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[duck_sauce]

I’ve been a longtime (lurking) member and have always appreciated this space for what it is, a forum where gamers can discuss their opinions, insights, and sometimes, their frustrations. However, I’m beginning to notice a disturbing trend here. GAF seems to be morphing more and more into an anti-woke echo chamber, and I think this shift is undermining the integrity of our community.

Let me be clear – I’m not a fan of woke ideology. Like many of you, I have my reservations about how it’s shaping the gaming industry and media at large. The trend toward more woke-friendly narratives and content in games, at times, feels forced and often detracts from the quality of the experience. Criticizing this direction in game development is valid, and these are discussions worth having.

However, what’s worrying to me is how Gaf, in its criticism of "woke" culture, is starting to mirror some of the same behavior that people criticize on another more purple coloured forum, just from the opposite side. The intolerance, aggression, and outright hostility toward other viewpoints are becoming just as prevalent here, and it’s honestly a little disheartening. The constant attacks, labeling, and echo chamber effect are alienating people who might think differently or hold a more moderate view. It's almost as if you’re either all-in with the dominant stance here or you're simply not welcome.

I wish that discussions here were moderated a bit more to promote balanced viewpoints and discourage personal attacks. I’d love to see users show more self-restraint, critical thinking, and maybe even a bit of self-reflection before posting purely emotional outbursts. We don’t all need to agree, but we do need to recognize each other’s humanity, especially when we disagree. After all, we’re all gamers here and came to this forum because we care about gaming.

Tolerance is a two-way street. Just as we criticize certain movements for pushing one-sided narratives and shutting down dissent, we need to be careful not to fall into the same trap. Tolerance means accepting that others might hold views we don’t like or agree with. It means treating others respectfully, even when we fundamentally disagree. I worry that we’re losing that here on GAF.

In the end, we’re all gamers, sharing this space to talk about a medium we care about. We don’t have to agree on every issue, but we should be able to disagree without devolving into hatred or intolerance. I hope we can steer the community back toward a more balanced and respectful discourse before it becomes something unrecognizable....

 

[Maddoxswe]

 

[CZY]

Oh good fuckin god

 

[samoilaaa]

 

[FunkMiller]

This forum is an imperfect place, as all online forums are, and there may be times when you, I, or anybody else feels uncomfortable with how another forum member is speaking. However, the onus is on you at that point to either clap back on an opinion you dislike, or put the poster in question on ignore.

Instead of feeling worried that this forum sometimes allows opinions you find unpalatable, enjoy the fact that - unlike certain other gaming forums - you are free to voice your own dissent without fear of being banned outright, as if it's Stalinist Russia in the 1960s.

Yes, allowing more freedom of expression sometimes allows for opinions that may seem regressive or intolerant, but this is still far better than the entire forum being regressive and intolerant by banning people if they don't tow the accepted line on a subject.

In short, better to have some cunts who are just members, instead of a whole bunch of cunts running the entire place.

 

[SweetTooth]

 

[Cakeboxer]

However, what’s worrying to me is how Gaf, in its criticism of "woke" culture, is starting to mirror some of the same behavior that people criticize on another more purple coloured forum, just from the opposite side. The intolerance, aggression, and outright hostility toward other viewpoints are becoming just as prevalent here, and it’s honestly a little disheartening. The constant attacks, labeling, and echo chamber effect are alienating people who might think differently or hold a more moderate view. It's almost as if you’re either all-in with the dominant stance here or you're simply not welcome.

I wish that discussions here were moderated a bit more to promote balanced viewpoints and discourage personal attacks. I’d love to see users show more self-restraint, critical thinking, and maybe even a bit of self-reflection before posting purely emotional outbursts. We don’t all need to agree, but we do need to recognize each other’s humanity, especially when we disagree. After all, we’re all gamers here and came to this forum because we care about gaming.

I tried to open a thread to talk about wokeness in video games. Was instantly closed, because the admin seemed to know how it would have ended. I guess there is no place to peacefully discuss about video games. You always have console warriors, special snowflake do-gooders or conservative everything used to be better boomers.

Choosing a gaming forum is choosing between pest and cholera.

 

[Gonzito]

Is this a text written by ChatGPT?

 

[Optimus Lime]

 

[Bridges]

Fight ideas with ideas.

Moderation has its place but the answer isn't to ask for stricter rules. Participate and push back if you disagree with people. That's welcome here and one of the reasons why this forum is better than the other one, in my opinion.

 

[duck_sauce]

Is this a text written by ChatGPT?

No it is my own, but my english is not the best so i need to rely on online translation to make it reaadable.

 

[theStartupSound]

Maybe we could agree that not everything bad in this (gaming) world is based on some people with blue hairs. I feel that this topic is brought up in every second thread (and this time it seems like I am the one who brings that up )

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Tolerance is a two-way street. Just as we criticize certain movements for pushing one-sided narratives and shutting down dissent, we need to be careful not to fall into the same trap. Tolerance means accepting that others might hold views we don’t like or agree with. It means treating others respectfully, even when we fundamentally disagree. I worry that we’re losing that here on GAF.

I mostly agree with your post except this part, I think you are mistaking tolerance with acceptance, these are not the same things. The same way people might want more real-life and trans issues in games, and denounce people that disagree as bigots and trying to cancel them on social media, the same way the other group wants less of these and is going to boycott entertainment products with these elements in them. It’s a two-way street after all.

 

[Maddoxswe]

No it is my own, but my english is not the best so i need to rely on online translation to make it reaadable.

 

[mansoor1980]

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Maybe we could agree that not everything bad in this (gaming) world is based on some people with blue hairs.

Very true, if not we would have to cancel every jRPG protagonist.

 

[Auto_aim1]

You can criticise ridiculous concepts like pronouns but being a bigot will get you banned here ASAP.

 

[Ironman_Bad]

 

[Calico345]

I am new here, coming from a website that recently moderated me for simply using the term "DEI" without attacking anyone or anything in any context about DEI. I was using the term as a descriptor for the philosophy of what it stands for lol. They said it is the "dogwhistle for bigotry." lol I don't click on every thread in this forum, but I have read through a few lengthy ones and ones about DEI, woke, etc., and I have to say that I applaud the segments and users I've seen in this community so far in how they discuss things. Yes, there will be some passion and snark and snipping at times. Some users will be more emotional or outraged or controversial, etc. But everyone seems to speak their mind and it doesn't get that nasty. Both sides say their piece readily.

If a majority is vocal and makes itself known, well, that happens. Go to some other places and you'll see the other side being the echo chamber. You can also take full advantage of the Ignore functions to steer clear of users and threads you don't like. When we start silencing opinions we don't like, we stop the ability and freedom to communicate. Rules should be followed in all contexts and no one should be toxic and hateful to one another, but free discourse for all viewpoints within context and constructive reason is the point of a forum and discussion. If a shift in philosophy or ideology emerges, that says something about moods and attitudes towards timely and relevant subjects.

 

[StueyDuck]

People can say whatever they want so long as they aren't being racist, homophonic, sexist and so on. (Basically something that would get the forum in trouble)

The issue comes not from those with different opinions but those who come into a thread to silence opinions, even if they pretend they arent directly doing so. If you don't like what someone else is saying then you can ignore/challenge or simply disagree with them.

But let's not just shout brain rot and call them bigots and so on.

 

[shubik]

The amount of political ideology and content from both sides of the spectrum is alarming and sucks all joy out of this community.

 

[Kotaro]

Anything less than the destruction of toxic woke/DEI ideology is not enough

How many jobs have lost due to this woke virus infecting gaming industry?!?

If you don’t hate woke/DEI, you’re part of the problem

 

[Sevyne]

Fight ideas with ideas.

Moderation has its place but the answer isn't to ask for stricter rules. Participate and push back if you disagree with people. That's welcome here and one of the reasons why this forum is better than the other one, in my opinion.

This 100%. I basically just lurk for the most part, but this is definitely the noticable difference.

Back during all of the Hogwarts drama and the Blizzard stuff I called out the other place as hypocrites for allowing Blizzard discussion while Hogwarts was banned from there. Nobody debated it, I was just outright banned for daring to say it. Here, I see a few people that are in opposition of the majority that still have their voice.

Now I do feel extremism of any kind is unhealthy, but I understand how it got to this point and why the backlash is happening. People are tired of the bs and just want to enjoy good games. Can only stand by silent for so long.

 

[Radical Dreamer]

what the fuck is this preachy tone, is this church?

it reminded me of one retarded post on /r/dota2 where one guy spent dozens of hours playing dota through his twenties, not even going out from home etc. and suddenly he "found a light" and started to preach to people about "hurr durr dont waste time on game, its just a game bro, lfie is so beautiful and has so much to offer" xDDDD

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

 

[Eimran]

In short, better to have some cunts who are just members, instead of a whole bunch of cunts running the entire place.

As a cunt member, I couldn't agree more with you.

 

[The Cockatrice]

However, what’s worrying to me is how Gaf, in its criticism of "woke" culture, is starting to mirror some of the same behavior that people criticize on another more purple coloured forum, just from the opposite side. The intolerance, aggression, and outright hostility toward other viewpoints are becoming just as prevalent here, and it’s honestly a little disheartening. The constant attacks, labeling, and echo chamber effect are alienating people who might think differently or hold a more moderate view. It's almost as if you’re either all-in with the dominant stance here or you're simply not welcome.

I'm with you OP.

 

[amigastar]

I've seen people call all kinds of game "woke" (the new Monkey Island for example)
I like to go against the grain so i don't shout out woke without thinking if its really woke.
But i have to say it almost seems that people are obsessed if a game is woke or not.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Dazraell]

I feel a lot of frustration which comes from DEI is tied to the fact that people feel more and more secluded. The problem is that current trends of banking on DEI quite often tends to change the definition of tolerance and making it warped and twisted, losing its true meaning. Instead of giving more options, they force people to comply to these ideologies and are actively removing things that doesn't fit with their views. Unless industry find ways to balance this and start looking how to promote diversity without secluding people, I don't see this discourse toning down

 

[CompleteGlobalSaturation]

I agree with tolerance and a basic level of respect.

However, I completely disagree with blind acceptance of misinformation and having fringe ideas forced upon me.

 

[Sakura]

I would agree that some people probably take things too far (not every one with blue hair is a terrible person or bad at making games), but it is also understandable where it is coming from. The more one side pushes in one direction, the more the other side will push back in the opposite.
I don't think we need moderation to promote a "balanced" viewpoint. People should be able to voice their criticisms or grievances on this sort of stuff. If the majority of people here hold that viewpoint, then it is what it is. Moderation should be for people breaking the rules and leave it at that (imo).

I would also say that the site isn't as "anti-woke" as you might think it is. ie Legacy of Hogwarts is rather woke, but a lot of people here like it. At the end of the day, if it is a good game then I think you'll find there isn't an echo chamber of people deriding it.

 

[Robb]

It’s a difficult subject to handle imo mainly because it combines, often extremist, politics with gaming discourse. I can agree the line is thin in a lot of cases.

But if you feel a post does not fall under the current rules you can just report it and move on.

People will have strong opinions on this, myself included, but we should be able to discuss it, disagree, agree, and move on. And if you can’t you might need a break from the forum or join an echo chamber.

 

[SnakeB]

 

[midnightAI]

I'm only pissed that some people think Ghost of Yotei is woke, YouTube is even infected with it and it's all coming from that knob Endymion (anyone who believes the rubbish this guy came out with needs their head read), leave my Ghost alone, I swear, if you lot get this game delayed I will go and a rampage.

(But seriously, yes, some of it can be annoying, some are all too eager to throw around woke or DEI in almost every game thread whether the game has it or not, it didn't used to happen, it's a shame)

 

[PeteBull]

I’ve been a longtime (lurking) member and have always appreciated this space for what it is, a forum where gamers can discuss their opinions, insights, and sometimes, their frustrations. However, I’m beginning to notice a disturbing trend here. GAF seems to be morphing more and more into an anti-woke echo chamber, and I think this shift is undermining the integrity of our community.

Let me be clear – I’m not a fan of woke ideology. Like many of you, I have my reservations about how it’s shaping the gaming industry and media at large. The trend toward more woke-friendly narratives and content in games, at times, feels forced and often detracts from the quality of the experience. Criticizing this direction in game development is valid, and these are discussions worth having.

However, what’s worrying to me is how Gaf, in its criticism of "woke" culture, is starting to mirror some of the same behavior that people criticize on another more purple coloured forum, just from the opposite side. The intolerance, aggression, and outright hostility toward other viewpoints are becoming just as prevalent here, and it’s honestly a little disheartening. The constant attacks, labeling, and echo chamber effect are alienating people who might think differently or hold a more moderate view. It's almost as if you’re either all-in with the dominant stance here or you're simply not welcome.

I wish that discussions here were moderated a bit more to promote balanced viewpoints and discourage personal attacks. I’d love to see users show more self-restraint, critical thinking, and maybe even a bit of self-reflection before posting purely emotional outbursts. We don’t all need to agree, but we do need to recognize each other’s humanity, especially when we disagree. After all, we’re all gamers here and came to this forum because we care about gaming.

Tolerance is a two-way street. Just as we criticize certain movements for pushing one-sided narratives and shutting down dissent, we need to be careful not to fall into the same trap. Tolerance means accepting that others might hold views we don’t like or agree with. It means treating others respectfully, even when we fundamentally disagree. I worry that we’re losing that here on GAF.

In the end, we’re all gamers, sharing this space to talk about a medium we care about. We don’t have to agree on every issue, but we should be able to disagree without devolving into hatred or intolerance. I hope we can steer the community back toward a more balanced and respectful discourse before it becomes something unrecognizable....

Fuck off alt acount of retardera cuckmodteam, u got ur safe space where insane views of clownworld are promoted and any person who has sane views that actually have basis in reality and biology gets punished/silenced/banned, so u want to make our precious gaf just like that?

The major difference between here and rainbow forum(or other ones that not lean but simply are deep in the abbys of wokeism) is here any1 can voice their views- no1 forces any1 to adjust their worldview, including having traditional values that survived milenia.

Todays "rightwing" is what few decades ago was normal moderate view.
There is a reason they cant make gems like married with children in today's world but it was perfectly fine in the 80s/90s

 

[March Climber]

Fight ideas with ideas.

Participate and push back if you disagree with people. That's welcome here and one of the reasons why this forum is better than the other one, in my opinion.

Just wanted to chime in and say that this is bad advice when a specific opinion becomes the majority. An easy and quick way to find out why this is bad advice is to try it out for yourself and find out what happens.

Then tell me how tired you feel after a few days to a week of doing it (depending on how much you post).

 

[DJTaurus]

I was not posting to Neogaf the last 2 years because of the ultra censorship that was taking place. Returned a few days ago and to my surprise things are going very smooth with light intervention from the mods mostly on console wars. This is true free speech and remind me of the sweet old days. You must realize first that anti-woke speech is just a reaction to all the crazy stuff are forced to our beloved games. The less they put in the less we will talk about them. And its not just their crazy ideologies injecting in our games and destroying beloved franchises instead of creating new ones...... "these people" are soooo un-talented that they cannot even create fun games first and foremost.

 

[Same ol G]

 

[ValiantInstance]

The time for reasoning with these folks is over. We tried reasoning with them for 10 years and in return just heard autistic screeching and had to put up with them infiltrating and destroying our hobbies from within.

 

[SHA]

Is it possible to be woke and a gamer at the same time? Please explain, cause it sounds a year 1100 person came from the dead and start making these problems in the medium, cause he at least pass the ' have you ever played a f video game? ' check.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

 

[POKEYCLYDE]

You're here. Seemingly not banned. How much of an anti-woke echo chamber could this be?

When one forum bans certain opinions, naturally the crowd with those opinions will gravitate toward where those opinions are not banned.

If you can't tolerate other people's freedom to opinion, this probably ain't the place for you.

 

[midnightAI]

Fuck off alt acount of retardera cuckmodteam, u got ur safe space where insane views of clownworld are promoted and any person who has sane views that actually have basis in reality and biology gets punished/silenced/banned, so u want to make our precious gaf just like that?

The major difference between here and rainbow forum(or other ones that not lean but simply are deep in the abbys of wokeism) is here any1 can voice their views- no1 forces any1 to adjust their worldview, including having traditional values that survived milenia.

Todays "rightwing" is what few decades ago was normal moderate view.
There is a reason they cant make gems like married with children in today's world but it was perfectly fine in the 80s/90s

Just curious, other than further moderation (I don't think that's really needed), what points do you think are wrong?

I think the main point of the post is that you can start a thread about a game and it will have a female lead for example, by the 4th or 5th page it's devolved into arguments about woke and DEI even if the game isn't woke and if anyone disagrees they get labelled shills, woke, apologists, 'part of the problem' etc.

Not saying this happens every thread but it is becoming more and more of a problem and makes this site less fun than it used to be.

Saying that, people are allowed their opinions, but sometimes it goes too far especially if you are of a different viewpoint, but then, many of GAF (me included) are quite argumentative so I myself do need to just chill a little sometimes.

(And there is always the report and ignore buttons but many of us don't like using those unless it gets really extreme)

 

[delfrickintree]

People can say whatever they want so long as they aren't being racist, homophonic, sexist and so on. (Basically something that would get the forum in trouble)

The issue comes not from those with different opinions but those who come into a thread to silence opinions, even if they pretend they arent directly doing so. If you don't like what someone else is saying then you can ignore/challenge or simply disagree with them.

But let's not just shout brain rot and call them bigots and so on.

Those terms have been weaponized as well, labeling ostracizing and jingoism, and so the entire internet and social media platforms are compromised so that freedom of speech does not exist anymore. We all know certain things cannot be said and bans are right around the corner. it never used to be this way. Im old school and cannot be offended, and once the floodgates opened for untrained society to encounter the internet, it all went to shit. Nowadays its just a propaganda venue where billions parrot things ordered from a grand design.

Now we have OP posting beatles topics that we gotta all get along because over socialization makes people scared of challenge, and we keep trying to talk to them like a human even though everything is about to be taken over by ai bots. we should have listened to uncle ted.

 

[delfrickintree]

Just wanted to chime in and say that this is bad advice when a specific opinion becomes the majority. An easy and quick way to find out why this is bad advice is to try it out for yourself and find out what happens.

Then tell me how tired you feel after a few days to a week of doing it (depending on how much you post).

You know sometimes you make a good point. Does go to show that you arent banned though

 

[PeteBull]

Maybe we could agree that not everything bad in this (gaming) world is based on some people with blue hairs. I feel that this topic is brought up in every second thread (and this time it seems like I am the one who brings that up )

Ofc, and its obvious, no1 ever said all the evil in gaming came from pushing woke propaganda, it just so happens last few years it got so bad that basically all big western dev studios are infected with it, it really lowers quality of games too, so we gonna call it out, warn other ppl about it, and ultimately whats most important- vote with our wallets so let those bad games bomb hard- let publishers feel the pain where it actually hurts them the most

 

[gaming_again]

I’ve been a longtime (lurking) member and have always appreciated this space for what it is, a forum where gamers can discuss their opinions, insights, and sometimes, their frustrations. However, I’m beginning to notice a disturbing trend here. GAF seems to be morphing more and more into an anti-woke echo chamber, and I think this shift is undermining the integrity of our community.

Let me be clear – I’m not a fan of woke ideology. Like many of you, I have my reservations about how it’s shaping the gaming industry and media at large. The trend toward more woke-friendly narratives and content in games, at times, feels forced and often detracts from the quality of the experience. Criticizing this direction in game development is valid, and these are discussions worth having.

However, what’s worrying to me is how Gaf, in its criticism of "woke" culture, is starting to mirror some of the same behavior that people criticize on another more purple coloured forum, just from the opposite side. The intolerance, aggression, and outright hostility toward other viewpoints are becoming just as prevalent here, and it’s honestly a little disheartening. The constant attacks, labeling, and echo chamber effect are alienating people who might think differently or hold a more moderate view. It's almost as if you’re either all-in with the dominant stance here or you're simply not welcome.

I wish that discussions here were moderated a bit more to promote balanced viewpoints and discourage personal attacks. I’d love to see users show more self-restraint, critical thinking, and maybe even a bit of self-reflection before posting purely emotional outbursts. We don’t all need to agree, but we do need to recognize each other’s humanity, especially when we disagree. After all, we’re all gamers here and came to this forum because we care about gaming.

Tolerance is a two-way street. Just as we criticize certain movements for pushing one-sided narratives and shutting down dissent, we need to be careful not to fall into the same trap. Tolerance means accepting that others might hold views we don’t like or agree with. It means treating others respectfully, even when we fundamentally disagree. I worry that we’re losing that here on GAF.

In the end, we’re all gamers, sharing this space to talk about a medium we care about. We don’t have to agree on every issue, but we should be able to disagree without devolving into hatred or intolerance. I hope we can steer the community back toward a more balanced and respectful discourse before it becomes something unrecognizable....

The ideas derserve to be mocked with as much aggression as is legally permissible because they're responsible for our species losing two decades of scientific and cultural progress.

 

[Hrk69]

I'm smelling a chat GPT interference

What version are you using OP?

 

[ZoukGalaxy]

Take a drink

And

Everything will burn

And implode anyway

 

[GymWolf]

People are gonna fight against the woke virus that is fucking up their hobby and trolling these retarded activists is funny, and the real racists and bigots get the hammer ban pretty swiftly, i see no problem here.