These days, no one can really be “right” when it comes to online arguments, as there’s always someone out there trying to prove that their statement is the strongest – even if it’s not always factual.
Linda Carlson, director of global community relations for Sony Online Entertainment, explained that the process for online audience growth is “an area of study,” where players of their games act more like occupants, interacting members of the virtual world that the company creates, including Planetside 2 and DC Universe Online, both of which are coming to PlayStation 4.
Carlson spoke at GDC Europe about the matter, stating, “When I first started playing in 1999, it was the most extraordinarily, overtly sexist environment ever,” she says when we meet after her talk. “That’s one of the reasons I started playing as a male dwarf. I made a female wood-elf, and it was, ‘Hey baby, nice rack!’ So I made a female human – not as attractive – and it was still just people wanting to cyber. I finally went for a male dwarf, because nobody wants to touch that.”
“I’d been a strong supporting member of the community… I was one of those veterans that liked to help out, though I typically avoided forums as much as I could. They were really a cesspool at that time, and I didn’t feel comfortable posting there – they’re moderated much more carefully now.”
“It’s all a matter of perspective. The size of the problem changes depending on who you are, so you have to take all of these views seriously, even if you can’t change something [back].”
More information on the process can be found at the link below.
Source: GamesIndustry International
