Gamer Survey Shows: The Gaming Community Is So Toxic

Gamescom 2022 opening night will take place in Cologne on August 23. The next morning, the fair opens again for the crowd of visitors for the first time since 2019. In the last two years of the pandemic, players could only participate in Gamescom digitally, but before that it averaged more than 300,000 visitors per year. Gamescom is thus the largest gaming trade show for end consumers and at the same time a popular place for community gatherings.

But this gaming community is too often associated with toxic behavior. According to ESET survey Nearly a quarter of gamers surveyed have already had bad experiences online. Mainly in the form of hate comments, bullying, fake profiles or unwanted transactions. Above all, hate and bullying are a network problem, also beyond the scope of the game.

According to data from Statista’s Global Consumer Survey, more than 40 percent of all gamers are part of a community, such as forums, clans, fan groups, and games. However, most of these see themselves more as a passive member of the respective network, possibly also for self-protection.

Other surveys show that around 17 percent of respondents identify toxic behavior within their gaming community as a major problem. 14 percent see a problem of sexism in their network.

At the same time, however, there are also positive voices regarding the gaming communities. One in ten like to meet members of their community in person, for example at events like Gamescom. About 14 percent agree that gaming is about community. Many clans and forums have an uplifting culture of help. However, this often only works with active community management.