Let’s be uncomfortably trustworthy for a minute. There’s undoubtedly a sort of person who pops into your head whenever you hear “prime Tekken participant.” And that particular person could not appear like Jeannail “Cuddle_Core” Carter. However that’s okay, she isn’t right here to cater to anyone nor search their validation.
And stream. And host. And coach. And who is aware of what else? For Cuddle_Core, being within the FGC scene is extra than simply competing. It’s a life-style for her, nevertheless it’s taken so much to get there. She began competing in 2015 in small native tournaments, however she has since achieved 60 Prime 8 placements throughout large Tekken tourneys, together with Evo, Combo Breaker, and Final FightingArena.
Esports Insider spoke with Cuddle_Core in regards to the modifications she’s seen within the FGC all through the previous decade, from grassroots and gatekeeping to a mainstream esports scene. A few of it’s good, a few of it’s unhealthy, however nothing appears to actually deliver her down. In actual fact, she’s solely wanting ahead.
Overcoming the old-school lawlessness of the FGC
ESI: My colleague just lately wrote in regards to the sexism and creepiness at Combo Breaker 2026, which appears to nonetheless be an enormous challenge for the FGC. Do you are feeling it’s nonetheless a much bigger challenge within the FGC than different mainstream esports scenes even after the “Me Too” motion a couple of years in the past?
Cuddle_Core: Sure, nonetheless struggles. It does. Typically it feels that, as a result of there isn’t a full regulation in these areas, you’re sort of simply left to take care of loads of it by yourself and your assist group. There’s no official method that issues are handled, like creeps and sexist issues at tournaments. It’s considerably higher when it comes to safety, nevertheless it generally nonetheless feels such as you’re left to take care of it by yourself or along with your group.
ESI: Why do you suppose it’s nonetheless so distinguished within the FGC?
Cuddle_Core: I’m not precisely positive why it’s an issue that’s persevering with. I all the time thought that there ought to be extra guidelines put in place – like a code of conduct. It ought to be a no brainer, I assumed… Should you’re assaulted, individuals ought to be capable of go to some entity that helps you deal with that. As a result of it occurs in all probability so much. I know it occurs so much. Should you’re at a conference or occasion, that ought to all the time exist, nevertheless it doesn’t. I’m not precisely positive why.
ESI: We beforehand talked in regards to the old-school mentality that also runs deep within the FGC. Do you suppose that causes a little bit of gatekeeping within the scene, particularly in direction of ladies?
Cuddle_Core: Sexism exists within the house, it does. A few of these mentalities are old-school. It’s an echo chamber with their very own group since they haven’t actually been round different teams, together with ladies.
It’s a bit higher now, due to the way in which the world is. I’m very grateful for that. A number of the older views on issues have molded how issues at the moment are, however they’re being unlearned and pushed out… The mindset of the youthful gamers coming in; they’re from a world that’s extra numerous, inclusive, and welcoming.
ESI: Have you ever skilled any sexism your self? Is there something that you simply’ve encountered that you simply suppose individuals wouldn’t actually anticipate?
Cuddle_Core: I don’t need to spend so much of time speaking about that. I might be speaking about all of my accomplishments as a substitute. I’ve handled issues, although, after all, however I’ve spent a lot time on interviews talking on these issues. I hope you perceive.
ESI: No, I completely get that! It’s like shining a highlight on what makes you totally different, what units you aside within the FGC, fairly than speaking about what you have got really completed. It might be decreasing you to those cases.
Cuddle_Core: I couldn’t management these issues that occurred. Regardless, I turned probably the greatest gamers on this planet. I created my very own house. That’s what issues to me. I’ve the proof of all of it. Folks mentioned I wasn’t that good. I handled all of that. However I encompass myself with individuals who know my price and worth. I used to be protected, I used to be secure. That’s what retains me going. That’s what issues to me.
ESI: And actually, that’s the message individuals ought to be getting as a substitute. Like hey, you shouldn’t care about these random weirdos. It’s best to deal with your self, your targets, and the individuals who actually have your again, who assist your targets. Who cares about these freaks?
Cuddle_Core: It’s necessary to face up for what you consider in and to make use of your voice. However there’s a wonderful line between serving to others after which defending your self mentally by taking over that weight for everyone else. Particularly as a public determine representing a minority in esports.
Grassroots beginnings, mainstream goals
ESI: There was loads of discuss in regards to the FGC scene altering, going from grassroots to mainstream. Do you are feeling this can be a good change for the scene? Is that this the expansion it wants?
Cuddle_Core: Grassroots was nice for what it was. I skilled loads of grassroots occasions, and I beloved them. However I do suppose that, for there to be extra discoverability for combating video games and profession constructing, there needs to be a shift, a pivot, to precise esports.
We’re making an attempt to create one thing long-term and extra skilled. In that sense, it’s needed. It’s unlucky it has to occur this manner. There’s a battle that occurs [with this kind of change]: a part of the scene desires grassroots, however some say they want the alternatives… It’s an enormous wrestle. It was inevitable.
It’s unlucky, as a result of grassroots must exist. These occasions I really like are gone. Match organizers needed to drop out. They’ve actual lives. There’s additionally cash. Affordability.
There at the moment are seven Evos. and it’s owned by a brand new firm. Now it has cash. However the place’s the house for grassroots occasions when that occurs? This alteration barely removes locals, too, and that’s scary. Lots of people obtained in due to these grassroots occasions.
ESI: You mentioned that it’s unlucky how the change occurred. What do you suppose is the problem with how the FGC goes about rising?
Cuddle_Core: It seems like not all people’s on the identical web page. It turns into an ongoing, recycled dialog about “we wish grassroots, however we want…” However that’s the factor. It’s transferring this course, so how will we protect it? What are we going to do? This dialog has been had for years. What are we going to do?
I don’t need to preserve having conversations over once more, debating this. I need to give you an answer. Let’s really do it. I’ve already embraced it, however the change is right here. What will we do now?
From what I perceive, Evo is offering assist to native occasions. That’s good. That’s good! It doesn’t must be this unhealthy factor. It’s serving to.
ESI: I believe one argument is that the eagerness, the grit of the grassroots FGC scene is in jeopardy. Some really feel it’s disappearing. Do you are feeling that transferring to mainstream harms the authenticity of the FGC?
Cuddle_Core: A number of the authenticity, when it comes to locals, grassroots occasions… A few of that authenticity is at risk. I used to be arising at a time once I noticed loads of grassroots occasions now not exist… Frequent ones I’d see on a regular basis.
However authenticity remains to be there. Grassroots occasions is probably not there, however the spirit of combating sport lovers remains to be current. Locals nonetheless do exist. New tournaments nonetheless get created. It’s nonetheless there. However maneuvering this new panorama. The spirit of it’s nonetheless there. The group remains to be there. It’s simply being redirected.
ESI: I really like that method of taking a look at it. Like sure, the grassroots occasions are gone, however the identical group is right here. The identical passionate gamers are right here. Talking of that, there was some drama with Evo inviting content material creators into the house who weren’t essentially hardcore FGC gamers.
Cuddle_Core: I find it irresistible! I really like that large streamers who aren’t essentially within the house got here to our occasion. I personally love that. They carry new eyes to it. A few of them have a love for combating video games, however they’re not deep into the combating sport house. Some aren’t into it in any respect, however they discover out they find it irresistible as soon as they attend the occasion.
It helps with discoverability for combating video games. It creates a wider viewers for it. That’s necessary for the longevity of the house. I find it irresistible!
It’s been attention-grabbing as a result of it creates alternatives for networking. Not simply with the streamers. Simply extra individuals seeing it. They see the expertise, who’s behind it, the gamers… You community your entire house with a wider viewers and extra firms, past simply combating video games. It creates long-term careers for individuals as a result of there’s no blueprint for the best way to construct a profession right here.
New video games are good, however they received’t substitute Tekken
ESI: There are loads of new combating video games popping out. Do you suppose this shall be good for the FGC or unfold the playerbase too skinny?
Cuddle_Core: New titles popping out every now and then is sweet. In the event that they need to play it, they’ll play it. There’s a combating sport for everyone. You don’t must restrict your self to the highest three 3D fighters… You already know it’s an issue if there are solely two current total. That’s it!?
And the video games popping out, they appear nice. I believe it’s good. I hope that they’re round for a very long time. Combating video games that are available in, generally they don’t dwell as much as the hype with the group and die rapidly. However I need longevity with new titles – not simply iconic three – so combating video games can proceed.
ESI: With all these new video games, do you see Tekken nonetheless having an area within the FGC? What makes it stand out?
Cuddle_Core: Tekken nonetheless has its place due to the fanbase. It’s the fanbase. They’re so devoted. Tekken is a kind of video games the place it’s arduous, the barrier to entry is excessive… You commit all that point – that’s a wedding! Individuals are locked into Tekken. They don’t seem to be gonna give that up, irrespective of how a lot they hate it.
And the brand new gamers that exist, they proceed to find it irresistible. They create their very own legacy. So, there are the older followers who nonetheless will assist it, even when it’s not their favourite Tekken. And newer gen… It’s nonetheless standing up.
ESI: Tekken has seen fewer registrations at the previous couple of majors, and there was controversy with the latest updates. Do you suppose Tekken is in a very good place proper now?
Cuddle_Core: Tekken is in an excellent place proper now. Okay, in all transparency, Season 1 had loads of aggressive modifications. However I play any Tekken. I find it irresistible, I find it irresistible. I maneuver by way of something. I really like problem-solving. Nevertheless it had a lot that wanted to be labored by way of.
Season 2, they began balancing components of it, nevertheless it was bloated. I nonetheless competed in it, nevertheless it nonetheless wanted some work. Season 3, after the followers had been like, “Hey, no, you’ll want to change this.” There was loads of backlash. As there ought to have been. They added a bit an excessive amount of. However for Season 3, they took the recommendation to coronary heart, adjusted a lot of it, and a few patches have already been launched…
Individuals are much more happy. Not totally. However much more happy. We really feel it as we play it. It’s in a very good place. I find it irresistible.
Cuddle_Core’s profession past the stage
ESI: What are your targets with Tekken proper now?
Cuddle_Core: Proceed to be an excellent constant professional participant. Proceed to push previous the targets I’ve had previously. Proceed to get Prime 8 placements. Medals and trophies, proceed to get them. I need even extra. I’ve psychological targets with competing as nicely. That’s an enormous a part of the sport.
And I need to pour into my crafts – content material creation, internet hosting, collaborating, sharing my love of combating video games. Feeding all these components of my model as a result of they’re all me. That’s what I’ve been specializing in. That’s what I need.
ESI: That’s superb that you simply have been capable of finding different avenues within the FGC house. I really feel there’s loads of wrestle within the FGC because of the lack of cash, and it’s arduous to make a full-time profession out of it. However you probably did it.
Cuddle_Core: There is a wrestle constructing a profession within the combating sport house. I seen that early on, once I first obtained signed to Equinox. I noticed, once I labored with them, I had loads of alternatives to do various things, not simply deal with enjoying.
Enjoying isn’t sufficient. I really like enjoying, however how can I diversify my model? I generally is a phenomenal participant, however what else?
I turned actually good at commentating, public talking, teaching… Letting these components of my character out. Exhibiting these components. You solely get a sure a part of me once I’m on the stage. You’ll see the hearth, mm, the eagerness. However that’s not the one factor I need to be proven. I need that to exist outdoors of enjoying.
I’ve documented every little thing I’ve achieved – each a part of it – on social media. I’ve constructed it up for eight years. Over time, I stored getting alternatives. I couldn’t depend on this house to do it for me. They’ve their very own narrative about ladies, black ladies… I simply need to create my personal story of who I’m and what that is. I’m an expert. Why wouldn’t you need to work with me? I constructed that narrative for myself.
You’ll be able to’t anticipate the house to try this, to construct me up, to hype you up. That’s how I realized as a businesswoman. Don’t restrict your self. Don’t pigeonhole your self to 1 ability, one house.
ESI: It’s nice to listen to you discuss public talking and different life-long expertise you bought from esports, since so many individuals are fast to dismiss it as not an actual profession, nothing greater than an informal interest.
Cuddle_Core: Sure, precisely. You get loads of long-term expertise. We have been speaking about grassroots earlier, and, as nice because it was, I needed extra professionalism. I respect grassroots for what it’s and assist grassroots, however as an expert, I needed to pivot my profession in direction of esports. I needed a profession that sustained me.
ESI: Esports World Cup has been a little bit of a controversial subject within the FGC. Extra titles are heading there and there are large prizes at stake. How do you are feeling about that being a brand new a part of the scene?
Cuddle_Core: I by no means competed at EWC. But when I did, if the chance introduced itself, I don’t know. I don’t know what that appears like. As a competitor, I would compete. I’m doing it for me. However I don’t know if that’s easy. I don’t have a full reply for you.
ESI: Yeah, it’s robust. Like, the place do you draw the road? As a result of Evo is owned by a Saudi Arabian firm, too. The place are you able to compete?
What do you need to say about your profession, your targets, and the rest that’s in your thoughts after discussing the state of the FGC?
Cuddle_Core: My largest recommendation to anyone making an attempt to construct a profession in gaming, particularly a distinct segment class like combating video games: Don’t look ahead to the validation of others. Know your self-worth. It’s what you concentrate on your self.
It’s not in regards to the final win or loss you had. These don’t outline you. Should you can respect your self outdoors the sport, I actually suppose it carries you very far as an expert and as an individual. Enjoying is nice, nevertheless it’s not nearly enjoying. It’s the way you converse, carry your self, deal with others, and pour your passions into different issues.
It makes you a well-rounded particular person, and also you’ll be stunned by the doorways that open for you whenever you exist past the realm of being on stage.
