PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is a streaming sensation, and there are few with bigger audiences than Dr DisRespect. His cartoonish, evil villain within the game is accentuated by his real-life appearance – a pair of glasses and a dastardly moustache rounding out the incredibly popular character. Dr DisRespect is known for his terrible antics in-game, which have curated him an audience for exactly that. But yesterday a line was crossed, which lead to PlayerUnknown himself having to take a stance.
Battlegrounds has few rules, but one of those strictly prohibits intentional friendly fire when playing in squads. Teams can accidentally kill each other sure, but Battlegrounds actively requests users to report players who are ruining the mode by taking aim at their friends. Video evidence is often required to take action, so it’s a good thing thousands were watching Dr DisRespect break the rules during a stream.
With a motorcycle that only fit three out of the four squadmates, Dr DisRespect solved the problem by killing one of his teammates out of nowhere. The act was funny, and entirely in line with the sort of character he’s playing. But it’s against the rules of the game, and soon after DisRespect found himself banned from playing anymore (a temporary one, but a ban nonetheless). This lead to an arguably entertaining exchange between Dr DisRespect and Mr PlayerUnknown himself, Brendan Greene, on Twitter, with DisRespect staying in character the entire time. It was playful, until it was immediately clear that a line was crossed.
If I could do the splits I'd roundhouse kick you in the neck.
But since I can't, I'll just front kick you in the chest instead.
Lightning.
— Dr DisRespect (@DrDisRespect) July 18, 2017
Suggesting violence is the best way to solve a disagreement is just wrong, even if you are playing a character… https://t.co/ziQtkyyg8E
— PLAYERUNKNOWN (@BattleRoyaleMod) July 18, 2017
Breaking from the good natured to and fro, Greene took exception to the threat of violence and made an example of it. Predictably his replies were quickly swamped with criticism, with many players lambasting Greene for “not being able to take a joke”. Given that Greene is the creator of a game where violence is the only means of winning, you might agree here. But in a long response shortly afterwards, Greene delicately laid out how dangerous threats of violence can be – especially to one’s mental state.
So today I created a little bit of a shitstorm on Twitter.Before I begin, I have to say that I do enjoy the character Guy has created with DrDisrespect. Hell, I am even part of the Slick Daddy Club! I understand that he likes to talk shit, and I was right there with him until that one tweet.
I was told that I should have taken The Docs threat of violence as a joke. So now I will try explaining why I took this tweet seriously and tweeted out the response I did.
Story time!
When I was in college, many years ago, I had a disagreement with my flat mate. Instead of talking it out like men, he decided to get aggressive and while I was backing away from him, he kicked me in the chest and put my head through a plate glass door. Thankfully, I don’t suffer from any ill effects due to this experience.
The point of that story is to attempt to explain why I think even the threat of violence is not something that should be joked about. Given my experience in college, and the fact that The Doc’s threat, even as a joke, synced up closely to a bad experience I endured, it could have brought up bad memories, triggered a panic attack or had other consequences The Doc might not have intended when composing the tweet.
All I ask from anyone that reads this is to consider that your words, however flippant they may be, could have unintended effects on those reading them.
PU
So here’s the creator of one of the biggest games around the world today, using a platform that has millions watching it, to talk about the harmful effect of words online and their real-world consequences. In a manner which is fair, with example and thoughtfulness to everyone involved. Can we get more people like Greene curating their massive communities, please?
Last Updated: July 19, 2017
Gavin Mannion
July 19, 2017 at 13:20
I dunno, it feels more like Greene over reacted here.
When I read threats of violence I was thinking something substantial. The “threat” seems pretty placid to me. I get he had a bad experience in school but hell who hasn’t at one time or another.
In the end it’s his game and he can do whatever he wants with it.
Kromas Ryder
July 19, 2017 at 13:30
The correct response after the banning was to walk away. Not posting about how even big guys need to be banned.
Gavin Mannion
July 19, 2017 at 13:37
Nah, I think interacting with the guy is cool. It wasn’t a harsh ban and he’s making the point clear.
Kromas Ryder
July 19, 2017 at 13:38
There was no point to make. He broke the rules he got banned. No need to have ever used twitter.
Ottokie
July 19, 2017 at 13:25
Blown waaaaaay out of proportion. Both are wrong. Dr Disrepect is being his usual self with his persona. And the dev is being power hungry.
I mean seriously, if saying to someone you are going to kick them is now a violent life threatening thing… oh wait *checks calendar*… 2017… oh yea… that’s why. *moves along*
Kromas Ryder
July 19, 2017 at 13:29
You either die a hero or live long enough to become a SJW.
Ottokie
July 19, 2017 at 13:32
Or an ARK dev xD
Kromas Ryder
July 19, 2017 at 13:33
Man ARK can GTFO.
Viper_ZA
July 19, 2017 at 13:46
Yet to play it but believe it’s a real PoS xD
Kromas Ryder
July 19, 2017 at 13:47
No it is a really fun game. The devs ruined it by being scumbags.
Viper_ZA
July 19, 2017 at 13:50
Apparently its all about the servers you end up playing on? I have installed it, just not played it yet 🙂
Kromas Ryder
July 19, 2017 at 13:51
I run my own servers for all game supporting that. Makes life easier.
Viper_ZA
July 19, 2017 at 13:52
Nice!
Kromas Ryder
July 19, 2017 at 13:53
I currently have a ARK Ragnarok server running. However I have no idea how well the community is as I don’t play ARK anymore. Just keeping it up for the community that I used to play with on request.
Aries
July 19, 2017 at 14:13
What the servers name? Maybe I’ll join, being looking for a new decent one
Kromas Ryder
July 19, 2017 at 14:18
My servers are ALWAYS called Red Faction ZA
Currently running an ARK/7 Days to Die and Hellion servers.
Viper_ZA
July 19, 2017 at 15:04
Is 7 Days to Die still a thing? That game had some potential…SOME.
Kromas Ryder
July 19, 2017 at 15:09
Alpha 16 just hit. It is AMAZING!
Also a lot harder.
Viper_ZA
July 19, 2017 at 15:12
Guess that’s another game I will have to add to the “try again” list. The updates have been really slow though.
Deceased
July 20, 2017 at 12:41
I still play it regularly – there was a massive update recently – had to teach myself the basics again
Think it’ll stay in Early Access for quite some time stil – but it is fun 🙂
Aries
July 19, 2017 at 18:31
oh Ive been on there before
Ottokie
July 19, 2017 at 13:41
The dev even says he is subbed to Guy’s stream and knows his act. But the second he made that tweet the dev went 2017 super sensitive mode, you gotta know when a joke is really a joke and when a threat is real cause people on the internet are not going to stay quite about a stupid thing like this.
Ottokie
July 19, 2017 at 13:46
“I endured, it could have brought up bad memories, triggered a panic attack”
Oh dear this dev is starting to sound like a panzy.
Viper_ZA
July 19, 2017 at 13:45
Guess I won’t be shooting that oddball teamie in future then, NOT.
HvR
July 19, 2017 at 14:17
Without the first line Greene might have had a point but context matters and it was clearly framed and meant as a joke.
If that triggers you regardless of your past experiences you must burn your modem, stay home alone and play with your my little pony collection and get some help.
Ottokie
July 19, 2017 at 14:18
Hey I take offence to that MLP comment, you almost triggered an anxiety attack!
HvR
July 19, 2017 at 14:19
Dammit, only almost?
Ottokie
July 19, 2017 at 14:19
Yes well, I am not really part of the “over sensitive to a joke” group 😛
HvR
July 19, 2017 at 14:20
Heard M$ is releasing a MLP game on the 1X in 4K
Ottokie
July 19, 2017 at 14:22
Two lies in one sentence. I am impressed.
Craig "CrAiGiSh" Dodd
July 19, 2017 at 16:16
Who ends off a threat with lighting … I mean, come one xD