Adam Orth reappears, speaks out against online hate in gaming.

[Soldier Gryphon]

http://www.polygon.com/2013/11/6/5075106/adam-orth-xbox-one-gdc-next

Long article, so I'll post some of the more interesting quotes:

"I exercised incredibly poor judgment expressing my personal opinion in a public forum about a volatile and divisive topic in the gaming community. I made it even worse by continuing that conversation sarcastically with a close friend. While the tone was natural and normal for us, the rest of the world heard and read something very different. It's easy now for me to see the anger, outrage and how controversial it was based on my professional position and the tone in which I delivered my opinion.

"While I stand behind that opinion as well as the right to have and express it, how I said it and how I conducted myself was wrong. This was a conversation I should have had with my colleagues over a beer rather than on Twitter."

"I absolutely deserved any and all rational criticism and discussion based on my opinion," he said. "Unfortunately, that's not what happened."

Orth said his experience dealing with internet hate and harassment is indicative of a larger trend of acceptable toxic behavior.

"The reason the internet threats are terrifying is not the possibility of the realization of a violent act, it's that society has regressed to a point where this behavior and discourse is an accepted response to something someone doesn't like or agree with," he said. When showing the stream of vile tweets to other developers, he said most don't bat an eye at the language used.

"As an industry, we've become desensitized to this insane behavior, because it is overwhelming, ubiquitous and unstoppable. It's an epidemic and it's getting worse."

"When everything burned to the ground, it became a forcing function for radical personal reset. I saw this as opportunity. I grew closer to my friends and family. I matured as a person. I became a better parent. I got healthy and lost 50 pounds... I made sweeping positive life changes for my career and my family. It was a serious, painful and challenging test. There were times when I wanted to strike out at these animals and humiliate them, hurt them back twice as hard — especially when [harassment] was directed at my child. But I resisted."

Orth now lives in Santa Monica, working on the first game at his newly-formed company. "I'm happy career-wise, making something I love with people I respect and admire. And we're doing it on our own terms. Living the dream, as they say."

Agree with his opinions or not, he is right about this. Some gamers have become absolutely toxic and destructive with mob mentalities. And some display absolutely unacceptable behavior like threats to developers and their families.

 

[Yoyoniner]

Agree with his opinions or not, he is right about this. Some gamers have become absolutely toxic and destructive with mob mentalities. And some display absolutely unacceptable behavior like threats to developers and their families.

This has nothing to do with why he was fired. He was fired not only for leaking Microsoft's "always online" plans without corporate permission, but he also offended the entire middle of the country on the very same tweets.

 

[Soldier Gryphon]

This has nothing to do with why he was fired. He was fired not only for leaking Microsoft's "always online" plans without corporate permission, but he also offended the entire middle of the country on the very same tweets.

I really don't think he technically leaked anything. He just gave his opinion on "always-online".

He also said he resigned voluntarily.

 

[Yoyoniner]

I really don't think he technically leaked anything. He just gave his opinion on "always-online".

He also said he resigned voluntarily.

Well, he certainly indirectly leaked it. When he came out in defense of "always online" for consoles as there was the whole hubbub in the community against it, he was kind of confirming that MS was planning this. And they were.

But moreso what really drew the complaints was offending the middle of the country, saying, "Why would I want to live there?" IMO that was much worse.

"Resigning voluntarily" happens all of the time in the corporate world after you really, really screw up and the company won't be renewing your contract. It's a way to save face and your resume. Otherwise you are marked forever and have to explain why you were "fired" for the rest of your life.

 

[Soldier Gryphon]

Not defending his statements (and he did kind of apologize). I disagreed with them anyways. I'm against always-online. But I am trying to start a conversation about the increasingly toxic behavior in the online gaming community, mob mentalities, threats to developers, etc.

 

[Andy]

But I am trying to start a conversation about the increasingly toxic behavior in the online gaming community, mob mentalities, threats to developers, etc.

I agree it's awful, and things have really gone downhill in the last decade or two. I find it hard to understand. So much anger, so many rude people, so many people willing to just tear into someone. I understand it on an individual level -- I mean, I can understand how one person can get so messed up that they behave that way without much provocation. What I don't get is why the hostility has become so commonplace and so widespread ... so accepted, even (what used to get censured by the community now is almost the norm). It makes me feel pessimistic and cynical about people.

 

[Hammerclaw]

Yes, sometimes I think I'd rather pay a membership fee to join an Xbox only site, and enjoy the simple pleasure of chatting with friends about the mutual hobby we love. I am so SICK of people who come to an Xbox Forum--on any site--who justify sniping, insulting and bickering, by piously claiming that: they're getting both consoles.

 

[Phuque]

Man pokes bear with a stick. Bear swats man. Man gets injured and acts suprised. The only thing Orth forgot to mention was his antagonism. It is all well and good to take responsibility for your actions but you should also be accurate in doing so. Had he broached the subject with some tact and some class, none of what transpired would have. Deal with it.

And as long as most have absolute anonimity and can act without consequence online, there is really nothing to be done.

 

[Vampiricsoul]

There was a great article in game informer this month about this type of thing. He talked about over the years of how bad it's Getting with the fanboy ism of consoles. He then talks about that how about as gamers we just rejoice in the fact we have these cool game systems coming out instead of everyone showing who is better or as I like to call it showing their a$$e$.

 

[Andy]

There was a great article in game informer this month about this type of thing. He talked about over the years of how bad it's Getting with the fanboy ism of consoles. He then talks about that how about as gamers we just rejoice in the fact we have these cool game systems coming out instead of everyone showing who is better or as I like to call it showing their a$$e$.

Yeah, it was called "Shut Up and Have Fun." Good read.

"This industry revolves around games, which largely exist as a source of entertainment ... fun is the driving force behind many people's love of the medium. If we play games to have fun, where does all this vitriol come from? I'm asking this not as a naive defender of the industry; I understand that not everything is perfect [he then names some things he dislikes]. Despite these annoyances, I don't always think about them when I'm asked about a certain console. I think about how much I enjoy playing online with friends on Xbox 360, how much Uncharted 2 impresses me on the PS3, and how perfect the platforming is in the Mario Galaxy games."

I agree with him. This is really a great time to be a gamer. Yet, most discussions about the upcoming generation irritate or bore me, because they are so negative and nit-picky, and everyone seems out to prove their console of choice "wins," mostly by bashing the other guy's choice. Good god, just enjoy the fricken things. That's the whole purpose.

 

[Mr. Titan]

I agree it's awful, and things have really gone downhill in the last decade or two. I find it hard to understand. So much anger, so many rude people, so many people willing to just tear into someone. I understand it on an individual level -- I mean, I can understand how one person can get so messed up that they behave that way without much provocation. What I don't get is why the hostility has become so commonplace and so widespread ... so accepted, even (what used to get censured by the community now is almost the norm). It makes me feel pessimistic and cynical about people.

Agreed. I mean it's not so bad here and I tend not to read too many news comments sections or too many forums anymore but it does seem fans of the video games industry are especially terrible.

By far an away though, the worst comments section I have seen is on IGN. It's absolutley disgusting and the comments are terrible. And it's all because these people, mostly losers and immature kids, are able to hide behind a fake internet identity.

These console wars are especially bad because it seems everyone is too concerned about grouping PS4 and Xbox One buyers into different stereotypes and proving to everybody why their console of choice is correct/superior, rather than just looking forward to launch and enjoying the experience.

It seems like more and more sites are starting to tie internet profiles to the Facebook profiles/real names/pictures, so that people cannot hide behind anonymity anymore. ESPN's comment section is like night and day since that happened.