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Sessler's Soapbox: Attention, Bigots!

Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:17 PM

When playing a competitive game, a certain amount of "trash talking" is to be expected. However, when you combine the competitive nature of some video games with the anonymity of the internet, these friendly jibes can quickly show a darker face, often involving racist and homophobic epithets.

In this week's Sessler's Soapbox, Adam addresses the issue of racist and homophobic comments that are seemingly running rampant on Xbox Live. The Sess is asking anyone who feels this behavior to be appropriate to write in and let him know why he or she thinks so. What do you think? Do think comments demeaning someone for their race, gender, or sexual preference is fair game? Or does a line exist somewhere, between comments that are "harmless" ones that are "going too far"? Check out the video and let us know what you think or share your thoughts on our forums.

 

 


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Comment(s)

Posted by Thisway - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:30 PM

Amen

I hate the fact that people do this knowing there will be no consequences
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Posted by younggunna - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:31 PM

100% agree
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Posted by iluvatar2448 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:34 PM

dude i totally agree with you...

the only real reason that people might do it, is maybe because that one person that they are harassing might be some annoying person that say something in the lobby of the game or something. Hence why people become bigots. I've seen it happen a hundred times in Halo, but I always end up muting the dirty bastards that trash talk because its completely pointless and stupid.

BTW, why in the hell is a 10 year even playing Halo on Xbox Live? The video game community really needs to deal with this issue because I'm tired of playing with 10-15 year olds that are playing Mature rated games on Xbox Live. It's not suppose to be happening and something needs to be done.
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Posted by blakseed - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:34 PM

Is it really that bad on Live? In that cause, im glad I play on psn, otherwise i would have to hunt Husker 360 down and beat the hell out of him.
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Posted by bigmonstefan - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:35 PM

Props to Adam for what he said. I've heard some messed up stuff from messed up preteens too and I find it pretty depressing. I love smack talk probable more than the next guy. If action movies have taught us anything, it's that it's fun to spout out cool one liners after dealing out a good ironic death, or after receiving a finishing blow. Don't take it personally, it's just a game that's supposed to be fun. It's basically pretend without so much of the pretend. So use what brain power you have that's been replaced by the latest processors and use it for coming up with quips that everyone can appreciate. Especially from you older gamers, where do you think the little guys are getting it from? Spongebob? Grow up already so they can too.
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Posted by younggunna - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:36 PM

100% agree
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Posted by iluvatar2448 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:36 PM

dude i totally agree with you...

the only real reason that people might do it, is maybe because that one person that they are harassing might be some annoying person that say something in the lobby of the game or something. Hence why people become bigots. I've seen it happen a hundred times in Halo, but I always end up muting the dirty bastards that trash talk because its completely pointless and stupid.

BTW, why in the hell is a 10 year even playing Halo on Xbox Live? The video game community really needs to deal with this issue because I'm tired of playing with 10-15 year olds that are playing Mature rated games on Xbox Live. It's not suppose to be happening and something needs to be done.
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Posted by darkmanXL - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:37 PM

Thank you Seesler for addressing this situation.. Being a black man I hear the N-word 5-10 times a night, on COD4, GTA 4, Halo 3 etc.. While most of the time I can just shrug it it does get to me at times and I find myself getting frustrated that it happens all the time.. The guys I play w/are a mixed bag but mostly "white" guys and often they blast the guys saying the comments or we decide to leave and post the negative feedback.. They got my back and get just as upset as I do at times.. I hear the women bashing, and gay bashing, it has no place in game ppl play to have fun..
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Posted by Tumtum - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:38 PM

Agreed, there is no sense on calling someone a name along those lines because they missed a shot, or killed you?

Whatever happened to saying "Dude, your aim sucks" rather than calling someone a name because of it?

Way to go Sessler! =)
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Posted by Ronde90 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:40 PM

I second that. There is absolutely no need for such horrid behavior. There is no need to demean others on the basis of race or sexual preference. It is just vulgar and repulsive. And to think that kids who are only 10 years old, probably younger, are saying such offensive things?! By using such demeaning words, we are teaching the younger generation that it is o.k. We are teaching them it is o.k. to be prejudice and racist. Personally, when I am 40, i don't want to hear kids saying such awful things to one another. By doing this, all people are doing are causing more problems than we really need. There is enough racism and stereotyping world wide. We should be trying to end such actions, not promote them.
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Posted by JTHMROCKS - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:41 PM

Strange. I play on LIVE and I seem to almost never have a problem with swearing and name calling. I always thought the people who did that sounded like retarded chiomps and just shotgun them in the face. In the game, not in real life.
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Posted by HenNaHito - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:42 PM

I agree with the Sess. And where exactly are the parents while these kids are throwing these ugly words around. I hope to god that the majority of the people doing this are actually preteens. It'd be really sad to find out that as an adult, your brain is so bovine that you can't think of a snappier diss than "n*gg*r" or "f*gg*t". Thats why i just end up muting the bastards, which also sucks cuz it takes away from the competiton.
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Posted by WildfireFox - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:44 PM

Blah blah blah blah blah!

I just see a lot of people, shaking a stick that's already been held higher by other people. The stick's name just happens to be common sense.

I'm not going to join a side on this one. Man... I don't care. I really don't care what people say to another over the internet. Hell, I don't even use X-Box live. However, the most silly thing to come out of this?

Adam saying 'Oh! Comment on this and tell me why you feel like acting like a jerk!'. ...why? It's not like they get a personalized response for doing it.

I get the message. But it doesn't really matter.
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Posted by Blacklinkmaster - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:47 PM

Dude I'll admit that I say some things and cuss on xbox live but i never say anything racist. And it is pretty annoying especially when its usually a bunch of 10 year olds saying it. These type of things make gamers look bad and that is why its hard for people to show the good in games. Anyways I totally agree with sessler.
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Posted by alphacentuari - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:48 PM

Really it's not just in the gaming world that everyone acts like a bunch of racist idiots. I go to a highschool that thinks it is basically 'cool' to be a rasicist. Seriously some kids started fights with this clique of black kids and mexican kids for that reason alone, their race. It really sickens me when I hear that the night before a bunch ofkids in my class jumped one of my classmates because he was black and that alone. He's a really nice kid and I swear if I would have known who it was I would have kicked their asses.
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Posted by tutelsongo - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:48 PM

I just hope that this message motivates people to stop behaving like that. I'm latino and on lots of games (especially the more popular ones) as soon as I enter a lobby the floodgates of racism are burst open. And I'm really tired of hearing this. However I must say that to my experience most people that are disrespectful are older gamers and it's always a group of buddies.
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Posted by CrazGriffin - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:50 PM

Most of the time they aren't racist or homophobic, they're just using the words, and as much as I'd like people come up with intelligent, original trash talk, I am all for the attitude that certain words are somehow offensive disappearing forever.
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Posted by sfubear - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:50 PM

I hate this too, I hate little children calling me all manner of horrible names, I play a game to have fun if I didn't have fun playing games I wouldn't have spent $500 plus on all the gaming stuff that I have not including that I have to pay for xbox live. I have watched video's of children on youtube freaking out playing games and I have been called any more number of names by children in the game itself. Where are these children's parent's (who not only let their children talk this way to other people but play games that are in the first place to violent and mature content for them in the first place).
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Posted by supersolidsnake4 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:50 PM

He is true. The people who make all of those comments are the people in real life who are losers and try to make themselfd sound cool online
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Posted by younggunna - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:51 PM

100% agree
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Posted by beetle - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:51 PM

i would bet 90% of the foul language on xbox live is kids under 17 that want to sound older. these kids are the same ones with parents that always bitch about violent games but have no idea what their kids are doing when they play online.
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Posted by nicksps3 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:51 PM

I just played a match on COD4 where some dude just kept on saying the n word, it doesn't happen often on PSN, but the real problem is people who play music over there mices
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Posted by Bookshelf - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:52 PM

its like they say...

XBL has the best online community out of all of the consoles....

...LMAO!!
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Posted by beetle - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:53 PM

i would bet 90% of the foul language on xbox live is kids under 17 that want to sound older. these kids are the same ones with parents that always bitch about violent games but have no idea what their kids are doing when they play online.
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Posted by sfubear - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:54 PM

If someone is going to be crazy racist and homophobic I ask that they get booted, and if they don't I leave the game, I also give everyone of the MFers a bad review.
I love to trash talk but not insult someone for their race, gender, culture, religion, or sexual orientation because we are all here to have fun, that's why I am even selective about who I talk trash to, if I don't think they can take it for the joking manner that it is intended as I don't bother with them.
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Posted by KitFisto94 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:54 PM

This is the reason I play PC games. The online communities aren't filled with Frat Boys and Prepubescent 10 year olds saying racist, sexist, and homophobic comments just to be "funny". They don't know what it is and they do it to be cool. I agree Sess, that is a reason gamers are viewed negatively, because of the insenstive trash talk.
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Posted by bcskid - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:54 PM

Ok, so I just have to say this. I have noticed that this behavior is much more prevalent in the most popular shooters. Why? One reason is that they are popular so there's a higher chance that you will run into a kid saying crap that he doesn't even understand so that he can be "cool". The other factor is that these games are very highly tense and competitive, bringing out anger much more quickly. This behavior does not exists in all Live games though. I noticed a nice, clean sound coming out of my speakers when playing GRID on Live. It was the noise of people being friendly and joking around with each other as we raced, with the occasional grunt of frustration followed by laughter when someone crashed. That's what online gaming should be.
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Posted by FreshCut_T70 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:57 PM

Usually these kids resort to name calling because they get owned in a game and don't have the maturity to "take it on the chin". Microsoft doesn't seem to crack down on this behavior so it only encourages them to continue.
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Posted by sfubear - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:02 PM

@WildfireFox
I think it does matter, the gaming community is always facing heat. Wither this game is to violent and shouldn't be released because it is corrupting our children and all the adult gamers who are the people that should be the only one's playing in the first place just sit by with their thumbs up their ass. Manhunt almost didn't get released because of it's graphic nature come release date the petition to bane it was only a couple of hundred signatures short, Manhunt 2 had crappy blurred out violence so that it wouldn't have an adult only rating. GTA4 is one of the most controversial games ever released. Why because people know that children will be able to get their hands on M rated games one way or another. Then to top it all off they play online and are subjected to that idea that not only is intense violence cool but so is racism and bigotry in general
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Posted by sfubear - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:06 PM

don't get me wrong though I love me some intense violence and cursing, but I am also 22 and know the difference between reality and imaginative, and socially acceptable and straight gauche.
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Posted by VII - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:06 PM

Henceforth, Adam Sessler has my complete and utmost respect. My name is Adam too, and Mr. Sessler has brought honor to that name today. I applaud you, Adam.
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Posted by Teejay_1994 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:09 PM

Amen, to that Sess!
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Posted by rocker_ant - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:09 PM

its getting harder to just play over live without little kids acting all tought and talking alot and it might not ever end
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Posted by Bookshelf - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:12 PM

I'm so glad this isn't a problem on the Playstation Network. I'll admit its there, but it doesn't happen enough to where it is a problem. i've probibly had 3 games (out of the 800+ i've played) in cod4 where it was just people cussing each other back and forth. and one time in motorstorm when i lost by .03 seconds and they were all cokky about winning....

any other ps3 users run into this much? it very seldom happens to me.
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Posted by gencreeper - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:14 PM

Man Sess, your just awesome. I hate it when I find myself playing Call of Duty and after i kill an opponent and suddenly my headphones are overloaded with this little kid screaming and hollering about how i destroyed their kill streak. Then they make it their mission to hunt me down and kill me. I thoguth it was funny but still it is disturbing that a kid can talk like that.
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Posted by ratchet20751 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:14 PM

I totally agree and thank you for putting this into the public eye, I am getting so damn tired of the little kids who can't shut the up on Halo 3 and COD4, and their parents who buy them headsets.
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Posted by mencken - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:18 PM

Hey Adam
I just got xbox live on thursday and just earlier today I listened to some one say a lot of a rascist rants. I agree, and though I may say some profane things but never anything rascist.
My question to you is why do you support barack? (Please don't stop reading here)You make it sound like republicans are the anti game people, but the democrats are the ones who believe the government should control what people play while republicans think that people should play what they want to play. Adam, I challenge and dare you to email me at MenckenPGraham@AOL.com (don't worry I won't share or abuse your email and would recommend you change yours to if you are unsure.) i want you to tell me 1. Why he is the right choice and 2. how is he anymore progame than Mccain. That goes for the rest of you! Adam, you talk about the rascism in the online world but his paster Jeremiah Alvesta Wright and his rascit going that he sat through for 20 YEARS!!!!
Maccain 08!
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Posted by Senninkai - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:19 PM

Last time i got called anything homophobic or racist was when some jerk nut on halo 3 was "owning" me then i came back and raped him. He got all mad started to insinuate that i was gay blah blah blah so i reported him for excessive crap talking.
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Posted by ratchet20751 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:21 PM

I also wish that such people saying sexist, racist, and homophobic things would be booted from live, and I also wish that people can be booted from the playstation network because I have an @$$h01e problem with that too.
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Posted by Majin_Neo - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:23 PM

To start I totally agree that this is an issue and that the issue is the kids saying these things. Yeah we can all ask why there playing this kind of thing if its mature and that goes back to...ummm...whats the phrase called? Oh yeah, BAD PARENTING!!! That is only part of the issue, the other part is that I have seen people encourage it while on there. Now I don't have an xbox but I do play with my friend on his and while neither of us say anything to that effect (we usually go with son of a bit&^, or where the f(*& did that come from?) but the racial and homophobic items are a problem.

THE BEST WAY FOR US TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM IS TO BE THE BIGGER PLAYER!
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Posted by DaddySasquatch - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:25 PM

Man, I am so with you. I actually quit playing Live about 2 months ago for this very reason. There is really no sense of community and respect on there. I am an older gamer (46) and don't have a group of friends I can play with so now I just find myself buying more games and playing single player stuff only. It's a shame because I used to have some fun on Live but it has gotten out of hand for me. I am not someone who uses that language but beleive me, I am not easily offended. It's just a bad vibe on there for me.
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Posted by bipolarfly - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:25 PM

Lovely closing there Sessler. PEOPLE DON'T LISTEN ANYMORE, noteven to what they're saying.
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Posted by tactical_buttplug - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:25 PM

well adam y dont u right a book on it and then sue videogames itself if ur so pissed off at us. u rly arent goin to change ppl's minds about this stuff because some off the stuff they say can be true and u r adding fuel to the fire when ur saying F%$# everyone who is rascist because that is makes u a hypocrite
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Posted by Majin_Neo - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:25 PM

We don't need to be swearing back at them and we sure as hell don't need to be encouraging it ourselves. Show them how REAL gamers act, these kids may love their little Halo but we grew up in a greater time, Battlezone, Goldeneye, hell most of us were around for the release of Mario Bros.2. We have gotten to experience greatness and we should take back our games and our passion from these kids. So I think that no matter what system you are playing online (PC, 360, PS3, Wii...) unite as one group to stop these little punks and get our games back!
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Posted by djHaQ - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:25 PM

Finally. Someone important speaks out against this crap. Luckily, I don't come across this behavior much on PS3 (though I know it is around; also PS3s don't come with headsets right out of the box, which would explain a bit), but yes, it is annoying that this is a new age of mindless children playing video games rated to be played by adults only (I'm referring to the M rating, not the AO rating). The "Online Interactions not rated by the ESRB" statement is really an understatement now. This is just ridiculous and out of hand.
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Posted by Majin_Neo - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:28 PM

We don't need to be swearing back at them and we sure as hell don't need to be encouraging it ourselves. Show them how REAL gamers act, these kids may love their little Halo but we grew up in a greater time, Battlezone, Goldeneye, hell most of us were around for the release of Mario Bros.2. We have gotten to experience greatness and we should take back our games and our passion from these kids. So I think that no matter what system you are playing online (PC, 360, PS3, Wii...) unite as one group to stop these little punks and get our games back!
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Posted by Edge585 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:28 PM

First off I agree. The problem I have is your whole “homophobic” comment. I am personally against homosexuals, it’s wrong. I’m not debating that I just want to say this; just because someone is against something doesn’t mean that they’re afraid of it. Example: broccoli makes me sick, that doesn’t mean I’m afraid of it. I’m really tired of people using that word when it doesn’t apply.

But yeah, people are childish in games.
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Posted by djHaQ - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:32 PM

"u r adding fuel to the fire when ur saying F%$# everyone who is rascist because that is makes u a hypocrite"

You are so ignorant... and don't understand what words mean, apparently. People like you are ruining the fun of online gaming.
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Posted by jaklink - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:32 PM

When I was playing RSV2 I heard the "n" word like 300 times in one match! I agree with you totally Adam! I rarely talk online anymore because of that
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Posted by craig02 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:34 PM

100% agree it took the fun out of playing halo 3 for me i now just play 360 games off line, not saying that i won't go back online
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Posted by craig02 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:36 PM

100% agree it took the fun out of playing halo 3 for me i now just play 360 games off line, not saying that i won't go back online
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Posted by panzerfist - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:37 PM

It's not that it's offensive so much as it's annoying, because you know why they're saying it. They're not racist, they're just douchebags trying to get on everyone's nerves. I can tell you for a fact that they know what they're doing, they're just trying to annoy as many ppl as possible, by happening to choose these words.

I will admit this much though, my brother is about 10 and his friend was playing online and doing just this, i was in the next room. At 1st when i heard it i let it go because i smack talk myself. But when he went off like these kids do i went in and smacked him in the head so hard it hurt my ears. I told him he was acting like a complete doosh, and not just because what he was saying, but the amount. He didn't say anything like that again, atleast not in that manner
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Posted by alphacentuari - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:37 PM

Really it's not just in the gaming world that everyone acts like a bunch of racist idiots. I go to a highschool that thinks it is basically 'cool' to be a rasicist. Seriously some kids started fights with this clique of black kids and mexican kids for that reason alone, their race. It really sickens me when I hear that the night before a bunch ofkids in my class jumped one of my classmates because he was black and that alone. He's a really nice kid and I swear if I would have known who it was I would have kicked their asses.
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Posted by GoldBlaze - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:38 PM

*claps* Bravo.
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Posted by alphacentuari - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:38 PM

BTW I don't appreciate it when I'm in history watching a movie about slavery and some kids in the back of the room laugh and high five each other everytime someone says the N word...


grow up people
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Posted by Bossmoonpie117 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:41 PM

I will say that I have a nasty mouth, I'll be the first to admit it. Furthermore, when I'm playing xbox live, the expletives fly fast and furious. However, let it be noted that, unless its an extremely annoying person that really deserves it, I will either not even where a headset or mute it if I am gonna start a rant. I never even wear a headset anymore because of all the annoying or filthy people that do do that. I've done it, and I know how ignorant I sound so I don't anymore, simple as that. These people get off on calling each other horrible things, and while ill admit it does have a stupid, immature, face-saving value to it, keep it to yourself folks. Let's keep it professional from now on please? I know it's hard not to get pissed, my family has one of the shorrtest tempers around, but if you're gonna yell, turn off your mic first. I appreciate you taking the time to talk about this Adam...and it is a rampant problem in all of gaming.
-tha pie
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Posted by Edge585 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:45 PM

First off I agree. The problem I have is your whole “homophobic” comment. I am personally against homosexuals, it’s wrong. I’m not debating that I just want to say this; just because someone is against something doesn’t mean that they’re afraid of it. Example: broccoli makes me sick, that doesn’t mean I’m afraid of it. I’m really tired of people using that word when it doesn’t apply.

But yeah, people are childish in games.
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Posted by raziel_hell - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:46 PM

Bookshelf this will be a problem for psn when they have as many consoles as the 360.
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Posted by Bossmoonpie117 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:46 PM

A few more things lol. The fact that it is mainly little kids really bothers me. Who teaches them to speak like that? The more I think about it the more I realize that I rarely hear older people talking like that, so what's with all the kids doing it? One more thing and then I'm spent. Darkman makes a good point about women. Ok first of all, women who play games are a rare a beautiful commodity to being with. I find it absolutely atrocious that anyone would a. talk about a woman bad period, and b. that he would do it over live and maybe make her want to stop playing games. Anyone who talks bad to a gaming woman ought to be ashamed of himself.
-tha pie
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Posted by kobebryantyanic - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:46 PM

xbox live is filled with little kids that play games that they ain't supposed to play. You see kids posting gears of war walktrough videos on youtube etc.. Sure glad i play the ps3, stuffs like that don't happen, in fact i've never heard a kid voice online on my ps3.
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Posted by typical_sony_fanboy - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:48 PM

im not one of those little kids that say all those swear words, i will admit i think they can become quite annoying but i just mute them...

people who complain about little kids are just as annoying too

i guess now its cool to complain about little kids or maybe there are hundreds of people on live that have weak joints and cant press mute or take their head set off

and why is adam so anti republican?
republicas believe in the privitization of media and entertainment. democrats want public state controlled media and government mandated enterianment.

i suppose adam is pro obama because McCcCAIN IS OLD ROFLOLAOMG2G

i can see the next sessers soapbox THERE HAS BEEN THS GUY TYPICAL SONY FANBOY (LOL IM MAD) HE IS S00 RAS1ST!!1 PLEASE LEEVE THE FOROMs!11

or he will read this and sigh to himsef thinking about how the burden of enlightening the world is on his sholders and i am only an obstacle
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Posted by raziel_hell - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:49 PM

many ps3 owners mostly use it for blue-ray.
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Posted by Charades - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:49 PM

I refuse to play GoW and Halo 3 online anymore, 1/2 of the people playing are like 12 year olds who listen to too much rap and take lyrics online.

I also notice the language being used on frustrating games like COD4 and Warhawk on the PS3, I calmly mute them but when you even try to play Counter-Strike: Source or any other Source multiplayer game for the PC you're stuck with mostly homosexual/pornographic/racist remarks in sprays, names, and even server listings.

Though I like to hear people swear when they get owned some of the words being used by the populace nowadays due to modern culture is shocking and vulgar and needs to be focused on by the devs rather than scorning the players with an angry video. It's rather hard for us server administrators who have to deal with this crap ALL the time to a point where it used to be a day ban to where I now perma ban, thank you Mani Admin Plugin's word filter.
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Posted by Bookshelf - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:53 PM

@aziel_hell
i doubt that. most kids won't know to go into the accessories settings, audio settings to choose the mic for input and output for voice. god forbit it be a bluetooth mic cause then you have to go through the process of registering it with the console. for xbox its just plug it in and put it on. for the ps3 (for kids) its plug it in and its not working... oh well guess i can't use a mic. (or even funnier they plug it in and think its working and they try to use it and no one can hear them =D
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Posted by buick2007 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:57 PM

Yeah I agree that it's getting pretty bad but don,t kick people 15 or a little older on Halo and stuff. Not everyone that age is a mindless idiot. Like me for example.
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Posted by raziel_hell - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:59 PM

kids are smarter than u think my 8 year old was only 2 years old and would start my pc monitor and diablo 2 on his own.
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Posted by Edge585 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:59 PM

First off I agree. The problem I have is your whole “homophobic” comment. I am personally against homosexuals, it’s wrong. I’m not debating that I just want to say this; just because someone is against something doesn’t mean that they’re afraid of it. Example: broccoli makes me sick, that doesn’t mean I’m afraid of it. I’m really tired of people using that word when it doesn’t apply.

But yeah, people are childish in games.
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Posted by hardwirecars - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:00 PM

ok i can understand the racist crap i cant stand that stuff but i say if you want to suck a dick you best be a girl or your gonna get the lash of my words i dont give a damn who you think you are sessler i dont think this was your place to bring up but you know what you had the balls to do it so i aplod you (just cant spell it) my reasons for saying gay gaf (adam called me out and g4 wont let me say it) or any thing like that is becuse you want to force your culture on me and i dont like it it gose against the simmple laws of nature (things mate to reproduce plane and simple) and as long as i have to hear some gaf on tv talking about his boyfriend and what he did last night to him im gonna fire back you dont hear me talking about my sexual conquest when others dont want to hear em do the same get back in the closet and no one will talk crap
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Posted by hardwirecars - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:03 PM

ok i can understand the racist crap i cant stand that stuff but i say if you want to suck a dick you best be a girl or your gonna get the lash of my words i dont give a damn who you think you are sessler i dont think this was your place to bring up but you know what you had the balls to do it so i aplod you (just cant spell it) my reasons for saying gay gaf (adam called me out and g4 wont let me say it) or any thing like that is becuse you want to force your culture on me and i dont like it it gose against the simmple laws of nature (things mate to reproduce plane and simple) and as long as i have to hear some gaf on tv talking about his boyfriend and what he did last night to him im gonna fire back you dont hear me talking about my sexual conquest when others dont want to hear em do the same get back in the closet and no one will talk crap
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Posted by Tasomo - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:05 PM

Here's a fun little suggestion...why not let it become a running tally on the G4 website of XBL gamertags and PSN names of people who use those same slurs and insults.

Let the whole world know just who these people are. Hell, provide video and you've got concrete evidence so Microsoft HAS to do something.
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Posted by Bookshelf - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:07 PM

@raziel_hell
congrats for havin' a smart kid =D but what im sayin is at least it keeps the dumb ones off the mic =D ... lol right?
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Posted by firefist - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:07 PM

It's all good and dandy in here people. But get this message out to the rest of the idiots playing online who prefer to insult and belittle others. It's a great topic, don't get me wrong but this is falling on deaf ears.
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Posted by bobbymet - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:09 PM

Well i didnt agree at all with adam's take on Resident Evil 5, but I gotta back him up here. Its childish and just ruins the gameplay for everyone else. most of the time, the trash-talkers suck, anyhow. Lookin at you Messem!
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Posted by IceHeartZero - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:09 PM

Dear tactical_buttplug,
Do me a favor, put down the controller and pick up a book you illiterate dumb ass. It's people like you that are destroying the English language. "U" and "r" might be faster to type but it make you look awfully stupid, even more so when your trying to defend an opinion that's quite ignorant. In closing lets all look to the kid who got so upset over being called a sexual slur in a game of halo that he went and burned the down a house with the name caller in it. Morale of the story? Watch who you call names, you never if you he's gonna be a crazy son of a bitch.
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Posted by raziel_hell - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:11 PM

my son is 8 and plays on xbox live only when im around and can watch what he is doing.
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Posted by bobbymet - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:11 PM

Well i didnt agree at all with adam's take on Resident Evil 5, but I gotta back him up here. Its childish and just ruins the gameplay for everyone else. most of the time, the trash-talkers suck, anyhow. Lookin at you Messem!
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Posted by raziel_hell - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:14 PM

Bookshelf got to love the mute button))))))))))) or just take the head set off)
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Posted by devil_boy0318 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:15 PM

well i tottally agree and just one (?) is adam gay 0_o lol
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Posted by daftpunx - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:20 PM

I remember playing a match of Motorstorm online, and it was really nice. We were just talking about features we wanted in the game and such, it was cool.
Probably the first and last goon online video game conversation of mine.
Also, I love how everyone is backing him up so much on this, when I've seen exactly what he's talking about on other articles. Just seems a little strange to me.
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Posted by Gearhead3000 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:21 PM

I completly, 100% agree with you. I must admit that I swear, but have gotten better. But I do not emit those racial and homophobic words from my mouth. I do not support this, and ask the kids/adults to please stop using the words. I am very concerned by this trend, and I do not like new younger gamers experincing this, and changing how they act. We must stop this once and for all, before it gets even bigger than it is. Parents, teach your kids not to do this, and watch what they say. I don't feel like being the parent.
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Posted by blakseed - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:22 PM

@raziel hell
how did this turn into a flamewar. Ive never been called a nignog or whatever on PSN. I live in Kentucky so Im used to the rasism. Cant tell you how many times ive been called a nig by children and their parents, real talk. Kids have called me so many things walking up the street, and their parents just laugh. Now to be called that online, is just to much. Im with you Bookshelf.
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Posted by sinister6972 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:22 PM

I gotta say Adam, very well said. Do you know what I think? I think is a combination of a lot of things. I'm sorry to say this but we do take things for granted. And especially with all this crazy stuff you could do on the Internet. I'm not gonna lie but I call the Internet more forbidden than the "Book of Job" itself(unless you can write to Olivia, {wink} LOL!!). Not really a good analogy, don't you think? Believe it or not, everything is changing. And as an uncle who has a whole bunch of nephews and nieces, you're damn right I go "Uncle Paulie" on their asses!


To be honest Adam, that's how it is now. Kids doing their thang, teens getting pregnant, marriages having divorces(like FOREVER! LOL!). Do I believe they do it intentionally??? In my opinion, I don't think so. They're just being irresponsible and irrational...

But good point Adam.
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Posted by Biohazard1001 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:23 PM

adam i agree with you, and the debate you have started.
I feel like that people should not represent them selfs that way, and i think that if some people who are againts homosexuals, i think they dont have to curse and throw profainity onto xbox live network about it.
I have also been hearing alot of kid's that have no clue about what they are talking about! i have herd them starting using racist and antisemitism slur's about jew's and aferican american's!

Adam i think you should do something about it!
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Posted by Jedihunter15 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:25 PM

Ok. Im not gonna sit up here and say i never did any of that stuff. I did it all. I thought it was funny. Im 16. I was also immature. So when a guy called me a stupid N word, i went crazy. He left, and I felt so sick inside. Not because he called me that, but because i knew people felt just like this after I played with them. Yes, im black, and now I really feel like doodoo. I really slowed down on all the name calling. I just want to say, if anyone out there has ever played with a guy named XBOXAYO, im sorry. Really, really sorry.

That felt better.
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Posted by CaBB - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:25 PM

I've always thought that and I report people who use biggoted terms every chance I get, cause its an insult to gamers everywhere, not only gamers but decent people. I'm like Adam I swear like a sailor but I never call people racist or homophobic names. Its horrible that kids are learning stuff like this, and its even worse that they say stuff like that simply cause they got killed in a video game.
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Posted by uxo22 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:25 PM

What would help is for Microsoft to start have moles play various games on live (the jerk police) and start marking accounts when this is heard. After a set number of strikes (2) the account should be suspended for 1 year.
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Posted by Balistic_XII - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:25 PM

@Edge585

How many times did you post that, 4 times, we get it!
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Posted by raziel_hell - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:27 PM

blakseed not maken it a flamewar i did not put the ps3 down at all.
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Posted by blakseed - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:28 PM

On the psn thing.
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Posted by rotnapple - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:30 PM

the fact is that kids are going to be kids and act like kids. i don't like it either but hey, we were all kids once and i'm sure we weren't all angels. so the solution is simple....if you don't like what you are hearing, turn your mic off cause it's not going to stop and you whining about it is almost as bad as sittin through it anyways.
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Posted by raziel_hell - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:31 PM

I would get my ps3 much faster if they dropped a new Twisted Metal ) thats what sold the ps2 for me.
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Posted by Tasomo - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:34 PM

I love when people say "don't like it, turn your mic off", as if it's the listener's fault that there's a foul-mouthed turd burglar on the other end and we should just accept racism because it's been there.
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Posted by kalebts123 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:34 PM

i agree
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Posted by blakseed - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:51 PM

That kinda takes away from the game a little bit doesnt it? why should people have to turn their mics off or mute their tvs. If its really this bad on live, then something should be done.
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Posted by WVUrook - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:52 PM

@ mencken

Sess wasn't saying that Obama was a better pro-gaming choice, he was saying why are some people still using "those words" when we've advanced far enough to select a black man as a presidential nominee. Haven't we gotten past that kind of stupidity!

Unfortunatly, neither pres-nominee is very good for the gaming community.
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Posted by Spardyman - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 6:57 PM

Wow this made me remember Counter-Strike: Source and I totally agree by the way.
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Posted by carlial1 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:00 PM

normally i feel adam is an arrogent pompus self centered ego manical assclown but i agree with him oh and adam if you DO read this those people you called out ARE NOT GOING TO RESPOND!!!!!by the way xbox live xbox 360 and microsoft by and large are evil sony rules!!!!

p.s.oliva munn is a goddess
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Posted by ichaboddanger - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:03 PM

who gives a crap? its just words. why would you ever get offended over words? just shut up you over sensitive mama's boys.
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Posted by mattman360 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:03 PM

They should make it easier to report people or mute people. Bungie did a good job of stopping this kind or stuff during the Halo 3 Beta. There was a guy using lots of racists terms and a guy from bungie told him to stop or he would be removed. It was a guy from bungie because noone's mic sign was light up when this guy was talking.
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Posted by NinjaVanish - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:04 PM

I agree with you 100 percent adam. I get on xbox live almost every day and here the same crap over and over again no matter what game it is. it's so hard to find a decent room where you can just have a nice competetive game without hearing a racial slur or homosexual one. It's really sad
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Posted by changbang - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:16 PM

sometimes ill just turn my music on, or not put on my mic so i dont have to deal with it. you might also notice that if your gamertag is something that some may consider different, like it implies you're gay or black or somethin, then people will be such an ass toward you and make racist remarks
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Posted by rosebowl23 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:17 PM

!!!!!!!!!!WARNING: I DISAGREE WITH ADAM!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to respond to your points:

-You're right, the kid didn't have a full understanding of what he was saying. A full understanding as it relates to you. See, people threw these words around all the time, growing up, etc. Only now liberals, such as yourself, want to spare EVERYONES feelings and force the entire world to change the way they SPEAK ...while at the same time it's ok to kill babies.

-It only makes you sick because you've brainwashed yourself into being sick at the mere mention of these words. I'm sure growing up you heard them constantly but *Gasp* it didn't give you a heart attack because you weren't aware of all the "spare our feelings" parades being thrown by everyone and their mother who wants sympathy.

Continued on next post...
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Posted by rosebowl23 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:18 PM

-Gaming online hasn't gotten uglier. Liberals have just gotten whinier and more preachy. Do you really expect people to stop talking trash when it bothers you so much? If you didn't cry about it, I doubt people would even be tossing these words around. If it wasn't so SHOCKING, kids wouldnt be doing it. Kids dress retarded, they become gay, they do all SORTS of things to be shocking. But you can't see this can you? You can't see the nature of being a teenager. Because you're too busy trying to convert them into gay promoting abortion loving equality fantasizing hippies.

-Cry cry cry, tolerance, cry cry cry. Why don't you question YOURSELF before asking others to question THEMSELVES? After all, liberals love to promote relativity.

Continued on next post...
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Posted by rosebowl23 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:19 PM

-The country is not moving "ahead" or whatever you wan't to lie to yourself with by calling it. The fact is there is no other choice but two or three idiots backed by corporate funds, which is what wins elections. Not their skin color or their beliefs or their charisma.

-BTW there is a lot less of what you're talking about on PSN as opposed to Xbox Live. Also I don't really do this at all. I find it quite boring. But I just wanted to put you in your place because it seems like everyone is starting to become a bunch of fairies who shape their entire lives around sparing certain peoples feelings (while everyone else has the right to be miserable), even if it costs the downfall of civilization as we know it.
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Posted by feifei - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:19 PM

This is precisely the reason why I've set my communications to "friends only."

I'm not saying I'm a saint in the matter as my own rep will reveal that I'm quite the potty-mouth, but that's only usually when I'm provoked or especially frustrated-even so, that's not an excuse.

I agree with Sessler, we as gamers make up a huge community that is frowned upon, and what kind of image are we representing if our actions and words emulate the most boorish and crass of any society? It's shameful, truly.

I'd really love to know why whenever I try to play cooperatively by coordinating with random players that I must be verbally assaulted by children (and more embarrassingly, gentlemen who sound older than I) for having no life and whatnot.

The verbal abuse must stop. If such horrific bastardization of language is not allowed in public, why should it be any different online?
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Posted by ELpork - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:20 PM

What happened to the days when sounding older meant you had to scream into a pillow for hours till your voice got raspy. And I do think there needs to be a law where in pepole under the age of 10 should not be aloud to use the Mic attachment for there 360
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Posted by feifei - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:22 PM

This is precisely the reason why I've set my communications to "friends only."

I'm not saying I'm a saint in the matter as my own rep will reveal that I'm quite the potty-mouth, but that's only usually when I'm provoked or especially frustrated-even so, that's not an excuse.

I agree with Sessler, we as gamers make up a huge community that is frowned upon, and what kind of image are we representing if our actions and words emulate the most boorish and crass of any society? It's shameful, truly.

I'd really love to know why whenever I try to play cooperatively by coordinating with random players that I must be verbally assaulted by children (and more embarrassingly, gentlemen who sound older than I) for having no life and whatnot.

The verbal abuse must stop. If such horrific bastardization of language is not allowed in public, why should it be any different online?
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Posted by rosebowl23 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:22 PM

I find it funny that Adam Sessler expects everyone to accomidate to his idea of where trash talking should draw the line. He admits to being a trash talker himself but OHH you shouldn't say this or that word because that particular one offends ME and my BOYFRIEND.

What a joke.
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Posted by vismortis - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:25 PM

ok all the people that think they can say what ever they want they do know that they did agree to Microsofts / Sonys Terms of Use which both ban this type of behavior eventually they are going to have to crack down on it due to pressure ( MS probably first due to it does cost $) yet you will be the first to complain Remember Their Service / servers their rules. many people are annoyed because they pay for this service and don't want to listen to your backwards logic and it happens that the service you are using has rules that agrees with them. the issue is they havent come up with a good way to stop it YET.
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Posted by StrongestSaiyan - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:28 PM

I think some people earlier up in the board (I'm not going to bother scrolling back through) have what Adam was saying and taking a stance against homosexual people a bit confused. The idea here is that while it's fine to be against it, we do have free choice in this country after all, it's NOT ok to go around spouting offensive words at people. Just because you disagree with a person's lifestyle doesn't mean that you can call them names. So in short, I'm not really sure where being gay warrants being harassed. It's not like it's hurting anyone, and I don't think the human population is in any danger of having no reproduction (which was one of the justifications I came across, believe it or not).
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Posted by blakseed - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:31 PM

@jedihunter
Im sorry about that man. I know how you feel.
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Posted by dark_diaz - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:35 PM

Well by taking a quick look at the comments, I would say that most people agree with Adam on this one and that's fine. However, some of the people that have disagreed have presented valid reasons as well and it makes sense.
In my opinion, I don't really get offended by what the people(or little kids) say on X-box live, and as a matter of fact, sometimes I just laugh my ass off because of how ridiculuos they sound when they say it. Nevertheless, the moment it gets annoying is when you've been playing for like a half an hour and the person is still going. I mean ok you're trying to sound older but don't overdue it because after a while even cursing gets old.
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Posted by Majin_Neo - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:36 PM

SERIOUSLY A GOOD TOPIC TO DISCUSS AND SHOULD GET MORE ATTENTION TO THE GAMING COMMUNITY. WHY NOT PUT THIS ON AN EPISODE OF X-PLAY OR ATOS WHERE THEY CAN ADDRESS THE ISSUE TO THOSE WHO DONT READ THE BLOGS?
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Posted by feifei - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:42 PM

This is precisely the reason why I've set my communications to "friends only."

I'm not saying I'm a saint in the matter as my own rep will reveal that I'm quite the potty-mouth, but that's only usually when I'm provoked or especially frustrated-even so, that's not an excuse.

I agree with Sessler, we as gamers make up a huge community that is frowned upon, and what kind of image are we representing if our actions and words emulate the most boorish and crass of any society? It's shameful, truly.

I'd really love to know why whenever I try to play cooperatively by coordinating with random players that I must be verbally assaulted by children (and more embarrassingly, gentlemen who sound older than I) for having no life and whatnot.

The verbal abuse must stop. If such horrific bastardization of language is not allowed in public, why should it be any different online?
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Posted by WhereAmI1980 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:46 PM

Okay, I'm not saying that I don't agree with Adam...

but everyone saying AMEN!! or YOUR SO RIGHT!!! Come on, like you guys have never used a homophobic term to insult anyone...stop being fake!!!

I've let it slip a couple of times, but I'm not proud of it.

but I never have called anyone a racist term though, because I am a minority.

some of you are talking the talk, but pretending to walk the walk.

BTW, I hate when he brings in Politics(Obama) into this. It just me because I've been called a racist because I've said I don't think I'll vote for Obama, not because he's black, I've lost the thing where I give a candidate the "benefit of the doubt" and now I'm real skeptical about everything, sorry for being off topic...
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Posted by changbang - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:46 PM

even if you do disagree with him, people on live still shouldnt be such ignorant a-holes. its offensive and intolerable
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Posted by staychisel (BANNED) - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:46 PM

i don't get offended by much of what anyone says but there are those certain people that just won't STFU. that's what bugs me about playing on live. gears is probably the worst game for that right now with halo trailing.
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Posted by DruidJoso - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:49 PM

I'm glad someone prominent with influence finally brought this up. I support Adam Sessler's message, because it's real, it's up front, and he makes no qualms about calling people out.

Thanks Adam, keep it up.
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Posted by Carpeljet - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:52 PM

people can call me any word any the dictionary. it doesn't hurt me because my intellect is high enough to understand they are just words.

i find it amusing to find out where everyone's "invisible line of outrage" is.

also on a side topic. why are you considered racist in this country if you dislike illegal aliens. all the sudden everyone says you hate mexicans and you're a racist.

first of all. i said illegal aliens not mexicans. second, last time a checked "mexican" isn't a race. it's a nationality. are you racist if you dislike north koreans? is the rest of the world racist for disliking americans?
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Posted by Carpeljet - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 7:53 PM

what i dislike isn't the "words" on xbox live. it's the screaming, singing, blaring music and just all around noise people have to make into their microphones for no good reason. thats why i have friends only chat on.
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Posted by feifei - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:02 PM

This is precisely the reason why I've set my communications to "friends only."

I'm not saying I'm a saint in the matter as my own rep will reveal that I'm quite the potty-mouth, but that's only usually when I'm provoked or especially frustrated-even so, that's not an excuse.

I agree with Sessler, we as gamers make up a huge community that is frowned upon, and what kind of image are we representing if our actions and words emulate the most boorish and crass of any society? It's shameful, truly.

I'd really love to know why whenever I try to play cooperatively by coordinating with random players that I must be verbally assaulted by children (and more embarrassingly, gentlemen who sound older than I) for having no life and whatnot.

The verbal abuse must stop. If such horrific bastardization of language is not allowed in public, why should it be any different online?
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Posted by patrick_3005 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:03 PM

Adam, someone called you a ===, and you died, so you got pissed. Welcome to online gaming. Isn't it great?

Lucky for you, you have a position of power in the gaming world where you can actually do something about it.

The best thing to do bud, is not do anything. Turn off your mic, and don't participate in the chat.

That's why there's the option to mute all. And that's something you should always do, especially in halo.
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Posted by Hells_Sinner - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:03 PM

And this is the reason why I mute half of the players from time to time. I work in my local GameStop, and hear so much foul language in there, not just from the teens and adults, but from the little ones! Christ, they're like under eleven at least. We catch them for saying stuff like that, but on XBL, PSN or any other online community, you can't really stop stuff like that.

Its kids like them, and frankly adults too, that make me sick of the human race at times. Sometimes, they don't know how hurtful it can be towards someone, and just say it likes its part of the dictionary now. Other times they say it purposefully, just to make themselves feel better, or to make others feel worse....either way, its a shameful thing to do. People with no moral values, that have nothing better to do in their life, than to mock people because of their sexuality, skin color, and for just being who they are. Thank you and good night.
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Posted by Dudeman117 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:07 PM

Ichaboddanger, wow, alright first off these are not just words, the soul purpose and creation of these of racial slurs where to putdown an enter race of people. It is an ultimate form of disrespect to a human being. Now you may be like me and could careless what people call or say about you, but I do get rather ticked off when someone says anything that would offend my family or friends.

Oh and for those of you out their who think your cool for using these disgusting slurs; I dare you to find you a group of Marines, or even Airmen if you think you got a better chance (results will be same though) and say a rascal slur that is sure to offend one of them in their face and see what happens. (BTW make sure to record it and send me a link to it on Youtube, so I can watch it over and over again)
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Posted by EpicFusion - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:09 PM

He is Just Awesome. I agree 100% This one of the reason I don't Play COD 4 a lot seems everybody don't just want good match.
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Posted by Thorvault - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:13 PM

I have not read all these post, but the first 10-15 are all kiss asses. I agree with Adam that 10 year old children should no be able to say things like that. if i heard my kid utter something homophobic or racist; i would not hesitate to go upside his head. yet i still let horrible words fly out of my mouth. Partly because of events in my life that lead me to believe most _____ are _____. One thing that will never be appropriate is Homophobia with me. But racism is a different story. yes there are black people or African Americans, but at the same time there are Just as many N... you know the rest. No its not right, and I so wish that whites had a racist slur that Actually struck a cord with us. Racism will always be, or at least that is my personal belief, but its time people stop taking so much offense to racial slurs. Let the words loose there meaning and become just another 'bad' word. Its not right, but its the closest thing I can see happening in my lifetime.
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Posted by Crapkicker - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:13 PM

i am completely agreeing with the Sess on this one that is why i never actually listen to the people playing the games. I just take my headset off and leave it plugged in so it doesnt play through my speakers and im not tempted to listen to them. Or i talk to my friends when we play online and dont deal with the political bull that some gamers throw out there because these racist ten year olds dont know what they are saying.
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Posted by Thorvault - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:15 PM

I have not read all these post, but the first 10-15 are all kiss asses. I agree with Adam that 10 year old children should no be able to say things like that. if i heard my kid utter something homophobic or racist; i would not hesitate to go upside his head. yet i still let horrible words fly out of my mouth. Partly because of events in my life that lead me to believe most _____ are _____. One thing that will never be appropriate is Homophobia with me. But racism is a different story. yes there are black people or African Americans, but at the same time there are Just as many N... you know the rest. No its not right, and I so wish that whites had a racist slur that Actually struck a cord with us. Racism will always be, or at least that is my personal belief, but its time people stop taking so much offense to racial slurs. Let the words loose there meaning and become just another 'bad' word. Its not right, but its the closest thing I can see happening in my lifetime.
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Posted by ChamplooCarolina - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:19 PM

I agree with Mr. Sessler 150%. That's one of the reasons why I don't play online. Bunch of 10 year old brats shooting out some most abhor words that you can ever think of. Speaking of 10 year olds, what the h*&^ are they doing on Xbox Live playing mature rated games in the first place?! If I do play Xbox Live again in the future, I'll not use my headphone.
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Posted by Bolshoi333 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:21 PM

@Carpeljet: The problem is the attitude those words carry, and have carried throughout history. Basically, the core idea of separation. In the words of Stephen Colbert "Coming together and saying 'You're different than me'"

Separate can never be equal. And any word, idea, or belief that encourages separation, especially based on something that isn't under the person's control, is wrong, and can be the gateway to much bigger problems. It could send us back to judging people based on the color of their skin, no matter who they really are, just because another person of the same race mistreated you, or your parents, or someone so far down the line you don't even remember how it really happened. Like the Hatfields and McCoys. You don't hate them for who they are as a person, you hate them for who they were born as.
/end rant
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Posted by Dudeman117 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:23 PM

Ichaboddanger, wow, alright first off these are not just words, the soul purpose and creation of these of racial slurs where to putdown an enter race of people. It is an ultimate form of disrespect to a human being. Now you may be like me and could careless what people call or say about you, but I do get rather ticked off when someone says anything that would offend my family or friends.

Oh and for those of you out their who think your cool for using these disgusting slurs; I dare you to find you a group of Marines, or even Airmen if you think you got a better chance (results will be same though) and say a rascal slur that is sure to offend one of them in their face and see what happens. (BTW make sure to record it and send me a link to it on Youtube, so I can watch it over and over again)
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Posted by Thorvault - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:28 PM

Dudeman117; you are very closed minded to think that the marines them selfs arnt racists. Every marine I know, actually know; is a racist
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Posted by Bolshoi333 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:35 PM

@Carpeljet: The problem is the attitude those words carry, and have carried throughout history. Basically, the core idea of separation. In the words of Stephen Colbert "Coming together and saying 'You're different than me'"

Separate can never be equal. And any word, idea, or belief that encourages separation, especially based on something that isn't under the person's control, is wrong, and can be the gateway to much bigger problems. It could send us back to judging people based on the color of their skin, no matter who they really are, just because another person of the same race mistreated you, or your parents, or someone so far down the line you don't even remember how it really happened. Like the Hatfields and McCoys. You don't hate them for who they are as a person, you hate them for who they were born as.
/end rant
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Posted by sfubear - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:41 PM

I think it is funny that everyone is making this a political thing, I am a democrat, and the last major piece of media legislator that i heard about was a bill proposed by a republican that would make the internet government run and take it out of the hands of private business (for the sake of national security). And just sitting by and being like racism exist and that is all there is to it...get over it, is one of the most ignorant things i have ever heard, people that say that are the reason racism still exist, I live in PA and since moving here i had never heard racist talk like this in my life and it is all behind doors, being PC in public but racist behind closed doors just makes you a b#tch
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Posted by sfubear - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:44 PM

i will not turn off my mic instead I will sit there and tell ever little close minded f#ck how worthless they are. I have given my home address to people on XBL and told them that if they gave me their's i would send them money so they could come out to my house, so I could beat the living piss out of them for being such a tool, you have never heard verbal ferocity like mine and most people shut up quick. I'm a social work major and as i understand that I will probably not be able to change most people's minds i also realize the horrible things that people do to each other, allow to be done to each other, and justify it with closed minded ideas born by being raised in areas with little cultural diversity
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Posted by Markntosh - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:45 PM

Honestly, this problem annoys me not just because I get this crap when playing online (PC, I only got it once on PSN) but I also get dissed at school, where people are NOT anonymous and even worse, they're 6th graders! I'm 7th grade for petes sake. What I want to see for the consoles is something similar to the PCs in that you have the server host, you have one or two admins that patrol the server regularly and kick/ban anyone using racial slurs or that crap. I know I'm not a saint, but I'm a heck of alot better than alot of people out there (notice "petes sake" and "heck")!

On a similar note, we have reached over 130 posts without starting a flamewar, good job!

@raziel_hell
Remember that part in Twisted metal 3?
"Welcome to hell. Hell, Michigan"
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Posted by Tasomo - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:46 PM

So far we've got 4-5 people here who are obviously the ones who run their mouths online, once more hiding behind the internet.
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Posted by Ikarus - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:50 PM

I was actually having this exact same conversation with a friend the other day and I pretty much said the exact same thing as Adam did on this Soapbox.

Weird.

Anyway, completely agree. I myself play Halo 3 with my own music playing on the 360 and all voice communication muted. And it sucks that I have to do this, because communication is such an important thing in a FPS like Halo 3, but I really can't stand hearing people argue and shout idiotic insults at eachother over the smallest insignificant thing.

We all have bad games, even the best of us. So if one person has does bad in a game, some people who have zero self confidence feel the need to bash that person to Hell. It's horrible. What happened to these people to make them like this?

And it honestly makes my stomach churn when I hear a tiny prepubescent boy say words that I consider to be the worst insults you could say.

Grow up idiots, or your life will be short and unhappy.
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Posted by Markntosh - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:51 PM

Also, the political thing, Adam never said anything about either candidate. Besides, here you are, complaining about how Adam is making Obama look good for gaming, when you're probably going to vote for him yourself- hypocrites. Anyway, if Adam is voting for Obama (and I think he is) it's because he's younger than McCain, and therefore understands how teenagers and young adult gamers think. Just like Kennedy, Obama will get voted into office by the younger population of America, but will hopefully not get assassinated.


Now that I have explained that, lets all do ourselves a favor and DROP the politcal issue. If you have a good point that can counter what I said, I'll let it by, but no "Obama sucks, period" crap, have a reason!
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Posted by sfubear - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:51 PM

This whole PSN argument is bunk, wait until the PS3 gets cheaper and more people have it, then you will be in the same boat, but nice effort in trying to start a flame war over something like racism and homophobic comments. And to that lame edge person whatever your name is, homophobia is comely overused term, but if you are for repressing the rights of homosexuals or holding them back in anyway in our society then you are homophobic, I don't like close minded jerks who raise their children to believe that much of science is fake or is in place to test the faithful(my cousins)in fact these kind of people are sicko, but I don't try to stop them from having families, and getting married, and living a fulfilling life because I believe that everyone has the same rights as anyone else, and I shouldn't deny them that, even if I had the power to. If you don't like homosexuals then don't be gay, that sh#t would ruin your day
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Posted by sfubear - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:53 PM

bigot
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Posted by Thorvault - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:53 PM

Markntosh; this whole discussion is partly around children saying such vulgar things. Though you are in the 7th grade and I know i had a fair dictionary of foul words, i don't think you have experienced enough of life to be taken seriously in this conversation. My racism is not from my childhood, or my friends, or tv/games. it stems from my personal experiences with peoples of other races that lead me to call them such rude things. But I do not assume that every black person is a N..... and that every Mexican is a fence jumper. I make that judgment on my own after seeing how they act. And I have probably be viewed as a Racist redneck by some of these other races. And thats fine with me as long as they dont automatically assume that about me.
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Posted by sfubear - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:57 PM

bigot
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Posted by ccruse1112 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:01 PM

I am a 30 year old black man and hardcore gamer but I don’t game online (maybe a little bit on PSN or the Wii but I refuse to get on XBL). I stopped getting online with XBL because most FPS are only fun when you game with the headset, and I always customize my character to look as much like me as possible, so they are always black; and I used to constantly hear young white males call me a N*gga or worse a N*gger (and yes there is a difference) on XBL. It got to the point where I stop using my headset, which really hurt the fun factor, and I eventually stopped playing online and cancelled my XBL subscription altogether. And there is nothing MS does about it, I mean people are losing their gamertags over gay names, having their Wii avatars banded for looking like Hitler, and whatever else but there is nothing being done about the offensive language out there. And it pushes gamers like me away.
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Posted by Daredevil99 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:01 PM

I agree with Adam. I witness verbal abuse so many times that I just wait for it to happen. I know it's not going to stop any time soon. I know that more spoiled 10 year old kids are going to find away to get on and say things while they are cheating.

Turning off the mic is just isn't enough.
I mean what is the point of calling me gay while you and your teammate are gangbanging another player while he is bleeding out in Gears Of War? Or hearing "Die,N word,Die" while being killed and tea bagged on Halo. Oh, it's a good thing I turned my mic off or else I might get really angry. Come on people.

I'm a black man in my late 20's. I get enough verbal abuse out there in the real world. I don't want it in my home while I'm trying to relax. This isn't just a black & white issue or a gay & straight issue. This is about moral respect.
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Posted by ccruse1112 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:03 PM

part 2 of what I had to say

Then when I see gamers get in a tizzy about why people like me maybe offended about games like RE5, I just respond with “spend 30 minutes playing CoD4 online as a black character and see why I have my concerns”. It’s not that I am afraid of what Capcom will do with the game; I am concerned because I am afraid how the seemingly millions of n*gga saying, f*got spewing seemingly hateful young white men of this country will take the game.
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Posted by wrathballer - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:12 PM

This is just another part of what is going on everywhere, but yes the online racist and homophobic banter needs to be taken care of, especially when i hear kids who aren't old enough to buy the games on their own are sitting in the lobby and talking more bull than the rest of the people there. Several matches i have been in when as soon as the typical "oh you guys are going down !" starts do i hear a little kid start off on his racial tyrades. This happens on both the PSN and XBL, but there are systems in place to stop this people, i know i have used them, if someone offends you enough to warrant this, submit a complaint, for XBL go to recent players and when you pull up their gamertag VOILA! Online multiplayer is a privilege not a right and if you can't keep the racist or homophobic thoughts in your head that go away
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Posted by Silverweed - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:15 PM

Adam this is why I like you. Plain and simple. Keep it up man.
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Posted by QuinnCinema_USC - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:23 PM

I will always applaud a game man for standing up to bigotry. Good for you, Adam!
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Posted by d_dirdy - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:23 PM

I agree with Adam. Hearing all of those vulgar and offensive remarks and names makes me not want to play online unless i'm playing with friends. You would think that submitting negitive player review is enough but it isn't. Negitive players do this because you don't know their real name or where they live. It really sickens me that we all used to find matches where there was respect among players regardless of skill level but now online gameing has probaly become an interactive chat room for jerks.
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Posted by Jimbodawg - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:26 PM

@mencken

I agree with you about McCain, but seriously. Why should it matter if Obama got elected, we'd have a new president within the next week or so. Same goes for Hilary. :) Flame me.
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Posted by TheRufio - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:32 PM

I agree completely. Trask talking is one thing, but this is a whole different area that needs to be dealt with. The sad thing is that there is really no way to prevent it. Ignorant people will always be ignorant no matter what.
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Posted by paranoic - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:56 PM

Most people do it just to get a laugh out of seeing other people frustrated. People like that do piss me off. Now I admit I do not like gay people, but I could'nt care less for them either. I'm not going to start making homophobic comments to people or starting making racist comments. It gets annoying, but then again Adam there is a mute button if you weren't informed. I guess the kids have too much testosterone lol.
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Posted by Semour - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:57 PM

I completely agree with you. I play games to get away from all that stuff and to just have fun, I hate it when I go on to play Gears of War or something like that and I just stop playing because I can't find a match with any decent minded people in it. And if someone is a newbie and just starting to play online, that's really not what I want us to come off as.
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Posted by tiazookeeper - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:03 PM

Kids should not be playing mature rated games. They need to be taught integrity by parent figures as far as what comes out of their mouths is concerned. Older people should know better, hence 'mature'. Why don't you open a book one day and learn how to spell and not sound ignorant. You should not have to mute your game. Racism is a serious matter. Mocking homosexuals is a serious matter. Sexism is too. I understand one can get excited while playing a game, and trash talking is going to come with it, but you should not try to hurt someone and break them down with these words just because you died three seconds into the match. Indeed, saying something witty and clever is much more impressive then trying to sound tough with hatred. This may read as a little scattered, but I hope I get my point across.
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Posted by Nyekon - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:05 PM

150% agreed

Little kids and young pre-teens dont really understand the comments and .... that comes out of there mouths, its really demeaning to many other gamers who know how to act. But this also come around the the kids parents and that they really need to get a handle on some other the kids actions, i know some are like its ok its kool its not wrong, those are the parents that need to get a psy. eval. and there kids need to learn so manners..

Adam for president!!!
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Posted by MorganL4 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:06 PM

amen brother amen

Adam finally sadi what I have been thinking for years
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Posted by Semour - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:10 PM

More from me :D Most of the time it isn't even the hard core gamers doing it. It's usually the "frat guys" playing games like gears of war or halo or call of duty that have absolutely no sense of wrong from right. If you go on something like Worms or any MMO people treat one another just fine, they still trash talk but they don't just mindlessly throw around words like that. I still remember when I first got my 360, I got live and I played Gears of War and I almost didn't want to play on live anymore because there was this guy who was just a complete jerk, then I went on to play Dead or Alive 4 and everyone was nice on there (go figure guess the frat guys don't like DOA).
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Posted by Semour - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:16 PM

More from me :D Most of the time it isn't even the hard core gamers doing it. It's usually the "frat guys" playing games like gears of war or halo or call of duty that have absolutely no sense of wrong from right. If you go on something like Worms or any MMO people treat one another just fine, they still trash talk but they don't just mindlessly throw around words like that. I still remember when I first got my 360, I got live and I played Gears of War and I almost didn't want to play on live anymore because there was this guy who was just a complete jerk, then I went on to play Dead or Alive 4 and everyone was nice on there (go figure guess the frat guys don't like DOA).
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Posted by Battlehobo4000 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:17 PM

Children with half-assed parents are sad.
Most children try to act older and think swearing is the best way to do it.
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Posted by Suhaila - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:19 PM

What about anti female? I'm a female gamer and I have no idea why but when I get frustrated online the W word and the C word along with the B word just start coming out. It doesn't matter if the person I'm playing against (be it the PC in the form of a character or actually a person) is a guy or a girl, it just happens. Also a lot of Fbombs, S words and the like. Mind you I don't play onlien with strangers because I don't like it and if I'm online I don't have a mic because I think the government is watching me... I think it's because as far as gaming goes I'm extremely antisocial especially with random people I don't know. Usually the only people who hear me are people who know me and know that's what I do and accept me for the special rainbow that is Suhaila. I think I had a point in there somewhere but I lost it. Sorry!
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Posted by JaminBunny - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:28 PM

well said Adam
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Posted by LOAGEEKS (BANNED) - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:52 PM

I DO NOT AGREE WITH ADAM THE SELF PROFESSED MOUTH OF GAMING.

The main "reason" for this rant was because some little Ssst, called Adam a "f-_". That is it, he got so pissed off of it he had to make a rant about it.

First of all this rant is worthless, there are several options in XBL, in order to mute everyone, particular players, or just keep the lines of communication with friends.

Second, If your a gamer, a real gamer, you know which games have the highest amount of retards with headsets on, who's soul purpose is the smack talk, they don't help the team, and if friendly fire is enabled they'll take advantage of it for thier amusement.

Third, there is an option to were you can block the player from playing with you again.

Its like folks who complain what goes on television and want to regulate it.
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Posted by kappakoin - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:52 PM

Yes Amen, I hated playing Gears and halo3 because of that crap
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Posted by LOAGEEKS (BANNED) - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 10:58 PM

For the record I didn't use a headset on XBL. Now I got PSN, for some reason on PSN the matches are pretty quite, even on COD4 and GTA4. So no I am not a trash talker.
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Posted by Voitan - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 11:10 PM

It's the goddamn internet. If someone insults you, you just make sure to pay them back with interest.

If you cry about it, you're weak.
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Posted by Voitan - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 11:14 PM

Added Solution to Problem:

Parent your goddamn children. You hear that crap coming out of them while they play their games, just take the game out and snap it in two.

No, seriously. Break it, right in front of their faces.

Tell them you'll never buy them another game in their entire life.
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Posted by Azrael93 - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 11:48 PM

Well like most people here i agree with you adam

i do curse on xbox live, but i do not make the racist comments, or direct them to anyone i usely curse the d and s wordes, at myself for doing something stupid that i could have avioded if i did something different.
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Posted by FreedomRebel - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 11:51 PM

I'm not sure how Obama got dragged into this one. Sure, many people probably did not vote for him because he is part black, but I think it would be ignorant to not believe that some people voted for him simply becuase of his race. The sword cuts both ways on this issue.

Now as for cursing over the internet, I too hate to hear all of the trash talk that goes on, but it does. If you ask me, one of the best things that can be done is have a feature where everyone can vote to kick or mute someone who is causing a major disturbance. I think if EVERY game implemented this kind of feature, this would make many people think twice about what they say.
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Posted by FreedomRebel - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 11:56 PM

I'm not sure how Obama got dragged into this one. Sure, many people probably did not vote for him because he is part black, but I think it would be ignorant to not believe that some people voted for him simply becuase of his race. The sword cuts both ways on this issue.

Now as for cursing over the internet, I too hate to hear all of the trash talk that goes on, but it does. If you ask me, one of the best things that can be done is have a feature where everyone can vote to kick or mute someone who is causing a major disturbance. I think if EVERY game implemented this kind of feature, this would make many people think twice about what they say.
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Posted by arod95 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 12:17 AM

I always find it funny when people say that gay people are trying to force their culture on heterosexuals. I've never felt like gay people are trying to force anything on me. How exactly does two people of the same sex affect you? What two people want to two with one another is their business. Unless someone is trying to rape you, I don't see how they are forcing their "culture" on you. Who cares if two dudes want to hold hands and kiss in public...it bothers me about as much as seeing any other PDA.

Also...in regards to someone saying it violates nature. Are you kidding me? Do you know how complex human sexuality is? Unless you only believe in the missionary position for the strict purposes of procreating you need to keep your mouth shut. There is a myriad of fetishes, kinks, sexual behaviors, and desires that exist in the human population. Why does this one bother people so much?

Finally...that's just more women for us. Do you guys really want more competition for women?
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Posted by Tufferz - Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:17 AM

I agree with Adam 110% on this issue. and on a site note. people who are the most homophobic usually are the ones who are the most likely to be homosexual. there was a study done on it.
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Posted by POSIXPAUL - Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:37 AM

i love the ses

he is right

we need to become smarter about these things
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Posted by LJbloaded - Thursday, June 12, 2008 2:06 AM

When I first got on X-box live I have to tell you if was really ...silent...over the years I have noticed an increase in 1.) little children. 2.) @ssholes
I know this can't be helped and I know that PSN(( which is extremely low in number of users)) When it finally starts getting those high numbers like X-box live will have it happen to it too. Its fate of all social networking. Myspace is the biggest example. Im just hoping that hopefully X-box live can recover with the feedback system that is great when working properly.


(I am not trying to put down PSN just stating facts)
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Posted by Goombie - Thursday, June 12, 2008 3:21 AM

@mencken, you bring up Jeremiah Alvesta Wright but why don't you google up John Hagee and Rod Parsley. I don't even care that McCain did not attend their churches when he asked, was given or however he obtained the endorsements, he should have done a full background check. He didn't drop John Hagee and Rod Parsley until both made some really strong racist remarks.

Obama 08
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Posted by Zelda459 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 3:47 AM

Thank you, Adam!!!!!!
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Posted by Pirate_Brahm - Thursday, June 12, 2008 4:28 AM

Adam, you have spoken for many of us. Thank you.
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Posted by HaroldPalahniuk - Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:04 AM

thank you so much for this soapbox its the reason why i rarely play any wwe matches online these days, the comments are becoming more and more prevalent and it makes me sick to my stomach. I dont even let my 11 year old play on there anymore. I warn, block, mute and report but there is always some new idiot calling me names because I'm better than he is, I'm over it and to be honest Im over playing online at least until the new wwe game is released lol
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Posted by Close_Shave - Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:28 AM

Word, Adam!

Racism, homophobia, misogyny (women bashing) or any form of bigotry in general all have no place in an enlightened society (not that we are yet).

Incidentally, if someone says that this or that is "gay", I have to admit to being a little puzzled and amused. While I don't like their intent (to hurt), I don't see anything wrong with being gay therefore I don't find it to be insulting (I'm a 44 year old straight WASP, BTW). Don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning this kind of behavior - there are many gay people that could be hurt or offended - but it seems to me that the only ones that should be insulted by this would be the homophobes themselves, in which case, great!
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Posted by unexplainedbacon - Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:58 AM

Counter-Strike did this to us. Blame Counter-strike.
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Posted by Storm1968 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 6:16 AM

GJ Sess. I'm all for 'trash talk', but there is a limit. Some of these younger players think it's cool to say the words, but they have no clue what the words mean. They use them just for the shock value. I taught my kids to play video games, but I made sure to keep an eye on them and make sure they acted appropriately when online gaming started becoming main stream. I've pulled them offline when I feel they were out of hand and made sure to TEACH them what is appropriate and what was not. That's what a lot of people in online games have lost... a parent that teaches them how to respect others no matter if they are playing a game or not.
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Posted by BCampbellFan - Thursday, June 12, 2008 6:21 AM

I created an account just to respond to this!!!

You are 150% correct on this issue! I rarely use my headset...and when I do...I always hear the exact behavior you speak of. I just file a complaint! Screw just giving them negative feedback...go straight to Microsoft! I think part of the reason why kids mouth off the way they do is, well....failed parenting. Kids are so spoiled these days and think they can get away with anything. Parents just don't discipline their offspring like they used to. Sad really. I wish I had more to say, but you pretty much nailed it.

Thank you for posting this video and truly laying down the law. I hope to see you at Comic Con next month so I can proudly shake your hand!
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Posted by WhiteWolfAssassin - Thursday, June 12, 2008 6:21 AM

I completely agree with Adam and not just because im a long time fan of X-Play. When using homophobic or raciel slurs, it doesn't make you sound intelligent, it makes you sound like a jerk and cro-magnum human. It's ridiculous when your playing multiplayer and someone starts spouting racial and homophobic slurs just because they got killed and not doing well in the match. Even more so when a pre-teen starts saying comments like that when they do not fully comprehend the meaning of it. Whenever I hear some kid on muliplayer plaing M-rated game, his excuse is im mature for my age. But when they start spouting crap like that, they are obvisously not. It's okay to trash talk, but not to a point when you start stringing profanity, racial and homophobic slurs in one sentence.Their is no excuse for that kind of trash talking, no matter what race, sex, religion and age you are. So, people when you lose, don't resort to offensive trash-talking.
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Posted by Tx_juggalo - Thursday, June 12, 2008 6:31 AM

I completely agree with what Adam is trying to say. It isn't so much that the words are offensive; as it is we are tired of hearing "little children" trying to sound like bad asses.

This is a service we are paying for. If I was to pay for a gym membership, and some dude starts calling me an F or N. He would be thrown out.


im done
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Posted by adversary1999 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 6:38 AM

Some people in the forum said that they use these comments just for fun or to get people mad. You will see that they are pretty young and don't understand what they are doing. Personally, I get very upset when someone uses a racial slur because I have dealt with racism all my life and to deal with it while playing a game thats supposed to be an escape from real life simply sucks out all the fun. Then I just focus on destroying the person that said it and then I report them. And for you people who think that there has been any kind of social progress in the USA just log on to the internet and you will see that nothing has really changed in all these years.
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Posted by adversary1999 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 6:41 AM

P.S

I have never been beaten by anybody who calls me the N word. Usually those guys really suck online.
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Posted by bib12342004 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 6:55 AM

I agree 100% percent also.
I use to love playing Xbox live with my mic on during halo 3 and COD4, but after hearing so much hate speech for people that don’t even know me I just had to start playing with out the mic on. It’s a real shame. I just don’t understand how this can be the best online service, with all this hate speech. I mean you can file a complaint with a Microsoft about a user being vulgar on Xbox live but nothing ever seems to happen. If this trend continues online game services are going to put an end to open mic games, and this really dapper the fun effect of online play.
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Posted by hardwirecars - Thursday, June 12, 2008 6:55 AM

to all the black people please dont take affence to this im just trying to get an understanding if you get called the N word (agree its an evil vile word) you get pissed right. well here is my question do you use that word as a term of endearment with your friends, if so i think you really need to look at your self the cure to a problem has to start with you.
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Posted by Githbyte - Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:08 AM

I thought the whole purpose of trash talking was to make someone mad. Since most people get offended easily a couple of N words, B words, and saying that your gay is the quickest way to do it.

I don't see a problem with it.
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Posted by molotovjester - Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:16 AM

If the players don't monitor themselves (which they won't) then the community and mods will do it for them - at which point censorship takes place, and all those who didn't abuse their right to anonymity and free speech will lose a small portion of both.
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Posted by darthmaul5654 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:32 AM

I agree with every thing you said Adam. Whenever I get killed on xbox live I say things like 'nice kill' or 'I'll get you next time'. I think it is so disrespectful when I kill people and they throw all these curse words and names at me.
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Posted by torino_elite - Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:32 AM

i just wanna say thanks for voicing what we all wanted to be said. Futher more i would like to add that most of the crap talkers tend to be young punks. For this i feel most of this happens due to lack of punitive action following thier stupid remarks. Just know that it may work online (for now) but remember when you go trying to act hard in the real world be prepared to find yourself with busted teeth layin on your back. To those who think there tough i dare you to go out in the world and match your mouth with your fist.
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Posted by Close_Shave - Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:45 AM

"I thought the whole purpose of trash talking was to make someone mad."

And there, folks, is the root of the problem. If making people angry or offending/upsetting them is your idea of fun, then you've got a problem. Me, I play for the enjoyment of the game; antisocial behavior on my part doesn't enhance that for me in the least.

Makes you wonder who was abused/ignored as a kid....
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Posted by BrokenAbacus - Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:48 AM

It's all about power!

They do it because they know there is nothing you can do about it and it's gonna throw off your game.

Unfortunatly the only thing we can really do is mute them and give them bad feedback.

As for people saying you don't get that on the PSN....thats because NO ONE EVER TALKS!
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Posted by Arenejo - Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:58 AM

I commend you, Adam, for further bringing this to the masses' attention. I don't understand the stonewall answer "It's competitive gaming". No, it's not. Competitive gaming wasn't always this way. There was a time where the insults were much tamer and the sportsmanship on the whole was better. What happened to remove this?
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Posted by ATLjumppilot - Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:59 AM

This is nothing new. PC gamers, especially anyone old enough to play C-strike or similar in its early heyday, have dealt with preteens getting online screaming foul language for over a decade. Only difference now is that it’s as simple as buying a little white box and handing it to a child for them to do so.

Also, with the PC community it was mildly self regulated since Admins and loyal players would bounce any such actions. So back to your little box... either develop the means to turn back time, ninja consoles from dimwits, or empower the community (NOT the government) to do something proactive. And yes that last one is a Republican ideal, if you want to flash images of socialists on your clips expect people who value their rights and freedoms to loose respect for you.

Your pretty good about ranting on topic please stay that way, keep the politics out of your show, lest ye become like every other hypocrite celebrity
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Posted by hetman - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:06 AM

Here is the problem the majority of racist and bigots are like 8-15 year olds. And really that is the parents fault. There is nothing sesslar or anyone else can do about. Maybe improving public education might. But hey a parent really controls if there kid is a bigot or not.
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Posted by ironcock - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:16 AM

its about pushing buttons if you let it bother you, expect for people to say it to you, thats it.. and furthermore people are WAYYYYYYYYYYY too sensitive nowadays. Give you an example...my squad was playing some mexicans in COD4, and we happened to be destroying them. They took offense and one actually threatened us. He suggested that he could have us all killed by the mexican mafia. I didnt get upset, i took the high road, and asked if his mexican mafia all rolled in one pickup truck.
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Posted by torino_elite - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:18 AM

maybe if every gamer in the room at the time ganged together and somehow made it miserable or uncomfortable for those bieng a problem it might help (i do understand this is a very long shot). Or as hetman said the parents might need to be monitoring thier kids when they give them this power. However alot of parents consider it a baby sitting device so there fore lies another problem. Maybe when these accounts are set up proof of 18 years of age should be required then the complaints could directly relate to an adults responsibility.... and i hate to say it but possible at that point fines would be in order. At least that way parents might pay more attention to thier kids online behaivor. Then the problem of invaled or false fines could arise. Your guess is as good as mine fellow gamers.
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Posted by hetman - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:21 AM

When you look at someones profile it should tell you how many people have them on mute. If over 50 people have them on mute then it might be in your best interest just to mute them as soon as you see there profile. This would at least help curb the problem a little. Because when someone is muted it really does not matter what they have to say.
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Posted by torino_elite - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:25 AM

@ ironcock
granted america in general is too sensitive. however ruining others fun that may be respectful responsible people just trying to have a good time to accomidate or ignore young punks sour attitudes does not do justice. I mean if it every now and again thats tolerable, but every freggin game that gets a little old.
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Posted by asudevil - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:25 AM

Here is the real problem, it is people like hetman and sesslers fault. You talk about how smart you are and how progressive you are yet you cling onto history and wont let the words lose their meaning, they are only hurtful to retards that are offended by them. I am polish, now throughout history my people have been treated 1000000000000 times worse than blacks but unlike blacks we are not crybabies, if they would grow up and act like us words like the n word would lose their effect. GROW THE F!CK UP, YOU ARE HYPOCRITICAL IF YOU THINK SWEARING IS OKAY BUT SAYING THE N WORD IS WRONG OR CALLING SOMEONE GAY IS WRONG. Who cares about what gay people think? SOrry but until you become the majority your opinion means sh!%, i will continue to call people who play like women f@%s because that is what they are, they are not men but f@%s.
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Posted by asudevil - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:29 AM

Here is the real problem, it is people like hetman and sesslers fault. You talk about how smart you are and how progressive you are yet you cling onto history and wont let the words lose their meaning, they are only hurtful to retards that are offended by them. I am polish, now throughout history my people have been treated 1000000000000 times worse than blacks but unlike blacks we are not crybabies, if they would grow up and act like us words like the n word would lose their effect. GROW THE F!CK UP, YOU ARE HYPOCRITICAL IF YOU THINK SWEARING IS OKAY BUT SAYING THE N WORD IS WRONG OR CALLING SOMEONE GAY IS WRONG. Who cares about what gay people think? SOrry but until you become the majority your opinion means sh!%, i will continue to call people who play like women f@%s because that is what they are, they are not men but f@%s.
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Posted by NuBeatz - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:30 AM

Yeah, it's quite depressing and very disappointing when I hear young kids blurting out racist comments like "I hate black people" and " I hate n----rs" and whatnot. Are you people serious? It's a game, why are we making these online experiences so uncomfortable for others? I can't even play on Live without my earpiece cause if the sound is coming through the television and my 3-year old son happens to be watching, there's a good chance some idiot will blurt out an expletive that I don't even use around him. It's frustrating and is a sign of idiocy that is obviously very prevalent in America and I think is far from ending anytime soon. Time to start respecting others and acting like civilized human beings instead of ignorant idiotic mammals.
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Posted by ironcock - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:30 AM

my point is this: its 2008, there shouldnt be really ANY magic words that instantly offend people. Im italian, call me what you want, even if its mean spirited ....who cares? You are gonna let a 12 year old ruin your self image? if so YOU are weak. And i HOPE people still call you whatever magic word pisses you off, why do you flip out at magic words?? what is this, pee wees playhouse?? ive had black people call me a white boy....my respose, whats your point??? just dont call me an xbot-- them fightin words
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Posted by torino_elite - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:36 AM

@ asudevil,
dude talk about growing up. and as far as majority opnion it looks like in this thread your really outnumered. Dude i bet you live a sheltered life where you can get away with acting like a punk, where i am from you could get your @ss kicked real fast with an attitude like yours.Its all about respect equall to everyone. I will give you the valid point of letting the words die, really that seems to be the only way it might leave. People play games for fun, so if they are not good it does not make them women, heck don't preach about growing up to anyone in this room becuase it looks like you have a lot of growin to do little buddy.
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Posted by hetman - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:38 AM

I am not offended by what they say I just think it is annoying and it ruins my gamming experience. If I am playing COD I prefer my teammates to be talking about what is going on in game you know like where people are at, where they are respawning, who's camping etc. Do I care if you are a racist or homophobe no. But do you talking trash and screaming into my head phone ruin my gaming experience yea it does. Another thing I hate is when people rap or sing. It is like wtf you are ruining my gaming experience.
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Posted by NuBeatz - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:38 AM

Yeah, it's quite depressing and very disappointing when I hear young kids blurting out racist comments like "I hate black people" and " I hate n----rs" and whatnot. Are you people serious? It's a game, why are we making these online experiences so uncomfortable for others? I can't even play on Live without my earpiece cause if the sound is coming through the television and my 3-year old son happens to be watching, there's a good chance some idiot will blurt out an expletive that I don't even use around him. It's frustrating and is a sign of idiocy that is obviously very prevalent in America and I think is far from ending anytime soon. Time to start respecting others and acting like civilized human beings instead of ignorant idiotic mammals.
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Posted by torino_elite - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:43 AM

@ ironcock
point taken, my point is it still does not make it right. Yes it may be the hard reality, but common it remindes me of playing chess with a spoiled three year old. But as hetman said muting the voice is probably the best tactic, so i agree with you in the bigger picture, but still think it should eventually be stopped.
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Posted by ironcock - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:47 AM

one more thought....i am white, technically. I have said the n word many times. i wouldn't say i make a habit of using it as a weapon. actually, i cant recall EVER using it that way. Thats beside the point though. All im saying is this-- When the wu tang clans album 36 chambers dropped in 92, i wasnt going to parties singing "shame on african american who tried to drop game on an african american. " If that offends, seriously, grow up. Would you rather i lie??? just sayin...
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Posted by anonomousperson - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:48 AM

Im a white male in my mid 20s and I take pride in that I prefer whitty remarks to the easier made racist or homophobic comebacks. It proves how many cylinders our brains run on. The more someone uses your race or sexual preference proves how little their brain functions. The older you are and the more you use these slurs just proves how little you have evolved from adolesence.

Besides, those insults have been beaten to death. Why not come up with something more original?
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Posted by Apsalus07 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:56 AM

Well, Adam you're right to point out that swearing is demeaning to games, but I think you're wrong to come to gamers and ask them to simply stop. Needless to say, these people who cuss and say things like "n!gger fa@@ot" aren't going to listen to anybody who tells them to wash their mouth out with soap - not even their parents.

The way to solve this is through software, just as developers would solve any other problem with a game (bad camera, sloppy controls, etc.). Let me give you an example of a solution that I found has worked very well in the game World in Conflict:
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Posted by Apsalus07 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:57 AM

Don't allow voice chat between opponents, only between allies. Instead, only allow TEXT chat between opponents. This will make it less likely that players will want to chat with opponents and more likely they'll want to chat with allies, thus building camaraderie and friendship. Besides, smaller kids aren't as likely to know how to write text messages very fast and are even MORE likely to use voice chat. Thus, all offenders are less prone to talk trash and kids are even less likely to do so. At the same time, communication is still possible – though not comfortable – if you really feel the need to cuss out that occasional obnoxious @$$hole.

ADAM, I ASK THAT WHEN YOU RATE A GAME YOU ALSO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE LEVEL OF TRASH TALKING, AS THAT HEAVILY REFLECTS ON BOTH THE GAME'S DESIGN AND GAMEPLAY.

Thoughts?
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Posted by maxmike18 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:02 AM

I agree with adam all I here lately on live are people who think it is ok to make fun of other because their race religion or sexual preference and I am sick of it all I want to do play a round in gears without someone calling people very offensive names these people are sickning and stupid
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Posted by ShelbyGT500 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:03 AM

100% agree
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Posted by torino_elite - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:05 AM

@ ironcock,
look man like i said you make valid points,
using it as a previously written song lyric is way better than using it directly (as a weapon) as you said. I am a mix of lots of cultures as we all are, however i grew up on a ranch and therfore in high school and such was considered a (real) cowboy. As most i learned to deal with descriminate remarks. Mainly i guess my point is i wish america would grow up in general. Everyone is too bored and seems to think they need conflict, life has become too easy for people like that.I don't know about you but i get enough conflict at work to want to try to start anymore.
It is respect and conciquences for your actions that go hand in hand. I feel that is what our youth is lacking and needs to so desperatly find. In a nut shell thats what i wish to contribute to this thread.
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Posted by etniesrunner - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:14 AM

Thank you Sessler! I completely agree with this. I haven't liked this since day one. Come to think of it I rarely play anonymously anymore. It's usually with friends. People just tend to anger me on XBL and when I'm playing my game I am there to have fun, not to get pissed off.
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Posted by ironcock - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:14 AM

@torino--
100 percent sicilian, ----time for a joke-whats the difference between an italian woman and a catfish?




one has whiskers and smells bad, the others a fish.

make jokes about my race all day, just dont bitch or get all " swoll " if i do it to you.
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Posted by _Sunshine - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:16 AM

hey guess what happens when parents stop teaching there kids good moral values and buys them R rated games? Exactly!! everybody better just get used to it...unless you think you can change the way parents raise there kids these days.
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Posted by d_dirdy - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:20 AM

I think there is no respect among gamers anymore. XBL today consists of bad, little, kids and jerks. What makes this worse is that the popular games that we like to play has become boring and dull because of how we treat eachother and not because of skill level. We are better off just calling friends over to our house and hooking up our system link cable. At least gaming among real friends is still fun.
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Posted by d_dirdy - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:22 AM

I think there is no respect among gamers anymore. XBL today consists of bad, little, kids and jerks. What makes this worse is that the popular games that we like to play has become boring and dull because of how we treat eachother and not because of skill level. We are better off just calling friends over to our house and hooking up our system link cable. At least gaming among real friends is still fun.
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Posted by _Sunshine - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:25 AM

whats the whole point of the xbox live bad language reporting??????? does it really do anything? apparently not
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Posted by jeh - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:27 AM

Ya... that sucks to have to pay to get harassed on XBL. Too bad psn players don't have a mic so we cant trash talk. Except that one little bastard that has a mic and and rips on people, but they stop after they realize nobody else has a mic. Therefore XBLers, mute the douchebags and just game.
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Posted by dawnsmysis - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:27 AM

I agree with the Sess.


I've always hated people who feel they need to act that way to be accepted or be cool.


Anymore, when you find a group of friends you can play with, you just have to hang with that specific group and play evereything with them.

I, however also use the mute function liberally.
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Posted by ironcock - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:29 AM

@sunshine---
stay away from my kids you flippin book of mormon jerkoff....the more you shelter your kids the more they rebel....you sound like pat robertson. racism has NOTHING to do with not letting your kids watch certain movies. It is 40 percent disdain and 60 percent fear---hence all the rural bigots
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Posted by _Sunshine - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:33 AM

wow ironcock you sound just like a xbox live bigot imagine that...and apparently it is all about racism to you cause obviously insulting religion (hence mormon jerkoff) is no problem with you. you are such a hypocrite..
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Posted by ironcock - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:36 AM

@sunshine---
stay away from my kids you flippin book of mormon jerkoff....the more you shelter your kids the more they rebel....you sound like pat robertson. racism has NOTHING to do with not letting your kids watch certain movies. It is 40 percent disdain and 60 percent fear---hence all the rural bigots
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Posted by _Sunshine - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:37 AM

thank you for proving my point. :)
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Posted by Spardyman - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:37 AM

I think that Xbox Live needs to have assigned admins monitering and dealing with this crap.
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Posted by CanadianKris - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:48 AM

I think the PSN network and Xbox live are both horrible... i play on both and find the comments to be unneeded and equally at hurtful on both. If you are upset with how someone has played then be nice, find another game or server... ya don't have to call them nasty names and such. It just makes no sense... it is a game... grow up world.
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Posted by CanadianKris - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:51 AM

I think the PSN network and Xbox live are both horrible... i play on both and find the comments to be unneeded and equally at hurtful on both. If you are upset with how someone has played then be nice, find another game or server... ya don't have to call them nasty names and such. It just makes no sense... it is a game... grow up world.
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Posted by BONERJAM - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:54 AM

I pretty much just mute everyone online because it seems like they are all annoying or complete idiots that are just trying to start something by yelling out uncalled for comments.
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Posted by ironcock - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:55 AM

^^^ IF not bif..... i dont wanna get into tannen geneology
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Posted by ironcock - Thursday, June 12, 2008 9:57 AM

^^^ IF not bif..... i dont wanna get into tannen geneology
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Posted by _Sunshine - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:01 AM

first of all the whole point of this blog is to stop the insulting, so number one you did that. second who said that teaching your kids the appropriate way to act meant you are a mormon or religious for that matter. so why don't you stop stereotyping...you hypocrite
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Posted by hetman - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:02 AM

@ironcock. You need to pick up a evolutionary biology book. Because evolution does not go forward or backwards. You cannot be more evolved or less evolved. That is not how evolution works. Evolution is just the ability to pass on your genes to the next generation. Humans are no more or less evolved than any other organism in world.
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Posted by _Sunshine - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:05 AM

he needs to look up a dictionary and look up bigot
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Posted by mongy69 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:05 AM

i,m 13 and alot of you are saying is we should't play this stuff. WEll i don't really thing a little blood is going to make me turn into a ceral killer or something.
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Posted by TheWolfMI - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:07 AM

Calling out dumbasses is kind'a an interesting way of doing it. If they are retarded enough, they probably will post. I'm not goin'a go through the 235+ to see if they did, I saw the few first, and a few between, and it seems most people agree with Adam.
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Posted by TheWolfMI - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:10 AM

This is cool, but as a gay gamer, I hear a lot of stuff I do find offensive. I have the common sense not to let it offend me personaly, because, I'm sorry, a 10+ year old who talks like that REALLY isn't worth my time or effort. It doesn't really matter the age.
It is a bit insulting that my sexual preference itself is for some reason, an insult. The same reason I find it retarded when someone tries to make a skin color or nationality an insult. It's just retarded.
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Posted by CanadianKris - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:11 AM

e·volve
1. to develop gradually: to evolve a scheme.
2. to give off or emit, as odors or vapors.
–verb (used without object)
3. to come forth gradually into being; develop; undergo evolution: The whole idea evolved from a casual remark.
4. Biology. to develop by a process of evolution to a different adaptive state or condition: The human species evolved from an ancestor that was probably arboreal.
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Posted by CanadianKris - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:12 AM

So to evolve as an individual is a personal choice as well... to evolve into being a BETTER person... and thusly to pass on those learned skills to your children and children's children is also a part of evolution.


So lets not de-evolve our current generation by teaching them any negative views of others religions, sexual preference, or anything... teach them acceptance and there views will evolve. Why are we even allowing such negativity... if someone where to walk up to you on the street or at work and say such things to your face, they would find themselves in court or jobless.
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Posted by _Sunshine - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:15 AM

wow im glad to see im not the only one that thinks that
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Posted by sinister6972 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:20 AM

I'm not gonna lie but I knew for a fact I would find some comments here that I couls pick on. But there is someone I wanna pick and is....rosebowl23, I believe.


I'm sure rosebowl123 has never heard of me and I quite frankly, I don't wanna hear of him. You know, there's a lot of crazy stuff going on now. But I do wanna say that as a Conservative, when I was a child, I was taught to speak accordingly, and respectfully, O.K? Maybe if the kids(or even parents) have some respect now, I would argue that we got no one to blame but us Conservatives.....since we think we know everything.

I gotta say Adam, Genius! You got people talking about it! I praise you for that....
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Posted by MasterFox156 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:29 AM

This is the real reason that I hate Online Multiplayer aspects on any console. There will always be some little kid who this he cool, but he doesn't know what's he's talking about.

All Hail the Sess!
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Posted by DeuceRok - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:32 AM

I used to be one of those guys who dropped the N-word or called other people in Britain call a cigarette, but then I outgrew it. Now, I only use such "loving" terms on friends who know that I don't mean anything by it. Generally, I'm one of the most respectable/sporting players you'll meet, but I know my homies can take it. Honestly, I'm beginning to think that there should be some sort of age restrictions on matches. I am finding that a lot of youth are using the terms with no conscience ill will they involve when spoken in anger.

-Deuce.Rok
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Posted by jacarlos - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:35 AM

I agree Adam, being an older gamer I hear a lot of stuff thrown my way. but, I too have been probably guilty of the very thing your talking about. I'm not going to lie and say i don't have a potty mouth, because I do.
I guess it comes down to intent?
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Posted by ironcock - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:35 AM

STEREOTYPING???? first of all imma take it easy on you cause obviously english isnt your native tongue . A hypocrite is someone who says something than does another. My words and actions are entirely consistent, so we will assume you dont understand that word. If you choose to be a proponent of stupidity (most 20-200 year old religions) then expect to be ridiculed. if you arent a ned flanders type, i apologize. But your sanctimony reads that way. and tv has nothing to do with racism. Racism is bred, it takes more than just parents to close that pandoras box. RELIGION iS IRRELEVANT----IT IS CHOSEN, IF YOU ARE AN ADULT AND YOU WORSHIP OSCAR THE GROUCH, yeah expect the fist of ridicule to deliver a cold co ck
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Posted by ironcock - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:42 AM

sunshine
i think you mean well, so lets stop this, you just touched a nerve with the religious type talk, nothin personal against you. i fancy myself a straight shooter, thats all. Racism is here forever tho, its a societal problem. its not THAT bad tho. Least we arent killing each other like the suni and shi'a
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Posted by MooNdoGG420 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:43 AM

WOW! I can't say that I'm surprised about the response here but really, can't you people think for yourselves? I don't like hearing bigots on Live either, but I don't even complain anymore. I file complaints with Xbox Live and avoid those players. The great thing about that is that I don't ever have to worry about playing with that douche again. After about a month or so of doing this, I rarely have to hear that kind of carp anymore.
and to Adam, if you ever get a chance to read this comment 250 in, keep on that soapbox and speaking for all these people
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Posted by _Sunshine - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:43 AM

wow you are so blind, i have already won so dont expect me to try and enlighten you because obviously you are so ignorant. so type out a long paragraph with bold letters because it will prove my point.

p.s. i wont be checking back so just waste your time and everybody elses with a profane post
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Posted by _Sunshine - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:44 AM

i take that post back...
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Posted by _Sunshine - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:45 AM

...but do you think just racist and homosexual insults are all that matters?
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Posted by blakseed - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:57 AM

@asudevil
Someone should hunt you down and beat your ass. Black people are crybabies? I have no idea what you and your people have been through, and if their anything like you, i dont care. The fact is your outside looking in. I dont even know a polish racial slur, but since your were treated so terrible, maybe you can tell me. If no one has ever drove by and throw a coke bottle at you and called you a nig, you have no idea what its like. I think were pretty stong to indure the ignorance that we face every single day.
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Posted by heaven_spawn - Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:03 AM

I think at the end of the day, the discussion goes back to what Penny Arcade called "John Gabriel's Greater Internet F-wad Theory", where ordinary people plus anonymity and the Internet audience become gaping butt holes.

I think if you throw a money wrench at the above formula. Maybe by doing away with anonymity on the Internet, (and by extension, X-Box Live and PSN) you could do away with some of this crap. Anonymity affords people the power to act without fear of consequences, and in effect, and can embolden them to snark people online. I think it takes more balls to go and trash talk somebody without hiding behind some phony label, when you wouldn't dare try saying it to their face because you're scared of getting sued or your ass kicked.

Just my two cents!

-Raph
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Posted by xXRCXx - Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:14 AM

@ Edge585

There is NOTHING wrong with being a homosexual.


Anyways Amen to you Sess!
I get called mexican racial slurs alot on there and it gets tiring
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Posted by LoveLifeMusic - Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:17 AM

The main reason is that people can hide behind there gamer tag so they feel like they can say anything they want and not be held responsible. This happens not only in video games but everywhere. But if they had their real names up there I bet they'll be too scared to say something. By the way I a good gamer so look me up GAMERTAG ( Icon Is Here ) on xbox live.
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Posted by adversary1999 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:18 AM

@hardwirecars

I never use that word. Not as a term of endearment nor to insult people. I even had a heated debate with a friend who tried to convince my that the meaning on the N word has changed. I believe that constant use enables bigots and wanna bees. I notice more and more racial and homophobic slurs everywhere on the internet. Maybe people are releasing their inner Hitler when they think nobody can do anything about it.
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Posted by adversary1999 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:26 AM

@asudevil

I am polish, now throughout history my people have been treated 1000000000000 times worse than blacks but unlike blacks we are not crybabies, if they would grow up and act like us words like the n word would lose their effect.

Yeah we all remember the time when slave ships landed in Poland and loaded Poles up and sent them to another continent. Oh wait, that never happened. Nor do Polish Americans (As far as I know)have to constantly deal with their skin color being a problem no matter where they go in a country they are supposed to be part of.
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Posted by commander55 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:28 AM

i agree with you adam and with many of the other peoples comments. me as a person who is going to college to learn to make the awsome game ideas i have and someday start my own company. so this is what makes me worried because the way are generation acts and how people interpret it is sometimes the reason video games are treated like monsters and it is are responsiblity as the gamers to show that they are a work of art and imagination. so i think we should all think before we say something next time and remember we represent the video game world :)
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Posted by hetman - Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:29 AM

@adversary I kind of disagree with you. I live with two black guys. And we all listen to hip hop. If there is a song and I am singing along I am not going out of my way to not say the n word. But then again these are my friends I live with them and they realize that singing the lyrics to a song is way different than actually calling someone the n word out of spite.
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Posted by LJbloaded - Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:40 AM

Also Word Adam...Word.
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Posted by adversary1999 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 11:52 AM

@hetman

I understand what you are saying so I retract some my statement to a degree. But that also points to another issue that I find to be a problem. However I completely disagree with Hip-Hop artists who continue to use the N word in lyrics. We still live in a time where far more people use the N word for hate than any other reason. This is true for a multitude of other racial slurs. Rappers are actually doing a disservice by keeping that word a live in their songs.
Personally I thing it takes more creativity to write a song with meaning that doesn't use profanity or the N word. Thats my personal opinion.

ps. Thanks for a cool discussion, I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts rather than starting an argument. It reassures me that people can actually do this.
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Posted by lordofdarkflames - Thursday, June 12, 2008 12:02 PM

damn you go adam i completly agree with you tht why i play on psn most of the time because there not as many people like tht on
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Posted by torino_elite - Thursday, June 12, 2008 12:10 PM

@blakseed,
glad someone else in here also ripped on that guy. I personally don't feel his kindof attitude is excused anywhere, not even in hell, lol. but also you must realize lots of different people face not only rasicm but descrimination daily. Not just blacks, mexicans, polish, spanish,gay, straight or whatever. Well all need to let things go just the same as we need to treat eachother with respect and equals. I mean i am a mix of lots of different races, this would be like me hating parts of myself for things i had done to myself in the past, lol.
Anyways this crap talking online will never end unless these kids have something to fear becuase of thier actions and respect for fellow gamers. I really believe those have to go hand in hand to work.
we are the generation to change things and its up to us. We should try at least and see what happens.
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Posted by EnkouChan - Thursday, June 12, 2008 12:18 PM

Probably the best and most influential SS yet. Good job, Adam.
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Posted by karnie33 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 12:39 PM

Well put Adam I know of a forum where there are no dicks its called noobtoob.com we all play together and are motto is dont be a dick so if you dont like xbox live bigots and racists go to noobtoob.com now
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Posted by Rade6 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 12:43 PM

It sucks but it's not gonna stop. I'm Mexican and get that racist crap sometimes but instead of pissing me off it makes me laugh because those are the same guys that won't do anything in real life. To me it is what it is, a game. Some times there are kids that are just so annoying, it's not all the crap that comes out of their mouth it's their damn prepubescent voice, cuts through me like finger nails on a chalk board. LoL, trash talk is cool but if you don't like it there's a mute button. Sessler, I get where you're coming from and I can understand why you'd be upset but as the online component of games becomes more widely accessible to all gamers it's gonna get worse before it gets any better. Rrrrraaaadddde!! Ka-BOOOOOM!! Peace!
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Posted by evilunleashed - Thursday, June 12, 2008 12:58 PM

Some people are so ignorant and incapable of expressing themselves that they must resort to the most foul and disparaging remarks they possibly can. It’s comforting that these people will generally achieve no station in life higher than one which requires them to be able to recite "Would you like fries with that?" or "Would you prefer that in a pump or a loafer?" Here's the rub. Offense is the burden of the offended. When you are offended by the words of another person, you are giving up your power to them. The only power we as humans truly have is the control of our decisions and emotions. When you allow the ramblings of mental midgets to steal your power, it is your problem, not theirs. Our best bet? Ignore them. Teach them that to be worthy of being acknowledged, they must behave in a manner which is acceptable to the society you are a part of. Mute them, send them bad feedback, block their communications, and move on.
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Posted by EAmaddenFTW - Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:12 PM

That's why I never play with a headset. Or if there's a Headset bias in the game, leave it on (To keep the icon in the lobby) But never use it!

Never failed me once.....
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Posted by KindredEX - Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:16 PM

I don't know why XBOX 360 and PS3 do not have a mute setting for offensive players in the games. I believe that when I played COD2 on the Mac there was an IGNORE setting I could click along with a BOOT the PLAYER option during online play. Why are these things not built into all MultiPlayer games???

But the real problem lies with the parents. Or should I say the LACK of parenting. Why are these kids playing these games to begin with? A 10 year old should not be playing COD4 or Halo or whatever that involves a lot of violence.

cont in the next post....
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Posted by KindredEX - Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:18 PM

cont....
The only way to curb this issue is to involve alert settings in the games and systems. If you let the gamers decide if someone is booted from a game during a match, they might just learn to keep their mouths shut.

I also agree with the people who have said that the music over the mics on PS3 COD4 HAS TO STOP.

cont...
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Posted by KindredEX - Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:20 PM

cont....

I don't want to listen to your crappy music while playing. I want to listen for footsteps, gun shots, tripped claymores, etc.... not jamming out to that crap kids play in their cars now a days that show how crappy your car is as your trunk lid vibrates and makes that annoying buzz sound. Here's a news flash to the youngsters out there... put your money into a NICE car with an OK radio system instead of buying a beat up old Civic or Corolla with mismatching fenders, some cheap vinyl decals over the rust spots and a $9000 Sub Woofer set in place of the back seat. Trust me, chicks actually dig the nice car.... says more about the type of person you are.

Fin. Thanks for bearing with me.
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Posted by blakseed - Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:24 PM

@torino_elite
I understand what your saying. I try to treat everyone I meet in person or online with respect, even though I may rip on some people on here sometimes, but its all in fun. I understand everyone has thier own belifs and prefrences, but theres a time and place for things like that. I assumed almost everyone that comments on here is above middle school level, but you get people like asudevil and Narocue everywhere I guess.If saying stupid things like that to people you dont even know, and your able to laugh about it, you need some serious help.
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Posted by hetman - Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:29 PM

@kindred there is an in game ignore button on xbox live. You just highlight there name and press the xbox logo button on the controller and then scroll down to ignore.
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Posted by Teejay_1994 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 1:37 PM

Amen, to that Sess!
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Posted by svtu1919 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 2:23 PM

Well said. I agree 100%.
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Posted by foolyXXXcooly - Thursday, June 12, 2008 4:08 PM

adam makes it seem xbl problem its also a psn problem jus as much
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Posted by Markntosh - Thursday, June 12, 2008 4:23 PM

No, it's not really a PSN problem for 2 reasons. 1, the PS3 doesn't come with a headset. 2, we don't have all these awesome games that millions of people will be playing, so the bad people will be more spread out. Don't beleive me? Check for yourself! You've probably never played PSN!!
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Posted by maynoralas - Thursday, June 12, 2008 4:52 PM

I think that if you asked the people who agree with Adam before they saw this video half of them would have either not cared or have been completely against Adam.I think this issue has been adressed on A.O.T.S before where people on forums and message boards arent thinking for themselves anymore and are just taking sides with whoever has the most valid arguement.Personally I agree with Adam and think all kids 13 and under should be banned from xbox live and sent to tolerance labor camps.It's about damn time someone adressed this issue. Thank You Adam!
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Posted by MaximuSCA - Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:26 PM

I'm glad you decided to tackle this issue Adam, but I don't think things will change anytime soon and it's unfortunate. I've been an Xbox Live member since its inception and it has always been this way. The only solution to the problem is to play with friends, as you mentioned, or to private chat during games. While that defeats the whole purpose of Xbox Live and connecting with other gamers, I much prefer it to enduring constant profanities and racial slurs. I find the online community to be a microcosm of society and until bigotry and racism are eliminated in the real world, they will always exist in the virtual world.
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Posted by DaBigFatCow - Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:53 PM

100% agree. I have Xbox Live and find that a lot. Its a good thing that im mostly a PC gamer now, usually dont have to put up with all of that crap. This is a really big issue with Xbox Live and somehow needs to be addressed acordingly. This Sessler's Soapbox is a step in the right direction.
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Posted by keving813 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 5:56 PM

100% agreed and all the kids who do go and say these things cant get online to watch this video...this should be like a mandatory video everytime u get ready to play a match online lol....Respect!!
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Posted by fightgar - Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:01 PM

if there was a church of Adam....

i would be there every Sunday
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Posted by KindredEX - Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:13 PM

@hetman: Thanks I'm not an XBOXer, just a PS3 kind of guy!
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Posted by pitdemon72 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:17 PM

WAY TO GO ADAM!! I'm sorry, but just turn your mic off doesn't work for me. If I see this crap happen on the street am I suppose to turn my head as well? Hell no! Maybe this will give Microsoft the kick in the ass they need to do something about this problem. Do these knuckle draggers not know what would happen to them if they behaved this way? SESSLER for PRESIDENT
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Posted by Sergeant_Fox - Thursday, June 12, 2008 7:38 PM

I swear a lot on xbox live but it is never at someone nor are the words I say racist or sexist. Also the games I play Gears, Halo 3, COD 4, GTA IV. All of which are M rated if kids are playing these games then I cant be blamed for swearing, but those who go out of there way to be offensive can and should.

Make sure you not only mute and avoid but file a complaint. I can personally say I've avoided over 500 gamers and filed complaints to probably 100.
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Posted by Shadow016 - Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:07 PM

I totally agree also and the main ones i hear sayin it are kids who are under the age of 13 and don't have a clue what they are saying and have probaly heard a relative or someone they thought was cool saying it and thought "oh i going to say that now cause they say it" I don't mind cursing online when i'm playing but when someone drops those particular words i wonder should i say anything. I hope people do listen to Adam and take his advice or the gaming industry could go under more criticism (like we need it).
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Posted by StrokingItHard - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:12 PM

Sup Sessler, I have the information that you requested.
We say Nlgger because you are black.
We say F4g because you sound gay.
We say Retard because you are unintelligent.
We say Loser because you have no life.
Did you know that I fooked your Mum last night?
Did you know that I raped your sister?
I came all over your grandmother's fooking face!
I also sheet directly into your kunt mother's mouth just last night.
Do these things upset you? Make you angry? Disgusted?
I'm just a visitor on the web, not a person. I could be in a wheel chair or suffer a mental illness.
I could even be a retarded gay black woman living in destitution.
Serious Business, etc
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Posted by IamToneDef - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:38 PM

I'm glad that someone like Adam is bringing attention to this.

I'm all for yelling and screaming during a game and having a good time, but when did having a good time constitute pissing off your fellow gamers?
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Posted by blakseed - Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:46 PM

@asudevil
Your not even worth it.
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Posted by gman228 - Friday, June 13, 2008 12:55 AM

oh btw adam if post a reply with your gamertag
so ican snd you scen shot on halo3
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Posted by ArchedThunder - Friday, June 13, 2008 2:07 AM

Wow, none of your Sessler soapbox videos have gotten this many comments, you really struck a cord with the people today Adam, but to stay on topic, yes I think it is a problem, I use to not care about most of them that much, unless they where about Portuguese people(because I am) or blacks (because I have a half black half brother)but about a year ago I realized how bad they all are. This happened because I made a friend who just happened to be homosexual, and other friends of different races and such. The expressions can be really hurtful to them, and thats why they shouldn't be said, and as you said, the person sound like a kid, well I have notice that most of the people that do shout those things are kids, because they heard someone that was older that they thought was cool say it and they just wanted to be cool, which is a horrible example to set for young children!Continued in next post
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Posted by ArchedThunder - Friday, June 13, 2008 2:09 AM

Even though you don't want to say it, what was the word the kid said? Was it the 'fa' homosexual slur? Oh, and one other thing I have noticed is people all of the sudden bashing Jewish people, whats up with that? I can't go into one game with out hearing some one yell at me or someone else in the game and call them a Jew or some other variation like adding bag to the end, what the hell man? What is wrong with Jewish people? Why have people all of the sudden started using 'Jew' as a general insult?continued in next post
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Posted by ArchedThunder - Friday, June 13, 2008 2:11 AM

Yes it is starting to become a real problem in online gaming, and also you are right that it is bull crap when they say "its my right" because its not, the amendment says(not word for word but basically) "you have the freedom to say what you want, as long as it does not offend another person or group." So people hiding behind that are to stupid to actually read and know their rights. But in my opinion this problem will probably never get a solution, unfortunately.All we can do for now is just ignore those blabbering idiots, at least with Xbox LIVE you have the choice to mute whoever you please, so you don't have to worry about it, and if you end up having to mute so many people that you don't think it is worth it anymore, you could always make it so only people on your friends list can hear you.Continued in next post
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Posted by ArchedThunder - Friday, June 13, 2008 2:13 AM

And just to say something to all the people that replied basically just saying "I agree with every thing you said Adam." don't just say that.By saying that all your doing is basically making it apparent that you are just saying you agree with him because you think he is cool and hope that he will talk to you, if you really agree with him, than prove it like I did. And that is what I have to say, wow now I kind of know what its like to do what you do for your soapbox rants, but in seriousness if you would like to talk to me or something Adam, just message me.Continued in next post
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Posted by ArchedThunder - Friday, June 13, 2008 2:14 AM

I may be only 14, but I am probably one of the most competent people that reply to your videos and want to talk to you, no offense to the other people here, I'm sure a good amount of you are intelligent, its just that a good amount of you are probably fan boys that would eat their own genitals if Adam told you to. Just to clarify, I am not saying I am better than anyone, because in my opinion every one is equal, its just some people act as though they have no free will. That is all I have to say, wow a 5 message long post, bet you don't get that very often!
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Posted by ArchedThunder - Friday, June 13, 2008 2:18 AM

Sorry about some of my grammar in the above posts, it is 3:13AM where I live and sometimes I hit my touch pad when I am typing on accident, thus putting the typing cursor in a different spot.
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Posted by SinnerDelGore - Friday, June 13, 2008 8:38 AM

If you check the forums, there are several posts requesting assisting from the community for parents to decide if they should buy their young children (up to 15) a M rated game. And the sad thing is, tons of posters jump on and say, "Go ahead, he's mature enough! He/she has heard/seen these things so let him have it". So parents not being parents but trying to be friends (or the young leading the young) lead to problems like this. If it is a mature game, the kids should not be playing it. If only there was a button to b i t c h slap parents every time someone does this during a game.
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Posted by Narocue - Friday, June 13, 2008 10:53 AM

I'm sorry to be the complete a-hole here, but do you really think MS put out a headset so that we could be super nice and respectful to each other? HELL NO ... The only reason that headset is there is for trash talking ... Damn man, its a helluvalot better than when I was a kid playing Goldeneye with my littl brother and we were literally beating the crap out of each other every time one of us got like 5 kills in a row. Its just words ... if you dont like it, mute it, but quit being a bunch of whinny @$$ bitches. And if it bothers you that I call you a F@9 on XBL, I couldnt give a rats A#$
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Posted by Narocue - Friday, June 13, 2008 11:06 AM

When I use a word like f@9 to describe someone who is acting like a pampered, little bitch, then word seems to fit pretty well. I dont ussually throw derogotory phrases out just cause it feels good. I call you a f@9 if your acting like one. And as for the almighty "N" word ... the damn word doesnt have any of the meaning these days that it had in its inception. It may be a hurtful word to a 90 year old black man, who was actually a slave, but it has no damn meaning at all to a 25 year old black male. And if they say it does, thats just bullsiht! I think they like having something they can get pissed off about, its just a reason for them to strut their stiff and show how tough they are. You may think I'm a racists, but I assure you I am not ... I'm not just saying this, but I have many Black friends, and 2 homosexual friends, and I would share my same view on this with them.
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Posted by Narocue - Friday, June 13, 2008 11:11 AM

But Sessler, I do agree with you that we do not need to taint the waters so that people think all gamers have this mentality. I am a 25 year old white male, who views have been shaped by the trials and experiences in my own life, not because I play video games. Gamers are very diverse, and for someone to throw a stereotype like "racist" on all of us, is just ignorance.
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Posted by Narocue - Friday, June 13, 2008 11:28 AM

But Sessler, I do agree with you that we do not need to taint the waters so that people think all gamers have this mentality. I am a 25 year old white male, who views have been shaped by the trials and experiences in my own life, not because I play video games. Gamers are very diverse, and for someone to throw a stereotype like "racist" on all of us, is just ignorance.
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Posted by supernoob8939 - Friday, June 13, 2008 12:08 PM

I couldn't agree with you more, but the reason why people do this, espesically a 10 year old, is because of what you said on your GTA4 Soapbox kids like to act like adults and they feel when they say stuff like that they are more grown up, but the olders ones who say stuff like that relized they have no skill in the game they are playing and have to trash talk to make themselves seem better.
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Posted by JoNuggs - Friday, June 13, 2008 3:11 PM

What's troubling about this is that the use of these words and phrases reinforce an already flawed thought process. Children, and even some adults, don't understand the gravity these words and phrases carry. While the children have no understanding of the consequences of their actions, the adults perpetrating this type of behavior are lazy. It's easier to grab the most reactive 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 Shakespearean insults during a game, but reaching for the word that is going to do the most damage, and validate your petty ego is incredibly narrow-minded. It's not about hurting feelings as much as it is preventing these types of thought processes from doing more damage to children. Should the parent's play a role? Absolutely. Should we as gamers being doing more to make people understand that we're not all basement-dwelling, overweight thugs? You bet.
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Posted by MxxPwr - Friday, June 13, 2008 3:19 PM

I agree with Sessler, but I think we need to go further. The fact is, there should be no line. All insults are hurtful and people speak them for that reason.

So, either everything is fair game for an insult or nothing is (my preference).

Saying f'ing Neanderthal is a good example. It's obviously meant to say that someone is lower on the evolutionary chain, making them less human, which is exatly what the words-that-shall-not-be-spoken are all about: de-humanization.

So, dehumanizing someone for dehumanizing someone is a bit of a contradiction.

It goes to show that if you are unhappy with the actions of others and feel that they should correct themselves, it's best just to say your peace, sans insults.

You know, something your grandparents would tell you about in one of their old adages.

Gosh, grandparents are smart.
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Posted by JoNuggs - Friday, June 13, 2008 3:20 PM

"When I use a word like f@9 to describe someone who is acting like a pampered, little bitch, then word seems to fit pretty well...I call you a f@9 if your acting like one. And as for the almighty 'N' word ... the damn word doesnt have any of the meaning these days that it had in its inception...I think they like having something they can get pissed off about, its just a reason for them to strut their stiff and show how tough they are..."

Hate to tell you this Narocue, but the way you speak pretty much indicates that you're saying one thing, and believe something else entirely. Racist or not, I'd challenge you to come on down to Baltimore. We'll go by the where they filmed The Wire and you can challenge some of the young men down there with your thoughts and ideas about how "...the almighty "N" word...doesn't have any meaning these days that it had in its inception..."
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Posted by JoNuggs - Friday, June 13, 2008 3:28 PM

"When I use a word like f@9 to describe someone who is acting like a pampered, little bitch, then word seems to fit pretty well...I call you a f@9 if your acting like one. And as for the almighty 'N' word ... the damn word doesnt have any of the meaning these days that it had in its inception...I think they like having something they can get pissed off about, its just a reason for them to strut their stiff and show how tough they are..."

Hate to tell you this Narocue, but the way you speak pretty much indicates that you're saying one thing, and believe something else entirely. Racist or not, I'd challenge you to come on down to Baltimore. We'll go by the where they filmed The Wire and you can challenge some of the young men down there with your thoughts and ideas about how "...the almighty "N" word...doesn't have any meaning these days that it had in its inception..."
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Posted by Narocue - Friday, June 13, 2008 4:24 PM

JoNuggs

I may be ignorant here, but I will be honest. What exactly would I learn in Baltimore? Are there Slaves in Baltimore? Or just a bunch of hard A#s thugs? Is there a majority of racists white males there? I dont understand what goes on in Baltimore that prolongs the repression of Black individuals. I am not questioning that people get upset by the use of the "N" word. What I am questioning is why they get upset. There are some older generations in the Black community that this language would offend, for a very good reason. But like I said before, a 25 year old black male, has no basis for his anger of the word. Its just reason for him to get pissed off, even though he has no basis or reason behind it.
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Posted by JoNuggs - Friday, June 13, 2008 6:07 PM

Nar,

On Baltimore: fair enough. I'm merely suggesting that if you were to take up your argument - which you only just gave any real insight into ("What I am questioning is why they get upset") - with any number of black individuals in Baltimore, you'd probably receive a crash course in social stratification but it wouldn't be really pleasant. But until you gain some insight into actually how "they", or a "25 year old black male" attribute meaning to the word, I don't think that you can appreciate what it meant, and what it means today...
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Posted by JoNuggs - Friday, June 13, 2008 6:08 PM

...further, what is even more troubling is your use of pronouns when referring to black people. This is, essentially, attributing generalizations which is what lays at the heart of all prejudices and racist thinking. The traits that you connect with "f@9s" are cliche's to a large extent and exhibit how misguided your understanding of this issue is. You connect certain stereotypical notions with these terms and that is what is at the heart of this argument - how these terms misrepresent and, indeed, offend an entire group of individuals.
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Posted by csadler1444 - Friday, June 13, 2008 11:11 PM

Bravo Mr. Sessler, Bravo. I hate these people who prove people like Jack Thompson right
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Posted by EricDC - Saturday, June 14, 2008 12:25 AM

Wow adam I just lost a LOT of respect for you. I have been an xbox live member for a long time. I am an Xbox Ambassador and big in the community. There are so many things wrong with what you said that you seriously lost a LOT of fans. For example, deaconblade360 is an Xbox Ambassador, Xbox Mod, and Xbox MVP and runs the MOST POPULAR Xbox Website on the web. Read what he had to say about you: http://www.unscripted360.com/2 008/06/13/im-mad-as-hell/
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Posted by EricDC - Saturday, June 14, 2008 12:26 AM

Ok but back to what you said. It isn't just Xbox Live, it is all online communities. I suggest playing with friends or joining an adult gaming community. There are many out there. I absolutely HATE how you single out Xbox Live. Also, you could leave them bad feedback and report them. Or, wait, you could even MUTE them. DUH you can mute players on Halo 3 with just one press of the button you fing dumbass. Yea that's right, I used curse words to get my point across just like you you fing piece of sht hypocrite. And I assure you that the Xbox community will not like this. Way to just lose 1/2 of your fanbase dude.
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Posted by Evil_Shenanigans - Saturday, June 14, 2008 12:51 AM

i agree, i say some thing's that may not always be appropriate but not on the microphone
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Posted by soulwound - Saturday, June 14, 2008 5:08 AM

Adam is 100% correct, if you wanna say something ignorant and stupid, at least don't xmit to the rest of the world how ignorant and stupid you are.
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Posted by jdtexas - Saturday, June 14, 2008 5:33 AM

/stand
/cheer
/clap
/highfive
/kneels, raise hands to open skies
I am of an older generation of gamers (Atari 400/800 anyone?) I admit I have my moments when things are out of my control that things slip past my mouth and curl the wallpaper. All I can say about that is "practice makes perfect"
This argument is not new; music/video is still the mainstream and to get the attention of people it has to constantly push the envelope.
Things like... The Beetles quote "We're gonna be bigger than Jesus" from 1966. That kind of publicity you can't buy nowadays. Sales of Beetle music SKYROCKETED after that.
Adam your holding back an ocean with your hands. The ocean gets bigger everyday. We're gonna need more hands.
jd
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Posted by McHenry - Saturday, June 14, 2008 9:15 AM

I agree completely that this is inappropriate and needs addressed. I found myself slip on LIVE playin' COD4 and said something I hear in 95% of matches, but was so disgusted that I said it that I've only played a couple of times since. The one issue I have is that he says sh@@, f@@@, and bast@@@- and doesn't care. Many people are offended just as much by those words so is it a double standard? Just don't offend homosexuals and black people- nobody else matters? Who exactly is going to set the standard here?
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Posted by AKLGonzo - Saturday, June 14, 2008 9:22 AM

While I do agree that individuals who play games online display a great deal of immaturity, I also believe that this is hugely hypocritical of you, Adam.

The same guy who complained about GTA IV being attacked because of its highly controversial content is now attacking people for being controversial. It is different, but very similar at the same time. At the end of your GTA IV soapbox you went on a rant about people pushing their value system on other people. Sound familiar?

I am also completely disgusted at the station's, as well as your own, attempts at politics. Your station is about video games, technology, movies and related subjects. I would highly appreciate it if you would not do politics on the show, or at least get someone who studies politics, not necessarily as a profession. Heck, I'll do it! Give me a show!
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Posted by MoonJump - Saturday, June 14, 2008 9:55 PM

Hey Adam, I really think you should bring this up on the show. I think more people need to know about how everybody is pissed off with the way these people act online.

It's reasons like that are why I don't play some games over Live anymore. If it's new a popular, guaranteed it's going to have immature players.

I had two on Virtua Fighter 5, of all games. One guy kept making fun of me, calling me cheap, then flagged me. Then this other winner kept yelling and telling me "Don't you play this (blank) game again"...

It makes me miss the days of arcades. People don't pull this kind of stuff in person.
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Posted by Busterwolf1176 - Sunday, June 15, 2008 9:05 AM

I agree with MoonJump; I miss the arcades. People are a lot more inclined to think things through when they're right next to the person.

But thanks, Adam.
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