First, reader, a note. This piece is not a retrospective, nor is it an info-dump. It’s a message. If you are somehow unaware of the war that has been waged against prominent women in gaming in the past weeks, Google it. We at the Ontological Geek have always focused more on commentary than news anyway.
I do not give a rat’s ass about alleged corruption in games journalism. The fact that this “movement” persists even after the trolls behind it have been revealed, their plans and motives a matter of public record, is indefensible. It is known who they are and how they have tried to ruin not merely the reputations but the lives of Zoe Quinn, Anita Sarkeesian, and now Brianna Wu, among many others. To ignore these facts and entertain whatever high-minded notions they claim is the worst form of intellectual dishonesty.
GamerGate is nothing more than a smear campaign against women in gaming. The fact that it has met with some degree of success (even though Zoe Quinn still stands), and that we are still talking about it after it has been shown to be as much, is a harsh indictment of the Internet-community of people who like games, that is “gamers”. By the concerted effort of those who support GamerGate (and radical and so-called “moderate” alike share in this), nothing of value is gained. Censorship through fear, fear on the part of women to continue in or enter this field where there are literally infinite possibilities and worlds just waiting for us all to explore, is a travesty. Horizons will not be broadened, the medium will not advance, gaming (and gamers) will suffer. To put this in simple yet polarizing terms, we will never grow up beyond Call of Duty, that mean-spirited cesspit of teabagging and bullying that is emblematic of why I avoid playing with others online. But don’t misunderstand: this isn’t about me. It’s not about Quinn either, nor is it about women as an oppressed group. It’s about calling bullshit.
I have no illusion that this post will reach millions, end this asinine non-debate, or do much of anything. I’m not going to convince a single person that the GamerGate people are reprehensible, misogynistic pipsqueaks deserving only of scorn and a spanking/severe grounding from their mommy. But I can say this much: The so-called GamerGate movement is a sham, and the Ontological Geek stands in opposition to it and the harassment it represents.
As editor-in-chief, I will brook no discussion of any merits of the “movement” in any comment or piece on this site, for any movement used as a cowardly shield to distract from a campaign of bullying and harassment deserves no discussion. The Ontological Geek is a place of rational discussion and exchange of ideas, yes, but it is also a safe place, a place where bullies and bullshit will never be tolerated.
Hear hear!
Thank you!