Bethesda bans Fallout 76 players for life after shocking in-game homophobic attack

Bethesda has banned a group of Fallout 76 players for life after a shocking in-game homophobic attack.

The move relates to an incident in which a group of Fallout 76 players targeted and harassed another group of players, saying over the proximity chat: "we have come to eliminate all gays."

[Neonridr]

Wow. I guess respect is something that isn't even taught to the youth of today. I don't know what's more disturbing, what I watched or the fact that the guys thought what they were doing was funny. Glad to hear they are banned forever. This stuff has no place in this world at all.

[LucasRuinedChildhood]

It's hard to deny that the youth of today show far more respect to gay people than previous generations. Other than that, I agree with your comment. I think that games journalists at times go out of their way to get offended and create clickbait articles but this is a real story. These guys were legitimately bad so I agree with Bethesda's judgement. However, the fact that it was so difficult to report these guys further highlights just how badly made Fallout 76 is.

I opted to watch one of the videos first before reading the entire article to form my own rough opinion on the incident. At first these guys were being so dumb that I thought that maybe they were intentionally acting idiotic to get some laughs (perhaps self-aware). The further you get into these videos, the more you realize that this is definitely not the case though. They really are just mean-spirited pricks.

[Neonridr]

fair enough, unfortunately there's always these sorts of players that feel it necessary to ruin the experiences for others because they think it's worth a few laughs to themselves. Gad to see Bethesda at least stepped in and prevented these guys from doing this sort of stuff on their servers ever again. I agree there needs to be a better way to report offenders, but I think for something like this, only a video was going to suffice to show just how bad it was.

[DaCajun]

I was just talking about something similar the other day with someone about our youth. The conclusion we came up with if you just look at facts throughout history is there is nothing different from one generation to another. In general, with humans there has always been ignorant bigoted jerks since the beginning of humankind unfortunately. The worst disease to inflict humans if you ask me and for some reason continues to thrive and spread faster than most diseases thanks to the internet. The worst thing also is it will never change until the end of humans.

[bluefox755]

The reason it gets clicks is because everyone knows why they're doing it. The expression: "There's no such thing as bad publicity" rings true on most games journalism these days. It's 100% about getting clicks, which is why they treat gay people like none of them have a spine.

[Felix_Argyle_Catbro]

I guess generalization is a word that is not taught to old people, based on your comment.

[Sono421]

honestly seeing articles like this constantly is getting old. There will always be immature edgy humor online because online is mostly filled with kids. If you're gonna perma ban every single person who makes an edgy joke you might as well just ban everyone. Or just a thought, you put the warning saying "online interactions aren't rated" and you aren't responsible for what happens online and then leave it at that, instead of selectively reacting to fake outrage and banning people. Don't like what someone is saying? Mute them, don't cry to Bethesda and ask for a ban you spineless millennials. Although I do understand the developer is in a rock and a hard place, because if they do nothing you'll see cancerous "news" sources calling them homophobic for not banning the wanna be edgy teens. It really comes down to the fact society is just becoming dumbed down and spineless, constantly running to authority and asking them to do something instead of doing it themselves. Pathetic.

[nyu1]

It's just them being edgy with dark humour, but it went too far and became too distasteful.

I can see how this kind of thing can be funny. I laughed at the way they said "Cleansing of the Queers". It's ridiculous, and that's the point. However if you're doing this you have to use common sense. Maybe in a party of close friends who know and appreciate that kind of silly humour, but otherwise not surprised they got banned. If you do want to do this kind of thing be a little more tasteful, maybe 'cleanse' some fictional group in the Fallout 76, not gays.

[kayoss]

Remember when hitler started saying, cleansing of the Jews and remember how that turn out? Joke or no joke, these subject matters are no longer up for humor. Same with racism.

[DaCajun]

Ignorance begets ignorance

The world never changes.

[nyu1]

@kayoss

You can say that about half of comedy, but it doesn't work like that. Lots of humour targets certain groups.

At the end of the day you just have to be careful what you say and when you say it. If you say the wrong the joke and the wrong time don't be surprised when people find it too much and call you out.

[81BX]

@kayoss
I laughed when I read it. Oh noooooos! Hitler is back!

[rainslacker]

I've noticed a lot of the youth of today that use racial slurs or spread racial or homophobic slurs, tend to do so more because they think it's funny, rather than being racist or homophobic. It's really sad that they think it's a joking matter. It can work in satire like South Park, but it's done in a way to show that those people using it are ignorant. In cases like this, it just make the person look ignorant.

[deno]

While I do agree with you on this. What really needs to be taught today, especially by parents, is morals. Everyone does what is right in their own mind.

[DaCajun]

I didn't disagree with you but unfortunately, some can't teach what they themselves don't have to begin with.

[Majin-vegeta]

Lol his response 10/10.Like banning will do anything...hell just go create another account.

[darthv72]

then that one will get banned and then the next and then the next. Like when rookie kept getting banned here and yet was making account after account to try and find his way back in.

I wonder what happened to him....? Did he clean up his act and now resides among us as a new persona or did he simply give up knowing he would be found out no matter how many accounts he tried to make.

The world may never know.

[TheColbertinator]

No I'm still here.

[Christopher]

@TheColbertinator

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

You inviting me into those restriction areas?

[DragonbornZ]

@Darth
Yea it's less about putting a full stop to something and more along the lines of mitigation.

Obviously its within their power to create new accounts, but unless they're some vengeful hateful people who will just create multiple accounts to harass gay people, how likely is it they'll continuously want to risk their progress?

@TheColbertinator
Lol

[RauLeCreuset]

Colbertinator, you are awesome. Don't ever let anyone tell you different.

[DaCajun]

OMG I forgot about that guy. lol

[DaDrunkenJester]

Getting banned for life seems like less of a punishment and more of a blessing in this game.

[Rachel_Alucard]

The article is assuming life but the reality is it was only 3 days and one of the banned ones didn't even care enough to go back.

[RobertNekita]

LOL True

[carcarias]

Haha, nice one! Yeah, it was a mercy banning :)

[Elda]

If true...I'm wondering how did they know what players were Gay from playing a videogame in the first place,unless they were just making it up. Though in most cases folks that Gay bash are the usual suspects that are fighting within themselves of mutual attraction of the same gender,though some also do this from "fear" of the unknown. Js.

[Rachel_Alucard]

The victim was hitting on one of the attackers earlier, that's how they knew.

[Mroc13]

The victim got what was coming then

[slate91]

He called one of the other player's outfits "cute". I wouldnt call that hitting on them.

[CorndogBurglar]

Is no one going to bring up the fact that the "victims" were all running around with nothing but tight whitey underwear on and telling other players in the game that they thought their clothes were "cute"?

I suppose that doesn't make it okay to get harassed, but let's be realistic here. These guys were purposely trying to make other players uncomfortable by doing this. There's no other reason for it.

[CorndogBurglar]

The "victims" were running around as a group wearing nothing but tighty whitey underwear and telling other Male players in the world that they thought their outfits were "cute". And we only know that because that's what one of the "victims" said. Who knows what else they might have said.

So lets try to be a little more realistic.

1. This is a game where the entire point is to be able to kill other players. Whether you have a reason to or not, it's one of the main features of the game.

2. These victims were very obviously trying to make other players uncomfortable if they are traveling as a group of Male characters wearing nothing but underwear and telling other male players how cute they think they look.

I don't want to sound like they deserved it or anything like that at all. Following them around and killing them and talking the way they were is certainly not acceptable. But again, it's a game where other players can attack and kill you for no reason at all. So maybe going around and doing something that other people may find offensive or uncomfortable is not the smartest thing to do of you don't want something like this to happen?

What I really get tired of in society is how people with "different" sexual orientations can play the offended card anytime they want, but a straight person is not allowed to be offended or uncomfortable by them? It's sort of a double standard.

[Elda]

You make a good point. It's just a game anyways but folks going around even in a game saying kill the Gays is somewhat disturbing.Running around in underwear some may find it disturbing but it's just a videogame,it seems like a no win situation...lol.

[InTheZoneAC]

By your logic when everyone calls each other n-word in online games that means they want to be a slave themselves? Your blanket statement is old and holds no actual truth. Sorry.

[Elda]

If you're referring to my initial comment your analogy doesn't make any sense what so ever. It's been proven in psychology studies including real life cases that in most cases (not all) the usual person that always go out their way to call Gay people names like (f*ggot) or even to assault them are the usual closet cases. Their usually bothered by the fact that they don't have the courage to be want they want to be & take their frustration out on that Gay individual because they have the courage to be who they are,sometimes it's to get the persons attention but they don't have the courage to do so so they do it in a negative way. In other cases it's pure immaturity/ignorance so they become bullies because they fear a culture/lifestyle that they know nothing about & only know the negative stereotypes that their peers may have told them especially if it involves religion,somewhat of a comparison of what people of color had to go through in the 50's & 60's (racism) which has somewhat resurfaced in the USA because of the now Trump era.

[InTheZoneAC]

we're talking about online chat, not physical assault.

[Elda]

Gay bashing/bullying is harassment no matter if it's physical,verbally or behind a keyboard it's all in the same pot including the fact that these idiots/cowards do this because there are reasons behind why they do it.

[parris]

I'm offended that Bethesda got offended... is what type of comments I'm sure this thread will end up being full of.

[CaptainObvious878]

When there's an actual legitimate case of extreme harassment I have no issue with the culprits getting punished.

But I do have an issue when "punching a virtual feminist in RDR2" is considered violent and all men are labelled sexist for one persons actions.

[RacerX]

Bethesda created a game revolved around killing eachother, where "extreme harassment" is actually encouraged. Other than the targeting of homosexuals, that is the game they created.

[whothedog]

Shooting and killing people is ok, but saying mean words is over the line. There is a thing called a block button, maybe he should of used that.

[PapaBop]

Being offended over trivial things like a character in a revealing outfit for a game that person had no interest in in the first place is completely different from someone suffering from online abuse in a game. I wished more companies would take a zero tolerance policy on online abuse like Bethesda has done here.

[Majin-vegeta]

Abuse?Lol please unless they're hurting him in real life this isn't abuse.Just cuz a few words hurt him.

[81BX]

Abuse?!?!?!? Agaahahahaaa
You guys are too much

[Smokehouse]

No “attack” in game will ever be shocking to me. I don’t even have to listen to know this is probably overblown.

[rainslacker]

I usually just roll my eyes at attacks like this. They're pretty meaningless, and are so weak in meaning that it's not worth getting upset over.

Not saying others shouldn't be offended if directed towards them....that's just how I feel when they're directed at me.

[Smokehouse]

I don’t know. If you get offended by this then you don’t look into the world much. I can understand a young person being offended, that’s not hard to do these days. If you are over 20 you need to step out of your bubble and understand how savage the real world is lol. They have burned comedy at the stake these last few years. Comedians won’t go near college campuses. It’s pathetic honestly.

Not to say what these people did was comedy but they definitely don’t deserve the attention in any form. Nor should Bethesda get a pat on the back for being some kind of civil rights advocate. This is weak and meaningless you’re right, on all sides. This kind of publicity is counterproductive to anyone that truly cared about an issue. It’s click bait garbage.

[adamwparker]

Yeah, some like you have the skin to wave this stuff off.

I just worry more about the young, impressionable kids. Especially those who ARE fighting with their identity. This type of hate teamup could have an effect on certain people.

Cyberbullying is real. It is.
And people have lost their lives from the effects of it.

That's why I'm all for banning these people.

They're getting too used to hiding behind their screens.

[nyu1]

This is Bethesda's game. I think we can understand if they don't want that kind of humour on their servers.

[rainslacker]

I'm not saying people should behave like this, or condone it in any way, and certainly it would be nice if people could remain resepctful, but I live in the real world, and know that even if the vast majority of people are respectful, there are always those who do stuff like this, and stand out more because they get more attention.

About all I can say to people who may be trying to find their identity is not to take people like these seriously. Generally, people you meet online are nobody to you until you spend time to get to know them. Just like in the real world, there are people who are not worth taking the time with, and if you don't care about those people, then you shouldn't listen to what they say or think about you.

[frostypants]

It's not much different from harassing a stranger on the street IRL. And IRL that would get you arrested. Society doesn't generally cater to jerks.

[Smokehouse]

It’s much different. It’s the opposite actually.

[tablav]

I mean, the “opposite” would be complimenting the guy, but whatever. Everybody is so obsessed with freedom online these days that they think you have a “right” to talk to people like shit, because that’s freedom of speech. No, that’s just bring a prick.

This might not be perceived as that bad by some here, but I think they should go and talk to people like this in the street. See what happens.

[Smokehouse]

Harassing somebody in a game aka following them around and talking shit is the opposite of following somebody down the street talking shit. There are countries in the world that will throw gays off of roofs. I’m not denying that, I’m denying the magnitude at which this portrayed. Some punks talking crap in fallout is not equal to some Iranian official tossing gays off of rooftops. People don’t talk like that in the street because they know what happens. The opposite happens, you get your ass kicked. The truth is that it doesn’t matter what you are, white, black, straight, gay, rich, poor. The world will chew you up all the same. You are entitled to nothing. Privilege is a myth.

[cd1]

@Smokehouse

"People don’t talk like that in the street because they know what happens"

So what you're saying is the only reason you personally don't go around throwing abuse at people in the street is that you're gonna get your teeth knocked in? How about just not wanting to do that in the first place?...

[Smokehouse]

Where did I say anything about me personally? I only talk shit to people that deserve it lol. I’m too chill and I get along with most. I don’t get along with stupid people. So no I don’t follow random people down the street talking shit. For one, everyone has a gun where I live. It’s not the only reason, it’s just the biggest one.

What I’m saying is that these punks wouldn’t do that in the street. That’s the entire point. Fallout online isn’t real life and shouldn’t be treated as such. This “online bullying” nonsense is laughable. Press the mute button, find a different server, find a different game. The “woe is me” shit is just as annoying as the trolls.

[whothedog]

"So what you are saying is" usually never starts off good. The difference between real life and the virtual world is you can block people and never interact with them, something this guy should have done.

[cd1]

@Smokehouse

Again you put the fact that other people may be armed in front of just being a decent person in the first damn place! These idiots online are exactly the same people who would abuse people on the street if they could get away with it - they just hide behind the internet to do it so not only are they bully's the're also cowards.

I say ban them, yes they can just create a new account but - start that game again and learn some common manners Biatch! :)

[Smokehouse]

Yes. Being armed is why I don’t like to fight anymore. It’s not over after a fight like it was back in the day. Like I said, I’m a very decent person and only talk shit where it’s deserved. If some asshole is being ignorant and stupid, I’m not going to tell them because I don’t want to fight or get shot because of something so stupid. You’re acting like avoiding a physical confrontation is something bad just to prove a weak point of semantics. And no these aren’t the same people on the street talking shit. The loudest ones aren’t the ones you have to worry about, that’s fact.

[VariantAEC]

Oh finally!
I was beginning to think everyone was actually offended by this BS drivel.
Glad to see I'm not the only normal person whose been called names just for playing a videogame online.
I guess the actual gamers aren't typically the first to leap on these kinds of "I love [insert objectified individual/s here] we must stop the hate" garbage express comments threads. It's still shocking to see more reasonable people telling how it is on Twitter than right here on News4Gamers. People get harrassed online.... Big whoop! Seriously this isn't a problem as many amazing memes on Twitter show you can just walk the heck away. It's not real life SJWs can teleport themselves to a new Fallout 76 world with all those rainbows and butterflies they want!
...But instead they'd rather shut other gamers down because offense was clearly taken.

[EmperorDalek]

Sorry, but this wasn't that bad. This is Fallout for f*** sake, previous games have included extreme violence and characters who say stuff just as bad, if not worse than any of this. In Fallout 3, you could sell children to slavers. But joking about gay people is somehow worse? They were laughing the whole time, which was a giveaway that they weren't even remotely serious.

"Homophobic attack" - You'd have to be extremely oversensitive to consider this an attack. Would it be better if they were black and said "Death to all whites"? That probably wouldn't get much attention... and neither should it. It's a post-apocalyptic game, this sort of behaviour, while unpleasant for some, is exactly what you'd see in an actual apocalypse. Only they wouldn't be joking like this group, they'd be dead serious, and would certainly harm people for no reason.

[adamwparker]

Jesus.....
This guy here comparing npc video game children to real life gay people.

Just because a game has a certain theme doesn't grant you permission to be a total asshole to other people.

Get a clue.

[Smokehouse]

You are comparing a video game insult contest to a world where people fly planes into buildings and unload Ak47s into soccer stadiums. What’s the difference? Is this really that shocking?

[adamwparker]

@Smokehouse, Ban those guys too. Lol

[Smokehouse]

They are banned lol.. Rules only work for the kind of person that would follow them. Just saying.

[EmperorDalek]

The point was that worse than his has happened in the Fallout universe. If you can't handle his sort of thing, Fallout has never been for you. Would you expect a group of people trying to kill you to be nice? Can't recall anything like that in Fallout, and it makes no difference if it's real players or NPCs.

Yes it does... its an online open world game where you can hunt in packs and kill strangers, and even nuke players and their settlements. Hell they could have said all sorts of nasty things and gotten away with it. You'd have to be stupid to not expect situations like this.

Oh, and he could have turned off the chat at any given point, instead he chose to be offended by people joking around.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

And how do you know how an actual Apocalypse would be? Mel Gibson perhaps....

[EmperorDalek]

I suppose there could be many different ways an apocalypse could play out. I felt like The Road showed what could be a realistic take on it, and you could certainly see groups kill strangers for no reason in that world.

[nyu1]

Correct, they obviously weren't serious, but you have to draw a line somewhere, and Bethesda decided to draw the line here.

They don't want to risk people being genuinely distraught by this stuff while playing their game, and I can understand + it's a PR thing. It's an online game after all. I found the act really funny myself, especially the way the players were saying it. It's like they formed an in game cult and it's really funny, but at the end of the day edgy, dark humour is not for everyone.

[Hardiman]

Fu*k the "mouth breathers" and that's why I prefer SP! Leave the dark humor to Tosh or Carmichael because this was annoying and juvenile especially the main one, geez what a voice.

[Mr Marvel]

Banned for life from this terrible game?
That’s not a punishment, that’s a kind gesture. LOL

[BlaqMagiq1]

He did them a favor.

[adamwparker]

Hell! Yeah!
I had little tolerance for this immature chatting when I was in my twenties.
I have absolutely none now in my thirties.

These kind of players are why people my age don't use a mic anymore in multiplayer games.

Ban them all!

[william_cade]

These players are scumbags for sure, but Bethesda:you put your moral cap on while you screwed people out of money and sell nylon for canvas. It's good to know we got papa beth protecting us.

[AnubisG]

The unfortunate state of online gaming. That is why I don't like to play online. You never know who you run into. If I play online, than I mute EVERYONE. I learned this a long time ago.

[Kinglink]

I am in NO way defending the actions and the actions of the players are unacceptable.

But it's also a big problem that Bethesda can ban someone permanently in an online only game. These guys paid 60 bucks and now have an online code that's worthless.

Yes these guys deserve a punishment, but when you start this up what happens next? Someone else will get banned and it won't be for homophobic slurs, maybe protesting Bethesda, maybe harassing an Admin one too often, maybe complaining a lot, maybe by saying "That's so gay", maybe by accident.

Suddenly a paying customer gets their 60 dollar game turned off because Bethesda doesn't like their actions and it is acceptable?

But also fuck homophobes, it's just I see that the large banhammer will be turned on someone else before long.

[RauLeCreuset]

There's a reason the slippery slope argument is considered logical fallacy. They bought a $60 game knowing it was online only and that there are rules of conduct. It doesn't matter if they spent $60,000 on a vehicle. Get out on the road and create a negative experience for others while disregarding the rules of the road and that $60,000 vehicle will also be a paperweight when the license to drive it is revoked.

[Kinglink]

Except in that argument you still have a $60,000 vehicle you can sell, which is why goods vs Digital good comparisons don't work.

[mopground]

terrible comparison

[RauLeCreuset]

@Kinglink

You still have a $60 game you can sell too.

Edit: Granted the value on this particular game seems to be dropping by the minute. 😂 But seriously, whose fault is that? They knew they were buying an online only product and still decided harassing some presumably gay people was worth the risk of being banned from the online community. The idiot then posted the video himself.

[ginganinja]

If you went to a sporting event and acted like a dick you'd get kicked out. No questions, no refunds.

Maybe you don't fear being banned because you use proper channels to complain to Bethesda, don't harass admins, don't make racist, homophobic, sexist, transphobic, etc, slurs, and play the game in the way it was intended and treat fellow gamers with respect.

[Realms]

Oh wait let me guess people are so stupid they can't read the user agreement terms I suggest you start reading them before you accept. Essentially it's a contract by which a user agrees if you violate those terms you are subject to voiding said agreement and x company has the right to terminate said agreement. Here is a thought don't be a tool and you won't have any problems getting banned.

[Tankbusta40]

"This isn't the first time hes been in a gang bang"
Had to laugh at that one

[PowerOfTheCloud]

It.is.just.a.game.ffs.

As long as they don't hunt down gay people IRL i don't give a damn. People are too senstive these days smh

[Mr Marvel]

I agree 100%.

[jcole97]

Kids these days wouldn’t have survived the 360 days.

[Majin-vegeta]

Those mw2 days...lol

[lociefer]

Just imagine kotaku and eurogamer running articles daily on kids sleeping with other's moms

[KillZallthebeast]

I like dark and stereotyped humor. I never enjoy it when it feels serious or hurtful

[KillZallthebeast]

Glad the person who disagrees likes when jokes are purposely hateful.

[PowerOfTheCloud]

Maybe people disagree with "never enjoy it when it FEELS serious or hurtful".

Though you have the right to feel offended, others might not feel the same. especially when it comes to stereotyped and dark humor (which you stated you like) there is always someone who feels offended. Going by that you either have to dismiss all type of dark humor because out of the 7 billion people on earth someones feelings will be hurt or you say "get over it, it is just a joke" . I'd go with the latter otherwise no joke can be made at all.

[KillZallthebeast]

Going off your 1 agree I think you're wrong

[JokerBoy422]

$20 bucks says Bethesda wouldnt do shit if a group of liberals went around killing Christians.

[RauLeCreuset]

Deal. On one condition. You have to give me your $20, now. I'll return, plus give you my $20, once Bethesda ignores a group of liberals engaging in similar conduct targeting Christian's.

[jc12]

This, my friends is the problem with the internet. People understand there is little accountability and they can say and do whatever they want without repercussion. At least this time there were consequences.

[Chumdiddy]

Shocking? Sure. Said the person that's never used the internet.

Also, the dudes doing it were lame, unfunny and complete virgins but it was pretty clearly a joke. They weren't getting vile in any real way. It was obviously a few teen boys having a crude laugh. Ban them for a few days and move the f on.

[FlameWater]

This story is about as real as a Fallout 76 Canvas Bag

[DrumBeat]

Glad these idiots were reported and subsequently banned.

[T2X]

I've met assholes like that online.just mute and leave and report!

[VariantAEC]

Really? I thought the report system was for hackers and cheaters...
I don't report idiots and clowns. Only morons with clown magic!

[warriorcase]

Seems the general upvote consensus on twitter drom the original links is that it was cleary a joke and everyone is overreacting and is being made out to be a serious attack rather then just some kids being stupid.

[sprinterboy]

I'm always getting "hope your mum dies of cancer" in txt chat on rocket league, fucking disgusting some behaviour.

[VariantAEC]

The people disagreeing probably think those people can actually give your mom cancer. I mean there's no difference between the game and RL to them after all.

[BuildTheWall]

You know that if they were being attacked for being white or straight they wouldn't have an issue with it. I hear little pussy bitches calling me things like cracker & honkey yet the fools don't realize that I take pride in being a cracker. I don't give a shit about your sexual preferences , although I don't agree with homosexuality either , although I may disagree with homosexuality we are all still human & there is no excuse for violence or threats of violence over race , religion , sexual preferences unless an individual prefers children , animals or to rape people , those individuals should be put to death.

[BigTrain]

"prefers children or animals"

There are advocacy groups for both of those "sexual preferences" vying for legislation to be put on the books as acceptable behavior, and they're taking the same measures as homosexuals to get it done. In so many years the next Fallout issue will be a video where the attackers are paedophobic or beastialophobic. The slippery slope is officially inescapable at this point.

[Valkron1]

If the phrase “squeal like a pig” becomes culturally insensitive I wouldn’t be too suprised 😒

[Sophisticated_Chap]

I remeber when I logged onto play Halo 3 for the first time, and litterally, within the first minute of playing the game, I was called a F*****. The difference between my generation and younger people, is that we have a thick skin and move on.

[RauLeCreuset]

Really? So that's all the younger generation spazzing out when NFL players don't stand for the anthem and complaining that their escapist entertainment has been ruined by the injection of real world issues? Works both ways. Like the guy in the story said, he too was trying to enjoy some escapist entertainment, but instead had to put up with being targeted over his sexuality.

[whothedog]

Block/Mute button, it isn't that hard.

[RauLeCreuset]

Know what's even easier? Not going online and acting like a fool in obvious violation of the terms of service. Funny how that's so hard for some people to grasp.

[VariantAEC]

Yeah the difference is these older folk hurt the NFL by not watching it on TV cutting off their revenues and not really saying a word about it.

Unlike these moronic SJW types who take to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, ect to make social pariahs of their assailants... Isn't it odd how much SJWs, socialists, communists and terrorists have in common?

[RauLeCreuset]

Nice goalpost shift. Now please produce the data that shows the impact those older folk had. I trust you'll be able to demonstrate the impact this group had specifically, independent of any negative impact to the NFL from people boycotting for the opposite reason (the NFL'S treatment of protesting players) and already declining ratings. But yeah. "SJWs" have no history of effectively boycotting. People upset with the player protests haven't turned to social media to draw attention to their ineffectual burning of Nike products, because Nike had a man they wish to make a pariah in a commercial. And they weren't at all played into generating more publicity that ultimately helped Nike's bottom line.

[Vanakka]

Oh man them "Cyber Bully's" you better run!

[medman]

F em'.

Losers.

[Rodney25]

This is not even that bad lol. I've seen way worse. People cry over everything. Like some kids found out I was black on Overwatch and started saying I lived on food stamps but I didn't go and get them banned. It's a game and some kids or teens its not gonna kill you.

[BigTrain]

Really. I've been called a nigger a thousand times over on Call of Duty.

[WitcheRivia]

It just shows how out of touch Bethesda is & why Fallout 76 will continue to fail. They're banning people for role playing in a RPG.

[Valkron1]

Yeah, in a game where they left the story up to it’s customers. Guess they should have warned people it’s a post apocalyptic grinder sim

[salmonade]

OMG they were just trolling. Get a thicker skin FFS. Ban them yes... but don't get yourself all worked up, triggered and outraged over something so juvenile like that.

[Doge]

Why are you so triggered?

[Segata]

Wouldn't a better punishment be forced to play Fallout76 for life?

[VariantAEC]

W>^U^T> EPIC BURN!!!

[IAreBeMrLee]

Would you believe it, another millennial with no sense of humour...

[VariantAEC]

You look familiar!
Someone wrote the same comment on Twitter.

[Blu3_Berry]

Jesus, I mean I do mess around with random players just being funny but this is on a whole other level. This is utterly disgusting and it's clearly harassment. Glad these punks got banned they fully deserved it. Honestly, I hope their IP gets banned too.

[Kraytossmeoff]

Remember cod:mw2 forced chat lobbies,on paper 50% of the player base should of got banned lol homophobic,your mom,racial slurs were the norm (I’m not saying it was ok mind you) think you got respect everyone’s way of life I suppose.

[Orionsangel]

Bethesda really thought it was smart to have online players as the NPCs? SMH

[HeroPsychoDreamer]

So they just banned half of their player base :))

[mandingo]

I mean not that this is ok, but to be honest this is just typical stuff you hear all the time online. That’s why online play isn’t rated because this happens. Since my early days on x360 this stuff happens. You kind of just laugh it off and move on. Sometimes it’s funny others times it’s offensive. It’s just the world we live in now where anything you say can be offensive....

[Majinzo]

For a game were survival is the main focus the queers should team up and fight back. Fair game. This stuff makes online games interesting.

[Mylove1516]

I never could never understand people who are offended by homosexuality...Good on Bethesda for making the right choice. Hazing and being competitive is normal in gaming and can be a good thing when done in a tasteful manner but this? This is just wrong.

[aaronaton]

Hahah so funny! Just abit of banter really.
Also the title 'homophobic attacks' would suggest that the victim was indeed gay and the perpetrators knew this.

[Valkron1]

Didn’t the guy say it started when he called one of their outfits “cute”? I’d imagine it could be dangerous coming on to anyone in a post apocalyptic crapfest of a game

[VariantAEC]

Nah...
But if this were real I think they'd have a hard time. I mean digitized audio over VOIP was enough to make them question their existence. Image the lifelong psychological impact of a genuine attack. Never mind actual bodily damage which can't be imparted via a videogame... Yet!

[Mroc13]

It was a bit funny. Immature as well. Don't see the big deal. It's just a game. Guess the banned guys won in the end because the game is horrible

[Shikoku]

Isnt online gaming awesome its so experience enhancing.

[Realms]

This is why I don't like to play online games with strangers some people are turds and ruin the game. They should get ban if not because of their anti gay rhetoric for their sheer stupidity. We have all been teenagers and done and said stupid things but they took it too far. Moral of the story treat people how you would like to be treated, apparently respect is a hard concept for some people to understand.

[wwinterj]

So this article is basically saying that some folk online are idiots? News to me. *rolls eyes* This is one of the reasons I don't play online.

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

Humans are pathetic, news at 11.

[themodern_age]

this is pathetic. that means everyone would have been banned for life during CODs heyday. people are far too soft these days.

[TheOtherMoon]

Well...people are going to some intense lengths to make sure they don't have to play this game.

[ianleo]

Several years ago, this can be dismissed as gay joke.

[Mroc13]

https://youtu.be/EraAt07Cto...

lol

[carcarias]

You know, I try to be as fair as possible but this whole debacle is just pathetic from every angle.

Firstly, ganking has always been pathetic imho, but then it's the nature of many online games. You join a game like that you know what you're in for. These games try to offer freedom, a nihilistic kinda freedom. A space to be as outrageous as you like with no real consequences because, you know, it's not actually real. That's how many people view these games.

Secondly, calling this 'shocking homophobic abuse' is also pathetic. It sounded like a bunch of guys laughing, being silly and talking crap like millions of teens/young adults do everyday; online AND offline. I mean, how can this be homophobic abuse? These are pixels we're talking about here, sheesh. Not only that but the 'abusers' wouldn't even know if the real players were gay to begin with, not for absolutely sure. People role-play after all. Were these guys acting like a-holes? Sure, to a degree, but did they commit a hate crime? Of course not, neither in the moral or legal sense.

Lastly, it's an apocalyptic post-nuclear wasteland scenario. It actually makes sense that you'd get groups of Mad Max type gangs going around targeting people based on prejudices.

Honestly, what's the world coming to when people try and act like this is a serious incident worthy of news? Some people broke the terms and conditions of F76 and got banned. That is all. I'm more likely to feel shocked at the idea of people being shocked :s

[OneLove]

............lol

[ziggurcat]

Good.

[Stevonidas]

This seems more like bethesda fishing for internet points than actually addressing legitimate issues with their game.

[gammaray13]

hahah well Bethesda done those boys a favour cos now they dont have to play that trash again

[pinkcrocodile75]

I'm 6ft 5" and I love bummin' I'm also known for picking homophobes up by the throat when the call me a puff in the street and they often pee themselves in fright. I'm called a gentle giant by those who know me unless, you pick on me or my family, then, well, you're going in the ground or to going hospital.

Now with that said, this is just a bunch of c@nts playing a game and being bell3nds. Lets be honest, they are social f@ckP!gs but are not doing anything worth being banned for. Freedom of speech allows them to say what they like whether I like it or now, you CANNOT pick and choose the speech your like since that would be Left Wing fascism just like the Jesus freaks and the repulicans / tories are often accused of being Right Wing fascists. Bottomline, that are all fascist c@nts and I'm saying to both sides "go f@ck yourselves".

However that freedom of speech allow you to call them a bunch of c@nts too. So for those people making this issue a THING, f@ck off

[whothedog]

LOGIC, I love it!

[feenix-5]

Yes do your best to deflect all the negative attention your crap game is getting, that'll help.........

[subtenko]

idc if someone said something mean to me in a game, as long as they arent harassing me, even at that, a permaban? gtfo bethesda.Lets not forget all the BS going on with them.

[subtenko]

You might as well permaban everyone who kills someone in a video game or says anything mean remotely at all! The timing of this 'story' too.

Bethesda said someone mean to me, its absolutely unacceptable, I demand perma free games from them after this year

[AK91]

This kinda seems like a smokescreen to me to get red of the negative feedback from gamers who bought the game.

[yoshatabi]

Banning them from that horrible game did them more good than bad. Lol

[Soulrakk]

First off, if any real intent is made and anyone feels harassed. It's nonsense, immature and just ridiculous. Block these people and ignore. UNLESS... one is willing to look at the idea that this may have been premeditated by the group in order to spark this kind of reaction and then cause controversy on social media. The "victims" were literally walking around in underwear telling others that their outfits were "cute". By nature, enticing, provoking & trolling a response of this kind. HARASSMENT & OFFENSIVENESS CAN WORK BOTH WAYS.. to the banned group's defense, it did sound more like it was done in a comedic fashion based on what had transpired and hardly sounded like they meant any real hate by it. And why isn't the "victim" saying anything while this is happening? You know, like, "guys just leave me alone please" or any kind of sincere plea UNLESS he himself knew he started it & getting what he wanted. That's fishy to me. There's disingenuous behavior here in my opinion. Which is probably why the guys that were banned refused to apologize. Just sounds to me like it was provacated by one and played out by the other. Nothing to see. the internet trolls again and the ban is a reach.

[Remmerz]

I love how Bethesda feels it is ok to violate there 1st amendment rights to express there opinion about the homosexual community.

[Knightofelemia]

I was expecting it to be a group of kids I wanted a good laugh about the kids getting banned

[DaniMacYo]

Glad the three stooges got banned for life, just curious though, can’t they make a new online account and start again? Like a new PSN ID that sorta thing?

[BadElf]

We have all heard this garbage since the first time using mics. Remember 2006-2010 Xbox Live, Duty 4/all other shooters ? Almost every person had a mic, and we were pretty Savagely with each other. All of us showing dominance.

There was always that fool though...that acted like this...Him and his 3 buddies yelling the N word or something..but most would say "Hey get the fugg out of here, with that filth"

Now a days....just those types of people are on mics now :(

[BlackTar187]

Shocking lol

Just assholes being assholes nothing shocking about that toughen up people.

[InTheZoneAC]

And kids and adults alike can spam the n-word 24/7, no one bats an eye. Players shoot and kill enemies, no one bats an eye. Bethesda please kys

[MAULxx]

"In-game homophobic attack."
LOL! Ever heard of making mountains out of mole hills? What do you call this? Making planets out of ant hills?

[Traingamez]

lol people today would faint or have a heart attack if they heard ANY average conversation during and after halo 2 matches when it was open chat.

Everyone is so fragile... wake up people

The first rule of America is you can say ANYTHING you want, that's what FREE SPEECH is

even if I HATE what you say I defend your right to say it

[Cobra951]

A reality check (NSFW):
https://www.youtube.com/wat...