During the EGX Arena 2023 tournament on October 15, a group of oil protestors interrupted a Tekken 7 match between two top British players. The activists vandalized the gaming setups with orange paint, causing a major disturbance. Despite their intentions to raise awareness about environmental issues, their actions were met with criticism and condemnation from the gaming community.
Activists Target Gaming Event to Promote Environmental Cause
Supporters of the controversial environmentalist group, Just Stop Oil, took advantage of the EGX Arena 2023 tournament to draw attention to their cause. The group opposes new fossil fuel licensing and production agreements in the UK and used the gaming event as a platform to voice their concerns. However, their disruptive tactics and vandalism overshadowed their message and received backlash from both gamers and the wider public.
Protestors Arrested for Criminal Damage
The three individuals responsible for the disruption were swiftly apprehended by local police and arrested for criminal damage. They had slathered orange paint on the monitors of the players, Hasan “JoKa” Rehman and Kane “KaneAndTrench” Heartfield. Additionally, one activist used a Super Soaker to shoot more paint onto the gaming setups. The presence of the water gun raised questions about event security and how such items were allowed into the venue.
Just Stop Oil’s Message and Motivation
Just Stop Oil stated that their intention was to highlight the urgent need to address climate change and the detrimental effects of carbon emissions. They argued that video games provide an escape from reality but warned that the real world consequences of climate change are dire. The group called for unity and civil resistance against new oil and gas projects, emphasizing the importance of using gaming skills to tackle real-world challenges.
Mixed Reception and Controversy
Despite sharing concerns about climate change, Just Stop Oil’s disruptive methods of protest have garnered a mixed reputation. Many people agree with their message but criticize their choice to interrupt a gaming event and vandalize personal equipment. The fighting game community (FGC) expressed their displeasure at having their event disrupted and condemned the activists’ actions as disrespectful. Just Stop Oil’s approach has also been criticized for targeting a community that is already sympathetic to their cause instead of focusing on larger corporations.
Impact on Gaming Community and Climate Change Efforts
The gaming industry widely supports efforts to combat climate change and promote decarbonization. Many younger players are actively engaged in environmental causes. However, using FGC events, which are typically grassroots and independent, to promote their message has turned some people away from supporting Just Stop Oil’s cause. The disruption at the EGX Arena 2023 tournament has sparked a debate about the effectiveness of such tactics and the importance of considering the impact on the communities they target.
Tournament Conclusion
Despite the disruption, the Tekken 7 tournament at EGX Arena 2023 continued. Hasan “JoKa” Rehman emerged as the winner, defeating Richie “Ayorichie” Olusanya with a score of 3-1. JoKa claimed a prize of $3,647.39 and earned 300 points for the Tekken UK-Ireland Championship circuit.
| Player | Score |
|---|---|
| Hasan “JoKa” Rehman | 3 |
| Richie “Ayorichie” Olusanya | 1 |
Source: DOTESPORTS
