The deplorable behavior of a vocal minority has given Xbox Live a well-deserved reputation. Fans know to keep their headsets off it they don’t want to listen to an endless stream of ignorant slurs. Other online game communities maintain equally poor reputations — ever been a new player in a game of League of Legends or DOTA? As players, we have the luxury of taking our attention elsewhere — either to single-player or to other games entirely. The developers of these games don’t have that option, the community picks the game, not the other way around. Bound to serve their game’s fans, regardless of how poor, game makers must learn to handle their native populations’ trolls and anti-social behavior.
Mike Drach, Producer on the popular ForumWarz game, learned through a long process of trial and error, how to manage the one of the most unruly communities, and shared the lessons he’s learned in a presentation at the Game Developers Conference. With communities becoming more important to the industry, Drach explained how to cope and make the most of the fan base you’re given.
