ESRB Notice: Game Experience May Change During Online Play Special @ Gaming Target

Written by Nick Doukas on June 13, 2003

Special: Obi Wan never told you what happened to your fatherЕ

There's a dark side to Xbox Live. It's an unfortunate thing, but it exists nonetheless. I've made no secret of my love for Live since its launch, and I've enjoyed countless hours of fun thanks to Microsoft's burgeoning service. However, I would be remiss if I didn't point out the side of the Live experience that's not so desirable. I'm talking about racism, as well as every other kind of sorry behavior that goes on when you invite unpredictable strangers into your living room (which is exactly what you're doing when you plug into the Net and put that headset on). It's something important, and it's something gamers and parents should be informed about.

If that introduction sounded way too much like your 6th grade teacher, then I apologize. The fact of the matter is, the dark ladder to racism and voracious anti-social behavior actually begins in a far more humorous place: the circus monkey like antics of the clans and fanboys (Disclaimer: many gaming clans conduct themselves with honor and pride, however, many so called УclansФ don't. Not by a long shot). It's interesting to see them on Microsoft's official boards, tearing each other apart with every nasty insult you'd ever want to see. Heck, these boys are so acid-tongued and obnoxious you'd think they were all 10 feet tall and bulletproof. There-in lies the rub: On message boards (which so many gamers love to frequent) as well as on Live itself, everyone is anonymous. Many people have no issue with this, and are eager to make gaming friends and represent themselves honestly and magnanimously. Others are there for little more than an ego boost, and acting like a virtual bully and belittling others gives them some twisted thrill that runs counter to everything Live should be: a place where players who are passionate about gaming can meet like minded individuals and have fun.

You'll frequently see boasts of skill on message boards, and while healthy competition is something to be encouraged on Xbox Live, a few of these undesirables will take it too far, questioning not only the talent of the opposing player, but also his lineage, sexual orientation, and why his mother is so fat that her blood type is Rocky Road. Much of this can be put off to teenage boys throwing their weight around and sowing their video gaming oats, but often times there is a seriously threatening tone to the post that makes one sit up and take notice. Angry threads calling for someone's GamerTag so they can be found online for a Уone vs. oneФ match (essentially to prove who can get the first kill and dominate the rest of the game by remaining powered-up) flood the boards. While some of these turn out to be nothing more than benign games, others turn into hate filled and horrific situations where nothing much is ever accomplished, save for spreading some pretty bad feelings aroundЕ.. and fun? Not a chance, just ugliness, pettiness and anger. Not what the majority of subscribers want out of their Live experience to be sure.

It's interesting to note that everyone started out as a newbie on Live, whether you were on the service on November 15th, or you've recently gotten around to buying a kit, everyone logged on for the first time ever at some point. What you'll find out there is twofold: on one hand, there are a large percentage of people who share the desire to interact with other gamers in a huge way, and thoroughly enjoy the dawn of online console gaming that's upon us right now. Conversely, you'll also find your garden-variety, ignorant knuckle-dragger who's hell bent on verbally beating someone down, and in worse case scenarios, shocking soliloquies of vile hatred and venomous anger are piped directly into someone's very being. Everything from Anti-Semitic nicknames in Return To Castle Wolfenstein, to simple racial slurs repeatedly shouted into the mic, they all contribute to really ruining someone's perception of online gaming, and can drive folks away before they even get started. No one wants to put up with that kind of behavior. Fortunately, to Microsoft's credit, they have a well-implemented feedback system that allows users to submit information, both positive and negative, on gamers they've played. If a user is reported enough times for abuses of the terms of service MS will investigate the complaints, and it's well within the realm of possibility for the account to be banned for a period of time if proof of the misconduct is discovered.

Despite that negativity, the truth of the matter is that while a percentage of that ill mannered faction exists amongst the 350,000 Live subscribers, it's a far greater portion that's filled with the kind of people you'd want to call friends, and enjoy hours of incredible gaming with, no matter how far away you are from each other. Pretty cool that it's all possible with Xbox Live. Meeting friends through random games is a new way to socialize, and the dedicated voice comm makes all the difference in truly interacting with your fellow gamers online. Eventually you'll build up a friends list (the interface gives you room for 100) and it's at that point that Live becomes more than a chance to simply shoot opponents and taunt them, and becomes more of a real social situation, one that can be incredibly rewarding in a variety of ways.

I'm on the council of my clan ChaoticHarmony, and I'm thankful that I get to be a part of helping shape this unique online gaming group. Started by my friend Kaimus (along with his brother Kailon) it was an ideal, a lofty goal to unite honorable gamers everywhere who want to avoid, at all costs, the aforementioned negativity. It's not about competition (though some of the most skilled gamers out there are part of the crew), nor is it about proving superiority. It's a community of over 80 people who believe that Xbox Live should be a place where gamers can meet and enjoy themselves without being subjected to any difficulties. To have the option to put a young child on the mic and know that the other players there (many of them parents as well) are trustworthy and mature. The option to log on at any time and know that 80 friends are waiting there to make sure that all of you have a great gaming experience. The option to be yourselfЕ.relaxЕ..and most importantly, have fun.

Final Thoughts:
Xbox Live is breaking new ground in the industry, and as the second-generation online enabled titles make their way to your favorite game shop, a whole new chapter is starting for gamers everywhere. There's nothing quite like the feeling of charging an enemy emplacement with a buddy at your side, a fellow gamer who's sharing the same visceral thrill, at the exact same moment you are. Racing down the street while laughing your ass off with friends who are following right on your virtual tail-light is incredibly fun, and the endless variations and outcomes of any given game will keep you coming back for more until the wee hours of the morning. It's simply a matter of finding the kind of players that share your ideals, and working with them to make sure that Xbox Live is something to be proud of, and not an instrument to spread negativity and animosity. I have faith that despite a minority of vocal dissidents who don't seem to want a positive encounter, the vast majority of Live users are the type of gamers we're looking for. Many of my fellow editors here at GT are Live fanatics, and we've always agreed that etiquette is an important part of getting the most out of online play. If you're a positive gamer you'll no doubt have an easy time finding fellow travelers. We all came together pretty naturally at CH; chances are you will too. Heck, you may even find us out thereЕ.unless we find you first. Until then keep it frosty, and no spawn campingЕok?