Why are online gamers jerks?

[Edelweiss]

Not everyone are jerks. It depends on the game type, the amount of time the game has been available, the player, frustrations about the game etc.

Compared the WoT community to Dota, one is incredibly toxic the other is WoT which has an occasional rager. The big difference for me is that in WoT you can bail as soon as your tank is dead, and the maximum time a game can go on for is 15 minutes. So it's only 15 minutes you lose if your team sucks, compared to an hour or more in Dota. You are also less likely to encounter the same player again in WoT as there isn't a specific SA server.

I like to think that I'm not an ass, so please don't say all online gamers are

WoT = World of Tanks?

[Cicero]

Got to admit you pretty much nailed it here...
Id love to know how you started meeting people from online gaming?
Iv got plenty awesome people i game with but its always seemed a bit strange to want to get together with them...

I spend more time with my mates online than I do my 'normal' non-gamer buddies. Its strange at first when meeting, but it becomes normal very quickly because you've spent so much time with eachother - be it virtually.

Had a couple of braais with the guys, also surf with another dude I met through bf3.

[Orion]

I agree with most of the replies in this thread. My personal view is that:

a) Many are young adults and the frontal lobe (the area responsible for emotions) is not fully developed until the age of 25.
b) Perhaps they're being abused at home/school or are lonely/frustrated and are taking out their frustrations on anyone who can't physically retaliate.
c) They suffer from low self esteem or are experiencing difficulties in their personal lives and again, are lashing out at anyone who can't physically retaliate.

In my 15 years of online gaming, most of my virtual friendships have become real life friendships. This is why I always try to keep myself in check when gaming online. I've met many of my guild/clan mates in the flesh — one of whom flew from Germany to South Africa to stay with us, and three of whom stay with us when they come down from JHB for their yearly vacation. We may not still be playing the same games, but still touch base on a regular basis. In life, it's a good idea to not to burn any bridges. Relationships may not always be moonlight and roses (friends will disagree or fall out on occasion), but the offending party should be "man enough" to apologise and everyone should move on, because life truly is too short — especially with regard to "virtual drama".

Yes you are absloutely right, I send your post to all my friends and they agree, thank you for this great post.