So here in part 2 of the GSP we will talk about how the increase in online gaming, and all of it’s ramifications, both good and bad are changing the way we are. I would like to first draw attention to the side of gamers, that I personally loath with every iota of my being.
It would certainly appear that with the advent of online games, there is a startlingly high amount of people who regularly report abuse. Most of it is verbal, but that makes it no less concerning. The amount of blatant hate on display forces us to ask, is this social convention, one we have brought on ourselves by so readily accepting online gaming?
Why is it considered acceptable to verbally assault anyone considered “not normal”?
I’ve observed that the majority of people who are likely to act abusive are those who fall into the category of gamers that would rather have another round than meet other people. Although still not fully researched my current consensus is that their isolation has bred a certain type of contempt that matures over time in the mind of people who do not broaden their horizons and consider acceptance as being preferable to hatred. So if things happen to be going poorly in a game, they will resort to screaming slurs and insults down their headsets, be it racial or homophobic or any other number of aggressive terms. They do this, because they are well aware of the fact that they can enjoy a measure of anonymity in the virtual space. Chances are if they where to voice these words in public they would not remain healthy for very long.
As with many things, there is often an exception that proves the rule. So with abusive players, the same must be true for the polar opposite? very much so. I myself and thankfully my friends are all very pleasant gamers. Being from various journalistic backgrounds we view other peoples lifestyles and choices quite diplomatically. And if we don’t like or agree with something someone does or says, then we simply say so and ask that they not do it or say it again. Sure, we encounter a good deal of people who persist in being jerks, so we then kick them and report them. It’s considered “over the top” to report people whenever they make offensive remarks, but frankly they are not welcome, and if I had my way I would ensure they never got online again.
There is also a common misconception, that male players treat female players with universal disrespect. I would like to highlight the fact that every time I take part in a match with anyone, regardless of gender, the most I will say will be warnings to other players about enemy placement or congratulate them on good kills. But whenever I’m in a game and anyone begins to question someone gender, I instantly ask them to drop the subject.
It would seem that the anonymity that comes with online game stirs up an ugly side of people, where they will say things that they would never dare say. Once again this can be traced back to the fact that an idol mind is easily corrupted, and a mind that is only being used to game is a very idol one indeed.
It may be a somewhat Luddite view, but in this sense, the Internet and gaming do seem to have fundamentally negative effects on people that there is nothing we can really do to change. If we look at people who isolate themselves willingly just to play online games, and people who are perhaps forced to remain indoors you would expect to see similarities. But strangely enough we don’t. I myself have a walking stick and a limp so I restrict my walking to going to work and social events. But I remain a pleasant and thoughtful person. So while I spend a lot of time playing online games I also make sure that I don’t ruin other peoples fun. I think that people who choose to stay on their own to game online begin to change their thought process due to lack of stimulation, thus causing them to revert to crude insults when they lose, or are questioned. This childish behaviour can only be stopped by taking action against it, so next time, take five minutes of your time and report the individuals to ensure a better gaming future in your virtual space of choice.
In the final part of the GSP we will look at how the future of online gaming is going to be completely different from how we know it now. Take care folks.
0 Comments