Bungie recently won nearly $500,000 in damages from a Destiny 2 player who subjected one of its community managers to racist harassment and intimidation. The victory was hailed by developers inside and outside Bungie as a significant step forward in their efforts to end abuse from “fans.” Paralegal Kathryn Tewson, who worked on the case, said the ruling in Bungie’s favor “made way for fans.” Those who have the resources to identify probabilistic terrorists and hold them accountable in court.
That may be so, but it doesn’t mean the problem will be solved anytime soon. In fact, Bungie recently destiny subreddit Developers, including those who aren’t community managers, continue to be harassed “just because they work for Bungie,” he said.
The statement was in response to a post asking Bungie to make more use of the Destiny 2 team’s social media accounts for the studio. Founded in January “To stop using community managers’ personal accounts.” on Reddit “CM is”decreased communication‘ for the relentless and severe abuse that fans have been subjected to.
“I’m not saying that employees should be exposed to people who could actually harm them,” wrote Cruggles 30 in a request for the studio to do more. rice field. “As someone who has been threatened (and actually attacked) at work, I totally understand where you guys are coming from.
“That said, whether it’s actually replying to certain feedback tweets or posts from time to time, or replying to explain why certain things are not feasible, everyone used their accounts more than they do now. less feedback that can’t be done), etc… I think it’s better for everyone.”
However, Bungie has made it clear that it won’t happen anytime soon. “Unfortunately, using a CM account on Reddit puts an even bigger target behind all CMs, as developers who aren’t even CM are still being harassed just for working at Bungie. will be,” the Player Support team replied.
“We understand the desire to always go back to the way things were before here, but that time has passed. Until everyone feels safe again, there will be a lot of response from us here for the time being. You cannot expect to get
Bungie reassured fans by stating that they are still “listening” to feedback from fans, and while they can’t always act on it, they “share it with stakeholders on a weekly basis.” It also encourages fans with issues or questions to be directed to Bungie’s own Help forums, where “we may answer more.”
As if to illustrate the non-negotiable attitude faced by developers, one redditor (that comment was subsequently deleted by a moderator, but not until it was noticed by a moderator) game radar) said harassment “is just part of life” if it’s not taken for granted, and “it’s strange to me to base a PR strategy on the behavior of the 0.1% of the worst actors.”
“We do not accept that being harassed is ‘part of life,'” Bungie replied. “This kind of thinking is unhealthy and we would not risk ourselves for a video game, let alone Reddit.”
The comment echoes sentiment expressed by Bungie General Counsel Don McGowan, who said in 2022 that “villains” are often tolerated only because they have the power to do something to them. said that because people with “We disagree,” he said. “In our view, removing harassment and abuse from our communities is not only the right thing to do, it is also good business.”
It’s not great for Destiny fans who want to engage more with the people who make the games they love, but it’s a race against people who make games that gamers think they love. As long as they insist on continuing discrimination, intimidation, and other abuses violently. Playing is unlikely to change this situation.
