For as long as there is an icon in the top right corner of every character showing the logo of the series a character is from, there will be "representatives." Trying to pay lip service to "oh every character from x series could be unique and bring something new to the table" isn't going to change the fact that there's no way in hell Blanka was going to get in from Ryu from Street Fighter.
It's pointless to argue that a joke character like Yoshimitsu would not only represent a series with 3 popular primary characters but ALSO another series with its own mascot character.
I agree with what you’re saying, especially with Blanka never getting in over Ryu. I’d never argue that gameplay would put aside character in over a front runner, and frankly, I never have argued that. Frankly, gameplay simply matters from “what can this character do that other Smash fighters, or characters from
other series can’t, how big is the series, who is the lead, how does that all work together...?”
“Reps” mentality leads to people saying, “Ah yes, Zelda needs a
rep”, “Kirby needs a
4th rep”, “Fire Emblem has
too many reps, so we should cut half of them”, as if simply “repping” a series is all that matters which is absolutely not the case
Rep mentality was huge during Wii U, and it still kinda sorta maybe has stuck around. Folks think a series like Fire Emblem shouldn’t have as many characters as it does based on the size of the series, and it’s not even considered whether or not:
1) The base move set works, and is enjoyable for a wide variety of fans
2) move set variety, as despite similar move sets, none of the Fire Emblem characters play the same for example
3) popular demand is being met, or if marketing is being followed
4) time restraints, echo fighter potential
5) worst of all, what needs a rep and what shouldn’t get more/get cuts is entirely arbitrary and based on the fans interests, which in terms of the Smash fan base is high Nintendo interest, which is expected, but then in a good amount of “speculation” fans, anti-3rd party. The latter group isn’t nearly as big as it seems though. (Though, it’s entirely different when a fan outlines reasons why their character should be in and supports it. Some folks don’t, and just say their favorite series “needs a rep”. That’s the weak stuff.)
You could say that “reps” is just short for “representatives”, but when I see it used it’s just as if it’s like, “add a character because I think it needs one”.
I have no real issue with saying a character “represents a series”. Because, as I said and acknowledged originally, of course they do. But there’s so much more to it than being simply a “rep”, that the usage of the word is frustrating to me.
At least it’s better than it was during Wii U/3DS days. Yikes.
long lost cousine or somethin'.
