Rage baiting has taken over gaming discussions, and it’s shaping how people see the industry. It’s no secret that negativity gets more engagement than anything else. Content creators figured that out a long time ago, and now we’re stuck in a cycle where outrage gets rewarded. The more negativity spreads, the worse it gets for both players and developers.
How Rage Bait Works
Rage bait content exists to stir up anger, frustration, and outrage. Some creators thrive on this, using tactics like:
- Exaggerated Titles & Thumbnails – “DISASTER,” “RUINED FOREVER,” “THE WORST UPDATE EVER” in big, bold, all-caps text.
- Selective Coverage – Ignoring good news while over-hyping bad news to push a one-sided narrative.
- Encouraging Viewer Outrage – Framing every issue as some sort of personal betrayal to rile people up.
- Drama & Callouts – Going after developers, companies, or even players just to stir the pot and get more clicks.
This might make for profitable content, but it’s not doing gaming any favors.
The Impact on Gamers
Take Dragon Age: Veilguard as an example. The game got hit with hate before it launched. By the time it was out, people who actually enjoyed it didn’t feel comfortable saying so online. I saw streamers being bullied and questioned on why they were playing game…and enjoying it?That’s the kind of environment rage baiting creates. When negativity dominates the conversation, it starts shaping how people see the industry.
Over time, this leads to:
- Misinformation & Skewed Perceptions – If all you see is bad news, you start believing gaming is in constant decline.
- Increased Hostility – The more people are encouraged to be angry, the more toxic discussions become.
- Radicalization of Opinions – Just like in politics, selective negativity can create an “us vs. them” mentality, where every move a developer makes is seen as greedy or malicious.
If Dragon Age: Veilguard had been an amazing game, would it have even mattered? Would content creators have admitted it was good, knowing a positive video wouldn’t get as many views—or make them as much money? See the problem?
The Impact on Developers
Rage baiting doesn’t just hurt players. It affects the people making the games too.
- Fear of Taking Risks – If only failures get attention, developers will play it safe rather than innovate.
- No Incentive to Improve – Why bother fixing things if people only focus on the negatives anyway?
- Burnout & Harassment – Constant outrage makes things personal. Devs become targets, and that takes a toll.
The Conflict of Interest Behind Rage Content
The biggest issue? Money. The more engagement a video gets, the more cash it brings in. And since negativity outperforms balanced discussions, creators who want to make a living are financially incentivized to keep pushing outrage.
It’s not just the creators, either. YouTube profits from all this too. More clicks mean more ad revenue, so their algorithm prioritizes negativity. That makes it even harder for fair, balanced content to get seen. Sensationalism wins.
Some creators, myself included, try to keep things balanced. Not because it pays better (it doesn’t), but because it’s the right thing to do. But many others? They chase engagement over fairness. And that’s how negativity becomes the default in many gaming discussions.
Why This Is a Serious Problem
Gaming needs creativity and innovation to thrive. But if developers know they’re going to get shredded no matter what, why should they even try? Meanwhile, players who get stuck in a negativity-fueled echo chamber might stop seeing the good in gaming altogether. And that benefits no one.
A Balanced Approach
Criticism is necessary, but it should be fair. Instead of feeding outrage just to get clicks, content creators should aim for:
- Fair Coverage – Acknowledge when something is good instead of only reporting failures.
- Encouraging Critical Thinking – Help viewers recognize when they’re being manipulated by selective negativity.
- Holding Developers Accountable Without Malice – Push for better games without turning everything into a personal attack.
Gaming isn’t perfect, but it’s not all bad either. If we step away from rage-driven discussions, we can actually have meaningful conversations that help both players and developers. Otherwise, we’re just feeding an outrage machine that does nothing but make gaming worse for everyone.
