Andreas Zecher’s Letter to the Gaming Community

Yesterday, independent game developer Andreas Zecher created an open letter to the gaming community at large. In the letter, he called for acceptance and tolerance, and encouraged those who see threats of violence or harm directed at members of the gaming community to make it known, and make a public stand against harassment and hate that seems to permeate the gaming culture.

The letter reads as follows:

“We believe that everyone, no matter what gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or disability has the right to play games, criticize games and make games without getting harassed or threatened. It is the diversity of our community that allows games to flourish.
“If you see threats of violence or harm in comments on Steam, YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Facebook or reddit, please take a minute to report them on the respective sites.
“If you see hateful, harassing speech, take a public stand against it and make the gaming community a more enjoyable space to be in.
“Thank you
“Andreas Zecher (Spaces of Play)”

Just minutes ago, Zecher tweeted that he has closed sign-ups for the open letter, citing a massively overwhelming response. On a succinct but heartfelt note, Zecher thanked the community at large for sharing and re-sharing his message, and hopes that we will continue to care and make the changes that need to be made.

This letter comes on the back of recent harassment of Depression Quest developer Zoe Quinn and Anita Sarkeesian of Feminist Frequency with her latest video Women as Background Decoration. It’s not just abuse toward women, either, as we all remember the debacle of Fez creator Phil Fish, which resulted in Polytron’s website being hacked and Fish’s personal information leaked to the masses.

Zecher says he’s still going through the backlog of all those that had sent requests for their signature to be added, but at this moment over 2400 names have been pledged in one day.

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Jenna Fraser

A New England born, Boston native, Jenna says "wicked" with reckless abandon. She loves video games almost as much as she loves words and to say that she has an obsession with Queen would be the biggest understatement of all time.