Online Gaming: Doorway to Abuse?
Cyber bullying is nothing of a surprise in a world now so interconnected with the internet and the various ways to communicate with people around the world. Tools such as Msn, Skype, Ebuddy and even file sharing and social websites such as Twitter and Facebook are all open doorways to communicate with anyone we like. This gives those the ability to compliment, greet and send files repeatedly but also allows any individual to send abusive remarks as well. The latter is also a growing problem in the gaming world with the online multiplayer activities sometimes heavily based around communication with random individuals.
The most popular multiplayer game to exist in a console medium is arguably the First Person Shooter of Call of Duty with it becoming heavily based on its multiplayer gameplay online rather than the offline game modes. This has attracted the attention of over a million gamers and players who utilise the online facilities to exert their skills in a fun and enjoyable way. However, the dark side still appears as players regularly chant or yell out racist comments when the game isn’t going their way. The fury and anger of losing due to the frustrations of gaming can lead to individuals releasing their anger in a less than respectful way.
This also leads to other areas of the world such as sport where racism is a growing issue due to the same issue of passion and frustration. It is completely unacceptable that areas focussed on purely entertainment and enjoyment are ruined with the darkness of racist and discriminatory language directed towards individuals who have bought the game to expect a decent treatment online from the gaming world. Personally, I believe this is a growing and scarily large issue with the lack of moderation that exists on the gameplay itself. The power of hiding behind a screen with a microphone is extremely strong, and not only blocks the identity of the user immediately but also allows them to continue without any degree of consequence at the time. They are still able to play for a long period yelling abuse before finally being deleted from the particular game.
It is natural to get frustrated at gaming and to yell out words and phrases, but this can be done in a non-abusive way which isn’t directed at a particular type or person. Swear words of the sort are heard repeatedly, which can bring up other debates on language control for the younger generations that play online in a variety of multiplayer games. However, a swear word is a much better way of exerting frustration than a racist remark.
The main cause and root of this behaviour can be found again due to the security of hiding behind a screen in the safety of one’s home. This is done on a variety of other games, especially sporting ones, where players would leave the selected match online if the game wasn’t going their way. They have the ability to leave because it won’t hit them physically due to the opposition not being anywhere near to them.
Online gaming is created for entertainment, and it is sickening that racist and disruptive abuse is used and directed at individuals who in return are just playing for enjoyment. Frustrations can run high over something people enjoy to do, but at the same time there are ways to exert this without abusing somebody else over a game.
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1 comments:
You make some great points mate. The whole rage thing associated with multi-player is why I try and steer clear...I don't need the added stress! :)
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