A Destiny 2 developer has become the unfortunate target of harassment following an inadvertent slip-up during a livestream, which saw their personal Steam username exposed to a vast audience.
The incident occurred during a highly anticipated Twitch livestream on 19th March, where Bungie Associate Activity Designer Noah Lee inadvertently revealed their Steam username to over one hundred thousand viewers. The livestream, intended to showcase the upcoming free content update for Destiny 2 titled “Into the Light,” quickly took a dark turn as Lee found themselves bombarded with a slew of harassing messages, ranging from sexually explicit to racially offensive.
Destiny 2, released in 2017, has managed to maintain its position as a prominent looter shooter game, owing much to its dedicated development team and thriving community. Fans had eagerly awaited the livestream, expecting insights into the game’s future with the Into the Light update. However, the excitement turned sour as Lee’s innocent mistake led to an onslaught of toxicity.
The unintended exposure of Lee’s Steam username occurred when they accidentally pressed Alt+Tab on their computer, prompting an influx of unwanted friend requests during the stream. Accounts with offensive monikers such as “KILL YOURSELF” and “Bungie Rape Victim” flooded Lee’s inbox, creating a distressing experience for the developer and highlighting the darker side of online interactions.
Harassment and toxicity towards video game developers are unfortunately not uncommon occurrences, with previous incidents involving threats directed at developers of other games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 earlier this year. However, the exposure of a developer’s personal username to such a large audience is a less frequent event.
Bungie, the developer behind Destiny 2, has historically taken a firm stance against harassment and toxicity within its community. The company has not hesitated to take legal action against individuals found engaging in such behaviour, including banning Destiny 2 streamers and suing cheaters. These actions underscore Bungie’s commitment to maintaining a positive and fair gaming environment for all players and developers alike.
As the gaming industry continues to grapple with issues of harassment and toxicity, incidents like these serve as a reminder of the importance of fostering a respectful and inclusive gaming community. Despite the challenges posed by online interactions, developers like Lee and companies like Bungie remain steadfast in their efforts to ensure that gaming remains an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone involved.
