Can you believe this guy? (Maybe…)
Adam Orth, the Microsoft game director who became the focus of internet hate after he dismissively defended on Twitter the company's decision to have an always-on connection for the Xbox One (which Microsoft overturned), will have his own session at Game Developers Conference 2014.
Entitled "Mob Rules: The Destructive Power of Opinion and Online Community," the now independent game developer for Three One Zero (after being let go almost immediately after the debacle) will lecture about "the real destructive power of online negativity" as officially described on the GDC 2014 site:
Adam Orth will present an in-depth and unfiltered look at toxic online behavior and destructive mob mentality within the gaming and Internet community. He will do this by examining the phenomenon through the lens of his personal experience, highlighting the progressive methods the game industry is currently using against the epidemic, and inspiring developers as a community to rebuild the foundation of online and community through positive academic, communal and mechanical revolution.
Takeaway
Session attendees will come away from the lecture with a greater understanding of the real destructive power of online negativity, who is at the forefront of change within the game industry, and how developers can use their unique voice and power for change.
Adam Orth delivered this talk previously at GDC Next in early November last year, where he addressed how threats against his family forced him and his family to relocate to Santa Monica, California. Though he believes that he reacted poorly to the public on social media, he believes that the online reaction to his comments was abusive and overblown.
Not that it's been eight months, does he have a point? Can internet justice become too self-righteous? Or was it still largely deserved?
