Where The *!$% Are Profanity Filters In Games and Streaming Services?

Why is it that video games and streaming services like Netflix don't have profanity filters? Has anyone attempted it and how could it be achieved?

[monkey602]

You know of all the issues you'll find people support and stand behind. This ain't gonna be one.

There are a lot more pressing issues need fixing sooner than a few curse words.

[NecrumOddBoy]

Can we first ban people blasting their garbage background stereo music over the microphone?

[monkey602]

Yes! Or with screaming babies in the background!

I get they cry. I have a 2 year old, he has those moments. I just don't broadcast them in a public lobby!

[MWH]

It's not a bad idea to have more people raise the concerns about the different kind of issues of all severity levels. By the time a more pressing issue is resolved you could have multiple smaller issues sorted with the proper care and follow up.

[BlackIceJoe]

I have would have no problem with giving customers more options like being able to turn off language that you don't like.

I could be wrong, but being completely honest I don't think it would be hard to implement into games too.

[Inverno]

Maybe because something that's meant to be viewed and played by adults don't need it? If you can't handle a few f bombs then perhaps watch a kids show or something.

[P_Bomb]

Sometimes it’s just lazy writing, trying to sound edgy. Predator has a canned “get to the chopper” but when I clicked it once I got a generic “F this let’s get the F outta here.” I wanted the Schwarzenegger line, as written!

[Inverno]

I don't think the solution for lazy writing would be to have an option to censor it tho. I'll agree that there is some really bad writing and often edgy with pointless swearing, but I can't understand being so triggered by a swear that you need it censored. You get a warning by ratings, you know exactly what you're getting into bedore you start watching or playing.
It's like how Japan censors porn as if people can't tell what's happening in porn.

[LordoftheCritics]

Yes it is poor writing.

F this F that, is expression of stress.

Stress can be expressed masterfully by better words, sentences, pauses, silence, expressions etc etc

[CS7]

Honestly what’s wrong with an option? Some adult who don’t swear would prefer to have entertainment without swear words.

Is that really that hard to understand?

[Inverno]

There's a difference between not swearing and not wanting to hear swearing though. The word is still being said and the bleeping or muting would just imply regardless and make it more obvious. Of course we could also use the excuse that it's "for the kids" but kids eventually learn swear words from their parents and it's up to the parent to teach em that they shouldn't say it.
I see more of just another thing to whine about by all the oversensitive people who seem to want the world to be like how it is in "We Happy Few"

[CS7]

@Inverno

Not for kids.

I enjoy a product more without swear words, even if it is censored.

I’m a fully functional adult who hears swearing daily on the job and understand it is a normal part of life.

However, if given an option, I always choose the ‘clean’ version of something.

Does that mean I didn’t enjoy The Last of Us? No? But if I had an option to censor swear words would I do it? Yes.

[P_Bomb]

Games already have god mode, cheats, toggles for blood/gore and difficulty. It’s not rocket science.

Re. Get to the choppa. I’m guessing ppl are too young to remember that was the catch phrase?

[assassingamer36]

Oh great somebody woke posting. You understand there is warning label on games telling you if it is rated E, T, M, or even R....nobody expects to play GTA with filters come on now use your brain

[senorfartcushion]

Woke posting? Woke people are idiotic political moderates and centerists rehashing the political correctness trend of the 1990s

[Profchaos]

Because it's a case of if you do this you will stiffle the artistic integrity of the team that worked hard on it. If you don't like swearing there are plenty of options for you but don't think you'll ever be able to boot up a game of GTA or a Quentin Tarantino movie and have a smut free experience.

I'm a parent to I don't want to expose my kids to swearing I don't think they are old enough to handle it but the last thing I want is a profanity filter on media content I want to experience rdr2 with swearing in tact not a watered down Disney version life is hard most games depict swearing appropriately in my eyes.

As a parent I simply use the available parental controls and everyone is happy little ones are not exposed and when they are in bed the content I want to view and play is at my fingertips.

There's been some research into ai that can block slurs in online play and that's one thing constant abuse from a real person directed at you is way worse than Samuel Jackson talking about big Mac's in France.

Tv did it for years as the article stated well that's not quite right maybe tv works different where I love but some extremely graphic scenes might be cut from scarface as an example overall swearing is in the movie still but most made for tv content is not interesting and with the rise of Netflix and HBO podcasting and decline of tv and radio most people agree they don't want a commercialised tv experience anymore.

[CS7]

… So what is wrong with a option for profanity in settings?

It doesn’t affect you and people who want it can use it. What’s the big deal?

[Profchaos]

If the creater of the content feels like they do t want to offer that kind of watered down experience why make them

[CS7]

@Profchaos There was a point when creators didn’t feel the need to put in many of the accessibility options that are in games today.

If there are people who would enjoy a product more with an option, then requesting that option isn’t invalid.

[Profchaos]

Accessibility and profanity filters are vastly different things accessibility is always about making your game playable for people who have unique physical limitations I don't think a single creater would say something like I don't think coulor blond people should play my game vs I think we should offer a pg version of red dead redemption 2 those actors and creators who worked tirelessly Iver the last ten years let's mute half the dialog remove some of the more confronting scenes and call it a day

[ThisPlaceIsToxic]

I just report them. Reminds me of why I quit COD years ago; too many children cussing each other out.

A lot of bro dudes take their games way too seriously as well. Everyone’s so tough behind a screen 💪

[Vanfernal]

If you're so sensitive about what goes to you ears watch and play things that are rated E for Everyone. Or turn on the kiddie filters. No one is gonna go through literal millions of hours worth of content on streaming services bleeping everything out just because of an easily offended vocal minority.

[MadLad]

F*** those p******

[Fntastic]

If you're letting a little kid play a mature rated game it's going to have language and nudity or be pornographic, that's how it is.. plus the violence/gore on top.

Just don't let your kid play those kinds of games, let them play age appropriate stuff, it really is that simple.

[VerminSC]

They released a couple of VHS players that use to do this in the day and they were sued into bankruptcy

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

Nobody but you.

[HeliosHex]

Pissing off an 8 yr old with a headshot is hilarious. Part of the fun in multi-player is the angry curse filled rants of players. If smack talk and curses offend your ears maybe you shouldn't play online public games or stick to local play with your closest friends.

[anast]

Trying to drum up concern to sell a few articles...nice.

[Abnor_Mal]

Imagine a game like Bulletstorm being censored, there would be hardly any dialogue.

I remember there was a time when many people were praising that game for its raw and edgy language.

It seems that many of those same people have grown up and out of the mindset that a lot of senseless cursing makes for a good game.

[NewYork214]

If don't want to hear curse words. Don't play games with it. It's in the rating description for a reason

[Dudeson]

I really don't know why cursing is such an issue. Racial slurs or something homophobic I'd understand that you wouldn't like to hear it in your game, but if there's a character, probably an antagonist, that's pictured as a racist or something I wouldn't want that character to be politically correct. I just loved the witcher 3 for al the npc spitting in disgust at geralt and stuff like that. Made it feel really like you're visiting this shitty world that doesn't hold your hand and has monsters in every hidingplace waiting to end you.

[Dwarrior]

Too many pussies get their fee-fee's hurt these days.

I hate this planet. Mandela Effect is real. In 2008 I came to this Earth and I want to go HOME.

[Vengeance1138]

Soooo people are now asking for more censorship? Make up your mind. Who gives a shit about profanity? Does it upset your innocent virgin ears?

[z2g]

Omg. They are just words. 97% of all ppl everywhere say them.

[gold_drake]

what? lol
why should this be an option, just because some cant handle strong language? just dont buy it if u cant handle it.

hate to burst your bubble, but most ppl swear in real life. like alot. aint no option to turn that off either.

[autobotdan]

Shut the *!$% up! Jokes

[Knushwood Butt]

Can't really remember the last single player game I played with a lot of swearing. Maybe Resident Evil 7? If so it probably fitted the game as I can't really remember.

Generally speaking though if it is forced and cringeworthy I don't want to hear it, but then it's likely a trash game and I almost never touch trash games.

House of the Dead Overkill is pretty funny though.

[Aussiesummer]

Fucking people, seriously.

[sourOG]

LMAO how did millennials end up being worse than the conservative pearl clutching assholes of the 90s? Some of you make Jack Thompson look reasonable. It’s hilarious.

[MadLad]

I'll always say the same thing.

I'm 29. I don't act like this. I love the idea of unfiltered freedom of speech. Of course there's some egregious points of views, and you should fight those every step of the way, but still.

At the end of the day though, millennials are just the result of the parenting of the generations prior.
If gen x/boomers think my generation is entitled and soft, then what did they do wrong in their parenting that their parents apparently did right?

[sourOG]

Millennials are grown it has nothing to do with parenting.

[MadLad]

@sour

Of course it doesn't.
You totally don't develop much of your personality and world view within your formative years, which can have a lot to do with your home life, and direction instilled through your parents words and actions, or lack thereof.

[sourOG]

Lame excuse. Grown folks blaming their trashy attitude on their parents or upbringing. Me and my parents hated each other in my younger years but I grew up and got over childish things.

[MadLad]

@sour

Glad you can claim that you are an outlier.
You, like me, apparently grew up in an ugly upbringing.
My dad was a drunk; my mom, to this day, is a narcissistic jackass who cries poverty one day, and gloats about how great her job is the next.
I grew up in that sort of household.

I, myself, was able to move on from it and become successful in my own life.

I know, for a fact, that growing up in that environment only hindred me. It didn't push me forward.
It didn't give me the advantages that others had.
It was a weight I had to hold on my shoulders. I would be a completely different person had I not known these struggles.
Maybe for better, maybe for worse (personally) but I wouldn't be the same person had I grown up in a healthy household.

You come off as someone years ahead of me, who can't seem to wrap their head around the fact that their world view may not be 100% based in fact, and you can't concede to that.

I can promise you that you totally believe in things that are wrong. Much like myself.

[sourOG]

No I’m a millennial also and I can admit when I’m wrong and I change my mind often. I believed in representative government up until a few months ago. I was wrong for a long time. Grown folks make grown folk decisions. Our upbringing doesn’t define us, people can change.

[LoveSpuds]

I have to wonder at the mind set of people why can commit violent acts in a videogame, for example, happily massacre hundreds of people in a game, yet are upset by a swear word.

[metalhead]

As a parent I find your wanting to force censoring these words more harmful to my child than if he heard them in proper context. Your calling them “curse words” makes children more interested in them than if they were just accepted as regular words to begin. Fuck me right?

[RoseSapphire]

It's unnecessary. Swear words are an archaic concept that don't truly exist. Whether you're saying fuck or fudge, shit or poop, it's all in the intent and use. They have the same meaning when used in the same context. It's stupid to think that one word is somehow worse than another in these cases.

[dbcoops]

Feel like this wont go over well in a community that is very much against censoring in any fashion.

[Parasyte]

Here’s your solution. The stuff that has profanity in it, don’t watch or play it! Problem solved.

[Ognipode]

I hate it when it’s so evident that everyone is commenting without reading the post. Downvote me whatever, it’s true.

[Germaximus]

I've wondered that for years. I don't really care but I've always found it interesting that there wasn't a way to filter out profanity in games.