In his regular video feature, Sessler's Soapbox, G4TV personality Adam Sessler tackles one of the fastest growing and despicable trends in Xbox Live history; bigotry. In short, Sessler challenges Xbox Live users who feel the need to spew racist and homophobic remarks in order to convey their emotions during gaming to actually think about what they're saying. We encountered a similar experience while playing Uno during our last X3F LIVE event, where a kid--who couldn't have been older than 10, thought it was important to express all of the new slurs he had learned (from the schoolyard and probably also from his Xbox Live sessions).
The issue is huge and disgusting. Sessler couldn't be more accurate when he says that we fight so hard to remove the negative stigma's attributed to gamers while ignoring the fact that we're becoming one of the biggest, and organized, bigotry groups in the world. Listen up because we're only saying this once. Yelling racial and homophobic remarks doesn't make you cool and it isn't funny to anyone else in the room, so ditch those comments and get more creative.
Quit being the reason why we hate the service we pay for, it only makes us all look bad and removes all arguments that gaming is the revolution in connected entertainment. As now former Microsoft marketing exec Jeff Bell once said, "Your contribution to society is ... what?"
The video can be found after the jump.
Reader Comments (86)
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 8:23PM Xav de Matos said
I thought he made it pretty clear that he was condemning the negative and hateful attitude as a whole.
Reply
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 8:46PM (Unverified) said
If you want to lecture people on why homosexuality is sinful and bad, go for it. That actually doesn't ever happen on Xbox Live so I'm not sure why you brought it up.
If you want to call people a fag for beating you in Halo, STFU.
Reply
If you want to call people a fag for beating you in Halo, STFU.
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 6:48PM Vcize said
This is easy.
In addition to the bigots, there are always a couple level-headed people in a game. Add them, and build up your friends list that way until you get to a point where you only play with people on your friends list.
I can't remember the last time I played a game with the general public, and I'm on Live every night.
In addition to the bigots, there are always a couple level-headed people in a game. Add them, and build up your friends list that way until you get to a point where you only play with people on your friends list.
I can't remember the last time I played a game with the general public, and I'm on Live every night.
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 6:50PM Jonman said
Look, swearing is big and clever for several years of our lives. Until we grow up and realise that it makes us look like tools.
Unfortunately, the years in which swearing is big and clever are the same years when we're getting prime gaming in.
What's the solution? Ban teenagers from teh internets? As nice as it sounds, it's hardly practical.
Unfortunately, the years in which swearing is big and clever are the same years when we're getting prime gaming in.
What's the solution? Ban teenagers from teh internets? As nice as it sounds, it's hardly practical.
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 7:21PM (Unverified) said
Wow, Sessler giving more negative attention to the Xbox 360 (I'm shocked at such a bias... no not really) and here the fans are cheering him on and sucking him off for doing so.
Wow, are you guys really this starved for attention?
This is rampant in any online community (Counter-Strike anyone?) and if the other gaming systems had legitimate online play for as long as the Xbox 360 they'd suffer from the same problems.
Wow, are you guys really this starved for attention?
This is rampant in any online community (Counter-Strike anyone?) and if the other gaming systems had legitimate online play for as long as the Xbox 360 they'd suffer from the same problems.
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 8:04PM (Unverified) said
I think he meant this to go to anybody on the online community, not exclusively to XBL
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Posted: Jun 12th 2008 8:10PM (Unverified) said
Well he singles out Xbox Live... so it doesn't seem to me that he's making that message of "everyone" very clear.
Well I don't know how long my comment will be here. Joystiq had this same article and they censored all my posts regarding it, even though I never swore or broke any terms of posting.
Reply
Well I don't know how long my comment will be here. Joystiq had this same article and they censored all my posts regarding it, even though I never swore or broke any terms of posting.
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 8:22PM Xav de Matos said
Your argument is that because it happens everywhere no one should complain?
Why do we care about what happens in Counter-Strike? This is an Xbox-focused site.
Anyone who claims the issue isn't as bad as it's made out to be clearly doesn't play enough online or is directly contributing to the problem.
By the way, "sucking Sessler off?" Real classy.
Reply
Why do we care about what happens in Counter-Strike? This is an Xbox-focused site.
Anyone who claims the issue isn't as bad as it's made out to be clearly doesn't play enough online or is directly contributing to the problem.
By the way, "sucking Sessler off?" Real classy.
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 8:31PM (Unverified) said
No I think the point is that since it happens everywhere why is this the SECOND video where Sessler calls out the Xbox Live community for it?
And it's not really a problem, unless you think censorship is a viable solution. I mean, you can sit here and tell me it's a horrible problem all day, personally I don't run into it near as much as everyone claims and when I do I don't go running away in tears just because people say bad things on the internet.
I like how it is inferred that I'm obviously "part of the problem". Fact is I just don't get upset about it. I don't care what people say in an online game. Complaining about it and doing cutesy videos isn't going to fix it. The people that swear and cause this problem want the attention and they want to be antisocial. Honestly, I think the greatest irony is that it is the people complaining about it that do the most to promote it as the antisocial evil that makes it seem so cool.
How about dick riding Sessler? That work better for you?
Reply
And it's not really a problem, unless you think censorship is a viable solution. I mean, you can sit here and tell me it's a horrible problem all day, personally I don't run into it near as much as everyone claims and when I do I don't go running away in tears just because people say bad things on the internet.
I like how it is inferred that I'm obviously "part of the problem". Fact is I just don't get upset about it. I don't care what people say in an online game. Complaining about it and doing cutesy videos isn't going to fix it. The people that swear and cause this problem want the attention and they want to be antisocial. Honestly, I think the greatest irony is that it is the people complaining about it that do the most to promote it as the antisocial evil that makes it seem so cool.
How about dick riding Sessler? That work better for you?
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 8:44PM Xav de Matos said
Clearly, based on your final comment, you are one of the people that make Xbox Live a crappy place to find entertainment. So, that in mind, whether or not you care about what is said is inconsequential because it is ignorant people like you that make it difficult for the rest of us.
You argue that the video has no merit, for shifting reasons, yet in a few comments you yourself have proven to encapsulate nearly everything wrong with the service.
Kudos!
Reply
You argue that the video has no merit, for shifting reasons, yet in a few comments you yourself have proven to encapsulate nearly everything wrong with the service.
Kudos!
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 8:51PM (Unverified) said
Yeah, you're right Xav I could be far more enlightened like you and Sessler if I'd just get out of this dark age of tolerance for differences on how people communicate on online games and take up the banner of intolerance and futile complaining!
What a fool I've been for being so indifferent to something so common! I should have been whining and gnashing my teeth about it!
Sorry those American urban expressions offended you so much Xav, I know you englightened folks don't need to understand or tolerate those kinds of differences in a community - we all just need to pull together to hate it all.
Reply
What a fool I've been for being so indifferent to something so common! I should have been whining and gnashing my teeth about it!
Sorry those American urban expressions offended you so much Xav, I know you englightened folks don't need to understand or tolerate those kinds of differences in a community - we all just need to pull together to hate it all.
Posted: Jun 13th 2008 9:43AM Fox City said
Hahahhahaha. Trying to argue over the internet is priceless!
Oh and by the way, your comments that were supposedly censured- yeah, maybe you should tone down all the phallic references and the obnoxious attitude. You have a valid point, but if you don't put in the right way, you don't add anything to the conversation.
Reply
Oh and by the way, your comments that were supposedly censured- yeah, maybe you should tone down all the phallic references and the obnoxious attitude. You have a valid point, but if you don't put in the right way, you don't add anything to the conversation.
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 8:54PM Mal F4cti0n said
I find that the most awful, racist, homophopic comments come from the mouths of babes. Why can't microsoft send an email, or a letter, to the house and let the head of the household know that "Gamertag so-and-so has been reported to be using foul language, racist slurs and etc.".
I can't do anything about it myself, the only group that can try to curtail this dispicable practice is Big Brother of xbox Live themselves (microsoft).
I can't do anything about it myself, the only group that can try to curtail this dispicable practice is Big Brother of xbox Live themselves (microsoft).
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 8:59PM (Unverified) said
It is a problem. Most of the time, I find the biggest offenders are males in their teens or early 20's. Classic ego or immaturity perhaps? Who knows. Rather than feeding their childish behavior, I just hit the mute button. But there is a fine line here. I tend to swear a lot. As an adult, I do try to censure myself however, sometimes I just want to get online and play. I don't want to worry about who I might accidentally offend.
I don't have a solid answer to to problem. Being gay, I seek out sites that cater to me. I care more about gaming and less about "being cool". It works. My friend list is almost constantly full and I no longer need to randomly connect w/unknown people on any game I play on XBL. Taking this approach might seem anti-social but I can't think of any medium where EVERYONE gets along. I seek out the type of people I want to play with. Maybe being able to choose social and age options would be a way to cut back on the drama. Or at the very least, leave the children to play with each other.
I don't have a solid answer to to problem. Being gay, I seek out sites that cater to me. I care more about gaming and less about "being cool". It works. My friend list is almost constantly full and I no longer need to randomly connect w/unknown people on any game I play on XBL. Taking this approach might seem anti-social but I can't think of any medium where EVERYONE gets along. I seek out the type of people I want to play with. Maybe being able to choose social and age options would be a way to cut back on the drama. Or at the very least, leave the children to play with each other.
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 9:19PM (Unverified) said
No man, that's the complete opposite of anti-social. Instead of whining and complaining about things that are completely and utterly out of your control you took charge, made friends, and you are enjoying a fantastic service the way it was meant to be played.
See people - moby has your solution right here.
Reply
See people - moby has your solution right here.
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 9:26PM Bobicus said
I wasnt going to say anything until i read that 20 year males are the biggest problem hmmmmmmm
oh yea WRONG it is the children kids, babes whatever you want to call them sure some 20 somethings are arse faces but come on it is the 12 and 13 year olds that are constant talking and cursing without cause and these are really the only ones that should have some repercusions for it, if i am over the age of 21 and can get drafted and buy beer guess what i can say f-- you on xbl... so please please stop the parents from buying every kid the world COD4 and halo very violent and maybe even MATURE games
so again blame parents not some 20 somethings that are some how not adults oh wait they are
end of rant
oh yea WRONG it is the children kids, babes whatever you want to call them sure some 20 somethings are arse faces but come on it is the 12 and 13 year olds that are constant talking and cursing without cause and these are really the only ones that should have some repercusions for it, if i am over the age of 21 and can get drafted and buy beer guess what i can say f-- you on xbl... so please please stop the parents from buying every kid the world COD4 and halo very violent and maybe even MATURE games
so again blame parents not some 20 somethings that are some how not adults oh wait they are
end of rant
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 9:31PM (Unverified) said
I'm taking the new enlightened approach of reading comments, so I'm going to discount everything you said, not respond to any of it, and call you names and assume I'm better than you, just because you were swearing.
Taking a deficit view of people based on them saying something you might find offensive is the new cool thing.
Reply
Taking a deficit view of people based on them saying something you might find offensive is the new cool thing.
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 9:34PM Bobicus said
FUCK YOU
Now i cussed you dumb shit basTURD
I didnt know "----" could offend people so again FUCK YOU
Now i cussed you dumb shit basTURD
I didnt know "----" could offend people so again FUCK YOU
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 9:47PM (Unverified) said
Yeah this is some "Xbox focused site"... as long as by "focused" you mean "insulting". Honestly, I don't remember Rockstar hoisting their detractors on a pedestal every time they went on a rant about how evil and deplorable their GTA franchise is, and yet this is no less than the second time that Sesslers gets made out to be the voice of reason for... wait for it... making Xbox Live out to be a horrendous service full of deplorable miscreants.
Yes thank you everyone at Xbox360Live for focusing on and applauding the unbelievable bias that Sessler has brought by focusing on and examining something that would be considered common sense and obvious for anyone who has played an online game.
But hey, I guess you guys just want to be on the bandwagon when he gets successful, because appealing to the moral majority in the continued bigotry of anything that offends you and the true belief that your own personal culture should be exemplified in all parts of society and demonizing video gaming culture is obviously something you want to get behind.
Yes thank you everyone at Xbox360Live for focusing on and applauding the unbelievable bias that Sessler has brought by focusing on and examining something that would be considered common sense and obvious for anyone who has played an online game.
But hey, I guess you guys just want to be on the bandwagon when he gets successful, because appealing to the moral majority in the continued bigotry of anything that offends you and the true belief that your own personal culture should be exemplified in all parts of society and demonizing video gaming culture is obviously something you want to get behind.
Posted: Jun 13th 2008 7:08AM Kikote said
Anybody realizes that the guy in the picture is holding a Playstation Pad???
Where am I? PS3 FANBOY.COM?
Anybody seethat?
Sorry for my bad english
Where am I? PS3 FANBOY.COM?
Anybody seethat?
Sorry for my bad english
Posted: Jun 13th 2008 7:30AM (Unverified) said
It has to be PS3fanboy, why else would a video portraying Xbox Live as a service that promotes and encourages racism and homophobia be on the front page?
Reply
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 11:27PM (Unverified) said
They should just start using the actual Zone preference to keep people divided. Let those that don't mind insults to stay in the Underground/Pro, while those that find everything offensive can stay in Family or Recreation.
Posted: Jun 12th 2008 11:31PM Shadowm4nX said
I have slowly stopped playing online on XBL, because it slowly got to the point where I couldn't be bothered to sit around and listen to children screaming rather crude things. I've left feed back on plenty in my time, but it just comes down to using real wit to beat them.
Also, why does it seem that most of these kids think that a English Accent is an Australian one? I've never gotten over that strange one, and to answer the question that I always get asked, no I didn't have tea and crumpets with the Queen, never met her, although I did enjoy a good mug of tea this very afternoon.
Also, why does it seem that most of these kids think that a English Accent is an Australian one? I've never gotten over that strange one, and to answer the question that I always get asked, no I didn't have tea and crumpets with the Queen, never met her, although I did enjoy a good mug of tea this very afternoon.
Posted: Jun 13th 2008 1:40AM Deschain said
actions speak louder then words for me...so that why i tee bag kids......
but seriously racial slurs really aren't funny, they just prove how small minded you are when you use them. I hope Sessler has some kind of impact even tho he most likely won't.....at all....
but seriously racial slurs really aren't funny, they just prove how small minded you are when you use them. I hope Sessler has some kind of impact even tho he most likely won't.....at all....
Posted: Jun 13th 2008 2:17AM (Unverified) said
Mute the player. File a complaint. Move on. Its not that hard.
Posted: Jun 13th 2008 6:11AM (Unverified) said
Sadly, I think the main offenders won't even be in the least bit concerned that they're ruining the experience for everyone else. Face it most of them are immature, ignorant, small-minded people who aren't even AWARE that what they are doing is have an effect(affect?) on the scene as a whole.
I think most of us are guilty of letting out a "Fuck!" or two when we get killed. (I know I am!!) But to be honest if I'm not online with friends these days I normally leave the mic off, it's just easier.
I think most of us are guilty of letting out a "Fuck!" or two when we get killed. (I know I am!!) But to be honest if I'm not online with friends these days I normally leave the mic off, it's just easier.
Posted: Jun 13th 2008 12:34PM (Unverified) said
I don't leave the mic off. I just stop playing those games. This whole conversation leaves out griefers. Those idiots who are on your team and try to kill you just because. That really makes for a fun game. Fighting your own teammates. Until you can finally get them kicked. Microsoft made a great online gaming platform. And in the process vaulted the 360 to one of my favorite consoles ever. Sadly that experience lasted all of 8 months before the people Sessler refers to started infiltrating games I was playing. Now I'm not entirely sure what to play or if to bother with it at all.
It gets so bad at times it makes you want to cancel your Gold account and just move on. Buy a PS3, a PSP a DS or something else and enjoy other experiences since what made the 360 so enjoyable has been utterly ruined.
Reply
It gets so bad at times it makes you want to cancel your Gold account and just move on. Buy a PS3, a PSP a DS or something else and enjoy other experiences since what made the 360 so enjoyable has been utterly ruined.
Posted: Jun 13th 2008 12:04PM (Unverified) said
Any one that start saying racial slurs on the Xbox Live is just a coward. Same with the ones that do it on the internet. You know damn well they won't say that shit in the real world. If they say they do then they're fucking lying. I have no problem with trash talk. You can say whatever you want aslong as you're not singling out and making fun of a group of people.
Like I said though, they're cowards. Mute them, file a complaint, and leave negative feedback. That's all you can really do.
Like I said though, they're cowards. Mute them, file a complaint, and leave negative feedback. That's all you can really do.
Posted: Jun 16th 2008 5:39PM (Unverified) said
I play on Xbox Live all the time, almost always alone in my party or matchmaking, and rarely ever hear anything bad. I think this kind of stuff is blown way out of proportion.
Posted: Jun 16th 2008 5:48PM Xav de Matos said
Have you seen this - (very NSFW): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6alOnuN-wCY
Blown out of proportion? No way.
Reply
Blown out of proportion? No way.
Posted: Jun 16th 2008 6:05PM (Unverified) said
I've seen the video before and it's not evidence that Xbox Live is supposedly boiling over with racism and bigots. The guy has a inflamatory Gamertag for one thing, and who knows what kind of comments he made that he edited out.
If it was possible, I'd bet any amount of money that I could go into a game of Halo 3, even a Big Team Battle, and nothing racist, homophobic, or anything bad at all, would be said during the game. It's blown WAY out of proportion. I can count maybe 9-10 different times where I heard someone say something hateful in the 5 years I've been on Xbox Live.
Reply
If it was possible, I'd bet any amount of money that I could go into a game of Halo 3, even a Big Team Battle, and nothing racist, homophobic, or anything bad at all, would be said during the game. It's blown WAY out of proportion. I can count maybe 9-10 different times where I heard someone say something hateful in the 5 years I've been on Xbox Live.
Posted: Jun 16th 2008 6:08PM Xav de Matos said
I guess we have to agree that both of our experiences have been very different when connected to Live. From your experience this situation is rare, whereas from mine is happens quite often.
In fact if you hear the X3F Fancast this week I talk about how it even happened during last weeks X3F Live event.
So, there really is no right answer it seems.
Reply
In fact if you hear the X3F Fancast this week I talk about how it even happened during last weeks X3F Live event.
So, there really is no right answer it seems.
Posted: Jun 16th 2008 6:16PM (Unverified) said
Well things like that are going to probably attract the idiots. If Major Nelson posted a thing on his site saying to come join him in a certain game, and throughout the night 50 people played with him, I bet 5-10 of those people would start being harassing or say something ridiculous. People who enjoy saying things like that do it for the attention, and if they see some kind of organized group of people they can interrupt with their speech, then the opportunity for reaction and attention goes way up.
So, having a Gamertag called, "GayBoy" which is most likely a TOS violation, and holding special events, are two things that are going to raise the probability of antics.
I would say quitters are a WAY bigger issue on Xbox Live than hate speech, I've seen people quit in very critical circumstances a million times more than I've heard anything bad.
So, having a Gamertag called, "GayBoy" which is most likely a TOS violation, and holding special events, are two things that are going to raise the probability of antics.
I would say quitters are a WAY bigger issue on Xbox Live than hate speech, I've seen people quit in very critical circumstances a million times more than I've heard anything bad.
Posted: Jun 20th 2008 7:24AM adobe64 said
if i join a match in halo 3 and hear more than a few "uninviting" remarks, i punish their slightest comment in instant MUTE.
sessler is always rite
sessler is always rite
Posted: Jul 1st 2008 1:13AM (Unverified) said
Homophobic? what! People go around calling each other fags on xbl. Why do you think they are doing that? I think they are looking for a bf. Why else do you need to call another guy a fag? I don't think gay people take offense to that. So why would a straight person?
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