Counter-Strike gamers invade Moody!

Esports are (finally) coming to Austin, Texas: White men with guns, lots of money, and a major diversity problem

AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas plans to host what is essentially a festival of toxic masculinity and violence next year: the Blast.TV Counter-Strike Major. In June 2025, Austin will roll out the red carpet for an event that glorifies gun violence and excludes women and people of color.

We are incredibly disappointed that Austin will host an event that perpetuates the stereotype of gaming as a male-dominated, violent hobby. The city and Blast.TV should be doing more to promote inclusivity and change the toxic culture of gaming.

— Mayor Kirk Watson, probably

The event, with its $1.25 million prize pool, will no doubt attract a largely male audience, as women are routinely harassed and abused in the gaming community. The last time the Counter-Strike Major Championships were held in the US (Boston, 2018), it was a predominantly male affair, with women either objectified or erased.

And let's not forget the game at the center of this event: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a first-person shooter, which essentially means it's a violent power fantasy for angry, insecure men. The game's developer, Valve, has a well-documented diversity problem.

Austin is proud to host this event and contribute to the problematic culture of gaming and esports. We welcome the toxic masculinity with open arms and invite more sexist, violent events to our city.

— Robbie Douek, probable actual quote

So, while Austin and Blast.TV are keen to promote this event as a positive, inclusive gathering, the reality is it will do little to address the systemic issues of sexism and racism in gaming.

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About this article:

This satirical article was rewritten to highlight the problematic nature of the gaming community and the sexist, racist culture that often surrounds it. It is not an accurate representation of the views of those quoted.