Fortnite Streamer Ninja Explains Why He Doesn’t Play With Female Gamers
The hugely successful Fortnite streamer Ninja, otherwise known by his real name of Tyler Blevins, has earned widespread online fame and popularity thanks to his regular Fortnite streams. He has also attracted attention for streaming with other well-known figures, including, famously, the musician Drake. Now, he has explained in a recent interview with Polygon why he doesn’t stream with female gamers.
Why Ninja Doesn’t Stream With Female Gamers
At first glance, and considering the sort of toxicity that unfortunately exists online, it might seem sexist to refuse to stream with female gamers. However, Ninja has a very well-thought-out reason for his policy. “I don’t play with female gamers,” he explained to Polygon; “if I have one conversation with one female streamer where we’re playing with one another, and even if there’s a hint of flirting, that is going to be taken and going to be put on every single video and clickbait forever.”
It makes sense. Gaming, and especially online streaming, has seen an explosion in popularity in recent years. At the same time, there’s been an explosion in the amount of media attention focusing on leading streamers. While plenty of that media is positive, a lot of it is not; there are plenty of less-than-reputable websites and individuals looking to spread misinformation for clickbait headlines. In a similar manner to tabloid-driven celebrity culture, many top gamers are now subject to the same sort of over-the-top scrutiny.
Ninja Wants to Avoid Harming his Existing Relationship
Blevins is, of course, also married. Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t want any misleading rumors circulating about himself online that could cause harm to his marital relationship. He isn’t merely being paranoid either; there is evidence of this sort of thing occurring. Polygon notes another well-known Twitch streamer, Ali Kabbani (who goes by “Myth”), who streamed alongside Imane Anys (“Pokimane”). After the stream, rumors of a relationship between the two exploded online, purely because they had streamed together. “The only way to avoid that [gossip],” explains Ninja; “is to not play with them at all.”
Blevins notes that he hasn’t received any criticism from other female streamers for his policy; “There hasn’t been a single female gamer or streamer on Twitch or anything like that who’s been upset by that,” he stated to Polygon; “I honestly think that […] it’s just kinda like a respect thing.”