Creating Safer Gaming Environments: 6 Essential Steps

Every gamer deserves a safe and enjoyable experience, free from harassment and bullying. However, recent reports indicate that progress in this area has been limited, particularly for women. A Deloitte survey revealed that 69% of female gamers prefer simple mobile games over multiplayer titles due to concerns about bullying and harassment, while 48% believe that these issues are prevalent in the gaming community. Moreover, 44% of women stated that they would be more likely to play multiplayer games if they knew that moderation was in place to prevent bad behavior. Some women even hide their gender online to avoid harassment. To address these issues, gaming companies must take a proactive approach. Here are six steps to create a safer and more inclusive gaming environment. First, establish clear community guidelines that explicitly prohibit harassment, discrimination, and hate speech. Make sure these guidelines are easily accessible, concise, and translated into multiple languages if necessary. Consider implementing a quiz or requiring players to agree to the guidelines before participating in social features. Supercell's Safe and Fair Play Policy is a great example of how to promote respectful communication and enforce strict consequences for misconduct. Second, design games that encourage positive player interaction. This can be achieved by organizing events that facilitate teamwork, incentivizing fair play, and rewarding players who exhibit good sportsmanship. For instance, games like Minecraft, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Hay Day have implemented common treasury boosts that encourage collaboration and resource sharing. Games like World of Warcraft and Overwatch have also introduced mentorship programs that reward experienced players for helping newcomers. Third, make reporting easy for players and moderation easy for moderators. Introduce user-friendly tools that allow players to report harassment or harmful behavior, and ensure that these reports are promptly investigated and addressed. Provide players with self-moderation tools, such as the ability to mute or block other players, and consider providing team or clan leaders with these tools as well. Fourth, monitor the game environment proactively. Regularly review game chats, forums, and social media channels to detect and address harassment or toxic behavior. Educate and equip moderators to respond to these issues, and ensure that there are sufficient resources to manage the moderation load. Fifth, maintain transparency in your efforts to create a safe gaming environment. Regularly update the community on the measures you are taking to address violations and enforce consequences. Conduct internal audits to ensure that your monitoring systems and moderation practices are effective and unbiased. Consider publishing regular reports on the state of the community, including actions taken against offenders while maintaining anonymity. Sixth, collaborate with the player community to shape community rules and safety strategies. Engage in ongoing dialogue with your players, listen to their feedback, and involve them in the decision-making process. This will make them feel valued and heard, and more likely to continue supporting and listening to your efforts. By following these six steps, gaming companies can create a safer and more inclusive gaming environment for all players. While this is not an exhaustive list, it provides a solid foundation for promoting empathy, respect, and inclusivity in the gaming community. As you develop your next game, challenge your team to think about how it can promote positive values and create a welcoming experience for all players.