We'll admit it -- we spend a lot of time on Xbox Live. Between the weekly teabag quota we're tied to and practicing heavy breathing into microphones, we're required to jump on the service rather often and let all those anonymous folks out there know the truth. Lucky for us, CheapAssGamer podcast host Wombat has recorded a smattering of vitriol-filled messages from our favorite online locale -- messages he received from people he didn't know after being the "featured gamer" on Xbox.com.
We'd love to drop a few excerpts from the CAGcast clip into this post, but we couldn't do so without being wildly offensive (to even ourselves!). Hit the break and check out the full 10 minute example of why civility is merely a facade we parade around in our mask-filled society.
this doesn't really have anything to do with the party feature. this guy wasn't hearing this stuff in game. he was getting text and voice messages and would still be getting them even if the party system wasn't around. this is basically the result of being in the "gamer spotlight" on xbox.com. although i do see what you are saying, in not having to hear this kind of stuff during the game because we all know that these kinds of things are said during the game.
Yes, but this is the kind of stuff you hear all the time in XBL games. In the party system you don't have to put up with any of that...unless it's from your friends. :P
@Paul: no, Party Chat doesn't prevent messages arriving in your inbox, but it still shows why Party Chat is the best feature of Live: because you can chat online with your friends -- and ONLY your friends -- while you play with them in matchmaking, without ever having to hear crap like this in game.
It's really a shame, as I have met some nice people in random matches; but the "signal to noise" ratio is extremely low that it's not really worth it. :/
oh i totally agree with you guys, that's why i typed the last line in my previous message: "although i do see what you are saying, in not having to hear this kind of stuff during the game because we all know that these kinds of things are said during the game." i am just simply saying even if you never even played any online multiplayer and somehow got in the gamer spotlight you would still get these messages. although as chenry said in a later post, apparently there is a setting you can turn where you ONLY receive messages from your friends.
Honestly? I doubt anyone actually does anything about those who are reported. I've reported cheaters, glitchers, hackers, whatever you want to call it, and in the end nothing is done about it.
This is why I practically refuse to play online with my 360, why I have to be talked into paying to be a gold member, and why the only times I do play online is with friends in a party, else I'll just mute everyone but my friends. The PS3's online community is a lot friendlier and more mature. Hell, you try playing a game of "knives only" in CoD on the 360 and I can safely bet you that at least a third of them will say f*** you and shoot you. On the ps3 though? Done it several times with different people, and they all did it, no arm-twisting needed.
The only reason you dont have these kind of problems on PSN is because there is an almost non-existent community. Every community has some group that is looked down upon others, on Xbox Live its loudmouthed immature kids with too much time on their hands.
Blacked out, I wouldn't go as far as say that the PSN has nearly a non-existant community. I've never played with the same player twice on any game while playing on it, unless I wanted to. I thought I added it in my post above, but I guess its another one I'm thinking of. Of course its just my opinion and my experiences I base what I said on, but honestly? All of XBox Live is that one group of loud-mouthed, obnoxious immature anythings... Course that is just my opinion.
Yup, that sounds about right. This is why I avoid gamer spotlight, and most other live gamers... Is this on the xbox forums yet? I agree with you guys, these people have no lives whatsoever, which makes their messages even more ironic.
That's very astute, I think I might start doing that. I never got hate mail before BF 1943 (occasionally I did in COD 4, but that community is more laid back and I suck at Halo); now I get it ever other minute. It wasn't like that in BFBC (and I was one of the first couple hundred people to attain Beans,Bullets, Bandages). I think IW community will take a turn for the worse. Check out the forums, there's a constant flame war between ignorant misanthropes. That community is starting to become sophomoric and utterly hopeless. It's sad it didn't use to be like that.
On the other hand, I now have a new podcast to listen to... and this was the correct way to deal with this. Mock those who deserve it, and the kinds of lowlifes who would waste effort threatening someone for the minimal amount of fame that the spotlight offers.
All of a sudden I have lost any desire to become "the one" on 1 vs 100... I wonder why...?
So if there's anyone on here who doesn't act like these immature maniacs and is looking for someone to game online with, my friend's list is plenty empty. Just shoot me an invite and let me know your from JS.
I can't help but laugh and be saddened because this is the world that we live in. So much anger and hostility even when trying to enjoy gaming! haha :)
Microsoft should ban every gamertag of every negative flame message sent to Wombat. They should do their part to clean up XBL from these foul-mouthed smacktards. They might want to clean up their act when they lost their paid subscription and their gamertag and their gamerscore and all other items linked to their gamertag, -like all of the rights to re-download their DLC.
These people have no manners, no class and they should have no XBL subscription rights either. They are just a bunch of cowardly kids who hide behind the protection of their microphone and do their best to ruin the experience for everyone.
And you'd have to imagine Mommy and Daddy would figure out pretty quick why little Jimmy keeps needing $50 to get back online with his Xbox, or at least just stop giving him the money.
For those that pay their own bills, I think $50 a month is a little much to be a bigot. I know you can't really prevent this in gameplay without recording all audio, but I think you should definitely be able to report messages since they are saved on the servers.
Lowest common denominator, people. I'm glad xbox is a lot cheaper than PS3. Attracts a lower class of individual. Behavior like this will set back gamer stereotypes in the public eye, no doubt. I'm sure MS execs and Gates couldn't be prouder of what their product has come to... A malicious, juvenile gay-bashing pastime. And infiltrating your email, and your friends list with hate-filled rants? Thank fuck I stuck with Sony. Good job on the cast, CAG.
Secondly, why would you send someone death threats with your gamertag attached. These people could get in some serious shit if Wombat ever followed up with Microsoft or even the cops.
I lol'd so hard when they read a message where someone said "your website sucks mines is better" then the guy thats with him say's it must have been an editor from joystiq.
I wish people would really listen to these candid recordings before choosing to vote for more socialism. Truly the apex of civilization requires that our individual rights and property are defended against animal hordes like these.
The sad part is that their vote (eventually) counts just as much as yours.
While cheap headsets may mean more idiots having access to them, some of those idiots will also be your friends. There's a better way around this than preventing people from getting cheap headsets for online play.
While I know there are problems with every online community, this is why I play most of my multiplayer games on PC. In TF2, I find a handful of favorite servers and play on there. When someone is being an ass, boot them.
For a service that its users have to pay for, Microsoft needs to come up with better solutions. I don't mind paying for it, but I've reported several people and I'm sure nothing was done about it.
@AsherR: I'm right there with you. It's ridiculous to pay for a service brimming with immature, idiotic bigots that make random matches a pain in the ass.
Seriously, hard punishment for this kind of thing is what the community needs to prevent people from just running amok like they are now and polluting the game-o-sphere. Sadly, I know MS will never want to do something like that though because it will mean losing those bad-mouthed customers and thus losing $$$. :(
at least you can comment freely. i cant leave long comments, cant reply more than twice in a thread and constantly get 'youll get an email to confirm you comment' prompts even though im signed in. the email never shows up so 50% of my comments get lost in the wind..
You're not the only one... That shit happens to me too (I'm already logged in and yet Joystiq keeps telling me to confirm my e-mail) and it drives me crazy.
Whocares. Most games are rated M 17+. kids shouldnt be playing those games anyway. Look at what we are all on now, THE INTERNET, which is worse than XBL. People are always gonna act a certain way if they are not in your face. There's nothing you can do to change that. Some are just more competitive than others, if u dont like competition then you shouldnt be playing online at all. Im not saying that it's ok but it's obvious that most of the most played games online are rated M and kids shouldnt be playing them anyway. Competition can drive people to say crazy things, u should see how boxers are at press conferences especially people like Ali, Tyson and right now Richardo Mayorga. It is what it is, if u dont like it, Mute them, if not then talk shit back. At the end of the day, ITS JUST A FUCKIN GAME. have some fuckin fun. As long as no one lays a hand on you, you shouldnt be crying about it
