Unveiling the dark side of gaming culture
Negativity in the gaming community is real, and it’s a problem. We all know that. But why? Here are some of the reasons behind the toxicity.
Gaming brings people together. Whether you’re playing with friends or engaging with others online, there’s no denying the joy that comes from playing a game you love. But the negative opinions on this subreddit have overshadowed the sense of community and camaraderie that gaming fosters.
This isn’t a new thing. Gaming communities have a long history of tribalism, with fans fiercely defending their preferred brands and attacking others. But the internet has amplified the arguments and debates, and there seem to be an increasing number of people who derive satisfaction from feeling superior to others, even over trivial matters.
The anonymity and consequence-free nature of platforms like Reddit contribute to the spread of negativity. But even beyond the internet, rationality often becomes scarce. So, why is negativity in gaming culture so prevalent? Let’s take a look.
Negative comments are everywhere
The negativity on this subreddit is excessive. Everything is downvoted, and innocuous comments are met with bleak replies. It’s a cycle that seems to perpetuate itself, and it’s not just this subreddit that’s affected.
Negativity in online gaming culture is a big problem. It’s not just about the comments you see on YouTube videos or Reddit threads, either. People are behaving badly in the actual games, too. Instead of focusing on the gameplay, some individuals will troll their teammates or seek attention.
Negativity in gaming doesn’t have to be malicious, but it often is. There are people who derive satisfaction from feeling superior to others, even over trivial matters. Gaming has always had its trolls, but the internet has given these self-entitled individuals a larger platform to assert their superiority.
There are also people who engage in negative behaviour because they want to be noticed. Perhaps they’re lonely, or maybe they’re seeking validation. These individuals are often looking for attention, which explains why they often get upset when others don’t respond to them.
Some players are just bored and looking for something to entertain them. They may attack opposing options to validate their choices. This is known as sunk-cost tribalism, when people invest in something and attack opposing options to validate their choices.
Negativity in gaming is everywhere
While negativity on Reddit is a big problem, it isn’t the only one. Negativity in gaming forums has been around for a long time. The Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory suggests that anonymity allows certain individuals to be more hostile. Sunk-cost tribalism may also play a role.
People have always sought validation by attacking others. The internet just gives them a larger platform.
