I wanted to start this discussion by saying "yes, I'm that kind of gamer" but then I realised that's a very vague statement. I'm not a causal gamer (though form the record I do not believe there is anything wrong with casuals, at all). I'm hardcore. I have more video games than friends and family, which is probably a good thing considering I am, generally, socially inept. I'm the kind of gamer who racks up a thousand hour Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion save without doing the main story. In my defence, I had a thesis to write and Oblivion was my procrastination method of choice.
From my earlier work on this site, you may have guessed I was a PC gamer as a child. As I grew older, I gravitated to consoles. Consoles were easier to maintain than continual PC upgrades. It also allowed me to play with friends, should they be unfortunate enough to agree to hang out with me. Consoles continued to appeal to me as a teenager and young adult because I was moving so frequently with school and travel, they were simply easier to transport. Eventually I made online console friends and enjoyed the community that developed around multiplayer.
Here's where my explanation comes in: I'm the asshole who takes joy in pissing you off in open Halo or Gears matches. Occasionally, Call of Duty or Battlefield but only when I'm at a friend's house and their husband wants me to play on their team. I act like a dumbass. I friendly fire the fuck out of everyone. I am an uncooperative team player.
Why? You have to be asking why. And I'll tell you. We as an online community have, for a good portion, become insufferable jackasses.
Why? You have to be asking why. And I'll tell you. We as an online community have, for a good portion, become insufferable jackasses.
Let me clarify, gamers have big hearts. It is evident through Child's Play Charity and the various other causes that the gamer community will rise up behind. It is even evident through the Xbox Community Ambassador programme, there may be a PS equivalent but I'm not sure, as gamers give their time to try and help with hardware and software problems as well as community issues or giving advice. Gamers are good people. Unless you stick them in an open match or server together with varying degrees of skill for points. And Gods forbid women and children! I am not innocent of these crimes.
We have a community of like minded people that we have actively sought out and we act like assholes to each other. We brow beat each other. We insult new players for being new players. We create hostile game environments in which people don't feel welcome. Women, nice kids, and people of varying sexual and gender identities are harassed for wanting to play a game and be apart of a community.
When I play open matches, normally I won't even connect my mic (unless my aforementioned dickish behaviour is happening). It isn't because I feel scared but its that when I want to play a multiplayer game, I don't feel like being told I play well "for a girl" or be informed they will rape me should my playing continue to be at least adequate. I don't want to get called a whore for winning.
I also realise that good natured ribbing among friends or like minded people can seem harsh to an outsider, but this isn't what I'm talking about. I am speaking of deliberate behaviour meant to hurt another person.
With the recent mainstreaming of gaming and nerd culture, I have seen things improving. I have wonderful, fun, witty online friends I play with frequently. Both men and women, who's gender identity and sexuality I have never inquired about.
And as I said, I am not free of these crimes. I have been insulting and mean to new or less skilled players because I didn't win a match or they picked up the ammo I needed. This is why I'm being critical right now. I'm part of the problem. And you know what the sad part is? Its just a game, a game specifically designed and slaved over to be fun.
We have a community of like minded people that we have actively sought out and we act like assholes to each other. We brow beat each other. We insult new players for being new players. We create hostile game environments in which people don't feel welcome. Women, nice kids, and people of varying sexual and gender identities are harassed for wanting to play a game and be apart of a community.
When I play open matches, normally I won't even connect my mic (unless my aforementioned dickish behaviour is happening). It isn't because I feel scared but its that when I want to play a multiplayer game, I don't feel like being told I play well "for a girl" or be informed they will rape me should my playing continue to be at least adequate. I don't want to get called a whore for winning.
I also realise that good natured ribbing among friends or like minded people can seem harsh to an outsider, but this isn't what I'm talking about. I am speaking of deliberate behaviour meant to hurt another person.
With the recent mainstreaming of gaming and nerd culture, I have seen things improving. I have wonderful, fun, witty online friends I play with frequently. Both men and women, who's gender identity and sexuality I have never inquired about.
And as I said, I am not free of these crimes. I have been insulting and mean to new or less skilled players because I didn't win a match or they picked up the ammo I needed. This is why I'm being critical right now. I'm part of the problem. And you know what the sad part is? Its just a game, a game specifically designed and slaved over to be fun.
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