For this week’s Sessler’s Soapbox, Adam Sessler brings up an issue that’s old, but still unfortunately valid. That is, he, like many people, is fed up with the amount of racist and homophobic talk on Xbox Live. As he points out, the situation is just getting uglier all the time. Personally, I just mute the headset from the start as a default. Occasionally I’ll crank up the volume to see if there’s any sort of reasonable talk going on, and I’m usually disappointed…in humanity. Sessler also calls on anyone out there to explain why this sort of talk is necessary. You can check out how that’s going at the video’s website here.
I can’t remember where exactly I saw this, but an article I once read brought up a good theory on why this sort of behavior is more prevalent on Xbox Live over other online gaming forums. Part of the reason stems just from the fact that the Xbox 360 comes with a headset right out of the box, rather than having one sold separately. The thing is, the person who goes out of their way to purchase an extra headset is more likely use it to simply socialize and coordinate in the game. When it’s already there, some people tend to just put it on and start talking. It really is getting worse and worse, though.
252 Comments to Sessler's Soapbox is Tired of the Bigots on Xbox Live
by: Norbit
On June 11, 2008 at 9:35 pm
The main reason is the simple fact that the vast majority of people on there are young American males.
by: Zaruka
On June 11, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Norbit stupid don’t know a country
but i do agree i hate the talk during live games that why i think pc games are a lot better you can ban the idiots rather then mute them plus it more satifing
by: Omas
On June 11, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Huh, well. I blame the parents. 1: Not paying attention to their kids. 2: Letting them use the headset mic. 3: For buying their young children, X-Box 360s and crap. I also blame the kids. 1: They think they sound cool, they don’t. 2: They should really behave themselves, anywhere. Becuase, alot of people. Hate hearing little wankers, cursing, and crap like that. 3: You should really be quiet. Now, I’m fifteen, but I know when to talk, when to be quiet. And all that. I swear rarely when playing on any online game. Why? Becuase, I find swearing only to be used in situations when they call for it. Like, you get shot. Go ahead, if you own some “n00b” online. I’m sick, and so are alot of people over this matter. Kids should just STFU OR GTFO.
by: Omas
On June 11, 2008 at 10:25 pm
To clarify, that “To get shot” one, was a real-life situation.
by: Ron
On June 11, 2008 at 10:45 pm
It’s an unfortunate truth that when people can hide behind the anonymity of an online handle, they tend to behave in ways they wouldn’t in person. Furthermore, parents simply aren’t parenting anymore. If my son was sitting his room yelling profanities into his headset, then he would quickly lose that headset, along with the 360 it was attached to.
Simply put, this is an issue that crops up when you combine younger people who think profanity is ‘cool’ with an environment that rarely if ever punishes them for it. Maybe if more people took the time to report these morons, then Microsoft would take some sort of action against them.
by: Omas
On June 11, 2008 at 11:03 pm
True dat. I used to play CSS (Counter-Strike: Source), on almost every server. There is always that little kid, like. 11 years old. Swearing, getting angry, and most of the older people on that server, hate them. God, It’s the same with when a girl gets on, they hear them talk. then it’s a flood of “OMG A GRL” “NO its prlly a guy” “R u hott” “Cn I c u nakd?” Sadly, I’ve heard alot of those. The parents should really monitor and punish their kids. And the kids should learn to control it.
by: Steve
On June 11, 2008 at 11:26 pm
It’s pretty naive to think this problem exists on one platform, much less to a particular demographic. This sort of thing has been going on since the days of Quake deathmatch. Microsoft does take action, but you have to have strong evidence to support such (hint: rare). Bungie has been pretty good about moderating this type of stuff, but even their resources are strained.
Historically, the most successful way to combat this kind of stuff, albeit crude, is for the game developer to incorporate some type of admin stuff specifically for the title. But even that has its drawbacks – especially if said game has limited popularity.
But I wholeheartedly agree, the blame is solely on the parents. It’s a losing battle on the other end, regardless of devices used.
by: Xaroth
On June 12, 2008 at 12:06 am
Certain gaming avenues attract different age groups or cultures. This doesnt necessarily mean that the game itself is what attracts a playerbase. It is often the existing playerbase that determines who sticks around and who turns away in disgust.
What you’re saying, Sessler, is merely an overly wordy and dramatized version of not enjoying the company of young kids. What did you expect? 10 year old kids are not going to have the capacity to formulate complex and unique trash-talk or retorts. You’re playing a game with 10 year old kids. And yes, they have the freedom of speech, just as you have the freedom to not listen to it. If you want to participate in a more mature gaming community, you’re going to have to find it somewhere else. Because xbox live is already populated by young kids and those who can tolerate young kids. And no, you arent so important that they should all clear out so you can have your fun in peace.
Honestly I would rather see kids grow up spewing profanity or other stupid cliche phrases than see them grow up silent and socially retarded. They’ll grow out of it. I guarantee it. One day they will look back and laugh at how silly they were acting – one day they may be able to engage in intelligent banter with someone your age, Sessler. But right now they are just being kids. Whether it is “butt head” or n****r-f****t…kids will be kids, and they will say some silly things. Why be offended by it? They are just words. And coming from somebody who, as you clearly were able to pick out, does not know entirely what they are saying. I’m ashamed that you were offended, really.
It seems to me like you’re the one who doesnt have tolerance or understanding, Sessler.
In any case. You just have a bad case of not enjoying the company of adolescents. They will grow out of it.
And placed at the end so you dont discredit me at the beginning: I’m 18 and have grown up around the online gaming community for 9 years of my life. I grew out of it. I’ve seen others grow out of it. I know how it works. From me to you: There is no problem here, its all in your head.
Honestly, I would have been more entertained hearing some of your “clever profanity”. :/
by: lol
On June 12, 2008 at 12:37 am
if some one says the “n word” on a game and everyone freaks out about it, that just gives them more reason to do it…you people are the ones who give these “biggots” power by reacting so excessively to these words….most of the time there not even “biggots” they are just kids trying to get a rise out of people.
by: random
On June 12, 2008 at 1:08 am
WHO CARES. nuff said!
by: Phil
On June 12, 2008 at 2:24 am
Cause its funny to hear people whine and go after you in game then get owned
.
by: Spartacus
On June 12, 2008 at 3:05 am
These are the same people who spend most of their time on WoW at level 70 ganking 1-20′s and then calling people who don’t play PvP wimps. It has become the “cool” and expected thing to be a complete asshole.
by: Shawn Sines
On June 12, 2008 at 8:13 am
@Spartacus: No, Griefers and spoilers in MMOs are going to a different level of Hell then the Xbox Live Idiots.. I think this all goes back to a certain level of anonymity among these forums. There is no personal consequences so many immature people (regardless of age) feel they can abandon whatever social pressure keeps them from doing that same thing in personal conversation (though in some cases I imagine its not that different to speak with them in person.. but I’m an old cynic).
I don’t think its intolerance for youth alone, and I also think its unfair to classify the core abusers as “10-year old kids” when in fact I think I’ve had just as many bad experiences with older teens and adults who can;t seem to be courteous or respectful. Think about it this way, when we’re kids playing sandlot baseball or soccer we always end a game with a “good game” because the coaches reinforced that behavior.
In the “virtual gamespace” there is merely competition without that mutual respect being reinforced and as far as I know there is no good mechanic to do that so we rely on people to act accordingly and continually get disappointed. So we have a few choices.. we turn off the voice chat.. or we only play with those we know. Both work for me.
by: ManOfTeal
On June 12, 2008 at 8:17 am
This racist crap is why gaming online on the Wii is so enjoyable for me….I don’t have to worry about being the asshole that won’t talk to anybody because Nintendo already made that choice for me…..no voice chat….thank you Nintendo.
Go Marlins!!!!
by: SpiralGray
On June 12, 2008 at 9:04 am
He’s absolutely right about the image issue. You think it’s bad when the news reports about Mass Effect’s sex scandal? Wait until they start taping some on-line game chatter.
As for “kids will be kids…”, what a load of bull that is. That argument applies when a kid breaks someone’s window playing baseball in the street. I hate to sound like an old fogey, but how about teaching the kids to be respectful of their elders and giving them a good spanking when they don’t. Coddling these little brats is what is creating the situation in the first place.
by: The Dunce
On June 12, 2008 at 12:45 pm
They also like to say stuff about peoples moms. I just fake a cry say shes dead and say I’m going to kill myself and that I’m going to press charges. They (being 9-12) will freak out and be all apologetic. Hopefully then they won’t be such idiots on Xbox Live anymore.
by: Daniel
On June 12, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I am proud to say that I am not one of those people who talk trash just to talk trash. The only times I use my gift of spewing venom is when I’m provoked to do so by inane chatter and dumb 10 year olds. I rarely use any form of vulgarity in my trash talking online. Instead, I adopt to use whit and a demoralizing tone when I talk to people who are just talking complete nonsense.
I personally would love for Xbox Live as a whole to mature. But I am realistic and know that will never happen. When I get on an Xbox Live game, I know it’s a crap shoot on how the room will behave. I’m always forced to play with a headset because I don’t want that vulgarity spewing out of my home theater speakers for anyone passing by to hear.
by: Matt
On June 12, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Xaroth, you couldn’t be more wrong in your response to Sessler’s rant. While you may have the freedom to say what you want, you do not have the freedom to attack and belittle other people over a game. I hear the word “fag” used so often in Halo 3 nowadays its absolutely disgusting. While I may not be gay, I do understand that this is an incredibly derogatory insult for the gay community, and to use it in such a nonchalant way is inexcusable. These kids will get used to verbally abusing people who lose to them on Xbox Live and will then go on and use it in their daily lives. People don’t understand the effects words can have on other people, and when these insults become commonplace it completely degrades society as a whole.
“Whether it is “butt head” or n****r-f****t…kids will be kids”
Are you fucking crazy? “Butt head” is okay, but nigger and faggot are words that are used to marginalize groups of people and should NEVER be used as insults. These are not words that parents should EVER allow their kids to use in any circumstance. If I ever heard my kid say nigger or faggot on Xbox Live their Xbox would be taken from them immedietely and indefinitely.
In the end, this is going to keep occuring predominantly on Xbox Live because of Xbox’s affection to hardcore, competitive games. This kind of language is so common on the Xbox because of this fact, and while it does show up on both the PC and the PS3..these gaming platforms do not cater to the competitive gamers as much as Microsoft does. While I don’t believe that it is Microsoft’s fault that the kids are being so ignorant in their insults, I do believe that Microsoft has to increase the punishment (AKA IP bans) for these type of offenses. I also believe that much of the responsibility lies in the hands of the kids’ parents…AKA don’t like your child play a M rated game if he/she isn’t 17+.
by: Daniel
On June 12, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Did anyone else notice the dude holding the controller on the couch is holding a Playstation controller? Might have been nice if the folks who put the video together looked into that image a little. Heh.
by: web design company
On June 12, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Little kids tend to ruin xbox live. I play tf2 all the time and all I hear is I CAN HAZ CHEESEBURGER or people using the n word or calling people faggots. This usually leaves me to play with no headset or to just play on a team with friends only. I just wish there was just a button you can use to shock those kids in real life. Oh and british kids, please stop rapping over live… actually that goes to everyone.
by: Ron Whitaker
On June 12, 2008 at 7:46 pm
@Xaroth (and anyone else who thinks that he may have a valid point): Why is it that every time someone calls these people out on their inappropriate behavior, someone starts spewing forth a bunch of freedom of speech garbage?
There is NO freedom of speech on the internet. None. Zero. Zilch. Sure, you can say whatever you want on XBox Live, but Microsoft can ban you for it. You can say whatever you want in online forums, but the moderators can edit your posts, delete your posts, or ban your account. Freedom of speech simply doesn’t exist on the internet because you are always posting on someone’s site, and since it’s their sandbox, you have to play by their rules.
Even if you have your own site, if you are being offensive enough, your web host can shut you down. Freedom of speech is a glorious thing we have in America. Unfortunately it has no meaning on the internet or any online community.
If you can’t see the problem, then I am sorry for you. This type of behavior only hurts the gaming community as a whole, as it perpetuates the belief that gamers are socially maladjusted, basement dwelling, mouth breathing morons whose only point in existing is to get one more frag. Honestly, most of us are beyond that. Perhaps if you examine your point of view and modify it, you can join us.
by: Xaroth
On June 12, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I can see I am in the midst of a “kids are worse these days than when we were kids” bitch-fest. Dont break a hip, you self-righteous, ignorant fogeys.
Perhaps the “ban on profanity” is not being enforced because it would cause a tremendous loss of Microsoft’s Xbox-live profits.
While your idealist “stop them damn kids from swearing! buncha no-good potty-mouths…” viewpoint may look good on paper… I honestly find it a waste of energy to pursue. And I’m sure Microsoft would find it not only a waste, but quite destructive to their online gaming enterprise.
The internet is not driven by morals. “Profane behavior” is only strictly moderated in certain communities, with full knowledge that by exercising such censorship they are drastically changing the audience or member base they are going to attract.
And dont try to lump me in with “profanity-spouting 10 year olds”, through implications however subtle. I am not standing on the other side of the battlefield to defend them, nor because I am one of them; I am over here because one thing I despise is people parading about on their self-righteous high horses – and because I like a good dispute.
In any case, you probably wont be getting any more respectful or effort-filled replies from me. I have other things to attend to. And in before anybody can fabricate any ridiculously unbased ideas as to what things I may indeed be attending to.
Racist language removed. See how that works? -Editor
by: Smitty
On June 12, 2008 at 10:17 pm
We do it for the lulz, Adam. For the lulz.
by: Dem0n
On June 12, 2008 at 10:26 pm
You know what the real problem is? Softies who are still offended by this kind of thing in this day and age. Stop your crying, you sensitive bitches.
by: Matt
On June 12, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Xaroth, you need to understand that there is a large difference between profanity and racial slurs. I don’t have a problem with someone saying “fuck off” or something on Xbox Live, but when people throw out “nigger” and “fag” and make it seem cooler for even younger kids to say, then you have a BIG problem.
by: Xaroth
On June 12, 2008 at 11:27 pm
The only problem (if it is even a problem) is being offended by such language, in my opinion. People who make such a big deal about it, those who are greatly offended (especially if they are not even of the race or sexual orientation in question), are those who make the language taboo. And if the language is taboo – it will be used by kids who are seeking attention, who want to shock people, or who are just looking to attach more meaning to what they say, whether they fully understand the meaning they are attaching or not.
Imagine being a little kid (10, 11, 12 years old?) – it shouldnt be too hard…
Almost anything you say to an adult (your parent, whoever) or even someone significantly older than yourself (5 years or more?), they have already heard before. You’re incapable of bringing anything new that they havent already heard of, thought of, basically chewed up and spit out. You want to get a rise out of people, be interesting, be heard, have people pay attention to you (good or bad, although children often cannot distinguish between the two, and will bask in similar glory whether they are being frowned or smiled upon). Hey…you know some pretty strong words. Words that really got a rise out of people when you last heard them. You try them on for size. Success! Jaws drop. Whatever. You just got that attention you’ve been craving. Use the word again! And again!
Oh…and then they grow up and are actually capable of grabbing attention without spewing profanity or racism at every chance they get, and they realize that how they acted as children was pretty silly and immature.
But I digress. Children only use such words BECAUSE they are taboo. And you make them taboo by being (in my opinion, needlessly) offended by them. >.>
I hope the “BIG problem” everybody is so afraid of is not that todays youth are going to grow up to be extremely profane and racist individuals. Because they arent. If anything, racism and profanity as it is today, will die in a few generations as all you “fire stokers” who take such great offense to the language pass away (excuse me). Or maybe that is too much to hope for, because you all seem so persistent and intent on passing on the idea that “holy crap these words are BAD! BAD! BAD!!”.
Disclaimer: I’m tired and did not proofread.
by: waffle
On June 12, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Some of us like to get together and make fun of and grief online gamers. The best way to get things rolling, to find out who the easiest targets are, is to offend them and see the type of reaction they have. How serious they take their online gaming or how easily offended someone is makes for a lot of fun if you have a group together in on it with you. It is a game within a game that is a lot more unpredictable because you can take it wherever you want to take it. We do this because it is an easy and somewhat entertaining waste of time. It comes at the expense of others, but oh well, we are enjoying ourselves.
by: Michael Thompson
On June 12, 2008 at 11:49 pm
You need to force the wmode for embedded Flash movies so your drop-down menus don’t got behind the SWF, and your “Top Posts” / “Recent Posts” backgrounds should be GIFs with transparency near the rounded corners so that there isn’t a hard, white edge when these items appear on a non-white background.
by: loltv
On June 12, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Fabulouth
by: Mr DJ
On June 12, 2008 at 11:52 pm
It’s a good soap box, but most of the newbs who do it don’t listen. And there are a lot of black guys out there that would need to participate too. But they aren’t going to, it’s too prevalent in society. What are you going to do, get the kids to stop listening to rap, which has the N word and homosexual blasts, to stop listening to their music? It’s just not gonna happen. I’ve just accepted the fact that while I’m online I’m going to be a N word to someone, and just gotten desensitized I guess. COD4 brought it back for me (Halo sux, it’s not real enough). I miss the good old quake 2 ctf days on a 56k modem where you fought to maintain a 150ms ping, and everyone used chat. I agree though, I don’t call anyone a N* and I don’t wanna be called a N*, but society reaps what it sows.
by: mikey
On June 12, 2008 at 11:53 pm
It’s funny that you’re complaining about a 10 year old, when that’s what you now appear to be. I haven’t seen a grown man complain like that in a long time. It was really funny to watch and also quite depressing at the same time.
I’m not saying these kids don’t need a spanking from mommy and daddy, but grow up. I like to grief people on games and it’s funny to get a rise out of them, much in the way you reacted. Just play with voicechat off if you get all flustered because of it.
Keep on FOAMn, lil guy.
by: Mr DJ
On June 12, 2008 at 11:53 pm
One other thing, GTA4 has the N word IN GAME. What are we gonna do, protest Rockstar? We can’t, we like our games too much.
by: loltv
On June 12, 2008 at 11:54 pm
ps: the reason people do it is probably because it’s funny to watch you throw a sissy bitch fit
by: Felipe
On June 12, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Stop playing then.
Panzees
by: brando
On June 12, 2008 at 11:54 pm
xaroth: geez doode. way to not spell veries good.
disclaimer: I’m also tired and did not reread your comment so that I could itemize your mistakes and point them out so everyone can laugh at you. But I can’t help admitted that ‘trolling’ is the in thing these days.
by: silicon
On June 12, 2008 at 11:58 pm
hey adam sessler you know this classic comic sums it up: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19/
by: Guamas
On June 12, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Ugh… People these days talking poopoo on the service. Microsoft doesn’t give a rats ass what people say on there and they need to stand up and take actions.
I remember one time this guy what blasting off racist remarks, and I told him how it was and he left.
by: kaienshiba
On June 12, 2008 at 11:59 pm
I can’ stand hearing little kids cuss, sing, scream, make animal noises, eat loudly, yell at their parents/dog/friends, and just talk about stuff they don’t understand. I can’t wait for the day Glenn Beck or O Reilly catch onto this and a shit storm follows. Then and only then they may start enforcing the rating laws and I won’t have to deal with 10 year old kids on mature games.
For me it’s not about being offended, because I could care less about what some jackass kid is saying, it’s about being annoyed.
by: shaman
On June 12, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Here is the deal: Someone simply needs to start a website that lists the those who are tagged as being the worst offenders, and offers up their screen names. Xbox should monitor that, and suspend those on the list.
*****BTW – If you want to get the racism to stop (in your room only), it’s easy: I’ve been telling the idiots that there is a website where you can plug in their screen name and it will spit out their real name and address, then I tell them that I’m going to publish their real info. That shuts em up right quick.
by: BradOFarrell
On June 13, 2008 at 12:00 am
Xaroth, you’re an idiot.
If you’re uprooting the basic foundations of our society to say “there’s no such thing as a word you shouldn’t say” and then continuing on to say “poorly behaved kids are just acting by their own nature and should be allowed to act that way.” That’s just dumb.
You’re dumb. Stop talking.
by: Kojak
On June 13, 2008 at 12:08 am
if it’s something you don’t want to be a part of then get out. mature games, mature content…
by: Guys...
On June 13, 2008 at 12:15 am
It’s simple. They do it for the lulz.
by: spade
On June 13, 2008 at 12:17 am
@xaroth
“youre a nigger fag.”
how did that feel to you? you can insist that it doesn’t affect you but im sure i just offended someone else. i grew up in a town that used “n****” since they first learned to get a rise out of people and guess what, they still use it. you generalize that just because you didnt use it, others wont either. hate to break to you that in other parts of the country, that isn’t the case. everyones point is just to be tolerant of people’s feelings.
@everyone else.
give me a break! insults are exactly what they are, insults. i can call someone retarded and im sure i just offended someone with autism. just because choice words are termed offensive, doesn’t mean other insults aren’t. i think that you parents may be a bunch of hypocrites if you can punish your kids for saying certain words but not for other profanity.
anyway, if you guys dont wanna hear people talking shit or dont want your kids saying a whole bunch of dirty shit, dont buy your kids damn videogames where obviously what they do is kill each other and brag. bad words are gonna be here to stay and dont act like you guys dont say it cuz im sure your kids pick it up from you.
by: dave
On June 13, 2008 at 12:19 am
I gotta agree ..i hate it when little kids start swearing and they wont shut up ….its not completely what their sayin it their age and their nonwillingness to shut up for the sake of shuting up …truth im not really offened when a single race slur is used(prob cause im white male idk) but when its repeated over and over screamed in to the mic by a ten year old it pisses me off.
by: peu4000
On June 13, 2008 at 12:20 am
I guarantee that 98% of all of the people you hear saying these profane things are not really racist or homophobic. People find it easier to call someone a f** because it is what they have heard growing up. It’s a reflexive thing.
@Shaman: That would never work. You cannot base a (fair) system of punishment on hearsay.
by: dave
On June 13, 2008 at 12:23 am
u c what i mean by the guy above me also prob a white male… i mean if he said it a couple of times watever..personally..but he took 1/2 of the whole scroll bar with that crap and now no one will scrool down to c the other comments..just like online when the kid is screamming Nigger i cant talk to other ppl or hear them
by: Eric G
On June 13, 2008 at 12:33 am
All this rant does is split hairs. Racial and anti-gay words are just as part of some peoples vocab as sh*t and f*ck are for you. Your saying that those words offend you, but what about people who are offended by the cursing you do? Its all point of view. Go back 20 years it was the worst insult possible to utter any “normal” curse word of today. Those words are, in todays society, nothing more than an insult to most people. Its lost its racial or bigoted meaning for many, even most of the ones that are supposed to be insulted by them. If your gonna complain about being insulted then you shouldnt use language that can, in turn, insult or offend others. You cant want both, thats being arrogant.
However, if you really want to get rid of people saying those words then people need to stop being so offended all the time. The way these words became how they are is because people were offended. So, by complaining about this you will do nothing but refuel a fire in most people because offense is all they are looking for. Like you, I dont think that a string of cursing or racial slurs indicates wit or anything like that, but its not likely to stop. Not as long as theres still people who get so bent out of shape from what a 10 year old says in a pub Halo match.
by: Da PHaRMaCiST
On June 13, 2008 at 12:37 am
COD4 deffo has the right idea in regards to this problem with the mute feature…i get stuck on a team with someone that’s annoying or offensive, BAM, i mute them & problem solved…..also i have no issues sending in a negative review or complaint on someone who goes over the line…true, while making someone lose 1/2 a star in their rating really isn’t punishment (considering u can have one of your friends give u a positive review to make it go right back up) if everyone did this more often, Microsoft would probably be more inclined to suspend or cancel that persons account…we’ve already seen what they’ve done to Achievement cheaters & those with offensive gamertags, so u know they’re watching
by: Xantac
On June 13, 2008 at 12:41 am
I think everyone is missing the point here…
“And placed at the end so you dont discredit me at the beginning: I’m 18 and have grown up around the online gaming community for 9 years of my life.”
I don’t find the opinion of an 18 year old much better than a 12 year old. Something tells me this kid was in Diablo trade chat as a 12 year old spamming racial slurs like nobody’s business. I think a lot of 18 year olds (99% still living with mommy) have a really big ego because they are labeled an adult and therefor have more life knowledge than anyone else.
So either you are a very ignorant 18 year old or a pretty decent troll. I’ll give your trolling attempt a good C+, and if you really are that ignorant then please spare humanity and DO NOT reproduce.
by: Chris
On June 13, 2008 at 12:45 am
Adam,
I completely agree. It’s a crock of sh*t to say that it’s a reflective or a “conditioning” thing to use these kind of profanities. I’ve played a fair number of games on Xbox Live, and on other online communities, and I’ve NEVER heard the kind of racism, homophobia, and general hate-speech that I’ve heard on the Live network. It blew my mind. I’ve been called things that people would never say to my face, and frankly it’s disgusting.
I think it is disgusting. I can’t begin to explain why Live is so filled with this type of behaviour, but… like you, I’ve had to start muting my mic when I play, just to keep myself from freaking out at some 11 year old spouting the type of things that are heard daily by players like you and me.
That’s not to say I never utter a simple FU*K! when sniped across a map in Halo 3, or HOLY SH!T when someone runs me down in GTA IV, but that’s the extent of it….
It’s nice to see someone with some media clout shedding some light on this. I doubt it will change anything, but… at least I’m not the only one bothered by this.
by: Derrick
On June 13, 2008 at 12:47 am
First, can we go ahead and delete the long string of “N” words above?
Second, why is everyone picking on “little kids”? Most of my poor experiences come from other adults or late teens on Xbox Live. When a little kid starts cussing on XBL and they’re on my team, I simply tell them that that is enough. It usually shuts them up immediately (though, I have a very, very deep voice, to that probably helps). My real problem comes from two other groups. Black guys on XBL and adults who thing it is funny just to say culturally insensitive things.
When I get on and play Halo 3, I hate being called “N”. I’m a white guy. I know the history of the word. I know where it came from. I know why it was used. I know it’s current acceptance. I don’t care. It is not a pleasant word. And yet, I get called that all the time by black people (I say black because I am white, not European-American). I would think that of all people, they would be the most against using that word, but that is not the case. I get it thrown at me all the time.
The other worst offenders for me are late teens and early adults (or older adults, usually from the south–you know, the kind with just enough religion to make them hate minorities and homosexuals, but not enough to make them at least nice about it). I find myself playing against a lot of people who sound like typical guidos. It’s ridiculous. They are super-pumped and ready to take on the world from their living room couch. And they can do it without messing up that fantastic hair. These are the guys that when you ask them to stop saying it decide to say it more. At least with black people, if they say it before the game starts and I ask them to not call me that, they are usually understanding and don’t call me that. Guidos are the suck, though. They refuse to call me anything but that.
What’s the core of the problem here? People are pricks. There’s nothing more to it. Some guys are just jackasses and will always be jackasses. The only thing to do is for some of us who are responsible and respectful to step up and make sure that these people are removed. I actually record all my games anyways (I hate Halo’s theatre), so if someone won’t stop, those videos are sent to Microsoft. I know that a lot of people record their games, more people should turn in the videos.
And don’t feel bad about getting someone banned. You’re doing XBL a favor.
by: Paul
On June 13, 2008 at 12:48 am
I think the main reason people sound like that is very simple, that is how they sound and talk in the comfort of their own home. Thus, on XBOXLIVE, they are in their living room — feeling secure among those who can identify them, and not giving a rats ass about those who can’t.
The word F– which I will censor, even though I’m using as an example is acceptable among many American families. Parents today grew up when gay bashing, (not the physical form) was very open and taught openly to be a negative thing. When their kids use the word, they simply feel proud and probably proclaim — just don’t use it in public. The same can be applied to any other faction or classification of person, only probably now in smaller and smaller amounts.
The short answer is you just have to mute the bastards or play without them. You’ve already found the best solution unfortunately, private games.
by: Aynatix
On June 13, 2008 at 12:53 am
by: D.J.
On June 13, 2008 at 12:53 am
Kojak, I think you win the award for dumbest comment on this replies thread. There isn’t anything mature about what these kids/morons/bigots are saying. It’s not mature content to have a 9 y/o call you a fag, its about as immature as you can get.
The first day I got xbox live I turned it on for some online Halo with several family members in the room only to be greeted by some kid who was younger than me spewing out racial slurs to anybody and everybody in the game. Try explaining that to your grandmother, or your younger siblings. It’s not an issue of whoever is doing it to simply grow up. It’s an issue of what the majority of gamers expect from our online experience, and what xbox live can ultimately do to enforce its policies.
by: David Wong
On June 13, 2008 at 12:59 am
I love to see the little kiddies in here defending it. I remember being that age, thinking I had power because I had the ability to annoy adults. Yes, Anonymous, you’ve successfully gained the same power as an anal fissure.
You “lulz” kiddies will grow up, look back, and be deeply ashamed of what you were. It’s part of growing up. You have some hard years ahead of you.
by: andy
On June 13, 2008 at 1:04 am
Aargh, what are some of you not understanding about this? It’s not about being offended, it’s about the fact that it’s *incredibly* annoying. I’d rather take a drill to my shoulder than have an hour of speaker-busting screaming from some 10 year old after I frag his ass a few times. I’d happily kick the shit out of one of these kids IRL, and I’ve always let them know that. It’s probably good I’m not American, as the primary offensive ones all seem to sound like that kid off the video where he’s yelling at his mother to go get him food and shut up and let him keep playing.
by: Grimm
On June 13, 2008 at 1:06 am
I couldn’t give less of a shit about people using the fag or nigger word, what I care about is the constant screeching of annoying 12 year old kids while I’m playing my video games. Fuck headsets. I don’t want a conversation with random people on Xbox live, I just want skilled opponents to play against, that will shut the fuck up.
by: mikesuma
On June 13, 2008 at 1:09 am
Adam… god bless you…. i often have to mute my headset because of scum bags like that.
by: Tim
On June 13, 2008 at 1:10 am
I completely agree with the sentiment, but I’m afraid people as a whole are too small-minded to understand. I’m gonna reference George Carlin here in that words don’t always represent their ugly origins, its all in delivery. Suppose I call someone a fag. That doesn’t necessarily sleight the homosexual community, providing the delivery makes it clear that the word is being used to humorously emasculate someone. Has nothing to do with sexual preference, and I feel that homophobes have stolen that word from well-meaning folks. Having said that, yes, kiddos get too much of a thrill from anonymously spouting off foul words, and ruin the sarcastic humor the rest of the intelligent world uses said words with. My concern here lies in zero-tolerance policies regarding blue humor, as most large organizations/networks, such as Live, cannot monitor every usage of profanity to deem whether of not its situation-appropriate. To put it simply, only by keeping idiots out of the civilized world’s affairs can we be assured of a perfect society. But of course that’s not possible, and we must opt for the lesser of two evils, which, in this situation, is complete verbal liberty, understanding young folks will piss everyone off. Zero tolerance smacks of facism.
by: Iroc
On June 13, 2008 at 1:14 am
Its simple, The world is full of Homophobic racist Neandrethals, always has been, always will be.
Thats why I don’t play XBox Live, and will stick to a more mature and tolerant group of adults on PC games, then wannabe cool children(who miss the mark so far the arnt even on the cool world map) who’s parents don’t teach them respect, and use the XBox as a babysitter.
by: Franz
On June 13, 2008 at 1:23 am
Is a homophobe someone who is scared of homosexuals?
What does this have to do with calling someone a fag?
Is everyone that uses the n* word a racist? Then there are a lot of Black Rappers ready to join the Klan.
Frankly, I get the offensive part, but these kids are not necessarily racist nor homophobic. They are annoying little kids that talk on Xbox Live THE SAME WAY they talk when their parents aren’t around.
I’m not defending them, I find it offensive and immature too. It’s just that I don’t think you can have an intelligent discussion on this topic without understanding why these kids say what they say. Sessler sounds like some outraged geezer who has no idea what he is talking about.
You know, short of having MS directly ban these kids when they mouth off (not through feedback, but through direct monitoring), nothing is going to change. Go to a private game channel with your friends. Problem solved.
And for you real racists who think it’s only Americans, grow up.
by: A Gaming Parent
On June 13, 2008 at 1:26 am
Sessler, thanks for this public insight into the dirty bowels of XBOX Live. I don’t own an XBOX 360, but was recently playing an online game with a friend’s kid’s Live account, and the trash these small children are spewing is absolutely horrible. I haven’t even heard some of this stuff come from the mouths of fully-grown adults, honestly, and I’ve been around plenty of raunchy folks! I don’t mind hearing adults curse at each other and smack talk in general, but when you hear this filth from kid’s mouths who can’t be more than 12 years old, there is something wrong with society.
by: Gomez
On June 13, 2008 at 1:28 am
Hey Adam –
Kids to this to get a rise out of people. Obviously it worked on you.
Be the adult – ignore them, turn them off. Getting pissy only gives them what they want.
by: PITBULL
On June 13, 2008 at 1:31 am
There are a few truths to all this …
1. Kids aren’t being watched like they should … Parents like to BLAM the gaming industry for there kids acting up , or for there kids stealing and killing , but what they forget to look into is what there KIDS are doing .. What games these kids are playing . There is a thing called parent control , but parents don’t use it , they don’t site there and make sure there kids are play the right games ..
2. Young Adults ( Teens ) that site there and like to think there cool by talking there SH*T cause the other person has no idea where you live .. The fact is no we don’t know where you live as well as you don’t know where we live . Stop the BS , grow up a little and act more mature then your I.Q. the fact is your sitting at home playing a VIDEO game . Your not out there having fun with your girlfriend that you clam you have , or out hanging out with friends that you clam you SMOKE with or DRINK with .. Your Sitting at home talking SH*T that in real life you probable can’t back up . That or your just someone that wants attention that your parents forgot to give you ..
3. Adults ( older guys that think there the SH*T ) there is a small group of guys out there that THINK there the SH*T . They guy that thinks cause he’s playing with a kid that is half his age is going to look up to him cause he’s acting a jerk to everyone else in that room .. Stop it !!! Really start acting your age , and show these younger guys what its like to me mature with others …
Now there is the fact that some people do play with there FRIEND , and sometimes you and your FRIENDS like to talk SH*T while your playing against each other .. We have all done it and have all had fun with in the games . But come on Online gaming is to meet new people , interact with them on a new level . Not to get into fights all the time …
Also as a side NOTE , people that like to make fun of other cause of RACE , or SEX or even cause they talk funny really need to stop it . Its not needed ….
As for the COMPANIES go , they need to have more age checking going on in both sections .. With in the company ( Sony and Microsoft ) need to start checking I.D or something like that for gamers to play online .. make it where the parents need to setup the console and not the kids .. make it where a Credit Card is needed or something that only the parents can do .. This would stop allot of this from the KIDS .. Also the gaming Stores really need to work on making sure that the Parents know that the game is an online game and is rated for a MATURE adult ..
Parents Get back into seeing what your kids are doing .. make sure there not playing something that PROMOTES violence or something like that ..
by: SMFB
On June 13, 2008 at 1:33 am
Why do they? because it spread like wild fire…. I have been on xbox live and heard A Lot of clever people that actually told funny stories or jokes or whatever, but they were jokes and not blatant profanities yelled over everyone else that is just trying to talk. point is that the first guy was funny and then a bunch of moronic kids thought they were funny by blowing it up and not making any sense….. Mostly because they really don’t know what they or saying or why they just think they are cool and it spread like crazy.
So how do you fix it….. I don’t know, xbox is now banning people with the word gay in their name… thats probably a step backwards and will make kids think that it is okay….. I would vote that Xbox actually monitor complaints or listen in on random games. 3 or more complaints for language, racism, etc. you get a 1 week ban, 2nd offense 1 month or whatever, but i think temp bans could actually be rather effective.
It really is the same as being a keyboard warrior and internet flaming….. what is anyone going to do but bitch back? you say enough offensive things to someone and they WILL say them back. After every game i play i try to say good game or give them a compliment, but usually all i hear in the lobby is how big of a faggat i am and how i suck soo bad at the game…. but this applies greatly to age demographic and its is horribly sad and true that the younger they are the more offensive and annoying they are.
by: JoshFourZero
On June 13, 2008 at 1:45 am
You’re absolutely right. It’s a big problem but one that I think unfortunately won’t or possibly can’t be solved. The reason they do it is because everyone finds it so offensive. There’s nothing worse than dropping the “N bomb” in a public match and (as you so eloquently put it) the “f**king neanderthals” get fuel from that. The way you play a video game has absolutely nothing to do with sexuality, race, or anything else to that extent. If I was to choose to be mocked for anything it would be skill. But no matter how you look at it, there negative comments aren’t even valid since they don’t know you and have never met you and would have no idea as to what you’re really like in person. And the vast majority are kids seemingly younger than 15. Which brings me to a second point. If they’re that age playing a game thats rated “M” what does that show not only about themselves but for their parents as well. I would’ve considered myself extremely lucky if my parents allowed me to play the sort of games I play today and would have enough respect for them and the common person to keep any negative comments to myself (if I had any.) The only thing that I think can be done and would actually make a difference, is generating a higher awareness to parents who allow their underage children to play such games that way their foul mouthed little kids won’t ruin the gaming experience for everyone else. That’s my two-cents.
by: reydeyo
On June 13, 2008 at 1:46 am
PC gaming definitely has an advantage over this, in that the servers are run by gamers who can ban assholes who spout racist or homophobic language. If they want to say that crap, they can set up their own server. I don’t want to attend a KKK meeting, I just want to play game.
In the real world, there’s no way I’d be able to play with anyone who acted like the anonymous jerks on Xbox Live. If I was playing a board game or a pickup game of basketball and someone started spewing that crap I’d stop playing with them. I probably wouldn’t be playing with them in the first place, because the people who act like that are in pretty much every case the biggest dicks you’ll ever meet. Just because you’re playing online doesn’t make it any different.
Thankfully, karma usually bites them in the ass as they get older. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the kids who act like that get shunned by society once they get out of school.
by: HUGE BALLS
On June 13, 2008 at 1:49 am
Adam,
Grow a pair and quit fucking whining. People are what they are. Most people don’t hop on Xbox Live with the intent of becoming happy, jolly, loving best friends with your sorry ass. They play to game and they play to compete. Hold hands with your grandma, not with the opposite team on Halo.
by: Dustin
On June 13, 2008 at 2:04 am
Personally I think those of us who are older should take a lot of blame for the current state of behavior in the upcoming generations. Often times I think we forget that we are playing with younger and incredibly impressionable gamers who, like it or not, are ready and willing to soak up any and every mannerism that we portray.
The sad thing is that many younger gamers have prematurely entered an adult world by playing these online games, and the poor choices and bad habits that we have developed in life get transfered to them. Most young gamers aren’t terribly aware of the implications of what they are saying, and if any thing they serve as a mirror to the attitudes and behaviors that we as an older generation of gamers exhibit.
But there’s still hope, if we as responsible adults set the standards for what’s reasonable and what’s not for older gamers, what’s cool and what’s not for older gamers, we may still be able to salvage both the image of gaming culture and the attitudes of a younger generation.
Those with the ability to be responsible have the obligation to be.
by: Undergroundbob
On June 13, 2008 at 2:21 am
I call people “fags” and “niggers” on xbox live because I can’t do that in real life. I’m not a homophobe or a racist (well, not a bigot), but I know those words are really effective; They are great words to use. Some people will understand that it’s just a game, that it’s just to have fun and screw around. Some people get offended. If they raise that up to me (that they’re offended), I just tell them they’re fags and mute them.
Yeah, those niggers are no big deal.
by: T04st3dCheez
On June 13, 2008 at 2:45 am
I thought by now the idea of being offended in games would have subsided by now. I forget what game may have had the option to vote first but democracy is the way to do so. I believe that we can solve this issue very simply with out this great outcry and better represent the gaming community and eventually power. I do give people who generally put up such filth on xbox live terrible ratings and will turn people in for abuse like such. I honestly feel it is something that needs to be done and encourage everybody to take the initiative and report it.
Though in general i find great community on games that tend to have a high game turnaround like rainbow six and ghost recon. The community in the games tend to just not put up with the issues that are mentioned above. Halo i gave up entirely after about 3-5 weeks of playing online consistently for reasons other than poor gameplay…
Honestly without in game random moderation and everyone actually using the the complaint system for what it was intended. Non-intrusive and proactive action by the publishers and micro$oft can only reach so far. The community actually has to do something about it. Degradation of online performance could help on serious offences. Though as i stated the community in game have to have the power to clean up the game as it happens. Bunjie helped this with the almost so easy mute system but when I’m taking down LefWingnut1 amidst a firefight we could use some democracy to vote for something other than the next map change … . .. .. . … or the respawn screen to easily shuffle and ban some players from games. The solution is there the companies just need to know where to help us cut down the wastoids who hamper the image and enjoyability of our games. I don’t have a problem in rainbow with the younger players they get a little out of hand sometimes but don’t last long when they do. I just hope someone out there can think this through and help combat the issue. Could you imagine if people who were voted out of x% of their games they played could only play with those people similar to them… teams can vote people off their team…it cuts down the admin part that pc games definitely have a grip on…much cleaner than waiting for a match to end and complain to the host. You dont like em on your team grab your teammates and vote him off. Afterwards a requirement to cite why with voice… there’d be a good use for it
by: Dem0n
On June 13, 2008 at 2:48 am
BradOFarrell, you’re an idiot.
I think you need to review your elementary notes on sentence structure before you try to insult someone again. You don’t even express a complete idea or though then proceed to call Xaroth dumb. You, sir, are dumb.
To get back to the topic at hand, Franz & Xaroth have the right idea. It will take a few more years (probably more) for everyone else to board the desensitizing train, but it will happen just like it did for all the other “vulgarities” that are now common in almost every facet of life.
On a side note: I’m glad Anonymous is showing their presence here. I laugh at the people who don’t understand what Anonymous represents. It warms the cockles of my hearts to see confused adults label them as “immature kiddies” simply because they are unable to comprehend what Anonymous is. Sincerely, I thank the Legion.
by: Shawn
On June 13, 2008 at 2:51 am
I obviously agree.
Mainly my problem is in Halo 3.. You can jump into ANY Halo 3 match and find a bunch of kids yelling at each other, usually it starts with a bunch of 12 years old’s saying something offensive and a mature person telling him to shut up. In reality face to face that kid would shut the hell up, but being only is completely annonymous and Microsoft does absolutely nothing to police it.
The only way this could be fixed is to get Microsoft to agree to form some sort of player based police or something, people that are over a certain age perhaps, that have an extremely good record and go through a bit of microsoft screening get the privledge to kick people from matches or hand out infractions or some sort of 20 minute banning or something.
Other wise, these are just american kids growing up in a new world where you can look up sex in the dictionary online and be able to find porn in 1 click of their mouse button.
Kids of this generation are completly ignorant shits, specially online.. they think they are unstoppable, someone honestly needs to punch them in the face everytime they say something racist or offensive.. But because we are online, we cant do crap and we just look like tools yelling back at them online.
Ill stick with playing private games with my friends, yah.. it’s a shame.. but what are you going to do.
by: Shawn
On June 13, 2008 at 2:52 am
You children posting with the names BIG BALLS talking crap about Adam are just proving his point.
Grow the hell up.
by: DataWolf
On June 13, 2008 at 3:21 am
To Xaroth: wow this is easy. Do you know what your biggest problem is? It’s the same one all of us “fogies” had to go thru… your 18 and your mind thinks that it “knows it all”. Your mind isn’t even capable of understanding how much it fails to know. You think you have stumbled upon some great “duh” truth… and you can’t understand why the people from the past are throwing up danger signs.
It’s not your fault… you just don’t have much experience in life (as you your self alluded to when you said you were 18).
Oh and to who ever said trolling was in fashion now… dude where have you been? Trolling was in fashion before there was an internet.
by: Anonymous (Not the racist one)
On June 13, 2008 at 3:37 am
I used to do it, but I stopped as I matured and entered my mid teens
a) because I came to understand what what I was saying truly meant and how it truly did hurt people
b) because I was one of the more avid gamers around (being ranked in the top 10 worldwide for 2 different online shooters) I heard this talk a lot and I seemed to think it was appropriate… well, not appropriate, but acceptable.
c) I was an immature little kid who wanted attention from the adults on the server so I’d say shocking things to get them to yell at me and not get in trouble, it was kind of like bucking your sense of authority.
Little kids are a bane on all online games and everyone hates them, unfortunately, there’s little you can do to stop them unless you create a little kids gaming section and an adult gaming section.
by: DeadSkull
On June 13, 2008 at 3:42 am
Which ones? Console or pc
by: Nobody
On June 13, 2008 at 4:15 am
Is Kojak serious? “Mature game, mature content”? How does a game like Halo, where you save humanity from destruction, call for being called faggot or nigger? How the shit does that even come close to matching the content of the game? Tell me, ignorant fool. It’s a problem, and you’re BLIND. Not everybody enjoys conjectures about their sexuality or race from complete strangers, like you do.
by: tc
On June 13, 2008 at 4:19 am
Set privacy to only hear your friends, only solution now.
by: acidpark
On June 13, 2008 at 4:44 am
I play a few source games like css/tf2 here in Australia – we hardly ever have mic spammers – some times you might get a 12yo who talks a bit much but never nasty. Tho i might guess there aren’t any here because our admins are quick to ban ppl that are racist. Dose xbox live have utility’s to ban ppl? why don’t the admins do something? or are admins also bigots?(!)
by: Dave
On June 13, 2008 at 5:07 am
This comments thread alone is enough evidence for America to carpet bomb itself.
Let’s get biblical.
by: acidpark
On June 13, 2008 at 5:08 am
also…
Xbox360 is aim at kids. kids. pc is much more teens/adult.
xbox360 is easier then pc to boot and play which = more young/dumb ppl.
xbox360 is cheaper the pc which = poor ppl (poor ppl are less educated – i know i can’t afford uni)
xbox360 is microsoft – ms aren’t well.. er.. how can i put it? they don’t care and they don’t think ahead – there work is generally quite poor and buggy
Almost all parents have no idea what there kid(s) are doing online.
MSG to parents: “the internet is just like NYC – there are toys store, parks, schools AND prostitutes, murders and rapist – and there all with few block of each other – just behind a click of the mouse your 12 is surfing porn and getting picked up a by a pedophile in online chat.
would you like your 12yo child walk around NYC at 3am? no? so why let them online with out supervision?
parents just don’t get it. FUCKIN’ SHITS ME.
oh and btw ppl who act like asshole get the chicks – something i still don’t get.
by: JR
On June 13, 2008 at 5:16 am
I have grown tired of playing online because of these types of idiots. At the end of a match, when they want to talk trash, I would rather say something back that makes them completely shut up because they have to think about how badly I’ve insulted them without using profanity.
As for in-game, I give them one chance to shut up, then I mute them and be done with it. Most of the time, when this happens, my other team mates do the same thing and the idiot gets left out in the cold with all of us talking about them… Of course, occasionally this turns into everyone helping the idiot die faster.
Needs to stop, parents need to watch their children. The xBox, Playstation Wii, etc are not babysitters.
by: Bradley Groot
On June 13, 2008 at 5:18 am
There is no evidence that Neanderthals were anything but versions of us with no chins bigger noses and bigger brains so i doubt calling someone a neanderthal for being a bigot is a harsh enough statement.
I dunno i certainly do swear a lot online but it’s only rarely that i direct that vulgarness at other people and if I do yell at another person it’s mostly calling someone a effen ahole or something for laying waste to me over and over again.
With me it’s almost like a tourette’s reaction to getting killed, normally I manage to flick the mute button before i let the expletives fly but every now and then I’m sure an outburst gets threw. Although I rarely if ever play games that get me pissed off like that anymore. Something about being pissed off when you are a youth that is intoxicating but when you get older it’s just exhausting.
But I also think it’s different on the consoles because normally you only have like 8-12 people in a match and 4-6 on a team so if someone is being a bully they can get away with it. on the PC online I find if someone starts pulling that bullshit when you are on a team of 12-16+ people have a lot easier of a time putting an end to that sort of rubbish.
it’s odd, i think the reason people use the bigotry swears is actually because our societies are getting to be much more tolerant. Saying something racist or homophobic is simply taboo now. It’s something our society does not accept so unfortunately that’s what people reach for.
As much as i love gaming and don’t think violence in video games has much of a effect on kids, I do think putting kids in that harsh competitive anonymous environment gets them really ramped up
by: ManOfTeal
On June 13, 2008 at 7:04 am
@Jonathan
Seriously can we get a “report abuse to moderator” button put in or something? These damn kids are getting out of control….seriously.
Go Marlins!!!!
by: Dan
On June 13, 2008 at 7:30 am
With Microsoft banning names like “The Gayer Gaymer” and “Richard Gaywood” (do a google search for more info on those stories), what do you expect from the community?
As a gay man, I hate this kind of crap but there’s ZERO enforcement from Microsoft to stop it. In fact, Microsoft is ENCOURAGING it.
by: Lolumad is an idiot
On June 13, 2008 at 7:40 am
That is one of the reasons why I do not play Halo and other online games. Unless I have the ability to mute individual players or kick/ban them during or after the game, I avoid it or go to servers that actively kick/ban loud-mouthed smacktards.
by: Winstonian
On June 13, 2008 at 7:46 am
I’m a 22 year old student and I spout the most disgusting filth on live quite regularly. I’m not racist or homophobic (though I’m sure many of you will tell me I am) but I enjoy using the most taboo phrases to get a rise out of people.
When I play league games people use the mics for tactics and so do I. When it comes to playing randomly though the mic is only really useful for chatting or abuse. Since I’m rarely playing with friends, the abuse option gives me a brilliant interactive aspect of gaming that I’ve never used before. I can shout abuse which is great fun and see what reactions I get. All you people who get annoyed, thanks
by: Mike Wilson
On June 13, 2008 at 7:54 am
I agree. The racism is rediculous. Not on Xbox (cause I don’t have one) but on other servers like Counter Strike Source. Anyone who says crap like that, I write them off as a dip$hit moron. That’s all I can do.
by: Hedgecore
On June 13, 2008 at 8:05 am
I think half of the problem is the bulk of the people irked by horses**t behaviour like that are over 18. I play CoD4 with a few people who are younger that won’t put up with it either but they’re in the minority.
MS got us to sign up, howabout age verification? I’d love an 18+ Xbox Live experience.
Then again, they’ve got truckloads of money. Three key terms n*****, f** and f***** all sound very distinct. Monitor voice comms and flag people for review if they’ve got too many hits. Call centers monitor agents for quality.
(Then again, I’d feel sorry for the kids who have a clanmate named ‘Rigger’) 
by: MMilitia
On June 13, 2008 at 8:14 am
It’s to be expected really. When I first started gaming the only way you could actually communicate with other gamers (outside of the room) was by buying an expensive computer, setting up and paying for an ISP and going though some reasonably complicated (compared to XBL, anyway) set-up just to get into a game. That was enough to keep out the children.
These days it’s so easy to hop into an on-line game even the most retarded people on the planet have managed it and, understandably, the first thing they’re going to do is demonstrate just how retarded they are.
Microsoft can do one of two things in my opinion. Firstly they could actually begin monitoring the number of infractions for each account and have some kind of “three strikes and you’re out” rule (though each strike may be made up for several infractions). Certainly begin sending out notices that continued abusive behaviour may lead to the account being closed or voice privileges being revoked.
The other possibility is that they make it so complicated to actually get into a game all the stupid kids will be unable to figure it out.
I prefer the latter.
by: Dave
On June 13, 2008 at 8:16 am
While it is beyond old hearing these little kids shout profanities through my TV set and headset, the reality of the issue is beyond that of gaming and parenting. I tend to believe that it isn’t solely a bunch of Mid-West white kids home alone, because I’ve heard some intensely offensive comments made from other nationalities towards Americans as well. All too often I’ve heard a British accent scream, “I hope your father was in the tower and got burned alive,” or “I’m glad Osama blew you up, I hope he does it again.”
The true issue to be discussed here is a person’s inability to be respectful and honorable. The young kids screaming these profanities, and adults too, are the ones losing at their endeavor; so they shout the first thing that comes to mind and it’s the one word we hear hundreds of times a day in American culture, “N****R!” It is the responsibility of the adults involved to immediately end that type of conversation through muting, blocking, reporting or if you’re a parent, a good old fashioned as$ kicking.
by: a person
On June 13, 2008 at 8:17 am
It’s simple. The kid is lonely and wants attention. Kids are very powerless and they act out often as a result. This is why most stories that appeal to kids show a kid that is “smarter” than adults (i.e. Harry Potter) doing things on his or her own. Kids are very parent-dependant and resent this.
By the way, that G4 commercial that was on just after you I found pretty offensive. Some tiny guy says, “Give me the best boobjob I can buy.” and then some other guy drills into his chest.
by: Dave
On June 13, 2008 at 8:21 am
GTA IV has a great multiplayer feature that I think all games should adopt. If the majority of the room votes to boot you from the game, you’re removed from the game immediately. Problems become solved easily when you allow the community to self moderate. Take WikiPedia for example: they are a Web 2.0 social interaction site that is community moderated and is now an official credible source of facts and information. You can cite Wikipedia.org on your college term paper!
by: Musicnerd
On June 13, 2008 at 8:26 am
I completely agree with Xaroth on this. In about another generation people aren’t even going to care about what other people say to get a rise out of them, and after that people won’t even try to get a rise. All in all that seems like a better world to me. Imagine if there had been an Xbox Live before the Crusades (ridiculous, but bear with me here). If people could have gotten all of their intolerance out in a manner that doesn’t ACTUALLY hurt anyone else would there be nearly so many problems today with religion?
People who are truly offended by racial, ethnic, and homophobic terms are in a boat that isn’t fun at all to be sure. But, why are you offended so much by some ignorant moron behind an online avatar? What have they truly done to you? How have they hurt you? And before anyone can say anything about me not being offended because I’m part of the perfect little white majority world (eventhough we are NOT a majority of the world, not even close) I’ll admit that I am, and that the racial, ethnic, and homophobic slurs don’t affect me because they simply don’t apply, but that does not mean that other things did not affect me. I’m a fatass or at least I was. I’m now nearly the same weight that I was before when I was made fun of all the time. There really was almost nothing I could do about it, so you know what I did? I GOT OVER IT. I MOVED ON. People always want someone to pick on for any reason they can find. We all do it. I guarantee that EVERYONE in this board has belittled and picked on someone for some reason. My main point is this I guess:
“Don’t care about what other people call you or say about you, their opinion doesn’t matter at all. Your self-image should be good enough that nothing should affect you.”
Sometimes this makes people seem like there is nothing that’s important or sacred to them anymore, not true. People like this, like myself, have just come to the realization that small little things like profanity or slurs at others aren’t important at all. If you want to get riled up about something get mad at people that PHYSICALLY abuse others, or steal from others, or politicians, or scientists, or people who are religious zealots…. I don’t care, but for the sake of intelligence give it a rest on this ignorant bigotted shit.
P.S.-
Some of the most deeply philosophical discussions of my life have taken place during games of Halo, Call of Duty, Battlefield, or any number of other games simple because I directed it towards that goal. It’s amazing how these “dumb 10 year-olds” respond when presented with something that they don’t understand at all, but want to understand… They shut up and listen. Don’t yell at them, don’t tell them to grow up… they’re kids, they’ll grow up when they’re damn good and ready to and no sooner. Give them something else to talk about, be the parent yourself if you’re going to bitch about it so much. And to anyone else that’s tired of this crap on Xbox Live or anywhere else… You can do one of three things to resolve your problem:
1. Take the easy way out and keep bitching about it. This will most likely do nothing to stop the problem, but go right ahead. If the past shows anything, passing along the problem to someone else always solves it.
2. You can get over it and move on. Realize that if this does offend you that you can move above it and should move above it. If you don’t care then why bother?
3. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Take action yourself and try to get people talking about other things. You’ll be surprised at the average intelligence of people in most online gaming communities, they aren’t as dumb as they first appear. Get them to change with you and the problem is solved completely.
AND LET THE TEARING OF MY CORPSE BEGIN……
by: DangerXDan
On June 13, 2008 at 8:28 am
I think Xbox Live should include Kicking in most of there games. That way if someone is talking smak just boot them
by: Sneeches
On June 13, 2008 at 8:37 am
BLA BLA BLA….who the hell cares. Racism has been around for hundreds of years and it’s just being exposed in modern times, using today’s technology. I could care less if people are spitting off racist remarks and just let them be. Its their life and to each their own. If you dont like it, sell your xbox and get a wii, you pansy.
by: ummm
On June 13, 2008 at 8:38 am
there is a real big difference between saying the N-word and calling someone a faggot. Homophobia is a freaking joke in and of it’s self, Gay people make the choice to be gay.
by: mistaWAC
On June 13, 2008 at 8:38 am
I didn’t read very many of the comments left, but I’m guessing very few people actually stepped up and admitted they do this. I’m admitting now that I am a culprit.
First and foremost, I don’t find swearing to be that offensive unless it’s meant to be offensive. I don’t think the word fuck or shit are bad words at all, it’s the way they’ve been labeled, so I use those frequently in conversation.
I do throw out the frequent homosexual reference of ‘faggot’, but I don’t mean that to demean homosexuals because I’m not a homophobe. I say it becuase it’s a word that has, as I’ve grown up, become more commonplace and has taken place of words like ‘idiot’ or ‘dumbshit’. I’ve also explained this to people who have questioned me online.
As for the racism, I do that too. I would like to state that there’s a difference between African Americans and ‘niggers’. A nigger is an ignorant person whose opinions don’t matter to me at all. The very definition of the word in a dictionary is ‘a person who is ignorant; inferior’, anyone can fill this quota – a white person, an Indian, a Chinese person, Middle Eastern. A member of any of those races can easily be a nigger because they could act stupid.
African Americans are just another race like white people, like Indians, like Chinese, and like Mexicans. They do they’re part to help society and unfortunately can’t move past what has happened in the past. I mean, I completely agree that slavery was a terrible thing and that civil rights are needed, but in order for racism to attempt to come to a close you have to let go of that word as being so offensive. Yes there are racists, but some African Americans are just as racist against white people for no reason as some white people are to them. Case in point – I can’t walk in certain neighborhoods because I’m white and said neighborhood is majority African American. Even driving down it is scary. One time I stopped at a stop sign where there was a group of African Americans and they just stared at me. Had it not been the middle of the day I garuntee they would have tried something shifty because the neighborhood is known for the violence.
I know someone on the other line of that microphone is a nigger if, as soon as I get into a game, they try to start shit with me because of my screenname/alias/gamertag whatever you want to call it. Yes, it does sound a little scetchy, but it’s not. The name at the top of this comment is the name I use everywhere and have since I was about 12 or 13 years old (am now 19). It’s a combination of Mr. (Mister – mista) and the first three letters of my last name WAC. So essentially it’s a slang way of formally presenting myself, as much of an oxymoron that is.
So, as confusing as that whole explanation may be, that’s my reasoning. I don’t say ‘fag’ or ‘faggot’ to be offensive to homosexuals, I say it because today it’s commonplace to say it. And I don’t say nigger to offend good, hard-working, honest African Americans. I say it because it’s a legitimate name to call a complete dumbass.
As for Hedgecore’s comment about 18+, I would absolutely LOVE 18+ online gaming. Playing with 10 and 12 year old kids that get online and try to act tough pisses me off to no end. They scream the dumbest, most ignorant shit into the microphone. They also have no reason to be playing online with adults. I shouldn’t have to watch my mouth when I’m playing with three or four friends and some 12 year old from Jersey joins the game.
by: Sky A
On June 13, 2008 at 8:40 am
I’m glad I got a PS3 this week the online community is much MUCH more mature! The system actually works when requested. Now I know it’s not Microsoft’s fault for making online unbearable on Xbox live. Unfortunately it’s at the point where going on Xbox Live is like walking into Wal-Mart or going into a theater at 3 in the afternoon, with every kid/soccer mom in existence. It’s not the place/service is bad it’s the community that’s bad, and there is no way to fix it either.
I feel that online gaming in the future may be less than it is now, with the behavior on Live, the higher prices to pay every month. It might be easier/fun to play an offline single player game than an online match with a few 9 year old racists.
by: jdcub
On June 13, 2008 at 8:42 am
I totally agree with Sesslers. People need to grow up. I don’t play that many games, I don’t own an xbox simply on the principle that I hate Microsoft. I yell enough obscenities at XP, I’m not even going to get started with Vista. My obscenities just aren’t homophobic or racist.
by: Neon
On June 13, 2008 at 8:49 am
As a gay guy who has been gaming since the Atari 2600, I would like to thank Sessler for at least discussing this problem. I used to play WoW and I would constantly roll my eyes at some “You fag” or “That’s so f*ing gay”. It was ignorable at first, but after awhile…it really starts to get under your skin. I mean, I don’t feel the need to flaunt my sexuality in game but apparently you “breeders” are so insecure in yours that you feel the need to try and insult us (just like for some of you I just did now) to try and fulfill some “machismo” need or something.
Perfect example is Ted Haggard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Haggard). Me thinks he doth protest too much.
But I agree, there is a level of anonymity online that people feel like they can get away with anything. I am a very athletic, 185lbs, muscular guy (this is not a personal ad
and if they were looking straight at me…they might call me “faggot”…
Once.
But parents, get involved and be aware of what your kids are doing. And adults who fall in this category…grow up. There is one thing that these verbally abusive people and gay guys have in common…they both suck.
by: Samadcit
On June 13, 2008 at 8:54 am
And this is why I dont own an xbox
by: LoungeActx
On June 13, 2008 at 9:18 am
XBOX Live does have a feedback system, which I will use if the person becomes disruptive to the point where I’m annoyed and everyone around me is annoyed. And if it’s to the point where I actually want to leave the game, I’ll just send a report to Microsoft. The tools are there, we just have to use them.
– I’ve never actually reported anyone to MS, but I wouldn’t rule it out if someone was being a raving asshole.
by: Slidedog
On June 13, 2008 at 9:20 am
I have found the best thing to do it call them on it. I had a kid going off on a rant and I essentially shouted him down, called him on his racist crap. Reminded him that some of the best and nicest guys I play with on Live are of the minority he was ranting against, and Marines, and serving our country. He was a kid with only about half a mind and shut up, some of the other kids chimed in and supported me and razzed the racist kid. He bounced himself out before the round ended.
If we let it go on around us, aren’t we just about as bad? Clean up the group you’re playing with by calling these ignorant idiots on their language and lack of maturity. They may all end up in a room together spouting their crap, but at least I don’t have to listen to it.
I am surprised at the age of some of the kids I run into in games that frankly aren’t appropriate for kids that age. Where are the parents? I am a parent and there is no way my kid was playing anything like COD until he was about 16. Is this a fertile ground for growing a new racist generation? Are these kids influenced by the diatribes they hear? Of course they are. Just like every other part of life, parents need to monitor and guide their kids. I am a 47 year old male that has been playing video games with my kids for many years. All you dads out there, play the games with your kids! Even a local coop game will give you a sense of your kids temper, especially when you encounter a #@*@$# jump puzzle. It will ive a sense of the influence it’s having on your kids live, bring you closer to understanding them, plus it’s a lot of fun. Just expect to get spanked a lot at first, it does get better but ht kids are always just a hair faster.
by: The Prasanth
On June 13, 2008 at 9:28 am
It pretty much boils down to maturity and respect.
I mean when I was twelve, we cursed at every given opportunity and everything that was ‘undesirable’ was ‘gay’. Of course as you get older, you either recognize the fact that the words you choose are just as significant as the actions you choose, and they reflect equally in regards to how you present yourself to the world and how others perceive you…..or you never grow up and you maintain the mentality of a foul mouthed child.
If course now, I’m significantly closer to 30, and I still curse like a sailor on amphetamines when playing Gears or Vegas 2…but the racism and homophobia has got to go.
On a side note, I’ve noticed this behavior predominantly more in ‘pick up and play’, Halo styled action games online. I’ve actually had a blast playing titles that require any moderate amount of strategy or thought in order to stay alive, as opposed to ‘running and gunning’. I suppose the aforementioned ‘children’ prefer not to access any higher level thinking skills…
by: maby652
On June 13, 2008 at 9:46 am
wow, give them more attention please.
Who is the fool? The fool, or the fool who blogs about him?
by: DirtyLary
On June 13, 2008 at 9:47 am
Simple fix. Remove the anonymity that XBOX gives these kids. Make them accountable for their actions and this will end.
When they know there’s a chance you could roll up to their basement and shove your foot up their ass,they might think twice.
by: Robert
On June 13, 2008 at 9:58 am
Why play on XBox Live when Microsoft bans gamertags which contain the word “gay”? http://consumerist.com/5008908/gay-player-name-banned-by-xbox-live
Yes, the same Microsoft which caved to an evangelical minister and backed down from supporting a non-discrimination law in Washington state a few years ago, now bans the word “gay” from a gamertag. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Campaign still gives Microsoft a perfect 100 rating in supporting gay rights. That’s bullshit.
So is it any wonder that the haters would flock to XBox Live when the company that runs it hates gay people anyway? Gay people should not support Microsoft when they are so two-faced.
Everyone should stop buying Microsoft products and services because Microsoft peddles crapware.
by: Jo Jo Binks
On June 13, 2008 at 10:13 am
Likely for the same reasons that every seventh grader give an adamant speech on Adolf Hitler
by: iUSEbadWORDS
On June 13, 2008 at 10:15 am
listen.
everyone is being entirely hyper sensitive.
I’m asian. and when someone makes an asian joke. its hilarious. i can laugh with them. and even when they try to be hurtful, why would i let that get to me? they don’t fuckin know me. I have my family and friends..i go to college. everything is great. why would i let some punk ON A GAME, bring my day down?
i can guarantee you I’m smarter than they are.
but more importantly, the problem is all you people who are complaining. because thats reverse racism and reverse discrimination.
if you hear “nigger” online why do you immediately feel bad for black people?
if that black person had a problem with it..thats his problem not yours. he can defend himself. why do you feel the need to defend him? because you think he is incapable of defending himself?
i know me and my buddies get drunk and say some nasty stuff…but that doesn’t mean im racist, or homophobic! i have friends of almost every background.
hell, i call my black friends nigger. they throw a “chink” right back. its no big deal.
all im sayin is dont let someone on xbox live hurt your feelings. because you will be called worse things in life, from people who actually matter…and its gonna hurt way worse.
and also i think you guys are missing the point of his soapbox.
what he was saying is that this type of language and behavior is unnecessary. why cant we just play a match, and say..
“o nice game, you kicked ass man..” or something like that..
ps there is a feature to turn off the speaking.
by: Mark
On June 13, 2008 at 10:19 am
To those who argue that Wii’s online is better for lack of chat feature is not actually doing anything to remedy the situation. Hiding away and removing a feature that has potential to enhance gaming is not the solution. Instead you must keep this function and find some method of control within it. Taking a step back and hiding in our caves because our feelings might get hurt is not the way to go.
I agree that this is partly the parent’s fault. They should learn what their kids are doing, saying and playing. If they allow this behaviour to persist (and God forbid, encourage it) then they shouldn’t have the right to procreate.
Those who say “grow up” and “accept it this is the way the world is” : you’re basically a quitter. You see the problem and allow it to persist. Hey, remember when people back then in WW2 holocaust saw a problem and allowed it to persist
- sure its a grave example but you see the point. Avoiding the problem only worsens it perhaps to the point where it can become that bad.
Live already has offered solutions- avoiding gamers, muting them etc but again it doesn’t stop the person from acting the way they do; it only stops them from acting the way they do towards you. There is a rep system which should be used more often.
A possible solution would be to have some sort of voice/word recognition (which I know is a very difficult thing to do) and when certain words are heard from a gamertag repeatedly then the person is kicked out of a game. Repeated offenses lead to greater punishments- day/week/month/year/permanent bans.
A funnier solution would be for Microsoft to send a letter to the offender’s address after the person commits many offenses.
Finally to those actually defending the behaviour, badmouthing Adam, saying its for “lulz/lol/the funny”. You are even worse than those who act that way online because you are not only allowing it but encouraging it. You are the problem with humanity, not just gamers.
by: Dignan
On June 13, 2008 at 10:19 am
Right on, Sessler!
I agree with Robert – the homophobia starts at the top with Microsoft banning “gay”-sounding gamertags. It’s absolutely absurd and disheartening…
by: Nick
On June 13, 2008 at 10:23 am
Hearing people regularly toss around uninspired racist or gay slurs when you’re trying to play a game and have fun mitigates that whole “fun” element. It gets mind-numbing and after a while I just sort of check out. If it was a case of being offended, at least that would be engaging… it’s a case of being bored to death.
by: iUSEbadWORDS
On June 13, 2008 at 10:27 am
@mark.
comparing bad words to WW2…
wow.
fail.
by: djetaine
On June 13, 2008 at 10:32 am
Personally, I hate that shit. I’m not black but I am bisexual and to hear someone using “faggot” 50 times in a match really gets to me. It doesn’t really hurt my feelings or anything but it does make me extremely sad for the future of humanity. Eventually these people that speak like this anonymously will start to use such profanity and bigotry in their daily life.
It has nothing to do with first ammendment rights or my “intolerence” for children. You don’t hear that type of thing IRL in the sense that you do online. It’s disgusting.
From now on, im just going to start reporting people. If enough of us start reporting people for using that type of talk then maybe microsoft will do something about it.
by: djetaine
On June 13, 2008 at 10:36 am
and in response to Robert and his comment about microsoft banning that one guys tag becuase it sounded homosexual…
IMO they were trying to combat this exact type of situation. If you get on a match and your gamertag is “gay” something, all you are going to hear is “hey faggot” all day long. I support the tag ban.
by: Rivent
On June 13, 2008 at 10:39 am
Your yelling at the wrong people, Halo 3 is for casual gamers which is why they can’t keep thier cool when they die. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone freak out and yell insulting stuff all the time on a PC game, apart from the odd kid on lame CSS or something but again that kid will just be an angry unloved child which only plays it every now and again.
by: Kyle
On June 13, 2008 at 10:42 am
The First Amendment is a crock of shit?
Perhaps Sessler should take a visit to China to review his statement.
by: Adam
On June 13, 2008 at 10:49 am
This is part of the reason why I left XBox Live and bought a PS3. I spent about 2 years on XBL and at first I loved it but after the pre-teens got playing it then it went to crap. PS3 seems to incorporate a more adult, mature audience then XBL does. To fix this problem I think the parents need to step in and not use the XBox as a babysitter and raise their kids right. I know when I was growing up and I said a fowl word, I literally had my mouth washed out with liquid dial and the word I said was “b*tch”. Also Microsoft should step in and have moderators playing random matches on the most popular online games such as COD4 and Halo3. If they hear someone using profane offensive language then boot then off. Words like n*gg*r and f*gg*t should be taken extremely seriously and instantly be banned from the game for a few days. The mature people need to take gaming back, as it does have a lot of promise and benefits. We as gamers need to end this smut and represent gaming like it should be represented.
by: El Cabong
On June 13, 2008 at 10:51 am
I think most of the people who take the “they’re only kids” line, aren’t one of the people/groups targeted by this bullsh*t, and they lack the empathy to understand the offense. I don’t fit the demographic, but I can tell you that if I did I wouldn’t be hurt, I’d be f*cking pissed. Those of you who believe this is innocent behavior, try to imagine people singling you out with the most personal attack, over and over again. Would you enjoy the XBox Live games if every third game some asshat decided you were the perfect target for derision?
Perhaps here is a solution for those who care to contribute to one; when you play an Xbox Live game, host it yourself. When someone starts talking that sh*t calmly tell them that you won’t put up with hateful racist and/or homophobic trash talk, then kick them. If enough people did that perhaps their enjoyment of XBox live would be adversely affected, and they might realize that their behavior has consequences.
by: Greg
On June 13, 2008 at 10:53 am
Little kids do it because they think it’s cool. They see and hear the older kids doing it, and think by emulating it that they’ll be accepted. They don’t realize how stupid and ignorant they sound. I was pretty stupid when I was ten (who wasn’t, really), but thankfully I didn’t have a medium like Xbox Live to spread that stupidity (a little bit of common sense helped too). A lot of the little kids cursing on Xbox Live are the victims of the situation, we need to remember that
The root of the problem is the older people. A lot of us curse online without thinking about who’s listening or how old they might be. And then of course there are the morons who see anonymity as a free pass to do whatever they want and not get in trouble. Kids can’t help but emulate that kind of thing.
If we want to see a change, it’s got to come from the older crowd. Of course, these 10-14 year olds are going to be the older crowd soon, and if they continue to act the way they have been than the future of online gaming is bleak. While we still have the chance, we need to set an example during online gaming in general that vulgarity on the level of idiocy is not acceptable. Changes like these have to come from the players. If we wait for the gaming company to do something about it, we get Friend Codes and 2 Minute Time matches on Brawl as the only playable setting with strangers, all in the name of making online a “kid-safe environment”.
And it would help if parents beat their children more, instead of refusing to see anything but perfection in their little Billy. “Oh, he’s so rambunctious!” Mommy says as little Billy curses out someone twice his age on Xbox Live. “Oh, he’s just smart and creative in his own way!” says Mommy to the elementary school principal. “Pass him or I’m going to bury you in a lawsuit!”
“Oh, boys will be boys,” says Mommy as Billy is older and caught shoplifting, doing drugs, or getting into trouble at school. I believe you see where I’m going with this. Parents today seem terrified of punishing their children, and even more scared of keeping track of them and what they do. Move the damn Xbox into the family room, or another place where you can keep an eye on him. If little Billy is still cursing someone out, than beat his behind and sell his Xbox. Problem solved.
by: tiamy
On June 13, 2008 at 11:06 am
Hey, I’d like to thank you for doing that. The online profanity is too much. I don’t even put my mike in anymore.
This video needs to be put up on everyone’s xbox live dashboard to see it for free.
by: Ssonicblue
On June 13, 2008 at 11:08 am
Great job Adam, another direct hit on one of the biggest bullshit issues on Xbox Live and the internet in general. Unfortunately, your point won’t get across because most of the people who act like this online aren’t correctly trained in typing at over 4 WPM. I agree that this is a serious problem and it is throwing a bad light on the gaming community as a whole, but if we can’t change it, just don’t pay attention to the people who do it and stick to those with IQs over their ages.
by: Captian Psyco
On June 13, 2008 at 11:29 am
actually Kyle no he dosen’t have to take his shit anywhere because he is using his rights. And for the record the pubescent homophobic racist pricks online they are invading people’s personal rights as a human. They need to get the banhammer…im not necessarly offended by it I can take a joke like in the example if I own someone in Halo 3 they might say “Oh dude your gay”…no Im not but I understand how he uses it, but if there is a gay person in there it would totally be way out of line if that person said “Hey faggot your my bitch”
(something along those lines) Im tired of it, im also tired of 7 year olds thinking their hot shit because their 9th prestige and shove it down people’s throats…no they are seven wtf esle are they going to do 2nd grade gets out at like 2:00 so no shit. But adam to answer your question it’s wrong they need to take their Neo-Nazi, 8 year old, homophobic, racist ass somewhere else and play barbie horse adventures.
by: AM Corona
On June 13, 2008 at 11:35 am
Umm it’s not only kids. Have you played with the a-holes from the southern states? Now those guys know what they are saying and have no excuse other than being genuinely racist.
Also.. if I see you playing COD4 and it is not hardcore TD, I have to say that’s “ghey”. Who plays regular team deathmatch on COD4 anyway?
by: Honest truth,
On June 13, 2008 at 11:40 am
I do it all the time, and I do it because it’s funny. You put too much value in words. You said it yourself it’s an anonymous environment, you can’t be actively racist or homophobic in an environment where you don’t know others races and sexual orientations. They’re fucking words, and it’s fucking humorous. You define where comedy steps out of line? There is no such thing. Dave Chappelle can be as racist as he wants, but I can’t? Don’t get me wrong I love Dave Chappelle, I just don’t think comedy has boundaries and I don’t believe in your stupid bullshit about “bad words.”
by: Ben L.
On June 13, 2008 at 11:43 am
Belittling the opinions of anyone on this page who defends Adam’s argument is both arrogant and destructive to the argument at hand.
Adam has what your English professor would call an ‘opinion’. He is entitled to this as much as anyone else, and in this case, I happen to agree with what he’s saying. Trying to call him wrong won’t accomplish anything because opinions, as a rule, are neither right nor wrong, but simpling different and sometimes opposing.
Those of you defending the trash-talkers in question are, in my opinion, ignorant of the true extent that words like “nigger” and “fagot” degrade our society.
Words like N***** and F**** should NEVER, I repeat NEVER, be acceptable in our society, especially if they become acceptable only after half the population “gets over it and stops being pussies” or some bullshit like that. These words are offensive because (*gasp*) THEY OFFEND PEOPLE. I’m not talking about perhaps offending the gay guy next door because he overheard you on Xbox Live; I’m talking about prolonging and empowering a growing culture of intolerance towards both people of color and homosexuals.
Saturating our vocabulary with racial slurs to the point where they lose their meaning does not solve this problem, because these words will ALWAYS have meaning. Saturation does not take away the connotation of racial slurs, it just removes most of the relevant context. What saturation DOES do is make our society deaf to racial slurs, whether they’re on Xbox Live or being screamed up and down the streets of New York.
All that frequent spouting of racial slurs accomplishes, especially if you “don’t really mean it” or “aren’t really racist”, is empower the guy who really does mean it.
landgrafb@uwplatt.edu if you feel the need to reply, because message board trolling is for assholes.
by: ilovellamafood
On June 13, 2008 at 11:44 am
Well, such behavior is perpetuated by the young and ignorant, sadly it’s those who really care less to change their ways. You simply cannot shame them into shape, you basically have to use psychology to change them. You have to give them other phrases to mimic then laugh and applaud when they use the “right” phrases and totally ignore them when they use racial sexist homophobic slurs. Remember, the young and ignorant only want some attention be it worded approval or worded disapproval. Negative attention is still attention. Don’t tell them they are wrong, don’t feed them, just ignore them.
Unfortunately, to do things right it often takes time. Ignorance won’t end overnight.
by: KETCHUP
On June 13, 2008 at 12:01 pm
The trick is to find the right game. Most of the games that I play are so intense that most of the people don’t even have time to spout obscenities – they’re too busy barking orders, taking cover, calling in artillery, that sort of thing.
The games that are more casual (that I play) almost always have several administrators online, or have some sort of a voting system where you can vote out disruptive players. At the end of a match, people compliment each other on each other’s strategy and on a well-played game. All in all, they are a pleasant gaming experience.
by: a gay gamer
On June 13, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Thanks for making a video about this! Everything about games can be so goddamn hetro, thanks for trying to get people to be more open minded and accepting
by: Shane Peters
On June 13, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Xaroth, you are in fact mistaken. You do NOT have “freedom of speech” in an online forum where you sign an agreement to behave within certain standards.
Microsoft has the right to ban you for any offensive speech, outright.
“Free speech” in the constitution means the ability to speak out against your government, or to speak your beliefs. However, that does not translate to complete freedom of speech.
Walk into an airport and shout “bomb”, or “fire” in a movie theatre, and your ass will be in jail in a heartbeat.
It amazes me how often those who have ZERO understanding of this basic concept always shout “free speech”, when in fact it has no application in the discussion taking place.
You DON’T have freedom of speech, in the sense that you can say anything, on a privately owned board in which you sign an agreement to behave as asked.
by: Ryan
On June 13, 2008 at 12:29 pm
For the last few weeks, COD4 has just gotten ridiculous. its just “omg that juggernaut faggot”, “oh those m16 camping queers”, “god those snipers are such homos”. Its seriously to the point where I will just go “HURRRRRRRR UR GAYYYY OMG THAT IS FUNNY” just to completely mock these idiots. Last night a guy called me a fag for using an m16. 5 seconds later I shot a guy who was about to kill him in the head and he thanked me. I said “Does this mean I like women now?” in a joking manner. I’m so tired of these idiots thinking that calling people gay makes them cool.
by: Shakeydog
On June 13, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Great soapbox Adam….I really appreciate you taking up this topic, I constantly find myself playing xbox live with no headset beacuse if i wear it 10s into a game someone is dropping N bombs all over the place. Maybe M$ should give 20 day bans to people doing this sort of thing…
by: Moery
On June 13, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Nice to see a flock of white people coming here to defend their actions. If you use words known to marginalize people and insult a certain race, it doesn’t matter your intention.
Drop your f-bombs, etc whenever you want — I don’t care about that. But if you have nothing meaningful to say and would rather through around language that only makes you look stupider (and get you an honorable membership to the KKK) you’ll begin to believe what you say and likely get your ass beat when you say it to the wrong person.
BTW the morons talking about banning racist terms being a fascist act — wake the f*ck up. Fascists are racists, they would encourage such language. Maybe you’re one?
by: Daniel
On June 13, 2008 at 1:21 pm
How many of you bitching about bad parenting actually have kids? Are you going to monitor your children 24/7 until they leave the house? I’m not condoning their behavior by any means but to blame the parents for the kid spouting off on live is preposterous. When I grew up, my friends and I cursed around each other all the time. I never cursed around my parents. I’m sure these kids don’t either.
My point is that you can’t watch your children all the time. Even if you could, why would you want to? You have to give your children their privacy and their space to grow up. I need my own time to do things I want as well. If I am obsessing and intruding in on every little detail in my kids’ lives, what would that do to them? What would it do to me?
Bottom line… if you don’t like it leave. I do. Maybe they will get the hint after nobody wants to play with them.
by: Dem0n
On June 13, 2008 at 1:34 pm
mistaWAC & iUSEbadWORDS have the right ideas also. You sensitive pansies need to stop crying over spilled homogeneous chocolate milk (lol).
by: Serrenity
On June 13, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I can’t understand people defending the use of bona fide derogatory language as freedom of speech, or that no one cares anymore, or that it doesn’t mean anything, or my favorite, “That kids will be kids.”
Let’s take a critical look at this. If the case were to be that these things are OK to say on a regular basis, why aren’t they said more often? Why do not only kids but also adults need the mask of anonymity to espouse such “harmless” words.
Similarly, to the “it’s competitive,” argument-i think you would be hard pressed to argue that there are few places more competitive than corporate America. I would love any to start using the N-word or the F-word “competitively” in the workplace and see how well that goes over. Or the college kids to use those words “competitively” in the classroom, or that 10yeard old to call his teach a N***** or a F*****. Or a kid who calls his mother/father a F- or a N-. I’ve got this nagging impression that it would not go over well. Similarly, I think this fairly well debunks the “mature game” argument. If these words were OK to use, you’d be able to use them without consequence without the mask of anonymity.
The fact of the matter is that those words are uncouth for a reason, and have significantly negative and derogatory cultural implications–which is why you can’t say them in public without severe repercussion. By encouraging, either actively or tacitly, this kind of behavior, you create an environment where it’s OK to reinforce those negative cultural implications, saying that yes being black is negative, and being gay is also bad and worthy of being belittled.
Of course, there’s also all kinds of moral implications involved, but I’m not expecting many people to care about the implied morality found through actions, so I’ll leave it lie.
As for trash talk- I’ll be the first to admit that trash talk is fun, but I always keep it good natured, and make sure that I place distinct boundaries around what I think is OK. I’m not afraid to say that “Hey, I’m not really cool with that, can we lay off a bit?” Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t.
And it’s also really important to take into account the medium. Why does this happen most prevalently on XBL? Why not on PC games? There are still little kids and immature adults in PC games. You still find this sometimes, but for the most part, that kind of language is highly frowned upon–and therefore doesn’t happen en masse.
So why doesn’t it happen on PlayStation as often? Arguably, MS and PS market to the same general demographic, yet this doesn’t happen nearly as much. So what is it about XBL specifically that lends itself to this kind of anti-social, pathological behavior? I don’t think it’s a question anyone here can answer, though if anyone reads this, I’m sure they will make their best effort to try.
All in all, it’s something that needs to change. The manner to fix this is unclear, and I sure as hell don’t have the answers, but I am willing to say that a major cultural shift needs to happen.
by: Dave
On June 13, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Hear, hear. Unfortunately I think even expecting people in “real life” to behave is asking too much most of the time. Add in the fact that you’re dealing with the young and anonymous and you’ve got a sure-fire disappointment waiting for you.
by: Justin
On June 13, 2008 at 1:48 pm
bottom line number one the guy above me doesn’t no what hes talking about you had a kid its your responsibility to make sure they grow up properly. You had the kid so be an actual father and raise it. It is mostly little 12-17 year olds yelling and being annoying and its because of lazy fathers like you “daniel” who say i want my time you had a kid you have no more time get over it or get off of the little lady. Your life is now your kids please see that they grow up to be good people. Basically what I’m getting at here is once your older you really can’t stop the way someone acts you can only try to get them to keep it to themselves but when there young is where they learn right from wrong so daniel get the *&^% on it and raise your kids stop being selfish
by: Justin
On June 13, 2008 at 1:51 pm
p.s. daniel was above me when i typed it now dave lol
by: MR SCHULTZ
On June 13, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about it.
I think XBL seems to be getting worse, maybe because many of the adult gamers have found sites and friends they play with, and now rarely play with the general asshole public.
When I do, I mute everyone, so it’s like playing against bots. (Bots who teabag you, lol.)
I advise you to do the same, Adam – fill your Friends List with “FoF” tags; Silver accounts with GTs of adult gamers who play what you like to play.
Adult Enthusiast Gamers, Geezer Gamers, 2Old2Play, Xbox Mature Gamers, and many others are great sites enjoying Xbox LIVE the way it was meant to be played.
Cheers.
by: chuckles21
On June 13, 2008 at 2:15 pm
There is something to be said for profanity in the gaming arena. I defend the right of free speech, but when you say something that harms another their freedoms are infringed upon. Their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is assaulted. There is a lot of back and forth banter going on in this topic and many valid points have been brought up. Yes one’s reaction is dependent upon the person. We do indeed have the choice to choose how we react. I myself have gone the extra mile to get one or two people banned from Xbox Live.
The bottom line however, is that our choice is colored by many factors. Someone with an overabundance of pride in who they are will react much more negatively than someone with low self esteem. However, that person that had low self esteem may be more adversly affected than the person who has their pride. So who are we as humans beings to judge the actions of others? We are the ones who have to deal with the friend or family member who have been a target of this kind of talk. Any racial slur or derogetory term can have an impact no matter how slight. And those wounds are very real to the people who experience them.
To defend the profane individuals on Xbox live is your God Given right, indeed, but consider the other side as well. Consider the rules of polite society and the fact that some day you may meet face to face with that person your words hurt so bad. Think for a moment if you are at a tournament, or you find yourself at a convention of some sort. You are meeting gamers from all over the world. Gamertags are on your shirt so that you can find some of your long lost Xbox live buddies. What happens when the person you called one of those horrible names walks up to you? Would you beg forgiveness? Would you throw another racial slur at them? That is the question one should ask before they speak on Xbox live.
I don’t care why you guys do it. I don’t care if you can say it, or want to say it. But think about the other side. Think about bullies at schools and the string of school shootings this country has seen becuase of that very same reason. It is bullying plain and simple after all. No matter how you church it up this situation is bullying. How many of you who shout these horrible words have experienced that very same feeling I have just described at the hands of one of your peers? It hurts doesn’t it? I know because I have been there.
I know that writing in a forum like this won’t change a heck of a lot of minds. But if I can get through to one or two and let them know that there is hope, then I’ve done my job. I only want people to consider both sides. I made it through those awkward years and came out the other side as someone I can be proud of. But it was not thanks to those few cruel individuals who continued to put me down even when they could see my pain. I ask that everyone simply consider the other side.
by: Zach
On June 13, 2008 at 2:43 pm
One of the main problems is the fact that kids are playing games intended for Mature audiences. The parents need to take some responsibility for their kids.
by: Bad Monk
On June 13, 2008 at 2:54 pm
great video!!
i 100% agree with Sessler, the positives of online gaming far outweigh the negatives but the anonymity of being on XBL makes people into these rude, aggressive idiots who know they can get away with trash talking like that with no repercussions.
mute em, ignore em, simple!
and again great topic Sessler!
by: Marcelo Abans
On June 13, 2008 at 2:59 pm
This happens on XBOX live and the reason it will continue because the power of the games, contrary to popular belief there is little you can do for it. The PC game community is riddled with this as well but the difference is, you act like that on a Pub Server on for example TF2, and you’ll be banned from the server. Immediate consequence! XBOX live doesn’t have that, you get voted against and it’s up to some mysterious customer service person to then decide to ban hearing it third person, LOONG after the face. In PC game, not saying it’s better just comparing, that kinda of stuff doesn’t fly, shit there are servers that is ALL they do so a community of fellow “Ragers” can sit there and annoy themselves and each other.
Kids will be kids but XBOX live has most of them there, adults don’t say those things because of social contracts not because they are better. So it’s not so much a “bigot” thing as it is an overall maturity thing. These little shits are no different than tools who try to make political statement in TF2 or try to convince people how 9/11 was a conspiracy in World of Wacraft. I always answer with the same thing: “Who knew the the greatest political mind played .” Usually ends the convo since they have no real subtile or intelligent comeback for it.
You may not like it, but let me be the 1st to welcome Adam Sesslers to the internet. The great and most unstoppable hate machine ever conceived and created. Vinton Cerf is rolling in his grave..
by: David "Edli" Z.
On June 13, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I am happy to say I don’t talk trash. The parents of these kids that do, however need to beat their kids when they do something wrong. Hell, I’m fifteen and that’s how I was raised. I don’t know when this “being an asshole is cool, lol” trend started, but it needs to be stopped before any more damage is done to the gamer stereotype.
by: asdf
On June 13, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I rarely see this type of stuff, probably because I’m a PC gamer; most people that say this sort of stuff in servers get banned quickly or are promptly reported on a servers forum. I’ve barely played on any of the next gen consoles(the last time I played regularly on any console was on the PS2 back when socom 2 was released) so I can’t say diffidently that people are more apt to log onto the servers forum and report the person, but I assume it’s more likely to happen while gaming on the PC. Even without players actively reporting malignant players, PC servers tend to be much more organized, meaning there’s usually a non-racist/homophobic admin watching the server.
PC>Consoles amirite?
by: Tyler
On June 13, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Come back when you stop bashing my 1st amendment. It’s that crock of shit amendment that allows you to come online and post your soapbox for all to see. If you don’t like hate speech, move to Germany where simply denying the holocaust is a punishable offense. Where using those sorts of slang will land you in jail. Hell, instead of being upset about pissy little kids starving for attention, why don’t you focus your efforts on Iran where simply being a homosexual will get you executed?
Don’t like it? Block them. Unplug the headset. It’s a freakin’ video game for God’s sake. Some people take this way to seriously.
by: Mark
On June 13, 2008 at 3:26 pm
It’s mainly to annoy other people.
I’ve heard that reason from several people.
by: Xeemkg
On June 13, 2008 at 3:45 pm
imma have to agree that I have no problems wit regular straight up cursing, but being black and hearing people toss out nigger and fag like its nothing just pisses me off.
by: scott
On June 13, 2008 at 3:51 pm
yes i agreed with you about all this racist talk going on especially from young childern. Like i never heard half the words this kids are saying when i was young. But teh swearing like when u die or something and you drop the f-bomb ok that i can deal with because i say it to sometimes but racism shouldnt be tolerated because its not in society outside of your house why should it be online.
by: Adam
On June 13, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Unfortunately, MOBsters (Multiplayer Online Bigots)are not going to alter their behavior without an incentive to do so. Other posters have listed the various reasons that this is so (shock value, anonymity, etc.), so without some kind of controls, the trend will not change.
Perhaps services like XBOX LIVE can use a little bit of their massive income to hire covert ‘Content Marshals’ to play in public servers in order to catch MOBsters in the act, and suspend them accordingly (instead of the inadequate and difficult to use system they currently have)
by: Thallia
On June 13, 2008 at 4:29 pm
When I was growing up, it was quite normal for school kids to say “oh that’s gay” when we felt something was lame. I realize now that the phrase equates homosexuality with inferiority, which I don’t consciously believe, but at the time I didn’t know any better. Words in and of themselves are not offensive. What IS offensive is when the person saying the words does so with the intention of hurting someone’s feelings or insinuating that someone is inferior. Personal attacks are definitely on the rise, and very annoying. I’m a girl, so I always get called a fat-ass and/or bull-dyke. Between guys, it’s usually question the manhood first, then insult the race. But guess what? I have a headset so I can give and hear instructions, not so I can listen to non-stop ignorant bullshit. So unless you have something to add to the game, STFU or take it outside the game cause I’m here to play.
by: Nick
On June 13, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I for one agree with you, I am a 23 y/o gay male, who love to play on live. I agree with you on only wanting to play with your friends, cause i tend not to play with random people and wait for my friend to come online. I am not your typical gay male, i look like every other guy and want to be treated like every other guy. And I for one am tired of hearing these twelve year old kids, whos balls have yet to drop scream out fag with their high pitched voice. I make it a point to report these people and make sure that they have negative feedback, and are an avoided player.
by: Caleb
On June 13, 2008 at 4:48 pm
After reading alot of the responses here, I can see that some of you are completely missing the point.
Sessler himself mentions that he has no problem with profanity. It’s the racist and homophobic slurs that irritate him, particularly when they’re made by an individual who has little grasp of the gravity of the word and implied sentiment.
What’s troubling about this is that the use of these words and phrases reinforce and already flawed, juvenile, and outdated mode of thought. The sheer act of uttering some of these phrases and having them go unchallenged, or seeing any reaction as a threat to your ego, is a terrible precedent to set and will only continue to soldify and hone these insipid attitudes and further an already dangerous and greatly disastrous thought patterns.
Children, and even some adults I’d argue, don’t understand the impact that these words and phrases have; they have no true understanding of the consequences of their actions. It’s also lazy. Pure and simple laziness that drives these behaviors. It’s easier to reach out and grab the first and most reactive dirty word or phrase that comes to mind. It’s largely indicative of a lack of vocabulary, tact, and intelligence. That’s not to say that you should be hurling insults from a Shakespeare play during a game of COD4, but reaching for the word that is going to do the most damage, catalyze your petty ego, and validate your behavior and opinions is incredibly narrow-minded.
It’s not about “hurting somebody’s feelings” as much as it is preventing these types of thought processes from doing more damage to children as a whole. Should the parent’s play a role? Absolutely. But should we as gamers being doing more to make people understand that we’re not all basement-dwelling, overweight neanderthals? You bet.
And whomever mentioned that they’d rather have a kid hurl these types of insults than be “…socially retarded…” you have completely missed the point. These types of insults and phrases are at the core of social retardation. I’d say that if you can’t get through life without relying on racial and homophobic epithets then you are the definition of socially retarded.
by: John
On June 13, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Being an asshole is fun, let’s act surprised that being a flamboyant asshole isn’t the most fun you could possibly have while blowing people away. I keep forgetting that some of you older people play games and hate young youth and their hatred. It fights your wars and keeps old rich people in the bank. When I am running around shit talking all sorts of retards, it gives me a sense of joy that not only did I own your ass, but i also gave you something to think about, for example… Adam Sessler really IS a faggot. Repression is bad for you buddy, get that worked out.
I really like that you went the extra way to make comments about certain things “homophobic” in a nature. Realistically the larger problem would obviously be the stream of racism, and let’s be quite frank about the matter. The demographic of actual homosexuals in comparison to the demographic of minorities is a much larger scale and a much bigger problem, but I guess since YOU are a faggot you would only care about the lesser matter. Burn in fucking hell Mr.Sessler, I’d ask if you ever hit Morgan Webb but we all know the obvious answer to that, you were too busy gargling on the directors balls. Enjoy your aids.
by: Alachast
On June 13, 2008 at 5:30 pm
When it comes to racist terms, there is no reason to use them. I am behind that whole heartedly. When it comes to using homophobic phrases, you have to put it in context. The majority of online game players are male. What is the first strategy a (young) male uses in a verbal attack on another male? He calls into question their sexuality. It puts the person on the spot and is one of the many strategies that males use to seem more manly. I am guilty of using terms such as the many incarnations of the other f-word, but it’s purely smack talk. Is it right, no not really. Is it something to get all up in arms about? No not really. Just think about it as smack talk or use mute options. Either way, at least petty things such as nasty words are the worst of your concerns.
by: Ray
On June 13, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Racist or not, its called talking shit. Its meant to get under your skin. Its meant to affect you while you play. Expect it, get used to it, ignore it. Many of the people who say those things don’t believe what they’re actually saying. They’re just annoyed because you killed them.
Overinflated egos are the biggest problems for gamers, not dirty words.
by: Matt
On June 13, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Alachast…I really disagree with you. I see no difference between using a homophobic word and using a racist slur. Both are derogatory, and while they may not offend the masses, they marginalize and belittle entire groups of people.
As for Ray…there’s no reason for little kids to be using racist of homophobic terms to talk shit. Cuss at each other, I don’t care, but making n***** and f***** commonplace words is something that we don’t need in a society (American) that is already hated by the majority of the world.
by: BTNH108464
On June 13, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I agree with Sessler, they are a lot of idiots on Xbox Live, who think they’re cool b spouting racist slurs back and forth. I hear more racist, that homophobic terms being yelled on the mic all the time. Parent’s need to start monitoring there kids, and put an end to this.
by: taffetacarcass
On June 13, 2008 at 8:59 pm
i totaly agree with u adam. i do think that it partly the parents fault there is a age put for everygame and theres a reason for that to. and the magoraty of kids that do say these things r ten year old kids that have just heard these sayings and don’t even understand what most of them meen.
by: sauvez
On June 13, 2008 at 9:01 pm
every game i play online i have to either plug my head set in and leave it off so i cant here them or go into a chat but gets really annoying when your playing with more then 1 friend and then you gotta listen to all the 10Yr olds calling you noob and they own you at everything they do and they start calling you gay and whatnot
by: AreYouOffended
On June 13, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Um, mute?
It’s like they say about being offended by TV or Radio broadcasts; if you don’t like it, turn it off or change the channel. You are not FORCED to listen to the little kids, or the retarded adults.
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” -Voltaire
by: The Tempest
On June 13, 2008 at 10:34 pm
One of the big problems is young kids who are unsupervised. Also, some of these kids have never been taught any difference. They have been given everything they want and never had to earn anything. It could also be possible that the parents of these kids talk the same way. I don’t know how many times I have been in a store and wanted to smack a child’s parent for their uncivilized and backwards behavior. I too am 15 and I am extremely positive that I have better morals,manners, and just an overall sense of decorum than the adults that are raising these hellians.
by: Alex Bradshaw
On June 13, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Hey Adam,
I am with you on this 100% it is absolutely ridiculous that the children of this day and age’s society can’t behave themselves on xbox or anything other online thing. i think that we as a gamer community need to bring it to XBOX Live’s attention that us older and more mature people are tired of hearing all of this nonsense. Personally for me i have stopped playing on xbox live for sometime now for the fact that i have to constantly deal with little kids and their high pitch voices saying this stupid shit that makes them sound retarded. i wish i could record what they say and give it to their parents and if their parents dont do anything about it. the parents need to be taught how to properly raise a child. Allowing your child to speak like that knowing or not is ridiculous and it is killing the online gaming experience.
by: hahaha
On June 13, 2008 at 11:14 pm
your thing about how this is how the gaming community is represented is good, however i find things funnier that way.
even if it is offensive and not politically correct, technically speaking it’d be ok if you and other people that were “serious business” about swearing and racism were more light hearted.
however kids these days are probably just saying “faggot” and other stuff that’s bad.
and i bet they aren’t tying in a funny joke with it, and just saying faggot.
that’s boring and i dont find that funny, just lame.
now see, if they said faggot tied along with a clever joke, and it was funny, then hell i’d laugh, but yeah, i guess it’s annoying when they just say in a whiney voice, “FAGGOT” or something like that.
but really, just get their handle and find their ip, and email their parents saying “this is a recording of your beautiful child on xbox live…”
then profit from the result of them getting repeatedly slapped on the ass with a belt.
by laughing.
but seriously, theres so much bs in the world that, at this point, getting angry and indignant over something that you actually should be indignant about, i dont really think it’s worth it anymore anyway.
all you can do is sit back and laugh.
by: Unruly Brute
On June 13, 2008 at 11:47 pm
It’s not the language that bothers me, but the obvious ignorance that fuels a lot of it. Unfortunately, we live in an era where shame and humility are going the way of the Dodo, and once that is combined with the protection of anonymity, there is no respite for the gamer who wants to actually communicate in a functional way.
The best solution I’ve found is to treat those chimps like small children, speaking very slowly and deliberately to them, as if they were learning impaired, and need to be spoon fed. If they end up Pwning you, just remind them of how wonderful an athelete they are, being able to use opposable thumbs and all.
All said and done, you do have the option of muting individual players, which takes a little time, but is well worth the effort.
by: Dem0n
On June 14, 2008 at 12:39 am
Gays are inferior. Prove me wrong.
by: Kontroversial_Kid
On June 14, 2008 at 12:57 am
Pretty much hit the nail on the head with that video. It does annoy me listening to little children going off on what new words they heard from school that day. But, these kids when they reach down and pick up that microphone they feel almost as though they are a different person. Like it doesn’t matter at all what they say or who they say it too. The fact that they are anonymous makes them come out like that and it is true that once people start getting mad at them or calling them immature, it’s just more fuel for the fire. They gain more momentum off of that. It pretty much won’t stop unless we do have some sort of suspension from the game if they do use profanity or vulgar statements. Now i don;t know how that can be enforced but it would be good to look in to it. Because I am truly annoyed listening to kids on Call of Duty all day make fools of themselves and sometimes i just have to plug in my microphone and set it down on the couch so i won;t have to hear it. It is a sad reality that we all must face.
by: Mark
On June 14, 2008 at 1:45 am
Thank you so much for posting this. I am also tired of ignorant people that don’t deserve to breathe the same air that the rest of the general population. If you cannot think of a better way to voice your frustration over failing at a game then maybe you should take that money you’re spending on entertainment and put it towards something useful, like school.
by: Shit-talking-gamer
On June 14, 2008 at 9:12 am
Hey now, talking shit on xbox live has been going on for a while now, and your little psa style video is not going to do shit about it. One of the most satisfying moments in an intense online match is degrading, belittling, and humiliating others after having seriously laid down some extreme levels of rape upon them. Talking shit anonymously has been around since the telephone, so dont expect that to stop either. As for the racist and gay bashing language, i can only assume that some little kid called you a faggot, fudgepacker, nigger, spick, or something along those lines. All I can say is that if you a really offended by what some little fuck is saying to you over the internet, he is either kicking your ass and making you upset that you are taking both a verbal and a virtual mud hole stomping, or is probably dead on balls accurate in assigning one of those names to you. So in the spirit of internet anonymity, stop being a cry baby ass faggot bitch.
by: CJ
On June 14, 2008 at 10:09 am
@ Shit-talking-gamer:
“As for the racist and gay bashing language, i can only assume that some little kid called you a faggot, fudgepacker, nigger, spick, or something along those lines. All I can say is that if you a really offended by what some little fuck is saying to you over the internet, he is either kicking your ass and making you upset that you are taking both a verbal and a virtual mud hole stomping, or is probably dead on balls accurate in assigning one of those names to you.”
How can you be so insensitive, you don’t have to be gay or a minority to be offended by this type of language. In this day and age there is no room or excuse for this racist and homophobic. These words are simply unacceptable and you are clearly not educated enough to understand why. Perhaps with age, maturity, and a little education you can climb out of the primordial soup and join the rest of humanity.
To the rest of you shit talkers: Being racist and homophobic does not make you cool and it only makes you look like and ignorant dumbass.
by: It's the P
On June 14, 2008 at 11:46 am
everything is done for lulz
by: Robert E. Leet
On June 14, 2008 at 11:51 am
I want to start of by saying that this is not a new problem. It may be a new problem on Bro Box 360. There is a mute feature in most games, this prevents hearing more than one annoying child. I personally don’t mind if some noob calls me a racist name or a homophobic slur. I do mind hearing young boys say anything at all. The shrill sound of an 11 year old child is terrible.
I like to mute people that are annoying. In the pc gaming world there is usually a basic rule set for servers that you can play on. Most of the time the number 1 rule is no racism. If you violate this rule you are /kicked or /banned. I believe the most offensive insult you can give to another gamer is about their skill level, this is why noob is such a powerful word. Noob transcends all other insults and should be used as a replacement.
Being gay or in a targeted demographic for racism plays no part in someones ability to pwn noobs. I like to think that noobs behave the way Adam has described, because noobs have nothing other than ignorance to latch on too. The problem that we as gamers will be facing more and more in the future is a drastic increase to the noob:pro ratio. Consoles like Xbox360 allow anyone to play online. There was once a time where you needed skills beyond gaming to play on the internet. I refer to this time as the “Golden Years”.
As the gaming industry becomes more main stream we will have more noobs to deal with it. I suggest that we follow suit and /kick /ban these people. I don’t like playing with noobs because they have no skill and they offer nothing to my experience online. I would rather play a single player game on easy mode than play with noobs.
GG on the rant, it just doesn’t effect the main issue. The main issue is that it is to easy for anyone to get online and play games.
by: Ein Sof
On June 14, 2008 at 11:57 am
It seems that nearly everyone is missing the point where Adam said how much it degrades the image of gamers. If you have morals (or kids), you should care.
I believe CJ understands.
by: Me
On June 14, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I completely agree with the guy in the vid. I dont really know about x-box live because, personally, Im a Pc person, but it sounds like its just as bad here sometimes.
P.s. I really dont like the guy who calls himself “Shit-talking-gamer”
P.p.s. It was a bad idea having Lego Indiana Jones playing in the background, I was watching that most of the time.
by: Rayman
On June 14, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Gay does not mean HOMOPHOBIC. you’re right. the people that say like f*** gay people or whatever they say are not intelligent. but gay for the most part to me does not relate to a homosexual person in any way. Gay is now a “general term for lame and stupid”
as for the racists.. look around the whole world is racist. and if you say you will be profane at work but not at a video game? come on now buddy where are your morals. good thing these little kids dont act like this at school amiright?
by: mata
On June 14, 2008 at 1:40 pm
People do it because it gets a reaction.
Stop flipping out when someone calls you gay or something racist.
YOU make it a big deal, YOU react, and that is why its done. Stop reacting and you take the fuel from the fire.
Seriously, try it some time. stop being a little sissy get, some thick skin and just don’t react. I promise it will take the wind from their sails.
by: Rayman
On June 14, 2008 at 1:41 pm
LOL i should have looked at “Shit Talking Gamer”
You win 10000 internets good sir.
he is right about everything
by: Lord Majestros
On June 14, 2008 at 2:13 pm
It would be cool if the a-holes (the sane but irritating jerks not the crazy ones who might have real guns) were in the same rooms as the people they were harrasing. Depending on age and the parents ability to “parent” and by that I mean not buy the kid(s) M rated games which is a problem itself not and letting them say whatever they went without punishment just because these are children and don’t know better(what are parents doing that at 13-16yrs the kid doesn’t know better?). At 6’3″ 250lbs it’s hard for people to understand “oh um yeah…your kid’s a jacka$$…I hope you work on that while I’m in jail or prison due to a refusal to deal with the results of your sh***y parenting thus far. And hey since the police haven’t arrived yet I’ll help pull the kid outta the wall. See? I’m not such a bad guy. But you do suck as a parent!”
Yeah that’ll be a hot topic. This stuff never happened before online play cause you’d get yer s**t rearranged or shot depending on where you were.
by: CJ
On June 14, 2008 at 2:20 pm
@mistaWAC:
“As for the racism, I do that too. I would like to state that there’s a difference between African Americans and ‘niggers’. A nigger is an ignorant person whose opinions don’t matter to me at all. The very definition of the word in a dictionary is ‘a person who is ignorant; inferior’, anyone can fill this quota – a white person, an Indian, a Chinese person, Middle Eastern.”
Although you may take the word “nigger” as meaning an ignorant person;inferior, you have to look at where that word originated. The word came from a time in American history when slavery was legal. White slave owners used the term “nigger” in reference to an African American. Now take into account that back then the word was socially acceptable and you see a whole race demeaning, degrading, and oppression another people. When you use that word you are bringing up 200 years of racial oppression.
by: Charles
On June 14, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I agree, for once, with Adam Sessler. I don’t want to be associated with these types of gamers. I don’t get fed up with it, like him, but I do agree that it sets an unnecessary stereotype that’s far from the actual maturity level of the gaming community.
People do it because they know it pisses others off. Just like it pissed of Adam. They were successful.
by: Dem0n
On June 14, 2008 at 8:44 pm
George Zimmer just gave his guarantee, /end thread
by: Anonymous
On June 14, 2008 at 8:51 pm
In my opinion there are lots of problems that are contributing to this.
I’m 20 and I’ve been cursing since the 3rd grade? Its just something that catches on and sometimes you can’t help it. It is not that hard to fix once you recognize you have a problem and want to change it. I had an issue with calling things “gay”. I thought it was a stupid way to express how myself but for some reason it just seemed to work its way into my vocabulary. It only took a week or two of catching myself saying it to stop completely.
Also… Halo is the new 12 year old male’s playground. They are immature and you cant really stop it, it’s their parents fault imo. Now you don’t get the same type of thing in WoW. Instead u get ppl talkin leik this. (not a good example but w/e) They just type in extreme shortform that is really annoying. Noob is more common than nigger, fag, or whatever else. (You only really hear that when people are trying to get the account banned by a gm) You hear all sorts of curses but you don’t really get the racism or homophobic slurs you do on voice chat in xbox live. You also have a older populus in wow than on xbox live and halo.
Anyways, my advice is switch from homophobic and racial slurs to noob or something. But you can’t reason with the angry 12 year old so just ignore it and hope that they will grow out of it or their parents will care enough to take away their mic or wash their mouth out with soap.
You might think its cool to stick with the current gaming slurs but really you’re just showing how immature you are.
by: JP
On June 14, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Don’t assume this is only an issue on Xbox Live. Every play sports competitively at school? People talk shit all the time, its the nature of competition. Me and my buddies used to play 4 player Goldeneye split screen, and we’d call eachother F*gs and N****rs and whatever else. We play drinkin games, beruit/beer pong, and we refer to eachother in the same ways. Mario Kart, same thing. People just get used to talking shit to their close group of friends that they always gamed with in these ways, so when they go online and start competing with other people it carries over.
Most people don’t use the terms with such negative connotations as you people would like to apply to them. They carry the same weight as saying b*tch, a**hole, loser, and every other way to put down someone you just beat or got owned by. I dont really talk much shit online, but when I hear it it’s usually just someone saying, your a fag you’re mother was here last night. Obviously immature shit talking banter, nothing to be taken that personally. If you get insulted that easily, play single player games. People that compete talk shit, get used to it.
by: mike
On June 15, 2008 at 1:42 am
what a fag.
by: Not Offended, but Disgusted
On June 15, 2008 at 2:59 am
These aren’t only children through around ‘nigger’ and ‘faggot’. As a black player, I can honestly say I encounter more college age and adult bigots than kids. Most people don’t need any sort of provocation; they hear that I’m black and there’s an instant rush of unrestrained slurs, profanity and general dumbassery.
Dismissing a country-wide problem as an age phenomenon, maturity issue or lack of parenting is naive at best and intellectually lazy at worst.
by: Anonymous
On June 15, 2008 at 6:20 am
This shit is exactly why I dont play on xbox live. What has humanity come to that people need to say things like this to fellow human beings? Who gives a fuck what your skin color is, or what lifestyle you choose, we are all the same species. All I’m saying is think before you speak. You don’t even know most of the people you play with and yet you insult them.
by: Winstonian
On June 15, 2008 at 8:12 am
Dave, you said ‘You can cite Wikipedia.org on your college term paper!’. If that is true then your college is a piece of shit. It’s for the very reason that wikipedia is web 2.0 and self-monitored that it can’t be used by any respectable academic institution.
mistaWAC you said:
‘A nigger is an ignorant person whose opinions don’t matter to me at all. The very definition of the word in a dictionary is ‘a person who is ignorant; inferior’, anyone can fill this quota – a white person, an Indian, a Chinese person, Middle Eastern.’
What A LOAD OF SHIT. The ‘very definition’ according to the oxford english dictionary is:
• noun offensive a black person.
— USAGE The word nigger is very offensive and should not be used.
— ORIGIN from Spanish negro ‘black’.
by: Steve
On June 15, 2008 at 11:12 am
Way to call out these punks Sessler!
Unfortunately the majority of this behavior is coming from prepubescent little boys with horrible parents. They obviously pay no attention to what their kids are doing and it’s really pathetic.
I know we can’t listen to every player but hear me out.
Hopefully we are given more tools from Microsoft to point these people out. If enough people label somebody as a racist user then maybe we can get their account banned. Perhaps Microsoft should give us, the players, an expanded feedback system that sends information directly to Microsoft. When a player gets enough flags they can be secretly monitored by Microsoft and have their LIVE account banned if they ignore an official warning.
by: E
On June 16, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Sadly, I think the reason why the atmosphere among players deteriorates over time is the increasing popularity of the game. When it’s just a small game with a specific target-group it tends to attract smarter forerunners, so once the slower people follow the example, you lose that something that made it special.
For example: check the World of Warcraft forums. Any day, any time, any topic, full of trash talk. In fact, some of these people are proud to be “trolls” because derailing discussion and insulting other people is fun and provides some means of angst relief.
by: lolwat?
On June 16, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Quit, being such a bitch about it. Kids will be kids and if you remember Microsoft put a nifty little tool called the “mute button”. I suggest you use it.
by: Ryzax
On June 16, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Make everyone take an Aptitude test before letting them play online, be it Xbox-live, pc or otherwise. All these little useless punks would be left with Toontown where they belong.
by: They call me Big AL
On June 16, 2008 at 9:17 pm
READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM. READ THIS ONE ADAM.
Ok Mr. Adam Sessler, i’ll tell you why i trash talk to people who would whoop my ass in person. Simply because it is fucking hilarious. There is nothing better than cursing off someone bigger than you when there is nothing they can do about. Their reaction is even funnier. Just hearing how pissed off people get about a kid saying random things to them is so funny to me. I don’t know how a kid over the internet can offend you so badly that you have to make a video about. I think you should just ignore these random comments since theyre only so piss you off because it is funny, or get the fuck off xbox live if you can’t handle it pussy. I wish i was that kid who made you make this video. For god sakes, you’re already losing your hair and you still work for a video game company. Grow up and Stop your bitching.
by: Your Mom
On June 16, 2008 at 11:03 pm
i do it just to hear u bitches whine about it
by: Dem0n
On June 17, 2008 at 1:50 am
I win. Gays are inferior. Suck it…I mean, uh…Go somewhere and cry about it!
by: lol
On June 17, 2008 at 2:49 am
Wow.. i didn’t realize how sexually frustrated adam sessler was to actually make a video segment about how he cannot stand these biggots and is trying to get into the inner-working of their minds and what motivates them to say the things that they say. To adam i say get laid and then some clowns fidgeting and spewing garbage will not matter much. As for the “biggots”, keep doing what you’re doing; it just confirms your worsening ignorance level (yes there are levels of ignorance and you are really hitting the rock bottom folks, its amusing) and the consumer dogmatic society in which you live in.. I don’t like to generalize, but when there are statistics to back the claim, ill just say it. You are a society of overweight half-wits that don’t care much about reading or being informed and think “not caring” is cool. On behalf of the educated world we tell you and mr. bush who enjoys talking about “the civilized world”, YOU MY POOR FRIENDS ARE MORONS.
by: Jarrod
On June 17, 2008 at 4:22 am
mistaWAC says:
June 13th, 2008 at 8:38 am
“I mean, I completely agree that slavery was a terrible thing and that civil rights are needed, but in order for racism to attempt to come to a close you have to let go of that word as being so offensive. ”
The rest of what this guy made sense, but I don’t really buy the whole “in order for racism to end, black people have to get over it” deal. In fact, I think the opposite is true–the only way for racist words to lose their power, is for us to have a truly tolerant society.
Let me ask you, why do you put the onus on black people to “let go of that word as being so offensive,” instead of putting it on, I dunno, the guys who use that word deliberately to offend? I agree with most people when they say that just because you use the N-word, doesn’t mean you’re a conscious racist, but everyone–including those admitted online trolls who insist they’re not racist or homophobic–agrees that they use those words specifically to get a rise out of people.
And seriously, when you found your “race-blind” definition for “nigger,” was it right next to the common definition “ethnic slur demeaning black people?” Such disingenuous bull on your part. You can’t say, “It’s okay for me to call people nigger, because I chose to define it as ‘inferior person’, even if that person is black, and if YOU PEOPLE are hung up on the whole centuries of using it as a racial slur business, well it’s not my fault you guys are easily offended, and you just need to get over it.”
So, if a guy walks up to a Chinese guy, calls him a chink. Who’s doing more to perpetuate the racism, the Chinese guy, for not “letting go of the power the word has to offend him,” or the bigot, for deliberately using that word to offend him? Judging by mistaWAC’s post, it’s apparently the Chinese guy’s fault. Actually, if you ask mistaWAC, he’ll probably explain that the guy actually mean “chink” in the sense of “flaw (chink in the armor),” and that society is oppressing the guy by wrongly labeling him a racist, much like it wrongly judges mistaWAC for his frequent use of the non-racist definition of nigger.
For the record, I want to say that faggot was in my lexicon of trash talk back in the day, and I certainly don’t think of myself as anti-gay in any way. Of course, I also avoided ever directing it at or using it around any of my gay friends, so it wasn’t like I was unaware of its offensive nature. But if you couldn’t tell by my post, if anyone was offended by that, it was squarely on me, and not them. I’d like to think that the majority of offenders out there were more like me–people who were more thoughtless than malicious, and hopefully, people who will realize their mistakes when they grow up. Then I read a post like mistaWAC’s, that reminds me exactly why we let this stuff bothers them so much. I have no doubt he thinks he’s not a racist–and even less doubt that he’s got a lot of racist in him. I mean, the fact that you recognize “honest, hardworking African Americans” exist means you’re not a completely blind racist, but if you automatically assume that black people aren’t, unless they go out of their way to prove otherwise to you, that’s still racist in my book. Recognizing that slavery was a bad thing means you’re not an unrepentant racist, but then saying, “We freed you, a few decades later we eventually stopped building discrimination against you into our laws, now stop getting stuck in the past and get over it,” pretty much is in my book. And blaming the black guy for being offended by your effusive use of “nigger,” because apparently he’s not up to date with your new dictionary that redifines it as something other than the racial slur its been for hundreds of years, well that’s just racist AND stupid.
by: Louis
On June 17, 2008 at 11:56 am
Shit like that never happens on Team Fortress 2….
by: anon
On June 17, 2008 at 11:57 am
BECAUSE YOU’RE A NIGGER
by: Pygmahia
On June 17, 2008 at 12:51 pm
wow dude. your awesome.*no sarcasm* i rarely say stuff like that but when i do swear its because of someone thats being ignorant and thinks the world revolves around him.
Yea the Xbox live community really sucks at times. People randomly screaming into the mics (usually little kids) it annoys the shit out of me. they only say stuff like that because their parents dont love them enough to listen to them.
by: Michael
On June 17, 2008 at 12:53 pm
It only seems like American’s that are randomly calling people “Faggots” the “N” word. I’ve played with people from the UK and they are actually polite and usually only knock on Americans (who can blame them?). It seems like the American culture likes to say those two words because they think they’re the most offensive to say to someone. I know I hate being called a faggot or the N word because it’s just nasty to say to someone they don’t know or have never met. I was actually playing GTA4 last night and there was a kid who sayed he was from Alabama, but everyone phrase or word that came out of his mouth was the N word. It seems like if you want to be noticed on Xbox Live you need to say mean things. The mic isn’t used 90% of the time to even have any relivense to the games. It’s to get on, be as fuckin annoying as you possibly can, and to get a raise out of someone. But it’s mostly kids, and I’m honestly blaming all this on the kids. I know some are actually mature and not complete fuckin attention whores that play games for fun and not to see how many people they can get to yell at them. Microsoft needs to monitor games and who plays them, and get a better system on reporting people. Peace.
by: David
On June 17, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Michael that is exactly what sessler is talking about. You sit there and blame it on us Americans constantly. Look at games like Grid where its more than just americans and the British playing. You get spun out by some french person and you are simply say what the hell into the mic and the french person comes back on with the only english they will ever care to know and say shut the fuck up you fat american. I mean seriously. Stop with the stereotyping and just play the game. For the record i actually am an American living overseas in England and i have to say the British are just as bad at Racial remarks and bigotry in general as anyone else. Everybody does it, it just needs to stop. What about when you get a single black guy on xbox live. He generally keeps his mouth closed in fear of him getting the N word thrown at him, but you get him and 2 of his other buddies and its Nigga this and nigga that. I tried to ask politely one time if they would stop using that kind of language and all i heard was cracka shut yo nigga ass up. What am i supposed to say then? Again everyone does it, its disgusting and uncalled for, but dont think that for one second it is strictly limited to the American population.
by: VoltRabbit
On June 17, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Kids will be kids and idiots will be idiots. There are things you can do to reduce your *timmy time. There are a few gaming communities that offer some shelter and an online environment that will allow to enjoy the game as it was designed. Take a moment to stop by MidWorld and chat with the Gunslingers of Tiedtheleader.com >> This means you Sessler <<
*timmy: annoying gamers unable to behave, regardless of age.
by: MistaJaco
On June 17, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I think we, as a society, have become quite soft and overreactive to anything mildly offensive and you see this anywhere from gaming to real life events. We dont have a need for laws forcing employers to hire x amount of hispanics or african americans but we do because we knee jerked to previous eras mistakes and are overly embarassed as a society to create a potentially “racial/sexist” situation and thus seek to resolve it before it happens with ridiculous laws/rules
That said is it a problem on Live? yes and no…….it is said so often that it is an accepted form of behavior, does that make it right? not at all but it was just 15 years ago we had smear the queer and negro piles, and we outgrew that phase as we became responsible adults and those who didnt are somewhere in the FBIs top 15 most wanted or in a white robe somewhere. Point is we can do 1 of two things, a.) we can try to parent the parentless and try to let them know it is unacceptable without knowing or fully understanding how they have been raised or taught how to behave socially or b.) we can remove ourselves from the situation and play in a controlled environment or simply another game/channel. As much as there is a limited freedom of speech, there is moreso a freedom of choice that everyone possesses to stay in a situation they dislike, try to change it for the better or simply find a more ideal environment
by: MattC
On June 17, 2008 at 5:06 pm
God I miss the days when the PS2 was more popular than the Original Xbox. All the kids stayed over there and the adults over here.
Instead of making Miis maybe Microsoft should spend some time on making profiles that follow age rather than how “hardcore” a gamer you are. Live is paid for by credit card so MS should be able to attach an age to the gamertag, they could also hire moderators that kick these idiots out mid match and make examples of them in front of their friends. Leaving bad feedback does nothing. Stupid children = Stupid parents so to expect something to change from the outside is pointless, Microsoft has to be the one to step up and show us what we pay for.
Microsoft: HIRE MODERATORS, word will spread.
by: Kacie
On June 17, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Ok lets use GTA IV as an example…your virtually running around and shooting people in the fucking skull, stealing cars, ect. does someone saying the word nigger really make the activities any worse?
by: Suck it
On June 17, 2008 at 7:54 pm
This sort of talk is necessary because you are gay.
by: IntelligentComment
On June 17, 2008 at 8:10 pm
You make it sound like the only people who talk like this on live is young children. It comes from all types of gamers no matter how old they are. You can’t blame it on the parents because that is just goofy. This is the way people are and it is the way gaming online will continue to be. Get the sand out of your vagina and get over it.
by: i smoke weed all day
On June 17, 2008 at 11:45 pm
when i make comments like that it’s bc im high when i play online and i cant help myself bc i smoke weed all day. im typing high right now when you read this comment guess what im gonna be high
by: Michael
On June 17, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Yeah David you’re right but I only hear American teens that say anything derogatory on Live. I know a lot of people are racist and as intolerant as Americans its just I only hear it from them. But it should all just stop, its just kids now think the only two words to embarrass or belittle someone is the N word or faggot. Sad really.
by: Dem0n
On June 18, 2008 at 2:36 am
LOL, you know what’s funny? You guys are all probably getting mad just because they are pwning you
by: marky
On June 18, 2008 at 7:35 pm
cool get over it. at least under the california constitution Measure A you can’t discriminate against gays. cause they aren’t a race or religion.
and yeah. THIS GUY IS A GIAN FLAMING FAG! if i heard his queer voice while playing a game i’d say so too.
by: Davn Kincade
On June 18, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Bottom line: if you don’t like what’s being said, disconnect the headphone or mute it.
Sessler doesn’t care and personally he doesn’t have a leg to stand on anyways….he’s a 30+ year old running around on G4 like a 12 year old with dumbass remarks/ wisecracks given to him by the adolecent writers G4 managed to find at whatever community-college spawned them….Entended Play it is not, and yet Sessler is still collecting his paycheck…guess his standards have a going rate.
It’s the pot calling the kettle black if you ask me….are they bigots on the air? no…but they’re certianly not acting like mature gamers either.
It’s just Adam’s way of prentending he nothing more than a punk ass sell-out.
by: Not a douche
On June 20, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I think this situation actually applies to the whole internet in general. the kids today have always had the anonymity of the internet and know how to abuse it.
those of us who lived in a time before the internet were raised knowing there were consequences to the way we behave and talk to one another, and when we found ourselves in chatrooms, or whatever, we had the personal skills to not be douchebags.
Today’s kids have been raised in 2 different worlds, online and reality. They developed a personality for each.
by: smokey
On June 20, 2008 at 10:35 pm
hey im 16 years old and it sickens me when i have to put up with stupid comments in games from ignorant little pricks i have to admit i have retaliated but only with “ok you think your hard because you can make big comments over a game in the comfort of your home if you can do that you can gimme you address then youcan TRY say it to my face” and they usually have nothing to say to it, the truth is its like msn because your not in the room with the person your talking to you feel more confident as if you have an alternate personality, most the people who make stupid comments in games are actually quite nerdy yet they feel they can be someone else , someone “cool”, but in my eyes they are nothing but a joke.
there are some games like vietcong 2 where you barely see it and if you do its usually some immature 30 yearold whos pissed off with you because your beating him and your half his age, thats why i got heavily into vietcong 2 because theres very few servers so you know nearly all the players and because of this its more of a friendly enviroment, if i join on vc2 people always say hi even if they dont know me, on bf2 all i see is mouthy kids and crap admins with favourtism over childish clan members.
btw sorry for my appaulling grammer.
by: Jacob
On June 21, 2008 at 12:19 am
I’m an experienced gamer, been playing since i was little. I played games from WoW, to bf2 to Cod4 to Unreal III, all on pc. Of course there is the little kid who is obxoius, in every guild, i used to assume that role, it was fun… but then i got hardcore into wow and I started leading raids and i relized most of the ppl wweren’t so dumb. But all system gamers aren’t as smart as pc gamers. it simply takes more skill to play a pc game and use a pc.
Note: i’m 15
by: Jason
On June 21, 2008 at 1:20 am
So, Sessler thinks the first amendment is a “crock of shit?” My respect for him just decreased a TON.
by: An actual response to the question
On June 21, 2008 at 11:01 am
Although I haven’t behaved that way anytime recently ie in the past 5 years, I could commonly be heard calling people “fags” over cs and several other pc games. Truth is most of the younger people using such derogatory comments have had little to no interaction with the gay or black community.
I personally never called anyone a niger in anger, im sure I’ll get flamed for this but niger has a time and place to be said. I don’t need to give examples, but what im talking about is situations in which individuals fulfill the negative stereotype to such a dramatic degree it exemplifies what the word is intended or at least understood by me and many others to mean. A black person who commits such audacious acts of violence or ignorance that it leads to disgust will often times be deemed as a niger. It’s insulting, I understand that but the word SHOULD have a specific restriction placed on it. Obama is not a niger, the man who stabbed and robbed someone to buy a crack rock would represent what comes to mind when the word niger is used. It’s wrong, its ignorant, its sinful, but stereotypes in general also fit those descriptions. Why niger has received such attention can only be attributed to the historical aspects of slavery and the disrespect which the black americans have endured. Once again I don’t think its right to call someone a niger, but somewhere in the back of many white american’s mind the word brings up a very specific set of attributes where a person would fit the stereotype.
Why someone would use the word niger in a video game is beyond be because games generally don’t give me any reason to think someone is a niger, they cannot possibly fulfill the required attributes that come to my mind at least.
Now on to the use of the word fag which has similar origins in ignorance and hate/fear. For the greatest extent of my usage of the word, I had no reason to believe the person was actually homosexual. However, the use of the word was so commonplace to describe an individual because the homophobic attitudes which persist in part due to religion. No I dont think God hates fags, no more than I think he hates me for being a sinner. We all sin, personally I think homosexuality is a sin but that does not entitle me to break other comandments such as to love my neighbor, and ideas which I feel are under represented by the average christian such as not judging others because that is Gods place. Back on track here the word fag is commonplace because being called a fag is insulting to everyone apparently but homophobes dread the insult at least as much as actual homosexuals. And most people although unable to articulate that fact are basing their usage on the idea that it will cause the negative feeling which they themselves endure when fag is used to describe them.
Homophobic behavior is not uncommon and much like bigoted slurs is due to cultural influences which make degrading insults more appealing especially to those younger and more ignorant individuals who compete in everything they do including using the most profane and derogatory comments available to their limited vocabulary constrained by the audience’s demographic (ie calling someone repulsive is beyond the vocabulary of a great deal of the expected audience). I am not trying to justify my past transgressions with excuses, I am merely trying to explain the causation and thought process involved.
Additionally there is a long history of such behavior as to which it is expected or at least assumed to be expected behavior which would garner recognition and a place among the peers of those individuals who use such language.
The likely hood of these slurs decreasing without intervention by providers is negligible because the fear/hate and ignorance which cause those words to exist will probably continue with future generations. The word fag and the idea of its negative connotation is so infused within the minds of large demographics that almost any noun or situation is commonly described as being “gay”. Although it is quite a misuse of the word, it is frequently used and colloquial to that demographic.
Also I’d like to mention that I find it immature to use those slurs, but equally immature to be so wrapped up in the opinion or insult of someone who is obviously ignorant that it would cause such a great mental strain. Be proud of who you are, when someone calls me a redneck or a hick or a honkey etc I’m not offended. The reason is simple, I’m proud of who I am and there is no shame in being identified with your social group even if the words used to describe my group are offensive. It indicates their hatred for my social class, which they obviously dont belong and therefore their opinions have no value to me because it cannot lower my social standing within my group which is the proper use of an insult. That is to say lowering ones level of respect within their own group. Calling a woman feminine does not offend them (for the most part thats a large assumption i’ll admit) however calling a man feminine indicates your lack of respect for them as a representation of your perceived existence of a social group to which only men belong. Obviously there are men who would not be offended by such a statement, but many that are because of their own perception of their groups representation. We all strive to fit in to groups, its deep in our primal urges. And thus the insult is a manner by which one attempts to remove that self imposed understanding of belonging.
On another tangent I’d like to mention that we all belong to one group, that is to say we are gods children and we are all human beings regardless of your faith or lack thereof. This needless sorting into subgroups is what keeps humanity from achievement on a whole, its why wars are fought why genocide is committed and why we seek to cause pain in other human beings, because we seek to identify with the most similar individuals we can. At one point in human history it can be argued that stereotypes and sub-grouping was beneficial because identifying with a group gave a potential advantage ie by amassing ones resources against a competing group. However the time when such behavior stopped being useful for survival is so far in the past for most of the western world that its really unbelievable that such behavior still exists at all. But the same grouping is why political parties exist, people with similar interest combining resources to achieve a goal regardless of the effects on people outside of that group.
In conclusion until the subconscious sections of thought realize that such grouping is unnecessary and harmful, it will continue out of tradition. I hope to answer the questions presented in the video as clearly as possible although I did leave a few of those questions out, I presented answers which I could based on my own observation and education. I don’t have all the answers and I am by no means perfect. Matter of fact the man I look up to most was most probably black, definitely Jewish, and never had sex with a female in his whole life and he died for me although we have almost nothing in common except our father in heaven. We have a lot to learn from Christ my brothers. Christ wasn’t a bigot and he hated no one, the men who have come to represent him in the public eye really don’t represent him at all and that’s a shame to Christ and myself and similarly minded Christians.
by: An actual response to the question
On June 21, 2008 at 11:10 am
There were a few errors in my post above particularly the section which reads ” I dont think god hates fags” the intended meaning was that a common slur “god hates fags” was inaccurate to describe my opinion it would better read as I don’t think god hates homosexuals and the slur “god hates fags” is ignorant.
by: Dem0n
On June 21, 2008 at 2:45 pm
You want to know why you’re stupid? You’re religious and on top of that Christian. You’re spreading you’re fucktarded religious beliefs all over this topic and it compels me to vomit. Stop playing with your imaginary friends and preaching to a crowd that doesn’t give a rat’s ass about God.
How can you say that using the words is ignorant? Everyone knows damn well what the fucking words mean and the implications attached to them. Honestly, I don’t care what you say; being black, gay, Jewish, French, whatever term you decide to use is generally undesirable for most people (not to say that we don’t all have our undesirable attributes, because everyone does) and each of the undesirables knows that. You said yourself you don’t like homosexuals. You may not hate them, but you dislike them and you believe it is against your silly religion. So while you passively sit there and prejudice them negatively, you’re no better. In fact, you’re worse because you’re under the impression that your shit doesn’t stink. I’ve got news for you buddy, it smells just as bad as the next guy’s.
Now, that’s not to say that everyone within each group of undesirables is part of that stereotypical group. There’s people that have proved their worth, proved that they are different. My hat’s off to them; job well done! However, these stereotypes and ingrained prejudices didn’t come out of nowhere. There’s a reason they are there. There’s a reason people tend to stick with the norm. I’ll leave it at that and see what bible verse you quote in your retort…
by: Jason
On June 23, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Honestly, I think the terms in the minds of those who are saying them aren’t giving much thought to what they are saying. Simply put, they have not been corrected of their behavior and think that these words are acceptable in certain social circles. Usually, this is spread by the fact that those who have bad behavior run with people that reaffirm that bad behavior.
It’s a lot like how I am with the word “idiot”. Such as if I said, “Dem0n’s an idiot for the above comment…” I don’t really know if he is an actual idiot, and I did not give much thought about if he would take long term offense to me calling him an idiot. But my social circle has made it funny for me to call someone an idiot, and so I use the term to describe those that I do not agree with or simply want to tear down mentally and emotionally.
The only way to correct this situation is to make the offender understand WHY it is important not to use the terms. I think Adam’s video hits the mark and I only hope that it strikes a cord with the right individuals.
The only thing I would add – that anyone who is using these terms is only isolating himself from people who could be the greatest in their life. You may offend the person who would otherwise be your mentor. You would segregate the person who would otherwise give you the most important answers to your questions.
Think before you act in every situation you can. And although these are emotional subjects, try to separate yourself from an emotional connection to what is being said and use your logic. You will find that there is a lot more that could be learned from honest discussion rather than flaming responses.
by: mixpix
On June 24, 2008 at 4:18 pm
how this kids should not be playing games like cod4 and gta 4 there is a reason there is a mature sticker on it. it is meant for mature people. and if adults want to say stuff let they are adults why can some people say the n word and have it on tv music news EVERYWHERE and others cant. that is racist. if people will remember the n word is meant for poor people it just got attached to african americans during slavery. but i digress 12 yr olds should not be allowed to play these games end of story and someone whether it be the parents (My first suggestion) or if the parents are incompitent the retailers. kill all kids
by: mixpix
On June 24, 2008 at 4:19 pm
i am so sorry for you Dem0n.
by: John Keels
On June 24, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I think that its sad that anyone wants to go online to launch insults at people who are different. Parents need to do a better job of watching what their kids do. It is not easy but no one ever said that being a parent is easy. Responsibility comes with the territory of children though. As for the government. The government should not be involved in censorship or regulating this stuff. Parents and individuals need to be involved in being more open to others and responsible with their behavior. That is my two cents worth.
by: Dem0n
On June 25, 2008 at 5:46 am
I am sorry for you, because you posses the weakness of morality.
by: Wow Rob
On June 28, 2008 at 12:28 am
I guess I just wish that the negative feedback on peoples gamer tags worked. As said before it is not a single platform problem but I currently have an Xbox 360 so that is what I will base my opinions and thoughts off of. You select leave negative feedback or File Complaint and you feel good that you really showed them in a civilized manner but the problem is nothing seems to happen as a result of that.
The solution isn’t to blame the parents, kick all of the kids off of the internet or to attack them back I think the solution is to set a better example. If the people who did understand the impact of the words, phrases etc. didn’t use them then it would probably become less of a big deal. Very bad example: if African American rappers stopped using the n word then there would be less spreading of the word and as such less use.
So that is what I think hopefully something good will come out of this.
by: n00b
On June 28, 2008 at 7:50 pm
haha fuking nigger jew fag
by: Dan
On June 28, 2008 at 9:17 pm
@Shawn Sines
“Think about it this way, when we’re kids playing sandlot baseball or soccer we always end a game with a “good game” because the coaches reinforced that behavior.”
I don’t know how often you played sports, but around here, those hands were usually coated in spit/punching your fist, etc if the other team lost. We would of course return the favor in kind on the rare occasion of a loss. Or worse. I cannot tell you how many people went down with intentional injuries- and that’s just in soccer, not counting wrestling and baseball beanballs/high slides
by: Mike
On June 29, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I completely agree, kids now in days know they can hide behind a screen and say racist or homophobic things. Just because they know they wont get in trouble for it.
It’s sick really…
by: Dem0n
On June 29, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I don’t get in trouble for it in real life either…Anyone else?
by: Mildcorma
On June 29, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Well, I am a psychologist so I will be more than happy to shed some light on why xbox live is a bit worse than most for language and everything else. There are several reasons, all of which account for part, most or all of an individuals behaviour whislt taking part in an online game. None of them however, are excusable, and all of the reasons can be fixed by using something called “self-control”. That’s having the balls to stop saying something before you say it.
So, number 1 (and the biggest reason). Online gaming grants everyone the oppurtunity that you dont get in real life. If your boss (or even a teacher at school) pisses you off, you don’t have a go and call him various names because there will be real-life connotations. In the online world there are no connotations in RL. Someone may call you names back but thats as harsh as it gets. You can do whatever and there is no-one to answer to. This is not such a biggy to adults with responsibility, but we have learnt how to control our feelings and we know for the most part when it is acceptable to swear and when it is not. Teens don’t, they are still very much in a hierarchical society at school and college and so relish the opportunity to let loose with no consequences. It is a form of excitement and amusement to them, and one that is readily available.
Number 2. The communities. In RL (especially in college and school) there are very complicated and intricate social hierarchies which are usually topped by the guy who is best at sports. In primitive society he is called the Alpha male. On Xbox live there is a hierarchy of sorts in the ranking system, which means the better you are, the closer you are to the Alpha male spot. Getting beaten by one of these people often results in primitive emotions surfacing that would usually take a back seat to submission in RL (cos if you take the piss out of the guy that just beat the crap out of you in RL, then he’ll likely do it again). Because these emotions are in a no consequence environment, well, let the insults roll baby! woo!
So to conclude, Number 1 is the biggest reason and the root of all the other reasons. I could have written several down but its too much effort! I have some tips for those that want to rise above the insults (note, due to the nature of these tips I recon you will get a 90% rate of more abuse, but you’ll be laughing ;D )
When someone insults you, ask them a question like, “why do you think thats funny?” or “What happened to you this morning that put you in such a bad mood?”
These break the insult cycle and force the insulter to think of an answer (probably not a very constructive one) but most importantly after answering he has submitted control of the conversation to YOU and you can then take it wherever the hell you want to go. Just remember that this may not work all the tim, due to reason 1, but be sure to give it a shot!
Mildcorma
by: Wow Rob
On June 29, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I might just have to try that more I do sometimes but usually just mute them as they are not worthy of any real reaction or emotion.
by: Jeremy
On June 29, 2008 at 11:43 pm
ya. Adam Sessler is really smart. I’m so glad somebody famous like him put out a decent opinion. I hate joining a server and getting the ur a hacker and other namecalling treatment just because im good at the game.
by: Aether_Hawk
On July 2, 2008 at 6:28 pm
As a southern(Louisiana) 19 year old Timmy*, I have been raised to be respectful. I am really hard to offend, mostly because I’ve heard it all before as a child. I was an overweight, vertically challenged boy with a speech impediment. I was tortured as a child. But even though I’m not offended by these terms, I understand that some people are and have enough consideration to not say these items in question. Not saying I don’t. There is the occasional snipe that comes out of no where that drags a “Holy shit” out of me. I just have a feeling that most of the people who are offended and are posting don’t actually care if you personally believe if it’s offensive or not. They, like most humans, would just like people to be considerate of others.
*Timmy-Timothy is my actual name. I just had to do this based on the definition of Timmy’s in a previous post.
by: CUNT SHIT PISS FUCK
On July 2, 2008 at 6:28 pm
FAGGOT NIGGER CUNT SHIT FUCK ANUS RAPE ANAL FISTING PISS WHORE SHIT GENITAL WARTS NIGGER FAGGOT NIGGER CUNT SHIT NIGGER FAGGOT COCK NIGGER FAGGOT NIGGER FAGGOT NIGGER FAGGOT NIGGER FAGGOT NIGGER FAGGOT NIGGER FAGGOT NIGGER FAGGOT NIGGER FAGGOT NIGGER FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT FAGGOT
by: Razza
On July 3, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Um… I think the guy above me has just flipped the switch on evolution. Tomorrow morning his mommy’s gonna wake him up and find a proto-lizard. With gills, spewing off homophobic slurs.
by: Razza
On July 3, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Incidentally, the homophobic slur (“F”) you mentioned is, nowadays, (or at least, it seems to me) not that offensive. Close friends of mine who are very openly gay use the word quite often, and most of the time as an insult.
This confused me at first. Then I got used to it.
Still, I dislike the connotations.
by: Dem0n
On July 5, 2008 at 2:57 am
Mildcorma, you are a moron. I love psychologists, thinking they know exactly how everything works. Wrong. I guaran-damn-tee you that if you used either of the questions you suggested to break the insult cylce (or anything similar), anyone with half a brain can build off that/feed off your attempted passive aggression. Frankly, without skipping a beat I could throw out some trolling insult like your mom gave me crabs or something else just to keep the flow going. It may not be the most intelligent thing, but nonetheless, you have no control over the conversation. You might think you do, but I can assure you with the utmost certainty that you don’t.
Also, as I’ve said, I will say this kind of bullshit to you in “RL” (as you so intelligently used some interwebz lingoz in your pathetic attempt at a respectable post). To this day, I have yet to see repercussions for anything I’ve said. What the fuck is some bitch going to do, hit me? Yell back at me? Cry as if someone gives a shit? I’d love for them to give me an excuse to swing back at them if they try anything at all physical.
Psychologists are all a bunch of worthless crackpots who, despite what their degree says, know absolutely dick about how people work. My hats off to you guys though, as you are the best conmen/scammers the world has ever seen.
by: pancake
On July 8, 2008 at 12:44 pm
@Dem0n:
Dude, take it down a notch, will you? Although I too am having trouble taking mildcorma’s rant seriously, “Psychologists are all a bunch of worthless crackpots” isn’t very intellectually stimulating either.
by: Heru-Ur
On July 8, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Sessler is a total idiot. He does little more than perpetuate the sterotype of what gamers are, and frankly I find it offensive.
by: Derek Hale
On July 10, 2008 at 12:30 am
G4 seems to get on the soapbox and criticize anybody telling people how to act. Now they have flipped that. Yea people have become more vulgar, mute them. If you have the ability to deal with something then why infringe on other people’s rights? He challenges us to explain, why do WE need to explain? He can mute anybody he finds to be an asshole. Since when has ‘is that necessary?’ become a valid argument when arguing on the side of censorship. Sure it is vulgar, and sure I don’t like it, but it is their right to say it. Until Microsoft grows a pair and pisses off the tots by being strict about obscenity there is no real reason to blame the people. Don’t blame the players if they are following the rules.
Oh and I hope nobody here is going to put this into terms of parties because thats a bowl of shit you are smoking. Both sides are equally racist and both sides are equally progressive as far as video games go. I am a registered Democrat and Libertarian at heart, I have friends deep in both sides and they are both equally racist. If anything I am going to say that the left is more vulgar and racist, and feel entitled to do that since they ‘gave everybody else rights’ as a friend has explained it.
by: Bat
On July 10, 2008 at 12:36 am
Adam Sessler angry is hilarious. He curses though his rant about cursing, while he portrays the ultimate geek on TV. His job is be 36 year-old geek, behave like a basement-dweller, avoid any weird eye contact with Morgan and play games like it’s his life blood.
He has a TV persona that he needs to maintain – the ultimate square-shouldered, balding nerd, and he does it well. I like him in his show. He’d a dork and knows it.
However, let him show his true colors, and I bet he is as bitter at jerk gamers as he is at his jerk producers for pinning him a role he cannot escape. He is on G4 until he hits 40, then he’ll be retired.
I’d curse the world if I were in the same spot. But then again, half the kids on Xbox live are stupid faggot-niggers anyway.
by: neoseeker
On July 10, 2008 at 2:13 am
“Sessler is a total idiot. He does little more than perpetuate the sterotype of what gamers are, and frankly I find it offensive.”
You even know what satire means?
by: Al
On July 12, 2008 at 1:31 am
im f*&^ing sick of all the 3 yr olds that i only play if ive got friends on
by: Jam
On July 28, 2008 at 3:32 am
I don’t use racist remarks or crack on peoples life style while playing but I will swear every once in a while. people that need to use racist remarks and crack on peoples life styles need to be BANNED from voice chat.
by: butters
On November 25, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I’m 17 and i play online a lot and i hear that shit from people that sound like they’re 20 or older as well as little 10 year olds. it’s not just kids it’s also adults and teenagers who just talk way too much shit when they kill you.
by: Wynnde
On November 30, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I am a 34 year old avid gamer with a wife and a steady job to support my free time habits…and I have absolutely refused to get involved with the online voice chat aspect of almost any game I play (Xbox Live, WoW, Counterstrike…etc) due to this little problem…In short, it really seems to be an ironic statement that kidz ruin the games….since I always kinda figured kidz are the main demographic these companies are after to begin with.
I also agree with several posters above me…the parents are the ones to blame for this situation…not just the foul-mouthed little hellions we hear spewing words they can’t even define. In order to rectify this problem, we, as a whole, are going to have to make the effort to demonstrate etiquette and respect for our fellow gamers…in game.
Like yourself, Adam, I have a mouth…and I am quite well versed in the profane…but by the same token, I have acquired the knowledge and experience that tells me when it is acceptable…as well as to what level.
Aside from a global reset of the gaming industry’s voice chat capability…this is only going to get worse.
Wynnde
by: Eggs Ackley
On December 12, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Fag…
by: Al
On July 9, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Frankly to be fair, some nights being taunted is fun if its done in good humor. That i don’t mind one bit, boys will be boys, and there is no excaping that. HOWEVER, there is a point when it crosses the line, and i agree with Adam 100% that its moronic when a 7 year old starts to insult you or rank or what ever, having known Nothing what so ever about you.
Being a heavyset male, ive grown used to some comments from my friends over the years. Hell, its almost expected when i go over. And i can usualy dish it out as well as i can take it, but on xbox live, when some random 5 year old with a mouth that would put the most hardest trucker or sailor to shame, its just anoying and ruins a game!
This is why im almost exclusively play with party mode and not the main game!
by: Lien Jarzembowski
On December 8, 2011 at 2:10 pm
One note:it doesn’t seem a real connection between Arduino and Air so the post title is not so right.