“It’s definitely been an experience.”
Emi “Captain Fluke” is an esports caster covering Rainbow Six: Siege and Valorant.
She began by experimenting with games and content on YouTube.
As she always enjoyed talking over games, she tested out some commentating with friends.
A lot of that passion was tied to Siege.
“Siege was a game that I fell in love with,” she says.
And that is the core of Siege for me."
But that’s slowly changing, as more diverse players and casters are joining.
“It’s definitely been an experience,” says Emi.
“[Abuse] happens on a sort of day to day basis.
They want to be edgy, they want to be confrontational.
They’re teenagers, and they feel invincible.
There’s never an end to it.”
Eventually, as her work grew, she realised she needed to come out publicly.
“It’s created a very weird, toxic environment that’s slowly being cleansed,” she says.
Well, I kind of have to do it because…fuck it."
As her notoriety has grown, Emi has received plenty of positive support from her closest colleagues.
“I think it’s obvious when someone is inquisitive, and someone who’s malicious.
I’m the first for a lot of these people to have an interaction with.
I have to be receptive to the idea that people are going to have questions.
What also impacts the audience are the games themselves.
And Ubisoft are facing an uphill battle.
“Siege was originally built in that proto-military style.
It appeals to a lot of younger cis white gamers, and male gamers especially,” says Emi.
And I think it’s the toughest audience to do.”
“[Riot] has been very open and accepting towards that ideal,” says Emi.
And that is rare in esports."
That’s somethingRiotandUbisoftare now acutely aware of, despite being criticised in the past for their less-than-progressive company cultures.
“You’re drawn naturally to seeing things that you could relate to.
You’re tricked into thinking that by social media,” she says.
But then the understanding and the realisation is that I haven’t up to this point.
And, post-pandemic, that allowed Emi to meet fans in person for the first time.
And sometimes you’re gonna wanna remember that."
The future is certainly more positive, compared to esports' toxic reputation.
