In 2022, more than half of gamers—about 51 percent—reported encountering extremism in both offline and online video games and within the communities that form around them. This finding comes from a study highlighted in an edition of The Gamer, drawing on work from the Center for Business and Human Rights at Stern School of Business, New York University. The same report points to how extremist messages can spread not only through in-game text and voice chats but also through thematic communities on social networks, with Discord identified as a particularly active channel.
The issue expands beyond chat and forums. Players can encounter extremist ideas embedded in in-game content and user-generated material across popular titles. Researchers point to projects and ecosystems within games such as Call of Duty, Roblox, Minecraft, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Fortnite as environments where problematic communities may form and operate. Developers have made deliberate attempts to curb extremist sentiment, but scientists involved in the analysis argue that these efforts are not consistently effective and call for broader, more coordinated actions by game makers, platforms, and communities alike.
A survey conducted by the Center for Business and Human Rights involved more than 1,000 participants from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and South Korea. The findings underscore a pressure point in the gaming industry: as games grow more social and interconnected, the risk of harmful ideologies spreading through players and platforms increases. These insights are emerging in the wake of a string of recent video game controversies that have drawn media attention and policy interest.
Journalists referencing the study have cited incidents such as an episode where confidential U.S. government data was reportedly exposed via a Discord server dedicated to Minecraft, demonstrating how real-world security risks can be linked to gaming communities. The broader conversation emphasizes the need for stronger safeguards, clearer community guidelines, more robust moderation tools, and ongoing collaboration between developers, platforms, researchers, and players to reduce the visibility and influence of extremist content within gaming spaces. [Citation: Center for Business and Human Rights, Stern School of Business, New York University]
Additionally, coverage notes a change in perception around game communities when moderation fails or when content moderation lags behind fast-evolving online behaviors. The discussion reflects growing concern about how price manipulation and related actions on certain platforms can influence game ecosystems and consumer trust, highlighting the broader impact of platform policies on player experiences. [Citation: The Gamer, ongoing research by The Center for Business and Human Rights]
Overall, the research suggests a multi-pronged approach: improve detection and removal of extremist content, implement clearer community guidelines, provide better reporting mechanisms for players, and encourage collaboration among developers, community moderators, and researchers to create safer online environments without stifling legitimate play and creativity. The call to action is for more proactive governance and sustained investment in safeguarding players while preserving the engaging, social nature of modern gaming. [Citation: Center for Business and Human Rights, Stern NYU]