Gamergate (harassment campaign): Difference between revisions
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'''GamerGate''' refers to a 2014 |
'''GamerGate''' refers to a 2014 [[video game culture]] controversy <ref>[http://www.cinemablend.com/games/GamerGate-Everyone-Hates-Each-Other-I-Really-Tired-67039.html Overview from Twitter onwards.]</ref> whose proponents state centers on the [[journalistic ethics|ethics]] of [[video game journalism]], while its opponents state that it stems from a [[misogyny|misogynistic]] response to [[feminism|feminist]] cultural criticism of video games<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/03/gamergate-corruption-games-anita-sarkeesian-zoe-quinn The Guardian on Anita Sarkeesian and Zoe Quinn, et al.]</ref><ref>[http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/08/the-death-of-the-gamers-and-the-women-who-killed-them/ Misogyny, doxxing, and death threats.]</ref> |
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The controversy began when video game developer [[Zoe Quinn]]'s ex-boyfriend released details purportedly about her personal life and relationships with a video game journalist from [[Kotaku]] and game developers, leading to accusations of violations of journalistic ethics and counter-accusations of [[misogyny]] and slut-shaming.<ref name=Forbes/> The affair subsequently expanded to include the feminist media critic [[Anita Sarkeesian]], game developer [[Phil Fish]], internet commentator [[John Bain]], and critique of the pejorative use of the phrase "Social Justice Warrior".<ref name=Forbes>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2014/09/04/gamergate-a-closer-look-at-the-controversy-sweeping-video-games/ Forbes overview.]</ref><ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/fed-up-game-developers-sign-open-letter-2014-9 Business Insider coverage]</ref><ref>[http://www.buzzfeed.com/josephbernstein/gaming-is-leaving-gamers-behind#14ezth0 Growth pains of a medium.]</ref> |
The controversy began when video game developer [[Zoe Quinn]]'s ex-boyfriend released details purportedly about her personal life and relationships with a video game journalist from [[Kotaku]] and game developers, leading to accusations of violations of journalistic ethics and counter-accusations of [[misogyny]] and slut-shaming.<ref name=Forbes/> The affair subsequently expanded to include the feminist media critic [[Anita Sarkeesian]], game developer [[Phil Fish]], internet commentator [[John Bain]], and critique of the pejorative use of the phrase "Social Justice Warrior".<ref name=Forbes>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2014/09/04/gamergate-a-closer-look-at-the-controversy-sweeping-video-games/ Forbes overview.]</ref><ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/fed-up-game-developers-sign-open-letter-2014-9 Business Insider coverage]</ref><ref>[http://www.buzzfeed.com/josephbernstein/gaming-is-leaving-gamers-behind#14ezth0 Growth pains of a medium.]</ref> |
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Revision as of 01:46, 7 September 2014
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GamerGate refers to a 2014 video game culture controversy [1] whose proponents state centers on the ethics of video game journalism, while its opponents state that it stems from a misogynistic response to feminist cultural criticism of video games[2][3] The controversy began when video game developer Zoe Quinn's ex-boyfriend released details purportedly about her personal life and relationships with a video game journalist from Kotaku and game developers, leading to accusations of violations of journalistic ethics and counter-accusations of misogyny and slut-shaming.[4] The affair subsequently expanded to include the feminist media critic Anita Sarkeesian, game developer Phil Fish, internet commentator John Bain, and critique of the pejorative use of the phrase "Social Justice Warrior".[4][5][6]
Writing in TIME, Leigh Alexander described the campaign as "deeply sincere" but based on "bizarre conspiracy theories," stating that there is nothing unethical or improper about journalists being friends and acquaintances of those they cover. "Surely these campaigners understand that no meaningful reporting on anything takes place without the trust—and often friendship—of people on the inside," she said. She attributed the controversy to a growing gulf between some traditional video game fans and the increasingly diverse nature of the industry, noting that the maturing and ever-more-mainstream nature of video games opens the genre to longstanding cultural critiques and new perspectives.[7]
The on-line harassment of Quinn and the death threats against Sarkeesian [8] prompted an open letter to the gaming community by independent game developer Andreas Zecher, who called upon the community to take a public stand against the attacks. The letter subsequently attracted the signatures of more than 2000 professionals within the gaming industry.[9] As a response, the Youtube-personality Boggie 2988 collected 8500 signatures asking the gaming industry to stop the hate.[10]
Zoe Quinn has stated that GamerGate was manufactured by members of 4chan operating on a private channel specifically to attack her and her followers for her feminist views, releasing numerous screencaps on Twitter. [11][12]
References
- ^ Overview from Twitter onwards.
- ^ The Guardian on Anita Sarkeesian and Zoe Quinn, et al.
- ^ Misogyny, doxxing, and death threats.
- ^ a b Forbes overview.
- ^ Business Insider coverage
- ^ Growth pains of a medium.
- ^ Sexism, Lies, and Video Games: The Culture War Nobody Is Winning, Leigh Alexander, TIME, Sept. 5, 2014
- ^ Ugly side of gaming community.
- ^ BBC - Gamers take a stand against misogyny after death threats
- ^ http://www.change.org/p/the-gaming-industry-please-stop-the-hate?recruiter=109079405&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition
- ^ http://www.dailydot.com/geek/zoe-quinn-outs-4chan-behind-gamergate/ Claims of 4Chan genesis.
- ^ Storify regarding GamerGate