Twitch Rivals is facing heavy criticism after choosing a cooking-themed game to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Overcooked was chosen by Twitch Rivals to mark International Women’s Day on March 8, but the decision quickly sparked criticism. Many community members, particularly women who regularly face harassment online, said the selection felt tone-deaf and out of touch with the realities they experience in gaming spaces.
Twitch Rivals chooses Overcooked for International Women’s Day
On March 2, Twitch Rivals announced a new event presented by Honda for International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on March 8. However, the selection was not warmly received by the public. Overcooked is a fast-paced party game in which players work together to run a chaotic kitchen, washing dishes and preparing meals. The association between International Women’s Day and a kitchen setting did not sit well with many in the community.
One of the popular comments came from Heather “sapphiRe” Garozzo, a VALORANT Observer and former pro player. “Let us know if you’d like to collab on other titles that maybe better represent women’s empowerment,” she wrote on X. Other users started to question if no one behind the project ever thought about the impact this choice would have.
“You had fighting games, FPS, MOBA, MMO’s, even Minecraft, and yet a cooking game is what you decide to host…” another person wrote. “So no one in your office saw the problem with this idea? Do you even work with women?”
Lucy Pancakes, a streamer and member of the Twitch Women’s Guild, took to X to say that several women had warned the organizers that the choice would be poorly received, but the event moved forward regardless. “Do I feel like this was a blunder? Absolutely. We could have really done something epic. Dominated a male-occupying game. All female Marvel Rivals teams, or BF6, Warzone. Proved that we are more than just casual gamers,” she wrote.
Within just a few hours, the post had already gotten 6.4 million views and 1,300 comments on X.
Twitch Rivals’ response
Following the ongoing backlash, Twitch Rivals provided an answer regarding the game choice for International Women’s Day. “When Overcooked 2 won the Guild vote, Twitch Rivals + the Women’s Guild made a deliberate choice not to let stereotypes dictate what games women should or shouldn’t play,” the post stated.
Why is this choice problematic?
Since the first video games came out, the gaming space has been dominated by male players. Women were often left aside and told that “video games are for the boys.” Over the past few decades, many within the gaming community have pushed for greater equity in the industry, working to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to play, participate, and see themselves reflected in the stories games tell.
However, even today, many women still face online harassment and malicious comments when playing video games. One of the most popular is the “women belong in the kitchen.” That is one of the reasons why choosing Overcooked, a cooking game, ended up being heavily criticized by the community.
While some may not see any ill intent behind the choice, after all, Overcooked is widely regarded as a fun, chaotic party game to enjoy with friends and family, the decision still cast Twitch Rivals in a negative light. For many people, associating a kitchen-themed game with International Women’s Day felt tone-deaf and reinforced stereotypes the community has long worked to dismantle.
The Twitch Rivals response does not diminish the female gamer’s reaction or perspective on the announcement. While the Women’s Guild held a vote and every woman has the right to play whatever they choose, that doesn’t invalidate other women’s feelings about the game selection.
Editor’s note
How you can be better on International Women’s Day
You don’t have to overhaul your life to support equity. It can start with small, meaningful actions such as refusing to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and speaking out against malicious comments. On this upcoming International Women’s Day, be with the women of your life and tell them how important they are.
This is a day to amplify the voices of women in gaming, showcase their contributions, and inspire the next generation of female game developers, designers, industry leaders, and players. Here are some video games that women had a strong hand in creating and developing.
- Animal Crossing (2020) by Aya Kyagoku
- Tomb Raider (2013) and Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016) by Rhianna Pratchett
- Uncharted series (2007) by Amy Henning
- Halo 4 (2012) by Bonnie Ross
- Assassin’s Creed (2007) by Jade Raymond
