Extremists recruiting/exploiting through Multiplayer/Gamification/Game Adjacent Chat Platforms/Mods/Game Creation

[Reality vs Adventure]

Extremists from the far right including white supremacists and terrorists are exploiting the gaming environment and it is only increasing. They are using multiplayer games and even the use of mods in gaming and also creation type games like Roblox to create an environment to act out their terroristic ideologies. They are even using gaming-adjacent platforms forming chat groups and clans. Even game services like Steam and streaming services like Twitch is being used. This isn't about video games causing violence because that has been proven false. This is about how extremists are taking advantage of all these games and platforms with very little moderators or oversight. 

I don't play online and I don't use any video game services besides Playstation Store and this forum on VGR. So I don't know all the many forums, blogs, platforms, MMO games, or providers that are available or how they work. But there definitely is a lot of research going around these days due to the urgency of stopping the spread of these extremists especially how they target young people. 

Gamification is also a new term I haven't heard till now, but there seems to point to evidence how it's being used for terrorist violence especially at the terrorist attack at the mosque in New Zealand. Gamification actually is used in such a broad way by businesses and everything you can think of that can motivate people. It uses game based ideas like points, trophies, achievements, bonus, etc. to motivate them and influence their behavior. 

Gamification-Merriam Webster Dictionary:  the process of adding games or gamelike elements to something (such as a task) so as to encourage participation.

Verb: Easy-to-use Web- and mobile-based learning platforms … take the boredom out of long training sessions by gamifying the entire process. A training manual is replaced by an interactive game that allows participants to win awards and be acknowledged.  

Here is an article discussing  The Role of Gamification in Radicalization Processes

https://modus-zad.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/modus-working-paper-12021.pdf

Extremist Use of Gaming (-Adjacent) Platforms

https://gnet-research.org/2021/09/06/lets-talk-about-games-baby-extremist-use-of-gaming-adjacent-platforms/

The Anti Defamation League has also written a must read article. I recommend read this first:

https://www.adl.org/resources/report/hate-no-game-hate-and-harassment-online-games-2022

 

From 2021-2022 Young People’s Exposure to White Supremacy Ages 13-17 has gone up--From 6% to 10% on a forum. From 11% to 14% in person. From 10% to 16% on an online game. From 17% to 26% on social media. 

The take home message is to be careful who you associate with out there while gaming and socializing on the many sites. There are terroristic predators out there seeking to bring you into their fold. They are very manipulative and promises you a sense of belonging while leading you into trouble. Don't be afraid to report people to the site's moderators and if someone seems a bit persistent on welcoming you while feeding you hate against others, then you should simply ignore them and report them. 

 

[Shortie]

This is absolutely awful that they would go as far as to exploit games through multiplayer to spread their ideologies to be honest especially on a game like Roblox, where the majority of their player base is kids who will be easily influenced by things that they read online and in games. Something like this really does need to be nipped in the bud as soon as possible by game developers before it gets out of hand, that is if it hasn't already. We live in a very cruel world especially when it comes to online.

[Reality vs Adventure]

It has just come to light that a traitor that worked on a military base has leaked Pentagon classified documents relating to Ukraine and U.S. intelligence. This leak may have been intentional to turn people against support for Ukraine as well as turn American allies against the U.S. and against the Biden administration. Or he may have just been trying to show off, but either way it is treason. The traitor posted the files as a Discord server administrator and shared with a group of young gamers, and has spread to Russian telegram channels and 4chan, which is a far right terrorist site. He lured them in by sharing a "passion for guns, military gear, and God." Leaked Discord documents were even found on the servers for Minecraft. Discord has been used by many gamers and no doubt gamers are a target for these traitors trying to exploit young people in the gaming communities. BEWARE who you chat with on Discord. These extremists could very well drag yourself into big trouble by associating with them. 

https://www.businessinsider.com/pentagon-leak-discord-leader-young-gamers-og-intelligence-documents-2023-4

"Discord was used by the 2017 ‘Unite the Right’ supporters in Charlottesville, by Boogaloo boys and other groups linked to right-wing extremism or white supremacism but has also been used by incels. The servers are used by these actors for private conversations but also to vet new members and draw the attention of interested users, e.g. by tagging a server with the words ‘Nazi’ or ‘fascist’. Despite continuous efforts to deplatform extremist actors, several servers allegedly linked to right-wing extremist ideology and inceldom remain on Discord."

https://gnet-research.org/2021/09/06/lets-talk-about-games-baby-extremist-use-of-gaming-adjacent-platforms/

 

[Ravenfreak]

This is disgusting and it needs to be stopped. Discord shouldn't allow these types of servers to exist, and they should be de platforming any extremist groups that are going to continue to cause harm to society. We're going to have lots of unhinged adults in the future if this is allowed to continue happening.

[Shagger]

This is worrying indeed. I would like to think that young people today are smart enough and well informed enough to not be easily influenced by this kind of propaganda, but anyone can be conned and manipulated. There is a difference between free speech and hate speech and I do hope Discord steps in.

[killamch89]

On 4/13/2023 at 9:04 PM, Ravenfreak said:

This is disgusting and it needs to be stopped. Discord shouldn't allow these types of servers to exist, and they should be de platforming any extremist groups that are going to continue to cause harm to society. We're going to have lots of unhinged adults in the future if this is allowed to continue happening.

Discord allows all kinds of scammers so them also indirectly facilitating extremists shouldn't come as a surprise. Add to the fact that a growing portion of the current generation being unsatisfied with the way society is and you have a ticking bomb on your hands.