Back in early February we were in deep GDC prep mode. We had begun researching and writing about the video game industry’s unique Trust & Safety challenges. We started scheduling interviews with gamers for our podcast, The Brief. We were timing the launch of all this content to the start of GDC, anticipating drafting off all the attention the convention typically gets.
Then COVID-19 happened.
With GDC canceled, we considered shelving this initiative. But when the shelter-in-place orders were announced, we realized that this content was just as valuable, if not more so, now that lots of people were going to start playing video games even more.
So, we’re happy to share this initiative. We summarize the rise of in-game social interaction, look at Leet Speak, review an old but still very relevant GDC presentation on Riot’s efforts to curb toxicity, review some newer effects by other gaming companies and round things out by highlighting the special safety needs of younger players.
Happy reading!
From Arcades to MMOs: The history of social gaming
When we think about social gaming, we think about massive multiplayer online games (MMOs) like World of Warcraft, intense arena games like League of Legends, and sweat-inducing battle royale games like Fortnite.
How Riot Games Used Behavior Science to Curb League of Legends Toxicity
With GDC postponed, we’re satisfying our need for GDC content by mining its vault. We loved Jeff Lin’s 2013 walk-through of Riot's toxicity-combatting tools and features. Here’s a summary of his talk.
How Major Gaming Companies Are Combatting Toxicity in 2020
Contrary to popular belief, toxic language isn't an inherent part of gaming (or worse, a necessity for enjoyment). Instead, it's a culturally-driven phenomenon that can be reduced, penalized, and squashed with ongoing behavioral efforts. Here are some of the ways that the world's leading gaming companies are fighting back against toxic environments.
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January 2020 | National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In support, we’ll be examining the problem and how online communities, from gaming chats to dating apps, can unknowingly help traffickers find and groom victims.