This has recently become an issue of mine, because of so many TF2 servers that i've been playing in have been enacting harsh penalties on the use of swear words. Several thoughts come to my mind, first, the age old argument, its a 17+ game with blood and gore and animated bodies being exploded into many little delicious pieces, whats so bad about swearing?
Next comes the counter argument to that, is that some adults would not want to hear that, this one I don't really understand. If your playing a game with a certain level of offensive material, certainly offensive material of lesser magnitude, foul language, wouldn't bother you, but apparently that's not the case. This truly confuses me when the lesser kind of offensive material is nearly unavoidable in normal life.

I want to know what the majority of you think about this topic, as I imagine a great deal of you are over 18 years of age, and have either had this happen, or have wanted to have this happen, so express your opinion.

Side note: I speak of purely swear words here, nothing racial or offensively discriminatory, please don't post about how people say racist/sexist things.

Update:
After reading a few of the responses, I'd like to let you all know that the issues i've been having with this kind of thing have been the "Fuck." kind. I will be playing as a soldier and randomly get crit rocketed a number of times in a row and I'll say "Fuck" or "Fuck Off." or "Oh COMN" if the mood suits me. Getting banned from a server after doing that was what sparked me to create this thread, to see what others think about it.

there is no such thing as "swear words" or "bad words". language is a constantly evolving medium of communication and what may be profane today may be perfectly functional language tomorrow.

in truth the offense here is in the ideas being conveyed by the language but since we idealize freedom, the banishment of "ideas" is not accepted in modern society. so who do we blame in place of the idea? That's right, let's kill the messenger... the WORDS! A combination of sounds and syllabals that are ineherently bad.

i think the notion of "bad words" is silly and borderline superstitious. the real problem with online gameplay are the excess of utterly useless and non-constructive ideas that are conveyed in online play.

Saying that I am "gay" for dropping the flag does nothing to illuminate, in my mind, how to properly retrieve the flag, making the statement useless and the attempt of communication a failure.

I voted no, as foul language doesn't belong anywhere. That said the occasional "fuck" after dieing a few times in a row is fine. But strings of swears for no other reason then just to swear is just childish

Of course it should be allowed, just not excessively in a way that is intended to insult other players. Such things as going "fuck" when being jumped are fine. The players of 18+ games should be mature enough to cope with "naughty words"

Squarewave:
I voted no, as foul language doesn't belong anywhere. That said the occasional "fuck" after dieing a few times in a row is fine. But strings of swears for no other reason then just to swear is just childish

actually, i would argue that viewing a string of f-bombs as childish is actually more juvenile. do it in a crowded room and the only people you'll shock are children and sheltered moms who live a detached life away from reality.

of course it should be allowed, and for the same reasons you explained in the beginning of the thread. Why would swear words bother you in a game, if you hear them everyday, and on a video game that has bodies flying everywhere, limbs flying off, and blood everywhere? If you can't take swearing, just keep a set of ear muffs on at all times and only play E rated games.

That's why most games say "Online Interactions not rated by the ESRB". You can't controll what people say and do online.

BallPtPenTheif:

actually, i would argue that viewing a string of f-bombs as childish is actually more juvenile. do it in a crowded room and the only people you'll shock are children and sheltered moms who live a detached life away from reality.

its not about "shock" people view you based on how you talk. IF you tell your coworker you fucked his mother last night because he upset you in someway it makes you look like a child. Nothing inherently wrong with curse words, but people don't string f-bombs as you put it w/o trying to be offensive

I do think that swearing is appropriate in 17+ games. People playing are meant to be mature. You do have to make sure of that, though, too; maturity. Swearing's fine, but just spewing profanity without provocation isn't called for. I'm fine with "Son of a bitch, man, you just took two mags to the face!" but not "Aw, you motherf###ing c###-licking son of a b####! F###ing die god-f###ing-dammit!" (Censored for decency.)

Make sense?

you know I am insulted that people take offence at simple words, I mean they most likely don't know you so what they say isn't personal it could be said of anyone really. And now to the argument and that would be that you buy +17 games knowing full well it may be 'mature'(or immature depending on if it's conkers or COD4).

So if you take offence at that you shouldn't be playing the game in the first place.

vdgmprgrmr:
I do think that swearing is appropriate in 17+ games. People playing are meant to be mature. You do have to make sure of that, though, too; maturity. Swearing's fine, but just spewing profanity without provocation isn't called for. I'm fine with "Son of a bitch, man, you just took two mags to the face!" but not "Aw, you motherf###ing c###-licking son of a b####! F###ing die god-f###ing-dammit!" (Censored for decency.)

Make sense?

kudos to you good sah!

Squarewave:

its not about "shock" people view you based on how you talk. IF you tell your coworker you fucked his mother last night because he upset you in someway it makes you look like a child. Nothing inherently wrong with curse words, but people don't string f-bombs as you put it w/o trying to be offensive

And that view of another person based on how they speak is an extension of classism. We both know that in saying that to the co-worker that the use of the F word is not the offensive part of the statment. The offense intended towards the co-worker and his mother is the problem with the statement.

Saying, "Well Bob, I had intercourse with your mother last night." doesn't soften the message.. if anything it would make you look weird like a psycopath because you're incorrectly applying a clinical term to a low brow cliched insult.

The people that get the most offended are the ones who apply the most value to the term, which is ironic since they are putting more effort into the words meaning than the person who is speaking it.

But that's because swearing is a privilege. It's meant for adults who can use it in the context it was meant for. The privilege should be taken away from the fucktards who abuse it (see, that's the context we're looking for).

Eiseman:
But that's because swearing is a privilege. It's meant for adults who can use it in the context it was meant for. The privilege should be taken away from the fucktards who abuse it (see, that's the context we're looking for).

Since when was the utterance of a specific sequence of sounds a privilidge?

Cursing is a normal aspect of common society and it is not inherently "bad" or even "unintelligent". Many a stand-up comedian have demonstrated that these words can be used creatively and effectively while covering very intellectual topics.

It is the uncontructive nature of online discourse that is annoying. Even if you were to magically swap out all the curse words for Sesame Street equivalents you would still be left with annoying and irrelevant chatter that would still be aimed at offending you.

Eiseman:
But that's because swearing is a privilege. It's meant for adults who can use it in the context it was meant for. The privilege should be taken away from the fucktards who abuse it (see, that's the context we're looking for).

I need permission to use certain words in the English language?

I am going to vote OTHER. Ok if anyone has played with me over XBL you will know I curse like a sailor. That being said I think it is quite appropriate to have servers/games dedicated to ppl who don't approve of swearing. There ought to be some kind of warning for either type (like caution use of foul language could get you kicked). Games afterall should be accessible and enjoyable for EVERYONE and there are those folks who don't want to listen to someone string together a full sentence using curse words, while others may not be affected by it whatsoever.

fluffylandmine:

vdgmprgrmr:
I do think that swearing is appropriate in 17+ games. People playing are meant to be mature. You do have to make sure of that, though, too; maturity. Swearing's fine, but just spewing profanity without provocation isn't called for. I'm fine with "Son of a bitch, man, you just took two mags to the face!" but not "Aw, you motherf###ing c###-licking son of a b####! F###ing die god-f###ing-dammit!" (Censored for decency.)

Make sense?

kudos to you good sah!

I agree as well. There is nothing wrong with swearing, as long as it is not too excessive. However, verbally attacking people in a hostile fashion is not acceptable.

BallPtPenTheif:

Since when was the utterance of a specific sequence of sounds a privilidge?

Cursing is a normal aspect of common society and it is not inherently "bad" or even "unintelligent". Many a stand-up comedian have demonstrated that these words can be used creatively and effectively while covering very intellectual topics.

It is the uncontructive nature of online discourse that is annoying. Even if you were to magically swap out all the curse words for Sesame Street equivalents you would still be left with annoying and irrelevant chatter that would still be aimed at offending you.

Sorry, I wasn't very clear. My point was about the context of swearing. You're right that annoying chatter is annoying chatter no matter what words they use, but I think that they're making it even worse by using swears so immaturely. I think they're ruining the context of swearing.

BardSeed:

Eiseman:
But that's because swearing is a privilege. It's meant for adults who can use it in the context it was meant for. The privilege should be taken away from the fucktards who abuse it (see, that's the context we're looking for).

I need permission to use certain words in the English language?

Some people should. Some people should also need permission to breed.

- J

Not allowing swearing in a 18+ game is kinda like not allowing killing in war.

I think the sorts of people who unleash a torrent of swear words and sound like some potty-mouthed 14-year-old stoner in an ICP shirt at the bus station are too immature for a "Mature"-rated game in general (one reason I don't like XBox Live.)

Swear words are to language what spices are to food; used judiciously, they're fucking awesome, but overusing them ruins the entire experience.

I must also agree with BallPt.pentheif on the fact I could say CURHURHURHUR and mean it in a more offensive manner than anything considered to be a'cuss' word.

SimuLord:
I think the sorts of people who unleash a torrent of swear words and sound like some potty-mouthed 14-year-old stoner in an ICP shirt at the bus station are too immature for a "Mature"-rated game in general (one reason I don't like XBox Live.)

Swear words are to language what spices are to food; used judiciously, they're fucking awesome, but overusing them ruins the entire experience.

I actually really enjoy this metaphor, and it's true, to a degree. Protip to players online: Swear-strings make you sound less mature. People who feel the need to use them clearly aren't mature enough for an 18+ game.

- J

I voted yes because frankly the whole concept of "swear words" seems stupid to me. Why should certain words be considered more offensive than others that have the same meaning and their use discouraged because of it? I bet half as many people would be outraged if in a fit of anger I used the words "poo" or "sex" in place of their obnoxious counterparts.

Plus swear words are brilliantly expressive and emotive. When used in the correct context as mentioned earlier in this thread, in comedy or music they can be used to create fitting iambic pentameter or rhythm to a punchline or lyric, and for those aggravating situations that require something a little more extreme than "Aww shucks!".

But back in games anyway, it does get a bit tiresome when every word in a sentence is a swear word, but I see no reason why they should be ridiculed or banned altogether. They are as equal and valid a part of the language when used in the right context as any other word.

Personally, I don't need swear words to express myself, but used correctly they can enhance the mood in RP situations. Should therefore be allowed in 18+ games (with warnings to abusers of course.)
I know that it's not online, but a game that uses mature themes and language to perfection is "The Witcher". Best RPG since BGII in my book.

"Age of Conan" is supposed to be a mature game, but fails even at that. Why? Because Funcom
pulled the plug on a guild called "Throb" since it was a *gasp* DIRTY WORD. This from a game that allows guilds to have bordello themes, with ranks like Trollop, Harlot, Hooker and so on, and instead of fixing game-breaking issues makes patches that proudly boasts that some NPC's are now EVEN MORE scantily clad.
Pa-the-tic.

Avoid at all costs - there are FAR more valid reasons than this as well.

What i want to know is what makes it a bad word and who made it bad?? I mean its the morals we were taught that makes them bad..whats wrong with fuck, its just another word for intercourse...but you know yelling fuck when you're getting spawn killed is better than saying INTERCOURSE!..or bad intercourse...lol...it releases frustration, i dont think any "clean word" could do that

I'd say it belongs in most games. But we have to acknowlage that kids will play MA15+ games, their parents might not care if the kid plays the games but unless they swear keep it low grade.

swearing in GOW is ok kids don't play it much, in halo however every seccond player is 6 so swearing isn't going to be a good idea.

Someone doesn't feel comfortable with swear words. What you do next is up to you. You could stop, or you could leave the server, or you could go in a blaze of stupidity and cuss like the belligerent arsehole you are.

People find different stuff offensive, I don't see what's wrong with that.

Swearing just shows immaturity and an inability to express oneself in a more articulate manner. Of course the occasional 'fuck' is allowed, but most people crack down on the word because, when used excessively, it gets annoying and shows that the person is childish.

I myself am undecided on the issue, but I don't really care about other people online, unless it helps me or I'm killing them.

I think the context of the word is important "what the F was that?" is fine "Im going to skull F you" is not.

Attempting to express yourself is perfectly reasonable. Enacting penalities on someone for doing that is simple facism no matter what reasoning you use. Making the personal choice to not swear is one thing, but imposing that on others is just ugly. As ugly as would be making the choice to swear, then forcing everyone else on your server to do it or punishing them.

I'm all for swearing when it's otherwise established that everyones mature enough to handle it without it affecting their brain.

poleboy:

fluffylandmine:

vdgmprgrmr:
I do think that swearing is appropriate in 17+ games. People playing are meant to be mature. You do have to make sure of that, though, too; maturity. Swearing's fine, but just spewing profanity without provocation isn't called for. I'm fine with "Son of a bitch, man, you just took two mags to the face!" but not "Aw, you motherf###ing c###-licking son of a b####! F###ing die god-f###ing-dammit!" (Censored for decency.)

Make sense?

kudos to you good sah!

I agree as well. There is nothing wrong with swearing, as long as it is not too excessive. However, verbally attacking people in a hostile fashion is not acceptable.

This.

I voted no. Allowing harsh language is often soon followed by gratuitous swearing and mic spam. I play on eGO servers, which has policies against swearing or harsh language (and it seems someone always has to bring it up in every game.) Frankly I don't see the point to do it. It doesn't enhance gameplay. Why bother pressing the voicechat key to swear? Besides, players can't hear dead players talk, only type and if you feel that you need to type swears then go write a blog.

Swear words are nothing more than a stupid taboo. Like all the aforementioned arguments stated above, there is nothing wrong with these words at all. only time swearing should be frowned on is when people are just excessively projecting it towards other people, it gets annoying like any type of screaming. If they are so offended by a simple word that does not fall under racism/sexism, it is they who need to grow up and live with it. life isn't full of rainbows and unicorns.