FGC Veteran James Chen talks to us about the FGC’s growth, gender equality, SFV’s current state, and more.

Like most of us, James Chen is very excited for the growth of FGC esports. Particularly, he’s proud of its growth in the unique capacity in which it's developed.

Unlike some other esports, the fighting game community has risen up almost entirely from grassroots origins. Typically unassisted by a parent company, the growth has been self-sufficient; where it lacks in infrastructure stability, it’s free from the shackles that come with non-grassroots growth.

“It’s like seeing your child grow up and be a success,” James Chen stated when looking at where EVO and other fighting game events are now compared to several years prior. Additionally, he reflects on his favorite iteration of Street Fighter, Street Fighter II Turbo, and how, flawed as it is, Street Fighter V has brought back the heavy damage, heavy offensive option nature he’s used to. “The actual fighting is good, everything else is bad!”

James Chen dreams of a time where people in the FGC can make a comfortable living doing what they love. However, he acknowledges that we can’t rush there, and slow and steady wins the race.

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Interview by Adam Baugh