TECH

Video game publishers unite to fight the toxic environment of online communities
The growth of online communities, the integration of social networks and the tools available in video games to bring online players together are strategies increasingly used by the big publishers to achieve the success of their products. Unfortunately there are side effects that are leaving the industry concerned, such as increased cases of social discrimination, bullying and other behaviors expressed by players while playing. Not to mention the ease with which death threats appear to the producers themselves for trivial reasons.Some of the most profitable companies involved in the video game industry are aware of these issues and have expressed concern about finding solutions. The first one is union. Through an alliance, about 30 companies have created the Fair Play Alliance, an entity that aims to encourage fair play among players and make communities healthier. The move aims to make players aware of their behavior by promoting good practice actions while playing online.
On the official website of the alliance you can find the companies that signed the pledge, highlighting some major industry publishers such as Epic Games, Blizzard, Riot Games, Supercell and Rovio - companies with online games that drag millions of players in their communities. Intel, Xbox and Unity are also on board, as are the Twitch and Mixer streaming services, just to name a few members who are worried about finding solutions.
Companies have kept a heavy hand on misbehavior, from unsubscribing players to offensive players or monitoring their accounts even when they are out of play when bad signs are identified. RiL, producer of LoL, one of the games with the most toxic communities, withdrew voice communication in the general games, limiting it to games with predefined teams.Through the Fair Play Alliance, publishers intend to conduct lectures and other awareness-raising activities for players, discuss ideas to create tools for healthier communities.

Sapo