Part 6/9:
Ryan contends that the purpose of tea bagging is to tell an opponent “you’re trash,” and it’s a valid part of the game’s expressive toolkit. Removing it would be akin to sanitizing the game environment to the point of devoiding it of personality and fun.
The Downside and the Broader Culture War
While acknowledging that some players may react with anger or rage, Ryan warns of the potential downsides. When players get too fixated on revenge or retaliate predictably, they may lose focus, making gameplay less dynamic. He also suggests that the desire to erase all forms of disrespect might lead to a less genuine, more sanitized form of gaming—something inherently hostile to gaming culture’s competitive roots.