Update: A petition on Change.org has been started requesting that members of the video game industry to “stop the hate targeting gamers.”
At the time of this writing, the petition has received approximately 3, 400 signatures. Any individual that considers themselves to be part of the gaming community (or simply wants to support it) can find the petition here.
The petition, entitled “Petitioning The Game Industry: Please Stop The Hate,” states the following:
“Gamers believe that everyone, no matter what gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion has the right to play games, criticize games and make games without getting harassed or threatened. It is the diversity of our community that allows games to flourish.
when we see threats of violence or harm in comments on Steam, YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Facebook or reddit, we ALWAYS take a minute to report them on the respective sites.
WHENEVER we see hateful, harassing speech, take a public stand against it and make the gaming community a more enjoyable space to be in.
We are asking indie developers, AAA developers, and other folks to stop branding gamers as neckbearded, misogynistic, hatefueled, ignorant, homophobic, idiots.
While hate exists in ALL demographics, gamers are no exception. However like most demographics, most gamers are kind, open minded, good hearted and love our fellow gamers.
Stop the hate.”
The original story is below:
To say that the past two weeks has been a rough ride for gamers would be a severe understatement.
With accusations of the corruption of game journalism, disturbing threats of violence, and unwarranted harassment directed towards game developers, critics, and fellow gamers flying around the internet, it’s safe to say there is a lot happening in the video game industry.
In response to recent events, over 600 (at the time of this writing) prominent industry figures have rallied together against the hate and harassment that has been setting the gaming population aflame as of late.
They are doing so through signing and support of an open letter addressed to the gaming community, which can be described as a call to action for gamers to take a proactive stance against hateful or violent conduct, instead of sitting apathetically on the proverbial sidelines.
You can read the letter below:
An Open Letter To The Gaming Community
“We believe that everyone, no matter what gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion has the right to play games, criticize games and make games without getting harassed or threatened. It is the diversity of our community that allows games to flourish.
If you see threats of violence or harm in comments on Steam, YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Facebook or reddit, please take a minute to report them on the respective sites.
If you see hateful, harassing speech, take a public stand against it and make the gaming community a more enjoyable space to be in.”
Developers from video game companies such as Bioware, Epic, Riot Games, Blizzard, Bungie, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, Sony, and Double Fine (among a slew of others) are among the 600-plus individuals that signed the letter.
You can view the list of signatures in its entirety here.
Honestly, it shouldn’t be this tough to call yourself a gamer. Adding fuel to the already raging flames by being hostile or venomous to your fellow players will not, in any way, amend the current situation.
People who play and are passionate about video games are part of the gaming community, whether they realize/like it or not. But maybe, just maybe, if we, as a community, decide to take a stand against the hate and violence occurring within it, we can make it a better one.
What are your thoughts on this open letter to the gaming community? Do you agree with it, or do you have some reservations towards it? Is it a futile effort, or do you think that we, as the so-called gaming community, can change the way people see us, and possibly the way we see ourselves? Let me know in the comments section below.
As always, stay tuned to GamerHeadlines.com for the latest in video game and technology news.
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