#GamerGate: Threats of Mass Shooting and Rape- Interview with Brianna Wu + Jennifer Allaway

The hashtag is a very familiar, if not unwelcome sight to those who monitor the industry as an indicator that vitriol and controversy will ensue. Organizers of the movement were able to affect advertising, news coverage and victimize those who are trying to make a difference.

Although Brianna has been attacked, she still believes Gamergaters at its core did have a point, “I would like to see game journalism as a whole, look at their very very close relations between the people that make the games and the people that cover the games.”

[Eonjay]

Well, the people who make the threats aren't gamers. They have nothing to do with it and you have to understand that hateful people always like to latch onto real issues and are basically using gamers as a cover. Gamers are really liberal by nature. We love woman. As horrible as this is, journalists will never get a pass.

We don't need a movement or a hashtag to know that journalists are corrupt. There time is limited and nothing is going to save them. Of course we speak out against violence. And this abuse needs to stop, but its not being perpetuated by gamers to begin with.

[buttclown]

Agreed. Most of them (us) are also trying to get harassing, doxing, etc. info pulled from websites such as twitter yet none of that has hardly seen the light of day by these journolists.

[Mankey]

Here's the thing.

What all these, sites seem to fail to understand is that GamerGate has nothing. Literally zero interest in "Harassing Women"

I have talked to a dozen different people supporting the ideas set forth;

(ahearing to a code of ethics)

Not one single person listed sending death threats as something they had any interest in. In fact, I had to bring it up, and when I did they agree that any doing so should be reported and repremanded.

What seems to lost in this narrative is that the people support GamerGate ARE NOT THE SAME PEOPLE SENDING THESE ABSURD THREATS.

Just look around you there is no evidence of this at all. As a matter of fact there is much evidence to support the claim that the same people who send threats to these women Have also sent threats to supports of the GG idea!

How can so many fail to understand this?

[ScottyHoss]

Yeah at this point I'm 100% sure the journalists are going to try and cover this up by associating it with misogyny, either that or they are downright stupid. It's an old tactic that wears my patience thin, because I honestly don't know why they think it will work, I know GG is for better ethics, freedom to the players, and such, you all do too, the only ones being fooled here are them.

N4G, let's not let them try to cover up our movement, as gamers, to push for better ethics, by insulting our ideals to the very core. We're not mysogynists, and we know that, let's keep fighting.

[TheStrokes]

Wise words.
It's like every other form of internet troll. They have no interest in the subject they're posting about. All they care about is either trying to hurt, offend and spread disinformation. Obviously you do get some that know the person or has a personal vendetta against them.
but the more exposure this gets, the longer it's going to carry on.
Don't you just love trolls.

[uth11]

It's pretty clear that some of the twitter threats produced by Anita Sarkeesian are fake. Why?

- On her screencap she was not signed into twitter
- There was nothing in her search bar
- she screencapped it 12 seconds after they were sent. How did she find them and screencap them in 12 seconds if she didn't sign in and didn't search?
- The account that sent them was created to send the threats. You can tell from the tweet count.

It's entirely consistent with someone creating a fake account, writing threatening tweets to their real account, signing out and taking a screen cap.

If there's a way they could be legit, I'd like to hear the explanation. Right now it smells rotten to the core!

And yet she's one of the ones that the media has held up as one of the victims, smearing gamers.

[3-4-5]

* Gamers called out Journalists for their Lies, and now those journalists are "getting even", by abusing their positions of "power", to lie and mislead the public into thinking all gamers are bad.

Basically this:

* People A, lied.

* People B, tried to inform everyone that people A are lying.

* Instead of being professionals, or grown adults with dignity,ethics &integrity, they decided to be little children and make up lies on the internet.

* All they had to do is OUT THOSE amongst them that were lying, so as not to get lumped in with them.

* Now a bunch of lesser media sites are backing up People A....the liars.

* Why are these other media sites backing them up ?

BECAUSE they don't want to be exposed for their lies, and they don't want to stop lying.

They want to deflect attention away from the real issue like some kind of illusionists.

Look at me left hand waving around, while I pull the trick with my right hand.....

* Everytime they print an article like this, they are building evidence against themselves.

Eventually, somebody should take them to court for Slander.

* They would have to prove everything they say in court.

They would be exposed and expose themselves as liars, and be found guilty of slander.

They would have to testify under oath.

All the fake accounts they made, and fake threads would be exposed.

* We could then FINALLY figure out who those trolls were representing themselves as GG.

I'd be willing to bet they are actually associate with the anit-GG crowd.

Most likely paid to keep the lies going, and the fake threats happening.

No doubt....Some of those trolls threats were real and those pieces of scum are just horrible people.

[aksmashh]

People should be responsible for there actions

Both sides

[pompombrum]

Wow I managed to go a whole 24 hours without seeing some BS Gamergate slandering topic, that's a new record, I guess I should expect to see at least another one or two today.

[SoulMikeY]

Dramacydal, you're an idiot.

So it's not a big deal for someone to say they're going to rape a dude, but the second a female is brought up "OH MY GOD, MYSOGINY!". No. Females have more rights and privledges than males so can it. I'm not saying it's okay to walk around threatening people, but with people like Zoe Quinn and ANYONE she was involved with, go ahead. Call that disgusting slut a disgusting slut. No one's going to do anything in real life.

And so everyone knows, over half of the people sitting in jail on "rape" charges are innocent. So keep in mind that many females wrongly use that.

[OmegaShen]

This is why I think we will start seeing Internet police.

[Jyndal]

I can't help but wonder if the actual number of threats are being exaggerated.

[pompombrum]

Probably not but anyone can create a troll twitter account say "I'm going to gun you down #Gamergate" to some random female developer and hey presto, you have yourself another 50 new news stories from people with an agenda.

[uth11]

Some of the threats are clearly faked. See my explanation above.

[gigoran]

Oh wow, using a tragedy to promote your own agenda. Really nice of you.

So when are you going to interview me? I can tell you about the death threats sent to me, as well as the death threats and threats of rape sent to my other friends in gamergate. Oh, you're not going to listen to my story? No kidding. Because when anti gg says it happens it's real, but when it happens to me it's not? I see. Explain to me how you're not a complete hypocrite and poor excuse for a journalist? Wait wait wait... there is no excuse.

[Angeljuice]

Anybody making death threats , rape threats or any threats should be hunted down and prosecuted. It has started happening a lot recently in my country. Its mostly dickless cowards who hide behind internet anonymity (or so they think). I don't care what the reason for the threats are about, prosecute the spineless maggots.
They are pretty dumb, if you threaten someone verbally you can deny it in court, if you threaten in writing, it serves as it's own evidence.
Best (most fitting) outcome: spotty johnny virgin and co make rape threats, serve prison time and get gang raped in the showers.
I'm fed up by gaming being hijacked by these morons, they don't speak for me and I have no time for bigots.
Start those prosecutions coming and let the morons see what it's like to live in fear.

[2cents]

"Every action has an equal and opposite reaction"
Isaac Newton.

Femenists will draw an equal and opposite reaction from Masculinists. While all of us level headed human beings have to witness this disgusting behaviour.

Then with the addition of the troll effect of the internet, many of the bottom feeders just want more anarchy by adding stupidity to the conversation. Then add the mainstream press that have no morality and worship the one god (Money). There is no way to have a sensible and open debate to find the crux of the issues and address them.

This whirlwind is being whipped up from all corners.

I am a level headed individual but after watching the videos posted by anita sarkeesian I was completely and utterly lost for words by her assessment of the gaming space. Then to find out these videos are being used for education purposes, I totally and utterly lost my sh1t. This is a systematic and carefully choreographed attack on gaming from the perception from a totally one sided feminist mind.

When people like her and Zoe Quinn are put on top of the pile as the spokswomen for gaming then not only the masculinists but also the gamers unite to oppose with exact and opposite force. The issue here is that the most prominent voices on either side are too extreme and uneducated.

If people have the time, watch this video. He is a masculinist but it is a very interesting video that uses the same femenist force but in a different context. Eye opener.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[PureSophistry]

That is Dangerously insane...Masculinists.....WHAT !

Feminism isn't bad....just...STOP.

Women should be catered to in games...

Just....Stop.

[Spotie]

In its actual form, feminism isn't bad.

Unfortunately, that's not what's going on in gaming right now. Instead, what's happening is that there are a bunch of people- not all women- fabricating circumstances to say women are mistreated more frequently than men; they want women to be treated better than men. It's perfectly fine for a man to be depicted in an oversexualized manner, but no woman can be depicted similarly. Women can't wear skimpy clothes in a game, cuz that NEVER happens in real life. And men NEVER send death or rape threats to each other on the internet.

Oh, wait....

This is no quest for equality. It's a quest for preferential treatment. Of course it's going to attract trolls when you're trolling, yourself.

[coolbeans]

^Nice strawman, Spotie.

[ScottyHoss]

I think feminism is the wrong word, it's root meaning doesn't match it's accepted meaning. Personally, I'm an equalist, and the majority of people who call themselves feminists are indeed equalists too.

The accepted view of feminism (equality), is very good, but what woman like Anita Sarkeesian are true feminists and obviously are not for equal rights. It's like she has something against gamers, a childish grudge, and she's using our issue, our way of achieving something so badly needed, to hurt us and hurt gaming as a whole.

I agree, the fact that she goes to universities is sickening, makes me wonder if it isn't gamers versus journalists but instead gamers versus the world...

[PureSophistry]

You are entirely and shockingly incorrect.

What's wrong with saying...

There should be more accurate depictions of female characters in media!?! This same arguement was touted during women's suffrage.

We're nearing a hundred years later and LOOK how far we still have yet to go.

[uth11]

There has long been this split in feminism between the people who want fairness and equality, and radical feminists who either want female advantages, or they are misandrists, or they are riding the feminist issue to enact other agendas.

We are dealing with the radical side here. They always use women as shields, if you oppose their radical agenda because you don't agree, then you automatically are sexist or misogynists.

[ScottyHoss]

PureSophistry, do you really buy what Sarkeesian is selling?

When did I say they're shouldn't be accurate depictions of women in media? I'm all for that, but faking death threats against myself, trying to paint a very diverse and large group with the same brush and destroying public perception of an art form that has just gained ground for being a legitimate form, will not help with that.

Radical feminism isn't the way to go, it only makes things worse! Back in high school, I would write pieces about how they are depicted in all forms of media for the school paper and believe me I know just as well as you how far we have to go. But honestly, there are better areas to focus on.

Pay rate differences
Unrealistic beauty standards
The term "bitch" as a woman who speaks her mind
The murder and rape of womankind around the world!

Telling me I'm wrong for not supporting a woman who is CLEARLY using it for media attention, as while as for her paycheck (she gets paid by those universities), is moronic.

PureSophistry, you are working against your goal here, find a better cause, make a real difference. A charity I work with is going to work with schools in many parts of the world to protect girls from violence they attract because they wish to get an education. I will legitimately send you all the info needed and you can travel there, making a real difference instead of supporting a fraud.

I'm a male gamer, and I support equality, not ignorance, maybe you should do the same.

[2cents]

Edit*** This reply is for PureSophistry not Scotty***

Men and women are both members of the human race, they can live in harmony while expressing themselves in unique ways and allow for harmony. Ying and Yang.

You have totally missed my point and seem to suggest that I am inventing 'Masculinists', or trying to suggest it is a good thing. No, I'm not, I happened upon this word thanks to my research on Anita, what I am highlighting is that there are some CRAZY feminists that do not understand what they are talking about And there are women who are fighting for equal rights who are being put in the same group as them. If you really cant see that, you are being naïve and have no understanding of what it is to view this as man in a 'man’s world'. Normal men who are part of the same world as women HATE being labelled sexist because of the world they have been born into.

It is not a good idea for women to be banding together around a certain few who have brought a whole sh1t storm onto themselves by saying some REALLY STUPID THINGS that have done even more damage to a very passionately followed culture, who fear that unnecessary changes will be brought in with the necessary. Cant you see that? Or don't you want to, because you want to use the energy of hate directed towards Anita and Zoe for your own gains? By twisting the direction to face feminism instead of just directed at stupid people? Bring the disgusting reaction of the gaming community to light and beat that horse till its dead, but don’t add the other subjects to that debate.

If you separate the issues then the answers will be more forthcoming, no one will say you are right when you put Zoe and Anita into the debate about equality, about internet behaviours, about threats towards vocal women, workplace equality, cant you see? They all need to be addressed as separate issues. Gamergate is getting out of hand and too dangerous due to the combining of such volatile subjects. My advice is to address these issues as individual, but what do I know.

We cannot pile every incident under the label of feminism; it is not fair for women. Because those who have a deep understanding of gaming from the gamers perspective, know that there are so many facets to gaming from two distinct cultures that are becoming one. This is the identity crisis where the west tries to emulate the East and vice versa, resulting in some questionable results. This is an interesting debate and one that can go the distance and bring about identity and good changes for the role of women in games and playing games.

Women have every right to express and have equality and respect, JUST like their male counterparts. So how about you think about what I am trying to say instead of telling me to STOP JUST STOP, get off your arrogant high horse and converse with us mere men and realise we are not much different to you.

I have a mother, a sister, a wife and a daughter. I worry for them every day while they are out in this 'mans world' so don't you dare try to suggest I'm some anti feminist. Learn how to process what you read before you jump the gun and make enemies out of the very people you need on your side. Think about the argument here, Feminism for equality good. Feminist Activists with Personal Agenda's BAD.

I'm sick of being misunderstood by narrow minded women who totally forget that all men are not the same. I am out of bubbles now so you can either think about what I have to say as I did with each and every article and interview and video before opening my mouth. Or you can cherry pick a line and belittle me again.

Fin.

[Megaplaynate]

I find it funny in a sad way that you write a well thought argument about equality and PureSophistry just replies:
You are entirely and shockingly incorrect.

Also "violent and systematic targeting on female game developers", WTF.

[LoveSpuds]

This is going to be very unpopular but as a 40 year old who has played video games as a passion for over 34 years I have seen games evolve hugely.

It is simply not true to say that the people involved in this disgusting behaviour are not gamers. I have witnessed exactly what "gamers" are capable of. Over the last 10 years or so a generation of hateful, spiteful people have grown up to spew out the most vile comments while playing games online.

While I am not saying these problems are exclusive to gaming, there is no way you can honestly say that there is not a dark and deep seated problem with gaming culture and the way its chooses to communicate.

You only need to look at the new breed of Youtube "celebs" to see how it has become acceptable to scream, swear and be generally unpleasant to gauge where gaming culture is heading.

Are we all like this, of course not, but there are many who are. Just play a few games of COD or Gears online and see how long it takes for you to happen across some homophobic, racist or sexist abuse being perpetrated by a "gamer".

I am not defending any perceived issues with journalistic integrity, but I am not blind to the fact that gaming culture is full of sexist, racist and generally unpleasant characters either.

[Megaplaynate]

There are sexist, racist and generally unpleasant characters everywhere, that's true, but to say that they are associated with Gamergate is just BS.
We don't condone this and report it whenever we see it. I understand that gaming culture has changed but that doesn't mean that everyone's like that.

[LoveSpuds]

I think you will find that I did state that this type of intolerance is not exclusive to gaming buddy, but stating that nobody attached to Gamergate is responsible for any if this antisocial behaviour is to deny reason.

The point remains, gamergate is not some exclusive body with a board of directors managing a campaign, it is now, whether intentional or not, a melting pot of all kinds, capable if the vilest of behaviour.

Again, I am not saying this is exclusive to gaming culture.

[Megaplaynate]

You make a point in me denying that people like that are on the Gamergate side, but like I said, to link every troll with Gamergate is also unreasonable.
Some might be thinking that by doing this kind of actions they are supporting Gamergate when they are actually not, but most of them are just trolls hiding behind anonymity.
And they are on both sides, but we are against it while SJW encourage it.

[LoveSpuds]

the point is chief, you cannot say that these trolls are not associated with Gamergate. Gamergate is not a company or organisation with a CEO or board that regulates the actions of a group of members.

Whether you like it or not, it has mushroomed into a disorganised, polorised and uncontrollable movement and because of this, even the extremist on the fringes of the movement is acting for GG, even if the more organised members of the movement try to marginalise him.

GG is a lost cause now, it cannot distance itself from the mess. In my opinion if those who beleive they are the organisers of gg have the will, thet should start over and create a new organisation and control its membership.

[pastysmash]

You know what i wish. I wish all these non gamer feminazi types would leave us alone and go pick on some other crowd. Maybe if they did that they wouldn't get so much shit... Lmao.

I'm talking to you Anita, 2+ years, not once point proven, nothing has changed, games are still written the same as they were before you started yet you persist to go to war with us.

Funny thing is, nothing will change, all these white knight types will continue to be pathetic creatures, the SJW types will never get listened to and these Fems, hairy armpit cretins may end up on the news but they won't change gaming. They'll change nothing. They're not doing themselves any favors, what did they think that would happen? They should be happy it's a few trolls online FFS.

We win.

[LoveSpuds]

You only need to look at the kind of language you choose to use to see that sexism and bigotry is alive and well in the gaming community.

I dislike extremism in any form, and I take offence from any female who tries to label me just because of how I spend my spare time. However, when I see posts like this it reminds me that both sides are so polarised and vicious in there views and language that this arguement will never be resolved.

The sad thing is, there doesnt need to be an argument, surely feminists dont believe that all gamers are sexist bigots and surely gamers dont think that womens rights are not important?

If we change the language being used, that would be a start, right?