Smash players complain about competitors’ bad smell

There is a well-known stereotype in the world of competitive games: Super Smash Bros players do not shower, and tend to attend events/tournaments smelling intensely.

Of course this is not a general rule, and event organizers estimate that only 5% of participants fit this profile… But if one person does not shower all week and enters an enclosed space, it is easy to assume that several people in the room are contributing to the terrible odor. The most recent case was at a reasonably large regional tournament held in a hotel in Pennsylvania, United States. All participants were staying there and had access to showers and soap in their rooms, but even so some newcomers were shocked (and complained) at suffering during matches because of some individuals’ unbearable smell. The discussion was reignited when one of the newcomers sent his account complaining about the situation to Kotaku.

The stigma is not new in this circle. For years there have been discussions among professional players attacking competitors with personal hygiene problems – a recurring fact that has been repeating for over a decade. Some organizers have been considering disqualifying participants at events who show total disregard for hygiene and for the well-being of others.

To close, we would like to point out that signs like this one are posted on the doors of several stores that used to host Magic: The Gathering tournaments:

Participants in this event are expected to follow normal standards of personal care. You may be asked to leave if you or your clothes have an odor offensive to other players. (Seriously, we shouldn’t have to say this)