Online Multiplayer Videogames: A Haven for Toxic Behavior?

Why does it get so bad?

Online multiplayer videogames have become an incredibly popular form of entertainment and social interaction in recent years. These games allow players from all over the world to connect and compete with one another in virtual arenas. While this can be a great source of enjoyment and camaraderie, it can also be a breeding ground for toxic behavior based on race and gender. Discrimination and harassment based on #race and #gender are unfortunately all too common in the world of online gaming. Players of certain races and genders are often the targets of hateful and abusive language and are sometimes even bullied and harassed by their fellow players. This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable, and it has no place in the gaming community.

The problem of race and gender #toxicity in online gaming is particularly troubling because it goes against the very nature of these games. These games are supposed to be fun and inclusive, and they should be a place where everyone can enjoy themselves and compete on an equal footing. Instead, they are often marred by #bigotry and #discrimination, which can make them a hostile and unwelcoming environment for certain players. This is commonly referred to as online disinhibition mainly found on social media platforms where authors of posts or replies can hide behind their keyboards.

What is Online Disinhibition?

Online disinhibition is a phenomenon that occurs when individuals feel more comfortable expressing their thoughts and emotions online compared to in-person interactions. This can sometimes lead to toxicity in online multiplayer video gaming, where players may feel more comfortable engaging in harmful or negative behavior towards others. This can include things like harassment, bullying, or other forms of aggression. Toxicity in online gaming can have serious consequences, both for the individuals involved and for the gaming community as a whole. It can create a negative and unwelcoming environment for players, leading to less enjoyment and potentially even causing some players to stop playing altogether. It can also lead to a breakdown of social norms and an increase in hostile behavior, making the gaming experience less enjoyable for everyone.

How do we fix this problem?

So what can be done to address this problem? The first step is for the gaming community to recognize that it exists and to take a stand against it. Players, developers, and industry leaders must all work together to create a culture of inclusion and respect within the gaming world. This can be done through initiatives such as creating stricter codes of conduct for players, providing better tools for reporting and addressing toxic behavior, and promoting diversity and inclusion in the development and marketing of games.

To combat toxicity in online gaming, it is important for both game developers and players to take steps to promote positive and respectful behavior. This can include implementing in-game reporting systems and consequences for toxic behavior, as well as fostering a sense of community and inclusion within the gaming community. By working together, we can create a more positive and enjoyable gaming experience for all players.

The key to solving the problem of race and gender toxicity in online gaming is to make it clear that this kind of behavior is not acceptable. We must all work together to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of their race or gender. By doing so, we can ensure that online gaming is a space where everyone can have fun and be treated with respect.

What can publishers do?

One of the ways that game developers can address the problem of race and gender toxicity in online gaming is by designing avatars and videogame characters that are less over-sexualized versions of women. Far too often, female characters in games are depicted in highly sexualized and objectified ways, which can contribute to the toxic attitudes that some players hold towards women. By creating more nuanced and realistic representations of women in games, developers can help to challenge these harmful stereotypes and promote a more respectful and inclusive culture within the gaming community.

In addition to designing less sexualized avatars, game developers can also make their games more inclusive by giving players more choices when it comes to their characters' race, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, disabilities, and age. This can be done by providing a wider range of body types, facial features, body deformities, handicaps, and skin tones for players to choose from. By offering players a greater variety of characters to choose from, developers can help to ensure that everyone feels represented and included in the game.

Furthermore, game developers can also incorporate more diverse and inclusive narratives into their games. This can include storylines that address issues such as racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination and oppression, and that showcase a range of different perspectives and experiences. By doing so, developers can help to promote a more inclusive and respectful culture within the gaming community, and can provide players with a more engaging and meaningful gaming experience.

What can I do?

There are several things that gamers can do to combat toxicity in online gaming. One way is to be an #ally to femme gamers or racial minorities who face toxicity. This can include standing up for them and calling out toxic behavior when you see it. Another way is to report toxic players to the game developers and use in-game tools to report and block them. Additionally, you can join forces with other like-minded gamers to create a positive and inclusive community within the game. By working together, we can create a more enjoyable and respectful gaming experience for everyone.

#endracism #endgenderdiscrimination #gamingforall