Racist Trolls Are Still Dominating Video Games

Summary

The video script discusses the persistent racial issues within the gaming industry, highlighting personal experiences of racial slurs and bullying in online gaming. It features interviews with gamers and experts, including Kishonna Gray, who emphasizes the normalization of racism and the need for zero-tolerance policies and diverse representation in gaming companies to combat the problem. The script also touches on the impact of anonymity in online spaces and the importance of including voices of color in decision-making processes to create a more inclusive gaming environment.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The video game industry has a history of racial issues, including stereotypical portrayals and a lack of diversity.
• 💻 Online gaming environments are often toxic and racist, with players of color frequently subjected to racial slurs and harassment.
• 🏈 In 2002, Microsoft used a game of NFL Fever between Peyton Manning and Matt Hasselbeck to promote Xbox Live, highlighting the potential of online gaming.
• 👦 The narrator, as a middle school student, used video games as an escape from bullying but faced racial abuse on Xbox Live.
• 🔄 As the narrator grew older, the racial abuse continued online, becoming normalized as an unfortunate aspect of online gaming.
• 🕹️ Kishonna Gray's study on black gamers' experiences online found that racism was common and players often just got used to it.
• 📊 Microsoft's response to racism was criticized for relying on quantitative data and not addressing the normalization of racial abuse by players of color.
• 🃏 Professional gamer Terrence Miller experienced public racism during a Hearthstone tournament, with racist messages overwhelming the Twitch chat.
• 🌐 The anonymity of the internet is suggested as a driving factor behind the racism in online gaming, with people behaving differently online than in real life.
• 🛡️ Microsoft's strategy of a reputation system for dealing with abusive players is mentioned, but the call for a zero-tolerance policy on racism is emphasized.
• 🌈 The importance of diversity in gaming companies and including voices of color in decision-making processes is highlighted as a long-term solution to combat racism in gaming.

Q & A

What are some of the main issues in the gaming industry regarding race, according to Manny?

Manny highlights stereotypical portrayals, lack of diversity, and a toxic and racist online gaming environment as main issues in the gaming industry.

How did Microsoft use NFL quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Matt Hasselbeck to promote Xbox Live in 2002?

Microsoft had Peyton Manning and Matt Hasselbeck play each other in a game of NFL Fever while being thousands of miles apart to showcase Xbox Live's online gaming capabilities.

What was Manny's experience with online gaming as a 12-year-old?

When Manny first logged on to Xbox Live at 12 years old, he was almost immediately called the N-word and faced continued racial abuse as he grew older.

What did Kishonna Gray's study at Arizona State University reveal about the experiences of black gamers online?

Kishonna Gray's study revealed that black gamers frequently experienced racism online and had normalized this abuse, often not filing complaints because they believed nothing would be done.

How did Terrence Miller, a professional Hearthstone player, experience racism during a tournament?

During a tournament, Terrence Miller faced a barrage of racist messages in the Twitch chat. Despite moderators' efforts, they couldn't keep up with the volume of abuse.

How does the experience of racism differ for Terrence Miller between online and in-person events?

Terrence Miller stated that he experienced no racism at in-person events, contrasting with the anonymous and racially abusive behavior he encountered online.

What is Microsoft's current strategy to combat racism on their platform?

Microsoft uses a reputation system where players with bad reports have their reputation lowered, eventually being limited to play only with others with similarly bad reputations.

What additional measures does Manny suggest gaming companies should take to combat racism?

Manny suggests that gaming companies should have zero tolerance for racism, permanently banning racist players, and focus on increasing diversity both in employment and showcasing diverse players.

How can diversity in employment and showcasing diverse players help fight racism in gaming?

Increasing diversity in employment can ensure more perspectives are considered in decision-making processes, while showcasing diverse players can help normalize diversity in the gaming community.

What specific example does Kishonna Gray provide to illustrate the importance of diverse voices in decision-making?

Kishonna Gray explains that without diverse voices, policies like banning players for using the N-word can inadvertently punish black players who may use the term in their everyday speech practices.