I’m Mad As Hell!
“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!” I can imagine how different this quote would be if Howard Beale was given the chance to play online against some l33t Halo players.
I’ve received a few emails about G4TV’s Adam Sessler and his tirade on how Xbox Live (online gaming) is a pool of racist, ignorant and homophobic gamers. I watched the video and I don’t understand the culture shock really when this has been the case for quite some time. Sessler obviously doesn’t play much online because this particular commentary could be played every single day. It’s not something that snuck up on us and it’s not something confined to Xbox Live.
Online gaming and Xbox Live are home to the very people that make up our society today. There is no hidden requirement or checklist that invites only the “sane and mature” of society. Instead, all of society is welcome to game online. Are there racists in society? Yep. How about rude and immature weirdos? Yep. Are there people in society with behavior problems? Guaran-damn-teed. It’s inevitable to find these types of people in one of the largest interactive platforms today; online gaming.
This isn’t a problem with Xbox Live or online gaming. It’s a problem with the DNA of our society. Don’t mistake what I’m saying as some sort of defense for the type of behavior that is often displayed in online gaming because it’s not. What goes on during a night of gaming online can sometimes be brutal. I think it sucks and I wish there was some magical filter that immediately issues a pimp slap to the people who think it’s “fun” or “okay” to behave ridiculously online.
Some people expect something to be done about Xbox Live but what exactly can be? You can’t control behavior. You can’t filter behavior. What you can do, however, is use the tools on Xbox Live to mute or file complaints against this type of thing. Xbox Live isn’t the problem. The people and how they’ve managed to evade any sense of responsibility or moral value throughout their lives are the problem. And dare I ask where the parents are in some cases?
I want everyone to do something for me the next time you play on Xbox Live. Stand up from your couches and scream into the headest “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore”. It’s about time that we stood up against the tyrants that ruin the game. Get up out of your chair tonight and speak into that Xbox 360 headset! “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!” If you come across some idiot shouting racial slurs or anything disrespectul let them know that you’re mad as hell and you’re not going to take it anymore.
Remember it, say it! “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore”.
Video: Sessler’s Soapbox
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June 14th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I think I undertand the point you are trying to make but I think you guys missed part of what Adam was saying. He wasn’t saying that it suddenly occured to him that all of this stuff was going on, he was saying that it gets tiresome to deal with everytime you log on. And hitting mute on 3-6 people every time you play a match is just as tiresome. I do agree that a person can play with friends only but what if you are interested in ranked matches? Also, I agree that it isn’t just an Xbox live issue. Xbox live just happens to be Adam’s choice for online gaming and it’s pretty popular. So thats what I think.
Am I off?
June 14th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Well said, Deacon. I have found while playing on x-box live that for every 1 immature racist idiot online, there are at least two decent, level-headed gamers who just want to have a un gaming experience. I do, however, believe that it is a shame that most of these sane and decent gamers have to go so far as to play with their microphone off ar not even talk during the game or in the pre-game lobby for fear of being verbally abused by these socially inept gamers
June 15th, 2008 at 5:15 am
@TXPaladin- Thanks dude! I just went silver this week so when I’m Gold again, I’ll take you up on that offer.
June 15th, 2008 at 10:56 am
@Adversarry, nope you’re right dude.
June 15th, 2008 at 11:42 am
yeah i hate it too when i check my rep and im avoided like 5-10 % more than before. and its for stupid stuff like unsporting or trash talk or something like that, and i never do any of that.
June 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
i’ve had feedback about being too disruptive etc. i’m like wtf lol
June 15th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
That behavior is widespread across various parts of internet so calling it a cross-section of society as a whole is to some degree accurate. But I do need to reinforce what this guy and many others have witnessed…the problem does SEEM worse on Xbox Live than in most places. I cannot reasonably explain why this is the case but I agree that it is worse there.
June 15th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I do need to add though that people need to take those insults for what they are worth. Specifically, the cowardly act of an insecure person hiding being an internet connection. Stop letting it bother you.
Why though does Halo always seem so much worse than every other game?
June 16th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
He really is mad and gets more mad towards the end. I just use the tools provided mostly and let it go in one ear and out the other. They don’t know me so they don’t know what they are talking about in the first place. Sure I’d like to see people act they way would in a public place but that’s not going to happen. There’s idiots everywhere, on every online service and in every nook and cranny on the planet. Chances are some of you work with them too. My policy….Smile and know you’re better. Although I could let them know I’m mad as hell. If we change one person it’s a start.
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:16 am
This goes to show how much XBL sux.