Online harassment is certainly not new, but there is a disturbing increase in incidents related to the video gaming industry. Video game developers, and others in the industry, are often targets of such harassment, which include rape and death threats.
Not only does this kind of harassment often hurt the industry (some game developers have stopped making games because of it), but it's also illegal. Now, the FBI is stepping in and working with the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) to tackle what has become an ongoing issue.
Recently, online harassment has come to a head with several public incidents. Video game industry critic Anita Sarkeesian received death threats that drove her out of her home after posting a video about sexist tropes in video games. Independent game developer Zoe Quinn also received death threats, had her Tumblr account hacked, and had much of her personal information published online. Sony Online Entertainment President John Smedly recently had a flight he was on diverted due to a Twitter bomb threat.
This sort of behavior puts the "fanatical" in the word fan because it takes harassment to an extreme. Because the Internet allows for anonymity, harassment is easier than ever before. And with game developers becoming public figures, they are often targets.
"This is particularly true in the case of harassment in gaming communities, as most of the abusive behavior is not grounded in local, offline relationships and social networks," says Nathan Fisk, lecturer at the Department of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. "There are groups of fans harassing developers and representatives, and it can be assumed that very few of those fans have actually met those developers in person."
The IGDA is putting together a Mental Health Special Interest Group that would not just deal with standard mental health issues, but also issues of harassment. This will include an online resource for helping those in the gaming industry deal with harassment, as well as report it.
Kate Edwards, executive director of the IGDA, met with FBI officials recently, too.
"I had a meeting with the FBI in July regarding harassment," says Edwards. "They noted a rise in activity. They themselves monitor this activity, but they're focused more on cybercrime issues like hacking and very malicious harassment."
Edwards noted that the IGDA and the FBI will be collaborating to tackle harassment. Both organizations recommend that anyone being harassed report it immediately to their local police department or the FBI.
