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The “Immature, Whiny” CoD Community Makes Us All Look Bad

Well, this says a lot about the Call of Duty community.

Activision community manager Dan Amrich has asked ticked-off CoD fans to stop threatening the developers via social media. There has been some fallout after a recent game patch, and Treyarch studio design director David Vonderhaar went on Twitter and said the changes just weren't worth the threats he had received:

"The DSR fire time was 0.2 seconds. It's now 0.4 seconds," he said. "The rechamber time was 1.0 seconds. It's now 1.1 seconds. Not sure these fractions of seconds are worth the threats of violence."

But irrational fans aren't interested in facts. Amrich wrote on his blog that Vonderhaar has often heard that "he should die in a fire or kill himself."

"If anybody thinks for a second that this is okay, it is not. But if the loudest voices in the Call of Duty 'community' act like an angry mob instead, guess how the entire world views Call of Duty? Now consider that these Internet Tough Guy rants and demands are not unique to COD, but exist everywhere, in many gaming communities. This is why the world often does not take gaming seriously; this is why gamers are assumed to be immature, whiny a**holes. Because the immature, whiny a**holes are louder."

He is, of course, 100% correct. He went on to view the situation from the designer's side. In other words, how would you feel if, after you create something, someone either offers constructive feedback or screams at you to commit suicide? How would you feel if people are coming at you, saying your mother should've had an abortion? Amrich finished:

"If you enjoy your games, have a little respect for the people who make them–and stop threatening them with bodily harm every time they do their job."

'sigh' Violent video games have come under heavy scrutiny this year. Maybe it doesn't help our cause to have headlines like this, where one of the most violent games out there seems to be spawning this level of hostility and – let's just say it – total insanity. I'd like to say it's more the game than the gamers; as an example, Final Fantasy fans have been extremely bitter over the past decade or so. They've felt betrayed more than once. But do you recall seeing something like this ?

Well, anyway, guess we can't complain if the mainstream media views gaming as potentially dangerous, and gamers as immature, anti-social douchebags. Sadly, evidence to support those theories does exist.

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Cesar_ser_4
Cesar_ser_4
10 years ago

Why are developers scared of threats coming from 13 year olds? seriously? hehehe.

But in all seriousness, It is quite sad that people outside of videgames see gamers (excluding me, not much of a gamer) as immature, ill tempered, whiny bastards that all we do is scream racial slurs with chipmunk voices to a microphone whilst playing COD MP. The only saving grace PS3 users have is that 2/3 of poeple who buy CoD are Xbox users, which again for the most part are little 13 year old boys.

maxpontiac
maxpontiac
10 years ago

Considering that the days we live in have people actually killing others over a video game, I can see where Activision is coming from.

FatherSun
FatherSun
10 years ago

13 year olds are fully capable of pulling triggers.

darthadv
darthadv
10 years ago

Agree with both replies, plus don't forget adults that act like 13 year olds: I've seen it on console MP and on FB apps: 40 or 50-somethings getting way too worked up over a particular game/app. Then factor anyone who may be imbalanced. I really can't blame them on this one.

MrAnonymity
MrAnonymity
10 years ago

It isn't solely the CoD community – it is the entire online community in general. It really doesn't matter what game it is; immaturity is going to run rampant. Knowing this, however, multiplayer is still so flippin' emphasized in nearly every game! Yes, there are a great deal of gamers that could really use a lesson in keeping their mouths shut – but this does not apply to us all. Developers want to push multiplayer, so they'll just have to deal with what follows.

Vivi_Gamer
Vivi_Gamer
10 years ago

Hats off to Dan for this. I for one am also getting tried of online mobs bullying developers. The Mass Effect 3 Ending fiasco was just utterly barbaric. If 'fans' want to make a difference in the industry they can should do it the honorable way. Taking a course in game design and make a valid mark not a grubby stain of online hate.

And to extend on Cesar_ser_4's question:
'Why are developers scared of threats coming from 13 year olds? seriously? hehehe.' There is a very good reason for it. Unfortunately with the internet the public can have a voice and when to many of them rise together to fight against something like the Mass Effect 3 Ending, such controversy can really ruin a companies 'status'. I felt very sorry for Bioware, they should never have had to put up which such an assault – That was until they gave in. Which is just as bad as these internet hooligans forming a pact in the first place.

I for one am a huge Final Fantasy fan and yes I have not been so warm to how S-E have taken the series, but I will still not hurl abuse without reason or if it is something so petty as not liking a voice actor or a feature within a game. I cannot stand Final Fantasy XII, which I have voiced my opinion on numerous times in our debates – but I would never have the audacity to complain to the company. As I respect it is the developers decision because they have earnt the right to such a position.

Kryten1029a
Kryten1029a
10 years ago

What would you define as the honorable way to express disapproval? Is it limited to simply not purchasing the product and how can we make the right decision in that regard when some developers will go out of their way to mislead us? Games are an artistic medium but they're also a commercial product and the consumer has every right to express their concerns. Obviously, death threats are way too far but strongly worded opinions are perfectly fine. Mass Effect 3 was pushed out the door in an unreasonably short time and the ending showed it. Before the Extended Cut, the endings were incoherent, unfocused and used 95% of the same assets. By the time gamers realized that, THEY ALREADY HAD OUR MONEY!
The notion that our only recourse is at point-of-sale or that we're not entitled to offer up an opinion unless we've actually worked in the industry is simply wrong. It wasn't sweetness and light that prompted Microsoft to back off from the draconian policies that it was pursuing with the Xbone; it was millions of pissed off gamers making enough noise that even the non-specialist press was beginning to pay attention. If you're not satisfied with what a company has done then you owe it to yourself to let them know-within limits, of course. Silence is treated as consent and if you don't speak up then things won't change.


Last edited by Kryten1029a on 7/25/2013 9:22:07 PM

maxpontiac
maxpontiac
10 years ago

My word. Threats of violence over a video game? Shameful.

I am not a fan of those who complain without fail on the internet over a game, but even this is pushing things too far.

The entire online community of gamers this generation has become one of entitlement and demands with unrealistic expectations.

I almost can see game companies shutting down forums at a future date.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
10 years ago

The internet makes us all tough guys

Underdog15
Underdog15
10 years ago

Wanna fide aboud it?

H0TSHELLZ
H0TSHELLZ
10 years ago

Very true, because the very guys that made those threats would probably be a real big groupie in a face 2 face encounter.

AcHiLLiA
AcHiLLiA
10 years ago

haha, no s***.

Underdog15
Underdog15
10 years ago

Yeah, I'm pretty consistently the same on here as in real life, although in some situations I would say less about an opinion. (Also helps that in writing, you have a chance to formulate a thought)

Of course, I've never threatened anyone either. Although I did once get told on this site that if I came near them in the ol' US of A, they wouldn't hesitate to shoot me as if I were some sort of threat. haha

trinichinese
trinichinese
10 years ago

tough is not even how i would describe online gamers at times it's like the general public sometime they have plain no manners . and show no respect for others at times , and with experience the ones with the loud mouth / stupid comments are just cowards and have just no common sense, but one thing for sure i have met most assholes on xbox haveing a ps3 have changed me in so many ways and hope when i get the ps4 i will keep makeing great friends the kids with no manners have turn me off from playing in a way on the xbox and even cod on ps3 even doe i can mute it is just frustrating at times and don't use the mic and just mute everyone but just have this feeling that i am not getting the full experience not useing the mic but it's also refreshing at times when i take a chance and use my mic and not mute and end up meeting some one online wile playing who like how u communicate and they switch on there mic just to play and talk and have a better online experience with you and have an epic time ,but none the less the general public can be plane assholes and it's not just cod it happen on bf3 you know the so called BADMINS they call them , as far as i am concern they need to have more admins that delete stupid comments like those

AcHiLLiA
AcHiLLiA
10 years ago

"anti-social" yep.. And the sad part is that some will grow up and finally act mature for once.

ulsterscot
ulsterscot
10 years ago

I see a modder has made an ending for ME3 where Shepherd lives (PC only)

PlatformGamerNZ
PlatformGamerNZ
10 years ago

yeah i agree most of the ppl who play COD are 13 yr old xbox players so u can't expect much from immature lil noobs(in saying that though there are some more civilised 13 yrs olds just very few)
but yeah they give us all a bad name which sucks.
oh well aleast most playstation users are more mature and reasonable.

happy gaming =)


Last edited by PlatformGamerNZ on 7/24/2013 10:01:39 PM

RICHIECOQUI
RICHIECOQUI
10 years ago

I'm starting to see this immaturity in last of us miltiplayer!! dorks use voice changers, cheats etc: !!

gorezilla
gorezilla
10 years ago

It is worth noting that the previous community manager said that most of those threats came from children under 15. The same children who shouldn't be playing these games. But it doesn't change the fact that this is truly disheartening. When the vermin are the most vocal, it paints the wrong picture.

Banky A
Banky A
10 years ago

hahaha

ricksterj
ricksterj
10 years ago

Thin skinned pr**ks and bullies call other people whiny

Darwin1967
Darwin1967
10 years ago

In one respect, my first thought is you have no one to blame but yourself. After all, the COD perpetuates this type of behavior. Face it, they do nothing about the a-holes who play. They don't ban, they don't do jack about those who choose to run with offensive emblems…I lost count of the Kluckers and penis's. COD has, in the course of their franchise, alienated many of the mature gamers who have become fed up with the exploits, lack of PS3 support, cheaters, and offensive foul mouthed teeny boppers who go all internet gangsta in the hopes of being the cool kid they aren't in real life. It's tragic really. All that aside, I also have to wonder where the hell are the parents?! Given the crap I have heard in lobbies by kids who sound like they stopped breast feeding 4 years ago…which includes language that would offend the most seasoned of sailors, I can't believe any level headed parent would allow their child to behave in such a way. I make damn sure I am up on all my kids activities, chastise rude and inappropriate behavior and set expectations that my kids will be respectful of themselves as well as others or face my wrath.

VictorDeLeon
VictorDeLeon
10 years ago

I say FPS have had their glory days, just banish the genre completely

Zerrekk
Zerrekk
10 years ago

I was thrilled when I heard COD was changing certain settings on these specific guns. The players that rack up such huge kill streaks using them just ruin the game for everyone. In all my years of gaming there have been updates that have frustrated me, but I have never gone and threatened anyone over them. First of all I like to think I have a bit of class and manners, and second, what good does it actually do to threaten anyone? Absolutely nothing.

LazyVigilante
LazyVigilante
10 years ago

Always the gamers. Not games.

Lunar_Miyuki
Lunar_Miyuki
10 years ago

its really the Devs fault they don't like banning people because lets Face it activision are cash Cows and see everyone only as numbers towards their next paycheques that they want to keep

they basically believe this if they ban someone that person wont buy their next game or Cod Elite which will hurt their profit and seeing how many immature people on Cod their is they'd have to do alot of banning in turn in their eyes would make them lose sales

as far as square Enix goes there in their own little world and are blind to anything outside that world

i was in FF14 Beta i didn't enjoy it but i do read their forums and heres the reason why i say square Enix is in their own little world
JP Players NA players and EU players all agree square Enix needs to change their battle system because the one they have is Boring right now
though Yoshi P thinks the battle system is almost perfect and wont change it and it is the #1 complaint on their Beta forums

PC_Max
PC_Max
10 years ago

Bit late getting on this topic. Just got back from a trip.

All I will say Ben is, yep. And you are right saying it does not help the rest of us. I would say they are root supporting evidence of the negative movement towards the game industry.

Rational minds will hopefully prevail.

And these people threatening debs…. not that devs will but how would these so called fan-extremist feel if the dev just packed their bags and said "Thats it, not more CoD… bye". It would be a revolution on the streets.. well social media anyway.

Keep Playing!

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