, and Society. Boulder: Westview, 2014. Kindle Ed.