Beyond "toxicity:" Rethinking rage, rivalry, and regulation in online games.

Abstract

The nomenclature used to describe harmful behavior in gaming remains vague and inconsistently applied. "Toxicity" has become the dominant label, yet it functions as an umbrella term encompassing heterogeneous behaviors that differ by context, intent, and cultural norms. This conceptual ambiguity obscures underlying psychological mechanisms that are critical for designing effective interventions. This article looks beyond descriptors to focus on psychological dynamics and how they can inform effective prevention efforts. We conducted a conceptual analysis integrating mimetic theory with existing literature on competitive gaming environments, online aggression, and community governance. We evaluated how gaming rivalry, internal group conflict, and scapegoating processes manifest in digital play and contribute to toxic behavior. Mimetic theory highlights how competitive structures can intensify interpersonal rivalry, foster cycles of retaliation, and create conditions in which players direct hostility toward convenient targets. These dynamics help explain why toxicity often escalates rapidly and becomes normalized within gaming communities. Evidence suggests that reducing competitive pressures through game design changes and strengthening community standards can mitigate these patterns. However, structural factors-such as platform incentives and limited oversight-may constrain the effectiveness of voluntary measures. Toxicity emerges from psychological, cultural, and economic forces that interact within competitive digital environments. This perspective underscores the limitations of purely taxonomic approaches and highlights the need for systemic interventions. Efforts to reduce toxicity in gaming require a comprehensive strategy that integrates psychological insight, cultural context, platform economics, and proactive governance. Mimetic theory offers a useful framework for guiding such multifaceted approaches and for informing future research on harmful online behavior.