The Cyber Mask

[HEA7]

Cyber Bullying, creepers in chat rooms, and even insulting people over xbox live has just gotten out of control. People, now more than ever, think that they can say whatever they want over the internet. Its gotten to a point where unfortunately many people have actually committed suicide over some of the things that have been done over the internet. This is an extreme case of court but i want to demonstrate how big of a problem this really is. This is a phenomenon i call "the cyber mask". Im tired of people calling people F**s or N*****rs. These people think its FUNNY to say these things. Heres an example some of u, maybe all of u are familiar with. The Suddoth and APG incident. For those of you who dont know what im talking about, go ask someone else on TLN. I honestly feel that Suddoth would NOT have said this to APG if it was in person. Im all in fan of some trash talk. Some "YOU SUCK" here, a teebag there. But seriously, this crap has got to stop.

There is, unfortunately, part 2 of the "Cyber Mask" theory. That is the level of hubris that is associated with gaming. I will tell you a story that im sure MANY of you are familiar with. You go to school (maybe this is more relevant in HS) and video gaming comes up as the topic of convo. Naturally this is something that your pretty good at. Then out of nowhere, people start making natural assumptions that they are better than you. NO JOKE, a person walked up to me and said "hey, i heard you do MLG. (i told my friend i went to 1 event in Dallas) I bet i can beat you because i am a BEAST at infection" Needless to say, i facepalmed... hard... I understand the level of discipline and amount of time it takes to become a serious contender in ANY video game. Halo and COD are about the only games that i will say, "Yes, i can beat you" if someone challenged me at GOW id say "hell yeah you would win hahaha" When i play MLG, i play to win. And yes, i do get pissed if i lose. I dont lose well... However, im always down to just screwing around and i know when to not take shit so seriously. I like to think that im pretty modest about my skill. Hell, whenever i meet someone new online (a friend of a friend or something) and they ask who i am. I, without hesitation, say that im some random bad kid. Because im not afraid to insult myself. So basically what im getting at is, think about how much more fun you would have if you took things serious when it mattered, and to just relax when it doesnt.

Ive been thinking about this for approximately the past 3 months, and i just wanted to get it off my chest... So excuse me, i have to finish writing my history paper >_<

[WiFFXI]

A nice read with many things everyone can relate with. Good job.

And also... procrastination FTW!

[GrayBlue]

Unfortunately the demographic of gamers will look over this post. I see this type of behavior on a day to day basis, and it is truly sickening that people act a certain way online with the protection of anonymity. Good post. Hope some really take it to heart.

[RagingChickens]

Hahaha good luck with your history paper! And honestly the only time I will get into an argument with someone is if they start saying stuff to me. And the best way to settle this is not with words, it is with an invite to an Octagon. This usually does the trick :)

On the topic the kid in your school, it is like that everywhere. For example, I have played tennis for about 6 years now and, if I do say so myself, have gotten to be very good at it. But no matter what, whenever somebody talks about tennis to me, they have to say "Oh yeah man I'm a beast at tennis! I will so kick your ass!" This is a joke of a comment and obviously that would never happen. Just like the Mr. Infection would never beat you in a 1v1. That is just how it works. Whether someone is just playing around, or actually thinks that they are better than you, just ignore it!

Good post btw :)

[theBEAST385]

I HATE how in school if the topic of videogaming comes up, and you seem to know a lot about it and talk about it a lot, then you are automatically considered a nerd or geek by others around you. ( like all of the hot girls) It pisses me off.

[Snipemare]

Cyber Bullying, creepers in chat rooms, and even insulting people over xbox live has just gotten out of control. People, now more than ever, think that they can say whatever they want over the internet. Its gotten to a point where unfortunately many people have actually committed suicide over some of the things that have been done over the internet. This is an extreme case of court but i want to demonstrate how big of a problem this really is. This is a phenomenon i call "the cyber mask". Im tired of people calling people F**s or N*****rs. These people think its FUNNY to say these things. Heres an example some of u, maybe all of u are familiar with. The Suddoth and APG incident. For those of you who dont know what im talking about, go ask someone else on TLN. I honestly feel that Suddoth would NOT have said this to APG if it was in person. Im all in fan of some trash talk. Some "YOU SUCK" here, a teebag there. But seriously, this crap has got to stop.

There is, unfortunately, part 2 of the "Cyber Mask" theory. That is the level of hubris that is associated with gaming. I will tell you a story that im sure MANY of you are familiar with. You go to school (maybe this is more relevant in HS) and video gaming comes up as the topic of convo. Naturally this is something that your pretty good at. Then out of nowhere, people start making natural assumptions that they are better than you. NO JOKE, a person walked up to me and said "hey, i heard you do MLG. (i told my friend i went to 1 event in Dallas) I bet i can beat you because i am a BEAST at infection" Needless to say, i facepalmed... hard... I understand the level of discipline and amount of time it takes to become a serious contender in ANY video game. Halo and COD are about the only games that i will say, "Yes, i can beat you" if someone challenged me at GOW id say "hell yeah you would win hahaha" When i play MLG, i play to win. And yes, i do get pissed if i lose. I dont lose well... However, im always down to just screwing around and i know when to not take shit so seriously. I like to think that im pretty modest about my skill. Hell, whenever i meet someone new online (a friend of a friend or something) and they ask who i am. I, without hesitation, say that im some random bad kid. Because im not afraid to insult myself. So basically what im getting at is, think about how much more fun you would have if you took things serious when it mattered, and to just relax when it doesnt.

Ive been thinking about this for approximately the past 3 months, and i just wanted to get it off my chest... So excuse me, i have to finish writing my history paper >_<

Haha history paper part was funny, but seriously though, i feel you. I hate when little kids talk smack and when people say stuff over xbox. We are all gamers and some are better than others.. Trashtalking proves nothing on xbox. The person probably wouldn't say what they said in person. I especially hate when after games I say to the other team "Good Game", here and there I'll get a " Yeah, Good Game" but i hate when people are like " Eff you" or " you won cuz of host" or something like that because they feel I'm being sarcastic. I'm a fan of treating every gamer with respect, i just don't like ti when i don't get that same amount of respect in return =/


I HATE how in school if the topic of videogaming comes up, and you seem to know a lot about it and talk about it a lot, then you are automatically considered a nerd or geek by others around you. ( like all of the hot girls) It pisses me off.

Lol I'm with you, cept the girl part cuz i go to an all guy school, somehow i still manage to get girls :P

[RagingChickens]

I HATE how in school if the topic of videogaming comes up, and you seem to know a lot about it and talk about it a lot, then you are automatically considered a nerd or geek by others around you. ( like all of the hot girls) It pisses me off.

Even more annoying: when girls say "Oh yeah I am a beast at COD!! I got 3 kills this weekend!"

[WiFFXI]

Even more annoying: when girls say "Oh yeah I am a beast at COD!! I got 3 kills this weekend!"

Hahahaha. I have a similar story (kinda off-topic.) This chick was bragging about how she got a double kill, triple kill, and an overkill in the same match! Not only are they the same, but it was with the gravity hammer...

[chris_cr33p]

good read very relatable and very true

[Morgan]

Even more annoying: when girls say "Oh yeah I am a beast at COD!! I got 3 kills this weekend!"

I'm glad not all girls are that annoying ;)

Great post heat!

[KRILLIN]

You have no idea how much I hope to see a lot of these people in person.

[Adrenalize]

time for someone to tell me about the suddoth APG thing.

[HEA7]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE0wrho4jXU
apg is black... just so u know

[theBEAST385]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE0wrho4jXU
apg is black... just so u know

Yeah I saw this before and it made me hate the suddoths, theyre so dumb.

[HEA7]

Yeah I saw this before and it made me hate the suddoths, theyre so dumb.

that was for adrenalize

[theBEAST385]

I know I was just saying I saw this video before, sorry.

[Seraph]

I completely agree with you, unfortunately there isn't much to be done. Now I'm not hoping to sound like and after-school special here but the best thing you can do is to speak up when it happens. Yea being the bigger man and not participating in the stupid remarks is great, but imagine if you actually called people out on it. Most players do it because they think it's funny, letting them know it's not can make a difference. And remember the power is yours =P

[MidKnight]

niiceee forum post!

[SullyVan]

Good read

[forefront]

The incredibly vile nature of the human being has been prevalent for ages, and will continue to get worse with or without the internet. I personally know plenty of people who are racist, and will tell you to your face. Then, they will proceed to beat you half to death if you say anything back. The anonymity thing can be both good and bad in this respect. If someone starts ragging on you, you can respond without fear of escalation of force.

[Vox]

Ghandi...'nuff said
Trash talk can be hilarious...I'm sure most of you have seen the trash talk montage...I think if you all know each other it can be pretty funny...some people take some things way too seriously though...
As long as it's in good fun...

[TLN Darkside]

Great post Hea7. Sadly this is actually a problem online and with a lot of younger gamers. People think that since they say something online they can say whatever they want to with no ramifications of what they say. I hope people can see this post as well as others that have been made on other forums about this subject and see how big a problem this is and make a change for the better.

Just another reason why TLN is a great community, for the most part we don't have to deal with this kind of behavior.

[EGOisSICK]

what a great read

[Gearijigu]

agreed but you will never never take away my ability to trash talk but I do agree that just as in real life there needs to some limits to what you say based upon ethnic and racial lines. good write up though

[gazurk]

If people would just not take offense to it and laugh about it then we can all be friends. And by playing on Xbox Live, You are asking for a little bit of trash talking.

[RagingChickens]

If people would just not take offense to it and laugh about it then we can all be friends. And by playing on Xbox Live, You are asking for a little bit of trash talking.

That is why I just mute everyone in MLG. Solves a lot of problems really. If everyone did this there wouldn't be any problems.

[KRILLIN]

That is why I just mute everyone in MLG. Solves a lot of problems really. If everyone did this there wouldn't be any problems.

I do the same!

[DaMuSiCFiEnD]

What I do is let them speak what they want. Don't let it.get to me or stay in party chat.

[Seraph]

There was a great article on Kotaku (Here (http://kotaku.com/#!5770361/how-to-stop-the-anger-about-video-games-from-outside-and-within)) about the very same thing. Links to blog of a female game developer who mentioned she was a rape victim and began receiving hate mail and negative responses. A little dreary until she talks about one moron who decided to grief her on facebook...where she was able to get his real name, hometown, the college he went to and what he was studying, his phone number, and contact information of his girlfriend and his parents.

She however was the bigger person and decided to let him stew in his own misery and didn't do anything to get revenge. If only more people could be like her.

[DaMuSiCFiEnD]

There was a great article on Kotaku (Here (http://kotaku.com/#!5770361/how-to-stop-the-anger-about-video-games-from-outside-and-within)) about the very same thing. Links to blog of a female game developer who mentioned she was a rape victim and began receiving hate mail and negative responses. A little dreary until she talks about one moron who decided to grief her on facebook...where she was able to get his real name, hometown, the college he went to and what he was studying, his phone number, and contact information of his girlfriend and his parents.

She however was the bigger person and decided to let him stew in his own misery and didn't do anything to get revenge. If only more people could be like her.

Wow seems like.she was the bigger person.

[HEA7]

If people would just not take offense to it and laugh about it then we can all be friends. And by playing on Xbox Live, You are asking for a little bit of trash talking.

just a reminder. This is not a thread of "X( i wish people stopped being so mean" its a "People need to start realizing that the internet does not provide them the opportunity to be a douche"