Normally I'm a "talk about stuff you like, not stuff you don't like" kinda person, but I put that rule on pause when I think something is harmful, so I just wanna real quick mention why I think that "Gamer Girl" thing is so damaging. https://twitter.com/Slasher/status/1284144628661460992

There's a growing problem in the field of online "personalities" (like streamers, youtubers, etc.) with regards to parasocial relationships. The accessibility of the genre means that viewers are made to feel like they have a personal relationship with the entertainer.

In reality, this "relationship" is mostly one-sided. This leads to a disconnect in which viewers can often feel inappropriately entitled to and informed on the streamer's life. Basically, they think they know the streamer more than they actually do. It's very invasive.

This game is founded on the idea that as a moderator, YOU are in control. You "make choices together" with the streamer. You "become part of her life." You "choose the story." It perpetuates this idea that by modding or chatting or being involved, you're forming a relationship.

There are real cases of obsessed fans stalking and even attacking streamers and/or their partners. A not insignificant number of internet celebrities have had fans show up at their houses, thinking they have a relationship with them. This is not theoretical. This is dangerous.

This game claims to be shedding light on issues of harassment in the streaming community, but it does so by building the entire game around the concept of putting all the power over the streamer's life into the hands of a moderator. This entire game concept reinforces this shit.

If you mod for a streamer, you are not her guardian. You are not in charge of deciding whether or not she's in a healthy relationship. This white knight fantasy of rescuing the pretty gamer girl from her abusive boyfriend is DANGEROUS. I pray this game isn't actually released.

A few people are trying to "gotcha" feminist critiques of the game by pointing out that it was co-written by a woman, so I also want to gently remind y'all that being feminist doesn't mean supporting anything any woman says or does. Women can and do perpetuate misogyny.