Ninja, aka Tyler Blevins, Twitch’s biggest streamer, told Polygon last week that he doesn’t play with female gamers. The decision, he explained, is rooted in internet culture rather than discriminatory intent — Blevins said he believes that that any possible hint of flirting during a stream will immediately be “clickbait forever.” In his words, “The only way to avoid that [gossip] is to not play with [women] at all.”
Blevins’ comments, seen as a product of internet culture by some and sexist by others, sparked discourse among fans, Twitch streamers and YouTube personalities who each shared their own thoughts on the matter.
Imane “Pokimane” Anys said during a stream last Saturday, “It sucks that things like [Blevins’ decision] have to be made into a big deal when I don’t think they have to be.” Anys is no stranger to Twitch popularity and scrutiny — after she began to stream Fortnite with pro player Ali “Myth” Kabbani, the pair have been dogged by dating rumors. Furthermore, she argued that Blevins’ claims that he hasn’t received criticism from female streamers were due to the fact that he hadn’t publicly spoken about his decision before, rather than a lack of objection.
Reaction quickly spread across Twitter, some agreeing with Blevins’ statement, others firmly against it, and yet others running the whole gamut of thoughts and feelings.
Austen Marie, illustrator, comic artist and Twitch partner, meanwhile, called the decision problematic, since it further alienates women in an already divisive industry.
Louder for those in the back-
— LIVE - Austen Marie - PAX WEST (@AustenMarieTV) August 11, 2018
⚫No one is saying Ninja has to stream with women.
⚫We're saying that his saying he won't is problematic and doesn't help in any way for women making their way in the industry that constantly calls anyone with tits a thot.
Fellow Fortnite streamer Valkyrae (Rachel Hoffsetter) expressed her support of Blevins’ decision to keep drama out of his own marriage.
Seeing tweets twisting Ninja’s decision to not playing w/ women.
— Valkyrae (@Valkyrae) August 11, 2018
YouTube clips/clickbaits the worst for views.
People are gullible.
To hear rumors like “I heard he’s cheating on you” is 24/7 toxic to a relationship.
Respect decisions that limit drama in people’s personal lives
Twitch streamer Laura Lux agreed, arguing that Blevins’ decision was reflective of the Twitch community rather than his personal bias.
y’all if @Ninja actually did stream with a girl it would be a disaster. this community is a toxic sexist shitshow and she would be labeled his side bitch, relentlessly harassed for being a homewrecking slut and spammed with “begone thot” trolls etc etc etc fuck that
— laura lux (@DarthLux) August 11, 2018
Twitch affiliate Samantha Rae said that she understood the reasoning behind Blevins’ description, but felt that it only served to strengthen the gender divide in streaming.
Because of the way other people view it, in a way, reinforces that mindset. While I'm sure that's not Ninja's intention, the thought of someone (not even necessarily a top streamer) not wanting to collaborate with me as a creator because of my gender feels demeaning.
— Samantha Rae (@TheSamethyst) August 11, 2018
Still others like Adam Koebel, a Twitch streamer and RPG designer, felt that Blevins’ announcement had further reaching implications outside the streamer’s own content, especially concerning other streamers and creatives who want to collaborate with individuals of different genders.
It’s a narrative that erases the possibility for straight men and women to be friends and collaborate. It fucks with gay and straight men being friends. It fucks with pan and bi folks existing and not being seen as fuck-crazed maniacs.
— adam koebel (@skinnyghost) August 11, 2018
YouTube personality Riley J. Dennis called Blevins’ decision “the millennial version of Mike Pence not taking meetings with women,” and accused the streamer of perpetuating the harassment that female streamers often face.
"hey ninja, women have a harder time growing as streamers cause they're harassed endlessly and not taken seriously, how're you going to use your huge platform/audience to help?"
— Riley J. Dennis (@RileyJayDennis) August 11, 2018
"well my plan is to completely ignore them all because there might be some little rumors."
Alternatively, Daequan of Team SoloMid’s Fortnite team urged fans to “get off” Blevins and let him decide what works for his own relationship.
Ninja can choose to play or not to play with whoever he wants, Get off that mans back lol. Can't be upset if he chooses not to play with you because of HIS OWN feelings towards HIS OWN relationship unless you're a clout chaser, regardless of gender ♀️
— Daequan (@TSM_Daequan) August 13, 2018
And finally, streamer and YouTuber Renée Reynosa reacted to Blevins’ decision by referencing ligma, the disease that supposedly killed Ninja during a recent death hoax.
Careful, guys. Don't play video games with women or you might catch ligma. https://t.co/OEJwChhbvK
— Renée Reynosa (@renee) August 11, 2018
Blevins’ decision continues to spark the conversation around streaming culture and the gaming community.