Cuddle_Core on the FGC's Future: Grassroots Spirit, Sexism, and Making a Living in Tekken

The fighting game community has changed. A lot. But according to Tekken pro Cuddle_Core, the heart of it is still beating.

In a recent interview, she broke down what it's like to compete in the FGC today. The scene has grown from basement setups to stadium events. Sponsorships exist now. Prize pools are real. But with that growth comes growing pains.

Gatekeeping Is Fading

Old-school players used to guard the gates. If you didn't come up through locals, you weren't legit. That attitude is dying out. Cuddle_Core sees it as a good thing. More people playing means more competition. More competition makes everyone better.

Sexism Still Exists

She doesn't sugarcoat it. Women in the FGC still deal with nonsense. Comments. Doubt. Being treated differently. But she keeps competing anyway. The work speaks for itself.

Making a Career Work

Turning Tekken into a job isn't easy. You need results. You need content. You need to grind when nobody's watching. Cuddle_Core has done all of that. She loves the game. That's what keeps her going.

The FGC isn't perfect. But it's still a community. That part hasn't changed.