Like everyday people, gamers get “triggered” (filled with rage and hate after experiencing something intolerable) and seek justification for their unrelenting pain. Unlike gaming “IRL” (in real life), MMOFPS gamers are not face-to-face with their aggressor, so confrontation can occur haphazardly and quickly escalate. With a closer look, a typical onlooker can understand the drive behind the trash-talking MMOFPS gamer.
The trash-talking MMOFPS (Massively Multiplayer Online First Person Shooter) gamer’s age and emotional intelligence range sporadically, but gamer’s archetypes typically fall into 4 categories: “casual” (plays for their idea of fun), “social” (plays to meet others online), “competitive” (plays to win/for accomplishments), and “hardcore” (plays games all day every day)–all the aforementioned have partaken in trash-talk. The trash-talking MMOFPS gamer’s choleric and critical tone can be made apparent at any time because in-game communications are “user-friendly” (easy to operate). “Trash-talk” (disparaging or boastful language)–an American word that dates back to 1985 has been used for many reasons such as to intimidate or throw-off or joke with an opponent. The language can vary from each game, and expectations change based on a player’s role.
The choleric and critical tone of the trash-talking MMOFPS gamer can be analyzed by looking at the mode “free-for-all” (every man for themselves). “Campers” are players who strategically hides and waits for targets to enter their field of view, easily triggering a posthumous player as they watch their “kill-cam” (footage viewable after dying; shows your killer’s location, weapon, and replays how a player is killed)–an unsportsmanlike act. Moreover, the low risk/high reward attribute of a skilled “Camper” can be devastating against “newbs” (new and are willing to learn), “noobs” (has played many matches and have no will to learn or increase dexterity), and even pros. “Campers” are usually reported for unsportsmanlike conduct, trash-talked, or kicked from matches. Similar to a “Camper’s” unsportsmanlike narrative, “Spammers” are players who use a single “OP” (over-powered) weapon throughout the game without switching. In a well-known MMOFPS “Call Of Duty,” the “rocket-launcher” is “OP;” “Spammers” love this weapon because it instantly kills opponents, and if a player were to miss their target, they’ll most likely kill themselves to prevent others from scoring–rinse and repeat. Again, the low risk/high reward attributes of this play style are coined unsportsmanlike. Furthermore, this example hammers at the trash-talking MMOFPS gamer’s hot-tempered and quick at finding fault tone.
The trash-talking MMOFPS gamer has gained public popularity from “team deathmatch” (players stack points by killing each other until a timer ends the match)–the melting pot where a more technical approach to trash-talking can occur. Trash-talkers are more likely to lurk on a player’s profile to see their “K/D Ratio” (kills over deaths a player has in multiplayer matchmaking games; more kills than deaths brings a positive K/D Ratio, but more deaths than kills, brings a negative K/D Ratio) and other stats like “PvP” (player versus player) wins or loses to deliver a meticulous trash-talking. The title “Scrub” (experienced gamers who lacks the skills to match their experience) is given to players with negative K/D. Similar to “noobs,” “Scrubs” are not new to a game, but lacks the mechanics common to gamers with similar experience; whereas intermediates, “smurfs” (a pro who uses a second account against unevenly skilled players), and pro players are praised accordingly.
In a popular MMOFPS Overwatch, players have roles and abilities and an “ult” (a powerful signature ultimate move which embodies the essence and emotions of a character). “Ult” plays on the word “ultimate” (maximum; to end a process)–perhaps to bring attention to the furthest. When a player meets the conditions for their “ult,” they reach the extent of their “ult meter” (a bar which increases until it reaches the apex ). Highly skilled players know to inform their team and meticulously plan when to combine “ults.” However, a “scrub” or “noob” or “newb” is more likely to use their “ult” without a protocol. Multiple “ults” activated simultaneously will almost always kill at least 3 opponents, whereas a single, unplanned “ult” is less likely to kill anyone.
“GG” (good game) and “GGPO” (good game piece out) are abbreviations usually mentioned after the end game results or if a player disconnects early, indicating their satisfactory experience playing against their opponents, however, some MMOFPS gamers will confuse this casual voice for trash-talking–for good reason. “Pwned” (the corruption of “owned”–someone who has been dominated) players are more likely to get triggered after reading or hearing “GG” or “GGPO.” Players who believe their experience was unpleasant will internalize “GGPO” or “GG” as patronizing because MMOFPS gamers have used this specific trash-talk to patronize others. Moreover, gamers are quick to ridicule a team as well as their own team, calling them “trash” (unskillful) or “easy-mode” (easily killable), and usually follow with “GG” or “GGPO,” which lets everyone know the game has concluded.
In certain cases, the trash-talking MMOFPS gamer will “Troll” (deliberately piss players off to get a reaction). “Trolls” are probably the most dangerous type of trash-talking MMOFPS gamers, as their motives are mysterious and intentions are unknown. Most “Trolls” will almost always put on a farce, not always intending to disparage, but to bring humor to a game. However, some “Trolls” have trash-talked people into committing suicide. “Trolls” are the wildcard of the MMOFPS gaming community.
As I approach the limit of my paper I questioned if the trash-talking MMOFPS gamer should seek therapy. Are trash-talking MMOFPS gamers aware of the potential damage on other player’s mental health? Based on the variety of gamers, how should trash-talking be addressed? Maybe trash-talking will never stop, after all, it has been around for as long as humans could express hate.
Photo by Broken isn’t Bad
Mindyourmatt 
Leave a comment