6 Worst Things About Online Gaming

3. Verbal Abuse

In life, both in Army training and collegiate studies, as well as social aspects of my life, I'm an almost too-quiet introvert that rarely speaks unless spoken to - I just tend to keep to myself.

In front of my television while playing a game online, I am the most profane, vile, EVIL bastard to ever exist - at least if only temporarily.

I happily shout a barrage of profanity, and all manner of lecherous language into my poor Bluetooth, happily teaming up with my clan to taunt and intimidate opponents in the lobbies before a game - so with that being said, I'm perfectly aware of what it feels like to be absolutely enraged by hearing something foul over the mic.

To call this an accurate depiction of verbal communication during Call of Duty games, is a massive understatement.

Now, my Drill Sergeant at Fort Benning has called me all manner of abusive terms and frankly, it's fairly difficult to rile me with just verbal banter alone. That being said, I cannot possibly count how many times I've been referred to as a racial epithet, a foul term, or some other derogatory slur while playing online, regardless of the gender or ethnicity of the person calling me whatever name it was - although I myself am a profane bastard, I never make my attacks personal. And let's face it - even in the horribly curse-stained lobbies of games, shouldn't there be SOME sort of limitation on what people call each other?

By the way, for those of you that don't know, the "Online Interactions not rated by ESRB", etc., phrase? It's because that there's no guarantee the G-rated game you're playing can prevent you from hearing a five-year-old call you a f*g over a microphone. Gotta love the digital age, huh?