Fateless Podcast Recap: Tackling Toxicity in Gaming with Sean from Lane Pushing Games
In this episode of the Fateless podcast, the team sits down with Sean, the author behind Lane Pushing Games and lead designer of the upcoming MOBA, Causeway. Sean shares his journey through gaming, starting from his early days modding Warcraft 3 maps, contributing to the birth of the MOBA genre, to documenting its evolution on his website. He dives into the vision behind Causeway, a lane-pushing game designed to foster teamwork and create a healthier, more inclusive player environment.
Podcast Summary
The discussion explores the pervasive issue of toxicity in competitive gaming. Sean highlights the factors contributing to toxic behavior, the impact of anonymity, and how game design, service design, and narrative can help counteract it. Examples from games like Dota 2, Overwatch, and Riot’s initiatives in League of Legends showcase various approaches to managing community behavior. Sean emphasizes the potential for creating positive player experiences by replacing toxicity with systems that promote personal growth, collaboration, and meaningful engagement.
The conversation concludes with Sean’s favorite mythical figure, Rasputin, a historical figure turned legend, and his thoughts on Causeway’s goal of making teams feel like true teams. The episode offers valuable insights for game developers, players, and enthusiasts interested in improving gaming culture while maintaining the thrill of competition.
