Are Pro Players Obligated To Play Sets With "Randoms" That Hit Them Up?

NO ONE HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO PLAY ANY SETS. AT ALL.
Some drama erupted in the FGC (surprise...) when UMISHO made a couple of Tweets about palying sets with random people jumping into her DMs. It sparked a debate discussing what the responsibilities and expectations of top players are when it comes to playing newer players and giving them chances to fight against you. As usual, the topic is a lot more complex than people think. And James tackles it head on.
== TIME STAMPS ==
0:00:00 Intro
0:05:25 Both Sides Are Actually Correct
0:08:40 Emotional Tweeting
0:11:15 We Have No Infrastructure To Help
0:14:13 Empathy Empathy Empathy
0:16:41 Are Top Players Responsible To Help Beginners?
0:20:13 Offline Vs. Online
0:22:24 There Is ZERO Obligation To Play Sets
0:25:14 Interacting With Fans IS Important
0:29:22 This Is A Very Delicate Topic
0:34:03 FGs Pride Themselves On Accessibility Of Pros
0:37:17 Commentators' Role As Conduit
0:39:38 So Many Pros Are YOUNG
0:42:39 MvC2 Was A Different Beast, Man... LOL!
0:45:59 Introverts In Public
0:49:47 Different Folks, Different Strokes
0:53:13 Trash Talking
0:57:29 Learning What Is A Problem With Yourself
1:02:52 FGC Soft? A Preview
1:03:43 Closing Thoughts
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[@Mage_Nichlas_]

I just wanna say that the couple times I've caught you in the Battle Hub and had a set with you were very enjoyable, even if I got absolutely clapped. I always feel like I'm not offering enough to you when I get a set but I am absolutely grateful that you will accept my mute challenge and run the full set(regardless of it always being 2-0). I also love when people like you just heart my comments or even respond to me and I make sure to screenshot them since I haven't gone to events. Looking forward to when I can see y'all in person and maybe chat or get a picture. Keep rocking it James. You're awesome.

[@UltraChenTV]

Dude. If we’ve run into each other in Battle Hub, I’m surprised it only goes 2-0. I typically play anyone who is willing to rematch to things like ft10. Hahaha. I like helping people try to learn. ^_^ But glad your interactions with me have been positive and thanks for letting me know. You brought a smile to my face today. ^_^

[@michaelnau3815]

I don't think i've ever encountered any "known" players in the HUB but, I'm always grateful too whenever someone obviously waaaaaaaaay better than me, keeps going on and goes all the way to the 10+ matches until someone eventually takes on the winner and I'm out. I remember one time, I got beaten 10-0 by a Dalhsim player, then fought a Blanka who was leading 3-1. I won the fifth match just when the Dalhsim player took on the winner. I was sorry for the Blanka player and, lucky me, I won the Dalhsim player who didn't get a revenge because Blanka came back too. They eventually beat me clean (like, of course) and I felt forced to write they were awesome and obviously better than me in the chatbox.

[@joshuajenkins5044]

I chatted with James at Texas Showdown last year and we commiserated about grapplers 😂 I told him "I think Snake Eyez might actually go all the way" and James said "Shhhh! You'll Jinx it!" A great memory.

[@Cloudstrifehy3]

There is a right answer, nobody is owed your time period, yes they can be a fan or subscriber but they are not owed your time cause they subscribe to your channel. you don't go up to lebron ask to run some 1 v 1's then get mad if he declines, you can be be dissapointed you may no longer be a fan but you are not owed his time cause you bought a jersey or watched a Game.

[@UltraChenTV]

Yup. I love definitely said no one is entitled to play sets with anyone. But as a person trying to build a community, I would encourage people to try and help beginners. But people are wrong if they think people are OBLIGATED to do it. However, a community and a scene cannot grow without that. But it must be voluntary. I do what I can to grow the scene and I will always try to be open and available to people… but that’s MY choice. No one else has to do it. But it needs to exist for a scene to thrive. That’s all it means when I say the non-Umisho side is also right. We do need people who are willing to do it, I would encourage it, but I will NEVER EVER demand it out of anyone.

[@QuincyEarlJones]

Sympathy is the ability to understand how it feels for you to walk in someone else's shoes .Empathy is the ability to understand how someone else feels walking in their own damn shoes.

[@luibee2338]

nice stories and all. everything is very attractive in this episode. Keep up JChensor.

[@matthewsmith9162]

Commenting to help boost the channel. Great podcast guy :)

[@terrysalt]

No matter how much people say they wouldn't mind, there is no way I would ever approach someone (either IRL or in DMs) that didn't know me. No matter how much of a fan I am of their work. I know that this is an entirely one-sided relationship and that the person I'm a fan of neither knows nor cares who I am. The only exception would be if there was an event specifically designated for that person to interact with fans. So I was fine to wait in line to get a book signed by Terry Pratchett when he was alive because that was the whole reason he was there. But I wouldn't have bothered him if he was just walking around in public.

[@starzriser9700]

Only very few actual human beings show empathy, especiallly these days. James always tries to understand both sides, this isnt the first time and certainely not the last xD Its one of the reasons I appreciate him for who he is. We need more people like him ❤ and Im not a blind fanboy (im 40 yrs old lol), its just ne truth. James you are not nobody lol You are actually somebody worth loving and fighting for. I might not writte comments in every video, but Ive veen following you for years. Its just... I feel nice and causy when watching/hearing you. Always love when you comment SF matches. People are lucky to have you at their side. God bless you and I wish you the best. I will never meet you and never dm you lol But my thoughts and heart are with you. Chill bro, just realize you are a cool wise lovable human being ❤ Cheers from old France lol 😊 YeahI feel you.. I struggle everday. I know how you feel cause I feel the same. Im breathing, sure, but I dont feel alive anymore. Cant even remember the last time I felt okish... Its getting worse everyday. But at least you have things to look up for. Hold ob to that bro ❤ I hope we ll meet on the other side.

[@aaym2224]

I like your approach, very balanced but also empathetic and understanding. It feels like people somehow want to be negative on social media in the FGC. it rarely feels like anyone is trying to meet people in the middle. what happened to trying to see the good in people? it's not like any of these players or personalities are saying genuinely hateful or overly political statements. I can't think of a figure in the FGC all things considered outside of maybe a couple exceptions that deserve actual exclusion or hate.

[@misterkeebler]

That initial tweet was just asking for trouble with the wording lol (social media interpretation/context), but the followup was good. Either way, a person shouldnt be expected to spend time out of their day to help the community get good simply because they became a top player. It might just be a ft3 for that one person, but even just a handful asking for similar treatment can turn into a lengthy session. And unlike an offline event that eventually ends when you leave the venue or fly home, online DMs are always open and it's always 5 o'clock somewhere, so to speak. As far as getting good, it's fun to run sets with your favorite players, but 99% of the time a person would truly get more improvement finding one or more people somewhere around their skill level and helping each other level up over the long term. And you'll likely make actual friends that way too...having legit friends to play fighting games with is wayyyyyyyyy more fun than Ranked or Casual Matchmaking could ever be. Even a ft20 with Daigo spending a saturday afternoon kicking your butt is only going to help so much in comparison to having a consistent training buddy or group. And if anyone can afford to go to locals or even a major offline event, that will also be a far better learning experience and enjoyable event compared to an online set with a pro.

[@thepuppetmaster9284]

This is the same as celebrity have the right to say no when some randoms asked them for photos or their signature. So, it's okay if pro players say no when a random asked them to play a set either offline or online.

[@ILOVEPANCAKES2K]

Great video James. Think we should talk. ❤

[@UltraChenTV]

I can't talk with you because you hate waffles. No, I'm joking. LOL! About what in particular? You can also DM me on Twitter if that's easier.

[@ILOVEPANCAKES2K]

@@UltraChenTV lol 🤣🤣🤣

[@ILOVEPANCAKES2K]

@UltraChenTV unfortunately I can't dm on Twitter. ☮️❤️

[@Yeet-ing]

The way it was said is the issue.

[@janematthews9087]

If it's an online set? Fucc off they have better things to do. If you find them sitting down at casuals and just chilling? Ask. If they waffle but don't say no, pull out your wallet and money match them. If they're in the crowd watching games? Pull out your wallet, go money match them. You want their time, they want comp. Just ask and be chill.

[@MG_Gambino]

Without watching the video and just answerig the question. Hell no pros arent obligated. I will say they should do more open lobbies with their chat, if they stream. Hearing where its coming from, its kinda wack but i sort of get it at the same time. I dont know if umisho streams, but yeah, definitely just open a lobby with those following her. That way you do it on your time. Now the personal stuff. I got nothing 😅. All i can say is i was once an introvert (my fam will probably tell you i still am) but im also from the hood and i had to learn real quick growing up in detroit and in a workplace like the auto industry that you better get over it real quick or get walked over and lose your job. So while i can be empathetic, i do have the tough love mentality. What that got to do with anything? No idea 😅😂 Good ol MvC2 days 😂😂. I wasnt around but im probably around the same age as them folks lol "Shit goes down at home by yourself" 😂😂😂. Im not laughing at you. Dont know what part of California youre in, go out. Nature walk. People watch. Go to the park. OR!!!! Punching bag

[@UltraChenTV]

Dude. I’ve wanted a punching bag for quite some time. Hahaha.

[@MG_Gambino]

@@UltraChenTV it works wonders. Even if you can't get a punching bag, try the standing dummies. I can't remember the exact name, but that also helps. Good luck.

[@shaideyfresh1]

Unisho ... mhmm ... 🤔😂

[@666slateran666]

I dont find it a bad take. Pakistani tekken players didnt get good playing randoms online. They went to locals and trained against the best of the best and strengthened their community enough to surpass asia in dominance. As much as I joke about arslan ash the closest he plays to random sets outside of ranked is sonic fox lol.