The Unveiling of Susan Banks
A recent thorough investigation by IGN has raised profound questions regarding the existence of Susan Banks, a highly-regarded advocate for accessibility in video games. According to the report, Susan Banks, who co-founded the website ‘Can I Play That?’ in 2018, may never have existed at all. Instead, it seems she might have been a creation by her supposed romantic partner, Coty Craven.
A Brief Rise to Fame
Banks first emerged under the alias ‘One Odd Gamer Girl’ in 2015 and soon became a notable figure in the disabled gamer community. In 2018, she was interviewed by AbleGamers, a leading site on video game accessibility. Following her reportedly tragic death in 2019, AbleGamers published a tribute, commemorating her as an ‘amazing ally’ and a ‘brilliant light in the fight for accessibility.’ However, five years post her supposed demise, IGN’s investigation has revealed a shocking lack of evidence supporting her existence.
Damning Evidence and Inconsistencies
The most compelling claim comes from a source that hired a private investigator to confirm Banks’ existence prior to her death. The investigator found no immigration records, employment history, an address, or even a birth certificate—nothing that demonstrated Banks was a real person. All interactions reportedly occurred online, conducted through email or Twitter DMs, mediated by Craven. Steven Spohn from AbleGamers confirmed he never had direct contact with Banks, which he hadn’t found suspicious at the time.
A Web of Deception?
The investigation delves into other peculiarities surrounding Banks and Craven. For instance, the 2021 Game Accessibility Conference presented an award named after Banks, which was later renamed when Craven, upon confronting mental health issues, requested her name be removed. This award remains one of many oddities linked to this saga. Subsequently, Craven’s social media presence and website have been largely erased.
The entire scenario remains perplexing, spotlighting a complex and potentially decade-long deception, apparently driven by the pursuit of clout. While the truth remains technically unverified, this riveting piece of investigative journalism by IGN opens a thought-provoking dialogue about identity, trust, and the extent individuals may go for recognition within the digital space. For a detailed read, find the full report on IGN.