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[Tiktaalik]

We already have a catch all #gamergate thread, but this is new news on the issue, and thus deserving of a new thread solely about recent events. Importantly we’re getting commentary, or a lack thereof, from games companies. There is a thread in the OT on the Utah State death threats focused on the gun control angle, but I think there is a relevant discussion to be had here from the games angle.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/16/t...omen-video-game-threats-anita-sarkeesian.html

Anita Sarkeesian, a feminist cultural critic, has for months received death and rape threats from opponents of her recent work challenging the stereotypes of women in video games. Bomb threats for her public talks are now routine. One detractor created a game in which players can click their mouse to punch an image of her face.

Not until Tuesday, though, did Ms. Sarkeesian feel compelled to cancel a speech, planned at Utah State University. The day before, members of the university administration received an email warning that a shooting massacre would be carried out at the event. And under Utah law, she was told, the campus police could not prevent people with weapons from entering her talk.

“This will be the deadliest school shooting in American history, and I’m giving you a chance to stop it,” said the email, which bore the moniker Marc Lépine, the name of a man who killed 14 women in a mass shooting in Montreal in 1989 before taking his own life.

The threats against Ms. Sarkeesian are the most noxious example of a weekslong campaign to discredit or intimidate outspoken critics of the male-dominated gaming industry and its culture. The instigators of the campaign are allied with a broader movement that has rallied around the Twitter hashtag #GamerGate, a term adopted by those who see ethical problems among game journalists and political correctness in their coverage. The more extreme threats, though, seem to be the work of a much smaller faction and aimed at women. Major game companies have so far mostly tried to steer clear of the vitriol, leading to calls for them to intervene.

…

“Game studios, developers and major publishers need to vocally speak up against the harassment of women and say this behavior is unacceptable,” Ms. Sarkeesian said in an interview.

Representatives for several major game publishers — Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard and Take-Two Interactive Software — declined to comment.

“Threats of violence and harassment are wrong,” the Entertainment Software Association, the main lobbying group for big game companies, said in a statement. “They have to stop. There is no place in the video game community — or our society — for personal attacks and threats.”

...

Personally I think it’s shocking that EA, Activision and TakeTwo declined to make any comment against these death threats. Letting the ESA handle it is not enough.

Now that this issue has reached the front page of one of the most widely read newspapers in America, do games companies need to step forward and address the issue of violence against women who participate in gaming culture?

 

[Pie and Beans]

I think it probably goes without saying any public body is going to condemn death threats and the like?

Any chiming in would just look like trying to capitalise on bad news. Its also a bit of a stretch to tie this endemically to "gamer culture" and not just the usual bunch of insane nutbags that try to drag the whole world down to their level.

 

[CHC]

All over video games (well, it's much deeper but that's the topical cause). So many weird and desperate people out there. So many good ones too, off course, but talk about the worst humanity has to offer in this case.

 

[Mugatu]

I think this looks really bad on gamers, considering how arrogant the ESA come off on anti-violence legislation and then contrast that with this weak statement.

 

[Squidofman]

It's always bothered me, from day 1. The fact there are people in PR/comms/whatever who are clearly worried that condemning a "side" will hurt their bottom line. It's disgusting.

EDIT: I don't mean companies issuing some unsolicited statement. Nobody would expect that. But in these cases they were contacted for comment.

 

[loaf of bread]

Why would game companies say something? They're not really a part of the whole gamer gate thing.

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

I don't think it's the game industry's responsibility and if they said anything it wouldn't change the minds of these people who are doing this.

 

[Guevara]

Individual companies shouldn't make individual comments: that's exactly the work of industry organizations. And the Entertainment Software Association did exactly that as quoted in the article.

 

[stufte]

Why is it game publishers duty to comment on this? Should the NFL speak out when their fans do something stupid?

 

[L4DANathan]

I'm usually an outspoken critic of gaming companies, but they really didn't do anything wrong here. What would they have to say exactly? Other than "We're sorry this happened to you", they've got nothing. (and even that would sound phoned in and dumb) It's not like this is related to them at all, it's just a bunch of assholes on the internet, and they have control over them as much as you or I do.

 

[King_Richard]

Why would game companies say something? They're not really a part of the whole gamer gate thing.

Yeah, and they would probably just say a generic "We support the rights of all genders and condemn these threats" or something like that.

 

[Gestault]

I think it's totally acceptable that publishers wouldn't have statements ready for a cold-call article about harassment targeting people who produce social commentary on videogames.

 

[CHC]

Why would game companies say something? They're not really a part of the whole gamer gate thing.

From their perspective it really is better not to get involved. Can't blame them. The issue is so much more than "about game" anyway. It's really all about a small group of people with insular and unhealthy lifestyles who are upset that someone is "infringing" on that bubble.

 

[faceless007]

Any chiming in would just look like trying to capitalise on bad news. Its also a bit of a stretch to tie this endemically to "gamer culture" and not just the usual bunch of insane nutbags that try to drag the whole world down to their level.

Did you read the article? It's escalated quite a bit beyond the "usual bunch" of nutbags, whomever you're referring to. Actual developers and journalists are being driven out of their homes. If there's any other enthusiast medium that has experienced a harassment campaign as caustic and relentlessly horrible as this one has been, I'm unaware of it.

 

[Jawmuncher]

Yeah I don't understand why any game publisher or even developer would need to comment on the matter.
Its a sticky situation and it's not like either could offer much.

 

[The_Monk]

What a sad way to waste time. It's pretty embarrassing to know how rude some people can be. I'll never understand those spending time focusing on hate and other negative things in life, nothing good ever comes out of it, so pointless.

I wish I could do something but I feel rather powerless when it comes to this, not sure if I could contribute in any way to help this matter.

 

[Red Chocobo]

So in the end, Anita's video series managed to make her look bad, make developers look bad, make publishers look bad, make the media look bad, and make gamers look bad.

And after all that, nothing will change.

Worth it, Anita?....

 

[Einbroch]

What would they say? They'd say it's awful, they don't support it, etc.

And why would they say anything? It's not like she's slamming Call of Duty so Activision has to respond. It makes gamers look bad, not game companies. In fact, haven't a lot of developers stated that they approve of what she's doing?

 

[squidyj]

what in the actual fuck are you expecting from them? why don't you lay out what you think they should be doing?

 

[NoirVisage]

Why would game companies say something? They're not really a part of the whole gamer gate thing.

pretty much, anyone saying they should really likes drama.

 

[Oddduck]

If I were a publisher, I wouldn't get involved with this crap.

Anything you say on this subject would only bring bad PR to your company.

Sometimes silence is golden.

 

[L4DANathan]

So in the end, Anita's video series managed to make her look bad, make developers look bad, make publishers look bad, make the media look bad, and make gamers look bad.

And after all that, nothing will change.

Worth it, Anita?....

Wow. That is....not cool. I'm not even a fan of her work (I think she ignores the opposing argument 90% of the time), but damn is that cruel of you to say.

 

[kingocfs]

This nonsense will pair exceptionally well with Hatred in the mainstream media. I look forward to being generalized in the days to come.

 

[Garrett Hawke]

Yeah, and they would probably just say a generic "We support the rights of all genders and condemn these threats" or something like that.

Saying that alone would be a good thing. By not commenting they're not distancing themselves from the harassment and threats - in the public's eye.

 

[Broritos]

Why would game companies say something? They're not really a part of the whole gamer gate thing.

This.

I'm glad none of them said anything.

 

[Buzzman]

So in the end, Anita's video series managed to make her look bad, make developers look bad, make publishers look bad, make the media look bad, and make gamers look bad.

And after all that, nothing will change.

Worth it, Anita?....

What the fuck are you talking about?

 

[Piggus]

Whoever would make such threats is truly a pathetic piece of shit. I would like to think that it's mostly twelve-year-old losers who think this kind of thing is funny, but the sad reality is that it's probably basement-dwelling adults doing it. So sad.

So in the end, Anita's video series managed to make her look bad, make developers look bad, make publishers look bad, make the media look bad, and make gamers look bad.

And after all that, nothing will change.

Worth it, Anita?....

Victim blaming at its finest. smh

 

[Anton Sugar]

So in the end, Anita's video series managed to make her look bad, make developers look bad, make publishers look bad, make the media look bad, and make gamers look bad.

And after all that, nothing will change.

Worth it, Anita?....

The hell is this?

If anything, making the industry look bad, on a wide scale, could be the first step towards progress. It's out in the open now.

 

[watershed]

So in the end, Anita's video series managed to make her look bad, make developers look bad, make publishers look bad, make the media look bad, and make gamers look bad.

And after all that, nothing will change.

Worth it, Anita?....

What are you trying to say here?

 

[Kinyou]

Developers are speaking up, just on a personal level. Not sure what's the point of big EA chiming in.

 

[Red Chocobo]

Wow. That is....not cool. I'm not even a fan of her work (I think she ignores the opposing argument 90% of the time), but damn is that cruel of you to say.

Cruel, maybe. But also true.

I've tried to think of what good has come from her Tropes series and I can't think of a single thing :/ All they did was create a domino effect on the industry which ended up with everyone being bad guys.

Nobody won.

 

[Krappadizzle]

pretty much, anyone saying they should really likes drama.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Garrett Hawke]

So in the end, Anita's video series managed to make her look bad, make developers look bad, make publishers look bad, make the media look bad, and make gamers look bad.

And after all that, nothing will change.

Worth it, Anita?....

I don't agree with Anita Sarkeesian. I'm a feminist and I think a lot of the time she nitpicks out of context. But that doesn't change the fact that what she's doing is important through the sole fact that she is doing it. She is shedding light on stuff that should be brought up for discussion. It doesn't necessarily have to be discussion involving her, but giving the issue attention is only a good thing.

The only people she's made look "bad" are those who have sent her death threats and the like. Aside from that, she's only made the rest of that list look slightly intolerant. And that's changing over time.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

Why would game companies say something? They're not really a part of the whole gamer gate thing.

Why is it game publishers duty to comment on this? Should the NFL speak out when their fans do something stupid?

From even just a business perspective, their employees are among being harassed, and it's bad business to let that rock.

From a common sense perspective, gaters are using terror tactics to try and force censorship while claiming to stand for ethics and fight against censorship

 

[Gattsu25]

If I were a publisher, I wouldn't get involved with this crap.

Anything you say on this subject would only bring bad PR to your company.

Yep, wouldn't want a company saying that death threats are a bad thing.

Let's also forget that the large publishers were direct actors in almost every confirmed case of corruption in the games media.

 

[Tiktaalik]

Why is it game publishers duty to comment on this? Should the NFL speak out when their fans do something stupid?

Sports teams do speak out when their fans do something stupid.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/06/16/canucks-condemn-rioting-minority

...

"The destructive actions and needless violence demonstrated by a minority of people last night in Vancouver is highly disappointing to us all," the statement said. "The actions of these misguided individuals are not reflective of the citizens of Vancouver or of any true fans of the Canucks or the game of hockey."

...

 

[User 479360]

There's no reason for this. All it does is paint the majority of gamers in a negative light because of a select few.

The idea of issuing death threats for such a reason is disgusting.

 

[pixlexic]

Anita Sarkeesian, a feminist cultural critic, has for months received death and rape threats from opponents of her recent work challenging the stereotypes of women in video games.

I wouldnt say they are opponents just idiots. They are giving them way too much credit.

 

[CloudyTuba]

What do you want them to say? Tomorrow's headline:

Activision goes on record saying that murder is bad and illegal things are still illegal.

 

[Schryver]

Also a Grantland article today

 

[Jackpot]

So in the end, Anita's video series managed to make her look bad, make developers look bad, make publishers look bad, make the media look bad, and make gamers look bad.

And after all that, nothing will change.

Worth it, Anita?....

Wait, I'm confused, are you blaming all this on her?

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

I wouldnt say they are opponents just idiots. They are giving them way too much credit.

If you're opposed to something that makes you an opponent

 

[watershed]

Cruel, maybe. But also true.

I've tried to think of what good has come from her Tropes series and I can't think of a single thing :/ All they did was create a domino effect on the industry which ended up with everyone being bad guys.

Nobody won.

So it's her job to make sure her criticisms make people feel good or make developers look like good guys? The point of her criticism is to analyze and further a conversation.

 

[Denton]

I wonder how exactly, specifically, does anyone intend to stop threats and harrasment when nobody specific is getting punished for it. Only "gamers" in general are.

 

[Gattsu25]

I wouldnt say they are opponents just idiots. They are giving them way too much credit.

The article gives them too much credit in general.

 

[mollipen]

Cruel, maybe. But also true.

I've tried to think of what good has come from her Tropes series and I can't think of a single thing :/ All they did was create a domino effect on the industry which ended up with everyone being bad guys.

Nobody won.

The "bad guys" are the people who are threatening other people with violence or worse because they're afraid to share their hobby.

The end.

 

[Slayven]

What do they have to say? Pretty sure they don't wish death on anybody, Nor did they start this gamergate bullshit, and they are best off not even acknowledging it's existence.

 

[Kinyou]

Sports teams do speak out when their fans do something stupid.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/06/16/canucks-condemn-rioting-minority

That's an event directly connected to that specific team. This whole thing is only connected to those companies in the sense that they make games.

 

[Pie and Beans]

Did you read the article? It's escalated quite a bit beyond the "usual bunch" of nutbags, whomever you're referring to. Actual developers and journalists are being driven out of their homes. If there's any other enthusiast medium that has experienced a harassment campaign as caustic and relentlessly horrible as this one has been, I'm unaware of it.

Twitter death threats and the escalations thereof have been in the news constantly over the past few years. This isn't something unique to "videogames", but just the usual anonymous nutters that troll the internet.

I mean just google "entertainment death threats" and you'll get a gaggle of the most recent, with Jodie Marsh getting them, One Direction, any even slightly disliked celeb, and so on. Zelda Williams caught shit fer chrissakes and no reason to think of.

The extra layer here I suppose is the "doxxing", and while it sounds heartless, you just have to give all relevant information to authorities and trust theyve got your back while you live out your life normally. I imagine most popular Youtube uploaders feel like theyve had a vaccine of "internet tough guy" to last a lifetime, desensitising them to the venom.

 

[Mman235]

So in the end, Anita's video series managed to make her look bad, make developers look bad, make publishers look bad, make the media look bad, and make gamers look bad.

And after all that, nothing will change.

Worth it, Anita?....

Cruel, maybe. But also true.

I've tried to think of what good has come from her Tropes series and I can't think of a single thing :/ All they did was create a domino effect on the industry which ended up with everyone being bad guys.

Nobody won.

I can't even this "logic".