Support artists; be horny

In a surprising thought process concluding with levity this week, I recently heard about the Street Fighter 6 Swimsuit costumes coming to the game, in what’s sure to be a popular move with a lot of the player base. Obviously, these are all going to be optional costumes for a number of the combatants, and players will be able to fork over some cash for some brand new alternatives in the realm of revealing style to rock the battlefield while looking ready for the summer season.

I think there’s likely an easy knee-jerk reaction one could have to this kind of thing, rolling one’s eyes at the thought of going for the lowest common denominator, and relying heavily on the notion of “sex sells” to make a quick buck. But as I further considered pondering on the matter, I tried to look for some silver lining here amidst the rippling muscles and exposed skin that was designed to titillate the masses: gamers libidos translate to job security.

So while it would be easy to dismiss the notion this is some cheap cash grab, and i’m not not saying that it isn’t, when one considers the budding costs of development, the insane turn around time for new content, shuttering studios for not hitting projected bottom lines, and the instability within the industry at a point of turmoil with developers losing their jobs left and right, stuff like swimsuit add-ons have a surprisingly awesome silver lining effect attached to them, in helping to leverage the power of horniness from gooners the industry over to help support artists, developers, and people within the industry stay afloat.

While it may all be anecdotal, I know the times I’ve had friends who were artists and read about others online who were trying o solidify themselves as creatives through commission work, it was a common theme that ran throughout that they could *always* rely on people who would pay them top dollar for some incredibly detailed art that satisfied some of their more rambunctious libidos, and easily filling a void that would be considered a thirst trap to any onlookers involved.

But you know what? It was a win/win situation. The artists got recognized and paid for their talents, the fans who supported them felt vindicated and rewarded for their continued investment in an artistic property they loved, and the whole economic cycle based on the love of creativity and a share community of devoted individuals lived to see another day.

So, while there is plenty of room for more thoughtful discussions involving media with a greater approach to content contingent on intelligent nuance, and the vitality involved in strengthening the medium as a result, alongside conversations about equality and equity about the portrayal of said characters still taking place, while also pushing forth a general yearning in helping to elevate what many consider one of the most complex art forms of our modern day via insightful exchange, at the end of the day, there’s also plenty of room for shying away from puritanical standards and the idea of reinforcing repressive pearl clutching reactionaries by simply acknowledging there is also time for some good old fashion gooning and a general sense of horniness that keeps the whole financial ball rolling.

In a world big enough to accommodate both the brain and body, why not take the time to celebrate both?

~Pashford