8 Worst (But Likely) Outcomes Of The #GamerGate Scandal

2. Someone Actually Gets Killed

A few weeks ago Vice did a piece entitled "Does someone have to die before GamerGate calms down?" which although that's an extreme look at what must be an uproariously good chuckle down whatever forum thread the threats are concocted on, is the only logical conclusion one can come to when reading the sorts of things people like Sarkeesian and other female developers have been sent. We severely doubt anybody would actually take up arms and deliver on the gun threats that have been made known, or worse, travel from wherever they are to someone's house with the intention of brutally harming them. Because make no mistake, if anything even remotely close to what's been sent to these people comes true, 'gaming' as that hobby we all indulge in to varying amounts will be getting one trip straight back to the early 90's mindset of blood, guts and carnage. The threats that have been sent out are obviously born out of this desensitised internet mindset many of us are guilty of, where sometimes you just want to say something harmful to another online, but the sheer level of disgusting and detailed comments that are out there is truly worrying. It literally does not matter that it's only a small percentage of those using the GamerGate hashtag to spread their abuse - it's what's gotten the most headlines, and had the most effect worldwide. It's time to bury the GamerGate hashtag and make sure the public eye is nowhere near it. The bigger the tag gets, the more impetus there is for disturbed individuals to repeat any the headline-making mistakes from the past just to get recognised.