In the instances which are the subject of this article, I am sure you're correct. My point is that in-game behavior can be decoupled from behavior in the real world. I've seen in-game bigotry between factions in MMO's, and while I'm sure many of these people are also prone to such behavior in real life, others are role-playing; and although the behavior may be considered toxic, it may seem "fake" to the participants (and some politicians have argued in the past that "fake" murders in video games are also toxic).

I've come around to the idea that role playing racism/sexism in gaming is just a dodge. It's the "just a prank bro"/"can't you take a joke?" of online shitlording. And the vast majority of the stuff that goes down in these games doesn't even fall under obvious role playing -- it's just abuse.

I agree with that. I am not trying to defend bigotry. I think there is room to point out that many people engaged in abusive behavior don't perceive their own actions as abusive. It could be valuable to understand how these people perceive such interactions, and how they might be presented with an alternative viewpoint that may help them to eschew behaviors involved in any harm they could unintentionally be causing others.

As for people who intentionally cause harm, that's a very real issue which I was not addressing with my above comments.

" I think there is room to point out that many people engaged in abusive behavior don't perceive their own actions as abusive."

It doesn't matter if they don't think it's abusive or not. It's still abusive, and they need to be informed of that. If, after that, they amend their behavior, then great. They've learned and grown as humans are supposed to do. But if they continue to insist on the behavior, then they're abusive, full stop.

I agree fully. My initial comment was simply a reaction to the idea that getting racism out of video games would be a first step on the road to getting it out of politics. I think it would be absolutely desirable, but I don't see the issue as one of serial progression. I am afraid it may not have such a causal link that cleaning up some games would lead to cleaning up our politics. Many of the people acting abusively in games may be unwittingly participating in behavior that is encouraged by a smaller set of malicious actors who also influence things outside the virtual world.