California-based software company GamerSafer is dedicated to providing efficient and effective security and toxicity gatekeeping services for online games, with the aim of creating gaming environments that are as safe and enjoyable for players as possible.
Along with the opportunities for positive social interactions and connectedness which online multiplayer gaming provides, unfortunately the very nature of this platform also allows for immense toxicity and abusive, disruptive behavior to take place.
The Problem
A huge part of this problematic behavior is attributable to the anonymity which online gaming allows for, which gives cyberbullies and related ilk the confidence to dole out their abusive behavior without the threat of accountability. Consequences include huge volumes of harassment, sexism, racism, account hijacking, scamming, and so on.
In one report published exactly one year ago it was revealed that 73% of players reported having experienced some kind of harassment whilst playing online games, with 65% reporting severe harassment. While 38% of players say they could still manage to play despite the harassment, 27% felt they needed to change how they played, and 19% actually ended up quitting the game entirely.
GamerSafer’s Solution
Developers’ and publishers’ efforts to quell these issues generally involve laborious moderation and tracking. And banning players is effective only insofar as said players don’t find another way of weaselling back in using a different email address or computer.
GamerSafer’s product - Digital Gaming ID - is a new authentication technology powered by computer vision and artificial intelligence technology that can be integrated into the game’s login. In less that one second, it is apparently able to verify and authenticate players before they are able to join the game.
Digital Gaming ID is aimed at game publishers and developers; players themselves won’t be paying anything extra. It has been “designed by gamers, for gamers,” says Maria Tamellini, COO of GamerSafer and Women in Games Ambassador. She goes on to say:
The Benefits
Besides being super fast, the main advantages that come with this tech is that it ensures that banned players are prevented from returning, and that more compatible matchmaking is made that much more possible. GamerSafer is also currently working at establishing their tech within the eSports scene, with a vision of fostering a more positive and fair competitive landscape in collaboration with tournament organizers, federations, and associations.
GamerSafer combines human-centered design with the latest safety and privacy trends to support games in the mission of offering incredible experiences for players and communities.Success for us means to safeguard millions of players of all genders, geographies, ethnicities, ages and religions, especially those that are most vulnerable right now.
The occurrence of bullying, harassment, cheating and the like in online games poses a huge issue by undermining the real joy and togetherness which gaming can otherwise bring to players. Hopefully, more efforts like the ones being spearheaded by GamerSafer will continue leading us closer to healthier, safer online gaming.
For more information, you should take a gander at the GamerSafer’s website.
