KotakuInAction

The Impact of KotakuInAction on GamerGate Discussions

Key Highlights

• KotakuInAction (KiA) emerged as the main Reddit hub for GamerGate discussions after other gaming subreddits banned the topic.
• The community’s stated mission is to address ethics in media, challenge censorship, and support artistic freedom in gaming and nerd culture.
• The subreddit faced a major controversy when its own founder attempted to shut it down, calling it a “cancerous growth.”
• A Reddit administrator intervened to restore the thriving community, overriding the founder’s control.
• KiA is frequently criticized for allegedly fostering hate speech and sexism under the guise of free speech.

Introduction

The internet and the world of gaming have often been at the center of cultural clashes, and few are as well-known as GamerGate. At the heart of many of these discussions is the subreddit r/KotakuInAction. This community became a central hub for those involved in the GamerGate movement, focusing on what it deemed unethical journalism. However, the platform is also deeply controversial, facing widespread accusations of promoting sexism and hate speech, making its impact on gaming culture both significant and polarizing.

Origins and Purpose of KotakuInAction

How did a single subreddit become so central to a movement? KotakuInAction, or KiA, rose to prominence when larger gaming communities on Reddit, like r/games and r/gaming, prohibited discussions related to GamerGate. This censorship created a vacuum, and KiA quickly became the de facto destination for these conversations.

The community’s purpose, as stated by its members, is to be a platform for open discussion where gaming, media, and internet culture intersect. The mods and users aim to hold media accountable for perceived ethical breaches and agenda-pushing.

Founding of r/KotakuInAction and Initial Aims

The founding of the subreddit has roots in a post on TumblrInAction that criticized the gaming site Kotaku even before the GamerGate controversy fully erupted. This early focus on media practices set the stage for what was to come. When the GamerGate hashtag exploded, other major gaming subreddits on Reddit quickly banned any related discussions.

This widespread ban left a significant portion of users looking for a new home. As a result, KotakuInAction became the primary hub for GamerGate supporters on the platform. The initial aims were clear: to create a space where users could freely discuss journalistic disclosure policies, potential conflicts of interest, and perceived biases in the gaming press.

The community, under the guidance of its moderators, was established to facilitate these specific conversations. It provided a dedicated forum for those who felt their concerns were being silenced elsewhere on Reddit, solidifying its role as a central point for the movement.

Defining Its Role in GamerGate and Online Gaming Culture

From its inception, KotakuInAction defined itself as more than just a discussion board; it became a hub for news and organization within the GamerGate movement. The subreddit’s core philosophy was to challenge what it saw as a pervasive and damaging ideology within modern media that stifled creativity and divided communities along political lines.

This mission positioned KiA as a watchdog for the games industry and its press. The community saw itself as a defender of artistic freedom for developers, writers, and creators who felt alienated by the prevailing standards of social justice in media coverage. It became a place to exchange information and support ongoing discussions about media ethics.

Its role was built on a few key principles:

• Condemning willful censorship, harassment, or abuse.
• Holding media accountable to protect artistic freedom.
• Protecting the right of individuals to enjoy their interests without ideological pressure.

Key Figures and Community Leadership

The leadership of any online community plays a crucial role in shaping its direction, and KotakuInAction is no exception. The subreddit was created by a Reddit user known as “david-me,” who initially set the tone for the community. Alongside him, a team of volunteer moderators was responsible for the day-to-day administration and enforcement of the rules.

However, the relationship between the founder and the community he created would eventually sour dramatically. This led to a significant power struggle, questioning the very nature of control of a community and who—the founder or the active members—should determine its fate. The incident put the top moderator in direct conflict with the administration team and the user base.

Early Moderators and Founders’ Influence

The primary founder of r/KotakuInAction was a user named david-me. In the beginning, his influence was foundational, as he created the space that would grow into the main GamerGate hub on Reddit. The early moderators worked to maintain the subreddit as a place for discussion, particularly as other forums were actively deleting posts related to the topic.

Over time, a significant rift developed between david-me and the community he had created. His personal views, influenced by his activity in other subreddits like r/politics, grew increasingly antagonistic toward KiA’s culture. He later stated that he believed the subreddit had become “infested with racism, sexism, and other -isms.”

This shift in perspective created a deep conflict. The founder who once provided the platform came to see it as an “abomination,” a viewpoint that stood in stark contrast to the active user base and moderation team who continued to operate the sub according to its original purpose. This set the stage for a major confrontation over the subreddit’s future.

Changes in Administration and Their Impact

The most significant change in administration occurred in July 2018, when founder david-me attempted to destroy the subreddit. He unilaterally set the community to private, removed the moderation team, and posted a message declaring his intention to shutter what he called a “cancerous growth.” This action caused chaos and uncertainty within the community.

However, his control was not absolute. A Reddit administrator intervened, restoring the subreddit and the moderation team’s permissions. The admin’s actions were based on Reddit’s policy of protecting a thriving community from being abandoned or destroyed by a top moderator. Following an investigation, david-me was permanently removed from his position.

This event had a profound impact, solidifying the power of the active moderation team over the founder. It demonstrated that a community’s continuation could be prioritized by Reddit’s administration over the wishes of its creator.

Controversies and Notable Events Involving KotakuInAction

Controversy has been a constant companion to KotakuInAction, but no event was more notable than its attempted closure by its own creator. In a dramatic move, the founder, david-me, locked the subreddit, claiming it had devolved into a hub for racism and sexism. He expressed deep regret for its creation and tried to undo what he had started.

This led to an unprecedented situation where a Reddit administrator stepped in to reverse the closure and reopen the forum. This intervention sparked intense debate across the platform and drew significant media attention, highlighting the friction between community autonomy, creator’s rights, and Reddit’s platform-level policies on hate speech.

Reddit Closure, Reopening, and Community Response

In July 2018, the founder of KotakuInAction, david-me, took the drastic step of setting the subreddit to private. In a public post, he condemned the community as a “cancerous growth” and an “abomination” that he wished he had aborted. He cited what he perceived as widespread racism and sexism as his motivation for attempting to nuke the forum.

The closure was short-lived. Within an hour, a Reddit employee intervened and restored the subreddit. This action was justified under Reddit’s policy, which allows the platform to take control when a top moderator abandons a “thriving community.” The site’s administration team then launched an investigation into the incident to determine the next steps.

The community response was a mixture of anxiety, anger, and confusion. Users and moderators were caught off guard by the founder’s actions. The reopening brought relief, but the event left a lasting scar. The community’s reaction included:

• Anger toward david-me for his attempt to destroy the sub.
• Anxiety over the future of the community.
• Gratitude toward the unnamed Reddit admin who restored access.

Criticisms and Perceptions of KotakuInAction

From the outside, KotakuInAction is often viewed through a lens of heavy criticism. Many perceive the subreddit not as a forum for ethical discussions but as a platform that provides cover for right-wing ideologies, misogyny, and harassment. Critics argue that the community’s focus on “social justice” in gaming is often a guise for attacks on diversity and progressive voices.

These perceptions are fueled by accusations that the subreddit is a “cesspool” of toxicity. The ongoing debate centers on whether KiA genuinely champions free speech and ethics or if it has become a biased echo chamber that normalizes sexism and hate speech within the gaming community.

Accusations of Extremism and Platform Bias

Accusations of extremism and bias have followed KotakuInAction since its inception. Critics, and even its own founder, have labeled the community a breeding ground for toxicity. The founder, david-me, publicly stated that the subreddit was “infested with racism and sexism” and that its users created content that “should not be.”

This sentiment is echoed by media outlets and other online communities, which often describe KiA in harsh terms. It has been called a “cesspool for misogyny” that consistently rails against “SJW” (social justice warrior) ideologies, particularly within the games industry. This has cemented its reputation in many circles as a hub for reactionary and right-wing viewpoints.

The key accusations against the platform include:

• Masquerading as a free speech forum while promoting hate speech.
• Being molded by “outside forces” to push specific agendas.
• Creating a hostile environment for women and minorities in gaming.

Debates Over Free Speech and Harassment Issues

A central point of contention surrounding KotakuInAction is the line between free speech and harassment. The subreddit’s mission statement explicitly condemns harassment, yet many other online communities view its user base as a source of targeted abuse. This has led to tangible consequences across Reddit.

Several other subreddits, including r/offmychest, r/rape, and r/magicTCG, implemented bots to automatically ban any user who participated in KotakuInAction. This drastic measure was taken to prevent what they saw as brigading and harassment from KiA members, effectively walling off their communities from its influence. The moderation team of these subs decided that participation in KiA was itself a red flag.

This situation reflects a broader challenge for Reddit’s administration. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has commented on the difficulty of policing such issues, stating that enforcing a total ban on hate speech is a “nearly impossible precedent to uphold.” This leaves communities like KotakuInAction in a gray area, where they are allowed to exist despite widespread accusations of fostering a toxic environment.

Influence on GamerGate Discussions and Online Gaming Journalism

Despite the controversy, KotakuInAction’s influence on GamerGate discussions and the broader conversation around gaming journalism is undeniable. With over 96,000 subscribers at its peak, the subreddit became a powerful force in shaping narratives about ethics in the games industry. It consistently platformed criticism against major outlets like Kotaku and Polygon.

This sustained pressure forced a continuous, if often hostile, dialogue about journalistic standards, conflicts of interest, and the role of social justice in game reporting. The subreddit ensured that the questions raised by GamerGate remained visible and fiercely debated long after the initial hashtag faded from mainstream attention.

Shaping Conversations Around Ethics in Game Reporting

KotakuInAction played a significant role in shaping how a large segment of the gaming audience discusses ethics in game reporting. The subreddit’s mission was to hold the media accountable for what it saw as declining standards and the infusion of a stifling ideology into coverage of the games industry.

The community platformed and amplified stories about perceived ethical lapses, agenda-pushing, and conflicts of interest. This created a sustained, critical focus on the practices of gaming journalism that resonated with many readers who felt alienated by mainstream media. By providing a centralized location for these discussions, KiA kept the topic of media credibility at the forefront of the GamerGate movement.

Key areas of focus for the community included:

• Challenging undisclosed relationships between journalists and developers.
• Pushing back against what was seen as social justice-driven narratives in reviews.
• Advocating for the separation of personal politics from professional game reporting.

Effect on Other Online Communities and Forums

The influence of KotakuInAction extended far beyond its own pages, creating ripples across the wider landscape of online communities. Its controversial reputation led many other forums on Reddit to take a hardline stance against it. The practice of auto-banning KiA participants from other subreddits became a notable example of the deep divisions forged during this period.

This created a balkanized environment on Reddit, where your participation in one subreddit could result in immediate exclusion from another. This action, taken by moderators of communities like r/offmychest and r/women, illustrates how negatively KiA was perceived. They saw it not as a legitimate discussion forum but as a source of potential harassment that needed to be proactively blocked.

The existence of KiA and the strong reactions to it highlighted the intense polarization of online spaces. It forced other communities to define their boundaries and decide where they stood on the issues GamerGate raised, contributing to a more fragmented and often hostile internet culture.

Evolution and Legacy within the Gaming Community

The legacy of KotakuInAction is complex and deeply divisive. On one hand, it stands as a testament to a grassroots movement that successfully organized to challenge media ethics. On the other, it is widely seen as a monument to the toxicity and harassment that defined the GamerGate era. Its evolution from a niche subreddit to a major battleground reflects the turbulent nature of online activism.

Over the years, the community team has had to navigate internal power struggles, platform-wide scrutiny, and the potential rise of successor communities. Its continued existence remains a point of contention and a case study in the challenges of moderating controversial content online.

Notable Shifts in Culture and Membership Over Time

KotakuInAction’s culture and membership have undergone significant shifts since its founding. What began as a focused community for discussing media ethics grew into a much larger and more ideologically charged subreddit. As its membership swelled to nearly 100,000, the scope of its discussions broadened, often attracting users with strong anti-“social justice” sentiments.

The most dramatic cultural shift occurred during and after the July 2018 attempted shutdown. The founder’s betrayal galvanized the community, fostering a siege mentality and reinforcing its identity in opposition to both external critics and its own creator. This event tested the resilience of the thriving community and solidified the authority of its active moderation team.

This incident marked a turning point, transforming the subreddit from a simple discussion forum into a community that had survived a near-death experience. It hardened its stance and likely altered the composition of its membership, as those who remained were deeply committed to its continuation.

Successor Communities and Alternatives

During times of uncertainty, especially when the founder attempted to nuke the subreddit, members of KotakuInAction began exploring alternatives and successor communities. The threat of closure prompted discussions about migrating to platforms that were perceived as more friendly to their brand of free speech.

These conversations highlighted a need for backup plans and demonstrated that the community was not entirely dependent on its Reddit home. The community team and users looked toward other websites and forums to ensure their discussions could continue, no matter what happened to the main subreddit. This foresight speaks to the organized nature of the user base.

Some of the alternatives considered included:

• Voat: A platform known for its looser content policies, which already hosted a KiA community.
• KiAChatroom: A dedicated space for community members to gather.
• 8chan: Another site known for minimal moderation that was also a hub for GamerGate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, KotakuInAction has played a significant role in shaping the discourse surrounding GamerGate and online gaming culture. From its founding intentions to its evolution as a community, it has influenced conversations about ethics in game journalism and how gaming communities interact. While it has faced controversies and criticisms, its impact cannot be understated, as it continues to inspire discussions around free speech, harassment, and the future of gaming forums. As the landscape of online communities transforms, understanding KotakuInAction’s legacy gives us valuable insights into the ongoing dialogue within the gaming world. If you’re interested in exploring this topic further, reach out for a consultation to discuss the complexities of online gaming discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is KotakuInAction different from other GamerGate communities?

Unlike more decentralized or less-moderated GamerGate forums on sites like Voat or 8chan, KotakuInAction (KiA) served as the movement’s primary, structured hub on Reddit. Its large, centralized subscriber base and active team of moderators made it a distinct and influential force.

Why did Reddit almost shut down KotakuInAction?

Reddit itself did not try to shut down the subreddit. Instead, its own founder attempted to delete it, calling it toxic. A Reddit administrator intervened to restore control of a community to the moderators, citing the platform’s policy against abandoning a “thriving community.”

What impact has KotakuInAction had on gaming journalism?

KotakuInAction consistently challenged the ethics of the games industry and its press. By scrutinizing outlets like Polygon for perceived social justice agendas and conflicts of interest, it forced a persistent, though highly contentious, conversation about standards in gaming journalism.