A Letter to OWL Fans about Geguri

Written by: Bryce Jackson

As one of the most influential moments in esports history draws close, it’s important for us as OWL fans to take a second to check ourselves about how to properly handle Geguri’s debut. There has been a lot of talk and lofty expectations set for her but there are a few things we must be mindful of:

1. Guys, you’re going to see the women OWL fans lose their minds when she either walks onto that stage or gets subbed in. Let them have this moment. Do not lessen it with disparaging remarks or over criticize the movement. Female fans in eSports and sports in general need to see themselves fairly represented just as we already have and take for granted or even abuse the visibility that men have.
2. As a whole, can we not stack the expectations too high for Geguri? As she joins the currently winless Shanghai Dragons, she is but one of 6 new additions to the team on top of having a new coach. The reality is that they’re not going 10-0 in the stage. It would be the greatest feat in eSports ever worthy of a biopic in 2050 if it did, but as a community we cannot stack the deck against her and berate her for the team missing the mark. Her addition will be a success if they get numerous wins because of her but also because the team as a whole will find an identity and be more than a league doormat.
3. As senior editor Ashley Esqueda says as her sign out on videos for CNET’s YouTube channel: “Be Good Humans”. We’ve already seen enough disparaging language from OWL players and fans alike. There’s no need to fish at the bottom of the joke barrel for the predicable and lazy jokes and insults. And please, for the love of Symmetra, don’t send her anything on Twitter unless it’s encouragement. She has come out way before her arrival to the league and says she just wants to play well and not just as a token to the cause.
4. We will want to protect Geguri from over criticism coming from bad actors but we must also allow analysts to do their jobs. As level headed people I assume most OWL fans are, we can differentiate between people that have constructive criticism and those that will just pick on her for what she represents. 

The majority of fans I’ve seen have been mostly positive about her arrival so I believe that OWL fans can be fair and kind. But it is also on the community to make sure those that get cheap kicks from posting negativity will be properly taken care of by us. Good Luck Geguri!