There’s been an interesting development in the saga of Gamergate, the online movement in which people with micropenises whine about ethics in gaming journalism. After months of doxing any woman who stood up to them, proclaiming their urges to rape and murder strangers, and eventually driving Boston-based game developer Brianna Wu from her home by threatening both her and her husband, Gamergate aggressors may be in trouble of a federal nature.
Back in November, co-founder of the Boston-based collaborative news site MuckRock Michael Morisy sent a Freedom of Information Act request to the FBI, asking for “files on the online movement or group known as Gamergate or #Gamergate, as well as investigations into alleged activities of Gamergate affiliates.” This past Friday, the FBI responded, rejecting his request because “there is a pending or prospective law enforcement proceeding relevant to these responsive records.”
Gamergate was initially spurred by the whiff of scandal around alternative game developer Zoe Quinn’s relationship with a video game journalist who, it was believed, gave Quinn’s game, Depression Quest, a glowing review in exchange for dating him. Turns out the reporter in question never reviewed Quinn’s game, and the accusation of impropriety came from her ex, who in stalker fashion still maintains a website full of rambling blog entries detailing the ways that he imagines Quinn betrayed him.
These people may not be criminals, but they are losers. And actually, given the fact that they are being investigated, they might be criminals too. On the upside, Quinn’s ex lives in Boston and is still single according to Facebook. Go get it, ladies!
Dig Staff means this article was a collaborative effort. Teamwork, as we like to call it.