Hmmm, I had heard a little bit about the Gamergate movement from random commentary videos, but I had no idea that the conflict between Zoe Quinn and Eron Gjoni was the start of it (Usually most people focus on the Anita Sarkeesian's side of it due to her strong stance on women portrayals in video games). So, if I'm understanding this correctly, Zoe made a game about depression, critics hated it for not being a real video game, and Eron fueled the fire by making fake allegations of them exchanging good reviews for sexual favors? Also, Eron made this allegation with zero evidence?

That's awful. It really is.

Slight tangent before I get to the Froot connection, but Zoe Quinn's game counts as a video game. Video games can have various different formats that are not limited to the usual guns and violence most people associate with the genre. Am I not a "true gamer" for enjoying visual novels since it's just a story told in a click-based adventure? I don't think so. In fact, if I ever created a video game of my own, I might do it in the same way Zoe Quinn did with "choose your own story" text based options. (Is it mainly because I'm familiar with Twinery stories and feel like it's the only way I could make a game by myself? Maybe. But it still counts!) Because I've always thought about videos games in terms of storytelling and how you can immerse yourself in a different world perspective.

I actually decided to check out Zoe Quinn's "Depression Quest." I had been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder over 5 years ago, so I felt like Zoe Quinn's game would resonate with me. And it did. The decisions were pretty relatable, nothing was an over-the-top exaggeration, and it helped me realize just how much my depression affects my every day actions. It's crazy to think that a simple game that creates awareness for a real world issue has so much backlash. And with how much damage Eron caused, Zoe Quinn no longer feels comfort in the gaming community because of all the shit he threw her way.

So, back to the situation with Froot and DeSynchronizer, I wouldn't go so far as to give him credit for copying Eron Gjoni's idea, but it's clear that he is doing everything he can to create a smear campaign against Froot out of some unresolved relationship issues.

And somehow it's still working?

I found the old post from almost a year ago of the 90-page google doc Froot made describing her experiences with her ex-husband (DeSynchronizer). Now, I don't think either of them were perfect and they were both clearly just bad romantic choices for each other. But damn, it's hard to believe she saw anything in him given how misogynistic and homophobic his messages to her were.

But despite this, even just looking at the comments on the Twitter/X post... while the majority of them are supportive comments that appreciate her for sharing her story, there's an abnormal amount of comments that are calling her all sorts of terrible things. (Bitch, whore, cheater, etc.) And for what? Because she cheated on her military husband while he was overseas despite how much he verbally abused her and made her feel like shit? Is she supposed to stay in an unhappy relationship with him just because he's a soldier to the nation? Nah, life's too short for that... even for an undead lich.

The stories of both Froot and Zoe Quinn are examples of how false allegations born from unhappy relationships can tarnish someone's image. The worst part about it is that both of them have distanced themselves from the internet because of the harassment. Very often we see how one allegation can lead to a person's downfall, regardless of if it is true or not.

It causes people to make up their minds about a person and condemn them for life without the possibility of redemption.

I understand how people can be lost in the sauce and follow a hate crowd to feel justified in their own ways of thinking. Sometimes they want to belong to a group, sometimes they want their own echo chamber, sometimes they're just following the crowd that's popular.

But, to me, I think it would be better if people took time to listen to views they disagree with in the hopes that they would understand where the other side is coming from. Push sentimentality aside and look at the facts, then make their view from that. Because hating just to hate doesn't really create anything good.

Anyways, thank you Anon for the ask! I'm sorry I tend to go on a long rant about my thoughts when you send me these messages, but you really have me thinking and reflecting whenever you stop by. I really appreciate that about you! 😊

And I hope that, if she decides she wants to return, Froot comes back from her hiatus soon. When she does, be sure to give her a warm welcome and tons of support! 💚