Banter and Trolling: Where is online gaming going?

[Darrdarr]

While it isn't something new it is something most if not all who have played online games has experienced, the players who insist on banter that borders on trolling.

It seems to be a trend with online gaming today that with the handfuls of players who play online for the challenge and fun there are a plethora of players that insist on bantering and attempting on trolling both the opposition and friendlies. Now I personally have gamed for most of my life, it has been both a fun and interesting pasttime but once I began to game online I noticed a repeating trend, as time went on the newer generations of gamers reached the online stage and the general ratio of normal players to banter-trolls has been increasing.

So my question is this;for those of you that have had to deal with bantering trolls recently, where do you think this could possibly lead gaming?

 

[AmrasCalmacil]

I don't think it leads gaming anywhere. Rather it detracts from what it should be as a growing means of art. As long as most of the general populace see people who play games as a bunch of badly dressed teens, trying to be overly macho over a mic to compensate for the fact they got their balls kicked extra hard that day, they're not going to see what could be a new art form, they're just going to see some douchebag trying to be an internet coolguy.

Personally I always play in a party, better communication amongst my team and lack of people I may wish to track down and punch.

 

[AK47Marine]

I agree with Amras, it doesn't lead us any where, just proves John Gabrielle's greater internet fuckwad theory applies to more then just forums.

For the unfamiliar:

Normal Person + Anonymity + An Audience = a complete fuckwad

 

[The King of Rock and Roll]

It's fun to verbally spar with people. It makes the game more competitive.

 

[Cpt Corallis]

Banter is fine as long as both parties are involved and are up for it. This is what makes it good natured banter rather than harsh trolling in my opinion. I remember playing games of CoD4 that were made infinitely better because of 30 seconds of trash talking before, because it gave us a personal reason to beat the other team. As long as no-one takes it too seriously or over-reacts a bit of Banter is fine.

I do admit that a lot of people, typically younger gamers who don't understand the idea that the trash talking should be good natured can cause problems by going overboard, but these sorts of people can be found everywhere. it's worth remembering that these gamers are often playing in large groups with their friends and so there can be a lot of showing off in trying to one up each other by trash talking.

 

[The Wykydtron]

Yeah some of the good natured banter before games can be quite fun, as long as some 12 year old american kid isn't screaming "****** ****** ****** ******!" down the mic i'm ok with it

I usually play in parties anyway