‘Going Live in 3…2…1…’
Written by Shawn Ruest on 15/07/11
Photo by ZeoniX on Flickr
Summer is a time for many of us to kick back and relax. On a rainy day, you may find yourself picking up a controller to play some video games and you might even add a microphone to that if you’re playing online with other players. But here’s the curve ball: you never actually know who you’re playing with or how other players will behave online.
SD (Stranger Danger)?
Most video games will have a label from the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) that recommends the appropriate age group for the game. However, these ratings also say “Game experience may change during online play”. The ESRB can’t make predictions on how players will act while playing online. A game rated ‘T’ for ‘Teen’ (13 years old and over) can be inappropriate for that age group because of the behaviour of the other online players. Why does this happen? One reason can be the anonymous factor – most players only use their nicknames (also known as: ‘Gamertags’ and ‘Gamer profiles’) to identify themselves instead of their real name. Some players may assume that their true identity is disguised, and therefore may swear, make discriminatory remarks or threaten each other, thinking that their online behavior won’t be traced back to them directly.
FTW (For the Win)!
Photo by daniellewilmer on Flickr
For those of us who respect the game and our fellow players, there are some ways we have to make the gaming world a positive environment. So let’s take advantage of these options instead of being bystanders to unsporting behaviour.
All online networks are different, but most still have a code of conduct that all players need to follow. For example, the XBOX Live network has a code of conduct that players agree to follow before they start playing. If you see/hear anyone misbehaving or being disrespectful online, you can report it to XBOX Live by finding a player on a ‘recent players’ list – specific games may also have their own recent players list. On the other hand, if you violate the code, you could risk having a complaint made against you that can carry consequences, such as having a bad player reputation, temporary account suspensions and full-time account bans! Your XBOX 360 console can even be disconnected from XBOX Live. You can also be penalized for creating offensive Gamertags, piracy or ‘modding’ (changing) your gaming system to have an unfair advantage over other players.
GG (Good Game):
If you’re a noob (often called ‘newbie’ or ‘newcomer’) in online gaming, check out the list of links below and your own game manuals for online Codes of Conduct. If you’re a gaming veteran, remember to respect yourself, each other and the game… or risk being ‘pwned’ (defeated)!
Links
ESRB
Internet Safety – DEAL.org
Nintendo
PlayStation
The Price of Piracy and Plagiarism – DEAL.org
XBOX
3 Reader Comments:
L DJuly 21st
I think your article needs to be more aggressive- much like the behavior many users engage in online. Whether on a computer using Ventrillo or other programs to communicate live with people in online communities, or using a headset for PS3 or XBOX consoles, stranger danger online is very apparent. Overt racism, homophobia and gender comments, crude and obscene language are blatant terms in most online gaming communities. While many try not to participate or encourage this kind of language or behavior, anonymity online offers more protection to players than a Code of Conduct allows for legitimate (and age-appropriate) users. In violent games you’ll often experience bad behavior and racism on a daily basis, but even in games for 13+ you’ll find adults or teens online engaging in extremely volatile chat with other users. Parent needs to be diligent not only with the kind of games their children are playing, or the age group they expect their children would encounter online, but also the kind of language their children are using while gaming. Just as the amount of violence in game play can impact a youth’s development, so can the type of language used in the community and during live chat. Even if your child isn’t saying the words, they may be listening to others using extremely derogatory language.
Gaming can be a great way to let loose or relax, but getting outside or joining clubs should always be at the top of every parent’s agenda for their teens and children. Outside, the mask of anonymity is lifted somewhat.
Thomas TurnerJuly 27th
I think that this should be made more public and targeted to children from the age of 13-17 most of the people saying things or doing things that are offensive and forms of assault between these ages and just because they are behind a T.V. they will not get punished or have any sort of consequence should be changed..
StephJuly 28th
I agree with the poster above. This article is a good way to give an insight of the dangers of online gaming for children. Yet maybe more emphasis on such a read should be more aggresive to put your point across.
I am currently a adult gamer myself on XBOX and it has come to the point that I limit myself on who I speak with while gaming online. I do like that they have added a private party chat but the number of times I have gotten insulted for being a girl gamer is ridiculous when I was not in ppc.
It is as if that the male population on the gaming world love to pick on girls that do better then them and most of them are younger players.
I do believe that parents should really be monitoring their childrens behaviors and language same with adults. OR another options is for the networks to monitor the live chats when players are online. I say this because many feel that if they report nothing will get done.