Game journalism backlash - the microcosm theory

[playingwithknives]

Who controls the British Crown?
Who keeps the Metric System down?
We do! We do!

Who leaves Atlantis off the maps?
Who keeps the Martians under wraps?
We do! We do!

Who holds back the electric car?
Who makes Steve Gutenberg a star?
We do! We do!

Who robs Cavefish of their sight?
Who rigs every Oscar night?
We do! We do!

[playingwithknives]

Moot retires.

[LMN8R]

I don’t know if it’s a widespread problem, but it is definitely a problem in the esports communities, especially fighting games. Just today there was a very large scandal with Smash (basically a major and very hated oragnizer had to leave the largest Smash event due to Cosby-level accusations of being super-aggressive towards underaged girls) , and the anime games such as Guilty Gear are really a viper’s den of problems to the point it’s caused good friends of mine to stop playing them offlne.

It’s weird, I simultaneously think things are overblown in some areas, while getting angry at areas where it is a major problem. It’s led to a lot of confusing positions on my part that I sometimes find difficult to reconcile.

I was responding to Brad’s post in which he claims that writing about issues of harassment and misogyny are a problem. Obviously the actual existence of those things is a problem, but Brad is claiming that reporting on it is “biased” in such ways he disagrees with.

So if Brad’s focusing on the quality and quantity of reporting on the problems, I’m asking him if he actually has data to back up those complaints. We have overwhelming data to show that they’re actually problems worthy of discussion.

[Dave_Markell]

Salon.com and the Guardian finally have the courage to connect the dots on Gamergate and right wing terror.

Yeah, that’s just silly. GG is awful and many of its supporters are the most repellent people I’ve ever encountered online, but they’re not part of a conspiracy to recruit mass murderers.

[Alstein]

I was responding to Brad’s post in which he claims that writing about issues of harassment and misogyny are a problem. Obviously the actual existence of those things is a problem, but Brad is claiming that reporting on it is “biased” in such ways he disagrees with.

So if Brad’s focusing on the quality and quantity of reporting on the problems, I’m asking him if he actually has data to back up those complaints. We have overwhelming data to show that they’re actually problems worthy of discussion.

When you’ve been damaged by false reports of harassment and misogyny, you’d be inclined to consider those reports a problem.

I understand why Brad feels the way he does- he has plenty of justification.

This is why I think you can oppose the SJW-types of the world, and also strongly oppose misogyny and harassment in gaming.
I eat a lot of shit for that opinion from my most liberal friends.

[Soapyfrog]

Yeah, that’s just silly. GG is awful and many of its supporters are the most repellent people I’ve ever encountered online, but they’re not part of a conspiracy to recruit mass murderers.

… as far as we know… <insert sinister hamster gif here>

[Brad_Wardell]

I was responding to Brad’s post in which he claims that writing about issues of harassment and misogyny are a problem. Obviously the actual existence of those things is a problem, but Brad is claiming that reporting on it is “biased” in such ways he disagrees with.

So if Brad’s focusing on the quality and quantity of reporting on the problems, I’m asking him if he actually has data to back up those complaints. We have overwhelming data to show that they’re actually problems worthy of discussion.

I don’t have any problem with someone writing about misogyny and harassment. I have a problem with journalists incorrectly labeling the intention of a group of people as misogynistic without a shred of genuine investigation.

If I’m doing an article claiming that Aryan nation is a white supremacist group, I can easily find members who will happily verify this.

By contrast, we’ve yet to find anyone, anyone at all, who objects to women being involved in game development or playing games.

As for do I have any evidence of such ridiculous reporting, one merely has to look at the ridiculous Salon.com article.

A more mainstream example of activist editorial disguised as news can be found here:

Intel issues apology after backlash from #GamerGate opponents

The word GamerGate is used countless times by the article writer and yet Intel used it not at all. It all is based on the assumption that there is this group of people who object to equality and zee women playing and making games. Such a strawman.

[Starlight]

I can find you people to object to gamers on principle though, like…oh…Milo. He links violence and video games in Jack Thompson style, too.

[Brad_Wardell]

I can find you people to object to gamers on principle though, like…oh…Milo. He links violence and video games in Jack Thompson style, too.

There are definitely people who don’t like gamers. That is painfully obvious. But in 20 years of attending conventions, trade shows and customer interaction, I’ve never met anyone who objects to women playing or making games – let alone an entire movement allegedly dedicated to it.

[Soapyfrog]

There are definitely people who don’t like gamers. That is painfully obvious. But in 20 years of attending conventions, trade shows and customer interaction, I’ve never met anyone who objects to women playing or making games – let alone an entire movement allegedly dedicated to it.

So your explanation of the harassment directed at female game developers, critics, reviewers is what then?

[steve]

There are definitely people who don’t like gamers. That is painfully obvious. But in 20 years of attending conventions, trade shows and customer interaction, I’ve never met anyone who objects to women playing or making games – let alone an entire movement allegedly dedicated to it.

You’re misstating or misunderstanding their intent. They don’t care if women play or make games; they’re objecting to specific types of games changing to be more accommodating for women and/or minorities. Or at least they’re reacting to anyone suggesting the industry could do better (which itself is a mostly harmless gesture, since the “industry” will follow the money, not Tumblr). A common response is, “If you want a female Call of Duty, make one.” So it isn’t about exclusion, per se; it’s a fear of change.

[Alstein]

There are definitely people who don’t like gamers. That is painfully obvious. But in 20 years of attending conventions, trade shows and customer interaction, I’ve never met anyone who objects to women playing or making games – let alone an entire movement allegedly dedicated to it.

I have, when it comes to fighting games. That said , I do think it’s a rare exception and not the general rule, and it’s a very loud minority even in that community.

[RickH]

So your explanation of the harassment directed at female game developers, critics, reviewers is what then?

It’s all summed up nicely in my longtime motto: “People are crap.”

[RickH]

You’re misstating or misunderstanding their intent. They don’t care if women play or make games; they’re objecting to specific types of games changing to be more accommodating for women and/or minorities. Or at least they’re reacting to anyone suggesting the industry could do better (which itself is a mostly harmless gesture, since the “industry” will follow the money, not Tumblr). A common response is, “If you want a female Call of Duty, make one.” So it isn’t about exclusion, per se; it’s a fear of change.

Wait, why is that “fear?” Do you possess some insight into the thoughts of anonymous mobs that we don’t? My preference is to let artists practice their art and let the market sort it out, which I suppose puts me in the “go make one” camp.

But I also understand that an outside activist like AS who complains about “toxic masculinity” seeking to bend the industry to her will can legitimately be met with pushback from people who don’t appreciate someone telling them they are having fun wrong. Who the hell ever appreciates that?

But you chose “fear.” That places you in a position of percieved superiority, they are simple and fearful, you are thoughtful and brave. Their complaints are small and unworthy, your insights are wise and valuable. Diminishing your opponent by denying them legitimacy, by using language that characterizes them as childish and foolish. Yes, its a common tactic, but not one worthy of respect.

[Quaro]

You’re misstating or misunderstanding their intent. They don’t care if women play or make games; they’re objecting to specific types of games changing to be more accommodating for women and/or minorities. Or at least they’re reacting to anyone suggesting the industry could do better (which itself is a mostly harmless gesture, since the “industry” will follow the money, not Tumblr). A common response is, “If you want a female Call of Duty, make one.” So it isn’t about exclusion, per se; it’s a fear of change.

Yeah. The ‘SJWs’ are consumers too – consumers asking for different purchase options. And the response tends to be the form of: Well games with ‘SJW themes’ don’t sell well, so all the gamers looking for games like that should STFU!

Some woman: Hey there’s been like a dozen GTA games and all the playable characters have been male. It’d be really cool to be able to play as a woman.

GamerGate: This is an assault on gamers and gaming as a whole! Stop attacking us! [1000 threads start cataloging every bit of information they can find about the writer]

[RickH]

Hey there’s been like a dozen GTA games and all the playable characters have been male. It’d be really cool to be able to play as a woman.

You’ve been able to play as a woman in every Saints Row game after the first. Yet GTA sells better. I’m a huge Volition fan, but let Rockstar be Rockstar.

[Soapyfrog]

But I also understand that an outside activist like AS who complains about “toxic masculinity” seeking to bend the industry to her will can legitimately be met with pushback from people who don’t appreciate someone telling them they are having fun wrong. Who the hell ever appreciates that?

I understand and support free and open debate. I don’t understand or support this thuggish “pushback”, gamergate-style, with the intent of silencing free speech. I also think if anyone sat there and thought AS was telling them they are having fun wrong, they need to get the cognitive parts of their brain checked to make sure they aren’t accidentally unplugged.

[steve]

Wait, why is that “fear?”

It’s a fear that change creates something inferior/lesser when, in fact, it’s creating something different (which may or may not be inferior/lesser). It’s the root of almost every fundamentalist movement (fundamentalism being “let’s keep things as they are”), and perfectly understandable and reasonable. And there are many ways to react to that fear–overcome it, lash out at it, cower in the corner, ignore it, whatever.

No idea what you’re talking about with the rest of your diatribe, beyond the usual GG talking points.

[steve]

I have, when it comes to fighting games. That said , I do think it’s a rare exception and not the general rule, and it’s a very loud minority even in that community.

And you’re really talking about a subset of the fighting game community, the competitive fighting game scene; I’m pretty sure those guys, who are protecting their little club and its locker room mentality, don’t care if women play Street Fighter in the privacy of their own home or write its 3D engine.

[Uncle_Larry]

I don’t think any faction in this debate can be singled out as the one trying to silence free speech. Same goes for harassment, threats, doxxing, shaming, etc. It’s seems like there’s fuckery enough to go around in that department, forever.

Incidentally - I feel like many people calling this a culture war settled too quickly on it being one of left/right or equality/exclusion and entrenched themselves while declaring, “not one step back, comrades!” when the dominant cultures that are colliding really seem to be tumblrs and channers. Maybe that’s not distinctive enough for some of you, but it’s enough to keep me from “picking a side.” I don’t think inclusion is going to hurt muh vidya gaymz, but I also don’t think ethics should be a punchline. I certainly don’t think holding either of those opinions (or their opposites) should result in the mailing of dead cats.