ABSTRACT
There has been increasing discussion about the potential exploitation of online gaming spaces used to further extremism, yet very little discussion about the platform-based mechanisms and tools for remedial actions to counter extremism in gaming spaces. This chapter analyzes how platform architecture, policies, and moderation tools can help prevent potential terrorist and violent extremist exploitation in gaming (-adjacent), augmented, and virtual reality game-play spaces. This chapter also reviews surface potentials for positive interventions to proactively counter extremism and processes of radicalization in gaming spaces. The authors examine safety-by-design practices and approaches within gaming (-adjacent) platforms, including platform vulnerabilities and the various tools that can be introduced for baseline and advanced interventions. The chapter focuses on gaming adjacent platforms (Discord and Twitch), larger gaming companies with advanced policies (XBox and Niantic), as well as the early stages of safety-by-design in the metaverse and immersive spaces (Oculus).
