2022 Corporate Responsibility Report
CR-Report 2022
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Contents

Surely there’s something not right here?
Watch out – autopilot!
Heroines wanted
Playing creates a bond
Learning by playing
Are games good or bad?
Harsh words
So what can be done?
“Gaming – where the fun stops”
#TAKEPART stories – interactive workshops on gaming
Let’s play it safe!
SCROLER: The media magazine for children
Giving hate no chance
Supporting e-sports and using top gamers as role models
For a strong community
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Surely there’s something wrong here? Did something seem odd to you during the game? That’s right, the characters aren’t like the ones we normally see in computer games – strong, muscular heroes and beautiful damsels in distress.

Watch out – autopilot!

Enormous quantities of information are stored in our brains, and this helps us navigate our everyday lives. That’s why we don’t have to think too hard about brushing our teeth or riding a bike. Our brains automatically take control without us realizing it – everything runs automatically. Our brain also automatically makes associations. For example, the word “Italian” makes many people imme­di­ately think of pizza or spa­ghet­ti. But we need to be careful, because these subconscious associations shape our image of the world and how we perceive the people around us.

But what does all this have to do with computer games? A great deal, as it turns out, because these games have characters that often correspond to the usual clichés, such as a muscular, central European male hero or a beau­tiful, helpless young white wo­man. We readily accept these ste­reo­types in the game – after all, it’s just a game – but we learn through repetition.

Images of what we consider “normal” are thus rein­forced in our sub­con­scious and our con­scious­ness is tricked. The values games impart to us have the same effect. They can influence our perceptions of right and wrong and what we find morally acceptable or reprehensible.

Consequently, games could also be the perfect medium for breaking down prejudices and preconceived role mo­dels, and for imparting positive and democratic values. After all, avatars enable players to try out various roles, which provides a change of perspective.

Heroines wanted

Half of all female gamers in Germany – and over a third of their male counterparts – would like to see more strong, female main characters in video and computer games. A survey by the digital association Bitkom from the year 2020 reported these findings.

43 %

43 percent of all players in Germany would generally like more diversity in video and computer games in terms of how different population groups are represented.

Playing creates a bond

No species plays as intensively as humans. Although a clear play instinct is observed in animals, too, it is par­ti­cularly strong in humans. Games bring people together. This also ap­plies to computer games. Over three billion people worldwide play on computers, games consoles, or smartphones.

*Source: Annual Report of the German Games Industry 2022

48 % Almost half of gamers in Germany are female*

Protecting the climate in a game

The first thing a would-be climate hero or heroine needs to learn is how to heat properly. Players taking part in the Deutsche Telekom climate olympics can find out how.

Learning by playing

People don’t only play for pleasure, though. When playing, we find out about the world, explore our own limits, experience challenges, and surpass ourselves. Playing computer games teaches us teamwork and creativity. We learn how to think strategically and deal with complexity, and we take an interest in technology and history. Playing is liberating and relaxing. It provides an outlet for everyday frustrations, prevents us from getting bored, and enables us to discover new things. Last but not least, playing makes learning easier. In addition to being fun, “serious games” provide us with knowledge about subjects such as history or politics. Examples include learning games developed specifically for school lessons or training courses. There are also games that teach us about the latest social issues, such as climate change.

Are games good or bad?

We should examine computer games closely before making a choice – and not just in the case of games for children and adolescents. The values imparted by games influence us all – both positively and negatively. Games that have content that is criminally relevant can be confiscated by courts. However, certain games that are expressly developed for purposes of manipulation cleverly circumvent this possibility and work with hidden messages. What’s more, not everything we find morally questionable or reprehensible is actually criminally relevant. Consequently, we also need to be discerning, responsible, and critical in our dealings with computer games.

Parents and teachers who want to find out which games are suitable for children will obtain an initial indication from the age rating provided on most computer games in Germany. The German website spielbar.de also provides detailed information about a large number of games.

Harsh words

Games have become important communication platforms, with players communicating intensively using the chat or voice chat functions. This is actually a positive development, because it makes gaming even more of a shared experience. Unmoderated, however, this communication sometimes gets out of hand. Radical groups also use these platforms to get organized and spread their ideologies. As with social media, we are seeing these platforms being misused to marginalize people or deliberately intimidate them. In the belief that the law does not apply there, people are increasingly transferring their hate and rabble-rousing to gaming platforms. In some communities, there appears to be a truly toxic culture in which players are confronted with sexist, homophobic, and antisemitic abuse.

So what can be done?

It appears to be a minority – but a particularly vocal one – that is spoiling other gamers’ fun with their abusive language. What can be done about this? One problem is that the existing legislation does not sufficiently cover online gaming platforms The German Network Enforcement Act (Netz­werk­durch­setzungs­gesetz – NetzDG), for example, does not as yet apply to these platforms, because the communication function in games is only secondary. There are also loopholes in Germany’s Protection of Young Persons Act (Jugend­schutz­gesetz – JuSchG). The legislation is currently under review. Naturally, games providers also have a role to play. Many chats are still inadequately moderated, but promising approaches already exist. In the popular “League of Legends” game, for example, players can report negative and positive behavior after the game. The conse­quences of inappropriate behavior range from chat restrictions to a permanent ban.

“Gaming – where the fun stops”

As Deutsche Telekom sees it, digital partici­pation also means social partici­pation. As a company that is driving and shaping digitali­zation, we regard it as our mission to encour­age democratic rules on the web. This includes areas where hate, marginali­zation, and mani­pu­lation aren’t necessarily expected – if mis­an­thropic remarks made openly during gaming increasingly push the boundaries of what can be said, for instance. In our “No hate speech” campaign, we are therefore working with our partners to combat hate in gaming, too.

Magenta Moon talk from 2020
Magenta Moon talk from 2020

In this talk, Simone Rafael, Viet Hoang, and Raul Krauthausen discuss “good gaming.”

#TAKEPART stories – interactive workshops on gaming

“Gaming – where the fun stops” is one of the topics on our site #TAKEPART stories. We explain where hate and marginalization occur in gaming – and how this is related to social divisions. To make our point even clearer, we have incorporated a game with various characters who must face a number of challenges. In addition to this, our #TAKEPART stories offer practical everyday tips that we can all follow if we encounter hate online – while gaming or elsewhere. Opinion leaders targeting older teenagers and adults will find guidelines and materials for workshops on the #TAKEPART stories site. This means no prior expertise is required to address and discuss hate in gaming.

The #TAKEPART stories initiative also highlights a string of other current issues relating to our everyday digital life. For example: Can people learn online civil courage? How is the way we form opinions influenced by fake news, social bots, and filter bubbles? The materials for all workshops are available in English and German, and in a simplified German language version.

SCROLLER: The media magazine for children

Our interactive online magazine SCROLLER addresses the topic of gaming and its link to hate on the web in a way that is geared to the target group of children aged between nine and twelve. In the magazine’s cover story, Tom and Trixie are very surprised to find there are no female heroines they can choose as their avatar. It’s a completely different story in real life, because it is often Trixie who helps Tom out of scrapes. Children will also find tips recommending the latest games that are both fun and informative. Audio posts explain why gaming fairly is so important. SCROLLER thus approaches this issue in a way that is appropriate for children. The “Edu+” magazine, meanwhile, provides teachers with background information and working materials that they can use both in school and for home schooling. The “Teachtoday” initiative for parents and the teaching profession, has also made this issue an important topic. Accessible via the associated website, the Toolbox with over 100 formats offers materials, videos, and ideas for projects on various digital topics, naturally including online hate.

Giving hate no chance

More and more people are speaking out against the toxic minority that is harming the gaming culture. Here are a number of initiatives that aim to ensure fair play:

1“Good Gaming – Well Played Democracy“

For a number of years now, the Amadeu Antonio Foundation has been taking a stand against right-wing media strategies. In its project “Good Gaming – Well Played Democracy” the foundation is analyzing how alt-right activists are attempting to fuel misanthropic sentiment on gaming platforms. The project is developing campaigns in collaboration with users.

2“Keinen Pixel den Faschisten!“

The “Keinen Pixel den Faschisten!” (Not a single pixel for fascists!) initiative is fighting right-wing groups that use computer games as a communication platform. Websites, media professionals, research collectives, and developer studios involved in gaming are all taking part.

3“Hier spielt Vielfalt”

In late 2019, Germany’s games sector launched the “Hier spielt Vielfalt”” (Diversity at play) initiative. It campaigns for a sector free of prejudice and discrimination that treats everyone with polite respect – regardless of their (ethnic) background, ideology, or lifestyle. Numerous companies, institutions, and gamers have signed the initiative’s joint declaration, including Deutsche Telekom.

Supporting e-sports and using top gamers as role models

The professional e-sports scene is growing in Germany, too, with more and more people making a living out of competing in video and computer games. In addition to offering the best possible access to digital sports, we are also keen to encourage re­spon­sible behavior. That is why we are supporting the #SpeakUpEsports campaign initiated by the “esports player foun­dation”. and involving 70 well-known people from the e-sports scene who appear in short videos and speak up in favor of fair play and against hate speech. The foundation also assists talented individuals with dual career planning, grants, etc. as they embark on a profes­sional career. We want to work together to impart positive values to youths and young adults. We are therefore working to create ways of demonstrating civil courage on gaming platforms and ensuring fair play not only in elite sports, but throughout the gaming and e-sports sector. We have also been a share­holder in SK Gaming, a German e-sports organization, since 2019. We are thereby emphasizing the added value of our network quality in the field of gaming and our technological expertise.

Together with SK Gaming and the esports player foundation, we have launched the initiative #equalesports to promote greater diversity in e-sports and gaming. The goal is to support women who are participating in professional and popular sports. For instance, we have set up the first completely female professional team in the world’s largest e-sports game, “League of Legends,” in Germany. In addition to funding for professional sports, young and talented gamers will also receive long-term support on their journey to becoming world champions in the “Female Player Program.” The Equal eSports Festival in Cologne spent two days focusing on the topics of diversity, e-sports, and gaming in the fall of 2022. The agenda featured exciting panel talks, inspiring workshops, heated show matches with world-class players, and coaching sessions with renowned trainers.

On our Twitch channel, players on the e-sports teams allow people to watch them while they are gaming. The chat during the game is moderated to ensure participants treat one another with respect. Deutsche Telekom staff also offer their support as moderators. Inappropriate comments are deleted, and time-outs are sometimes required for individual users. This is proving effective – there’s a great atmosphere on the Twitch channel.

Toxicity in GamesToxicity in Games

Niklas Eigen, commentator of the game “League of Legends” on the emergence of toxicity in games (2021)

For a strong community

What can players themselves do if they are confronted with abuse or hate messages while gaming? Here are a few tips for dealing with hate speech in online games:

1Hit the mute button and report the incident

Haters repeatedly cause upset with their provocations and abuse. You don’t have to accept this – mute your chat and silence them. On a large number of platforms, you can also report hate comments.

2Stand up for others

If you become aware of someone being abused during a chat, be brave and get involved. If you support someone, you’ll see that others may feel confident enough to follow suit.

3Strike the right tone

You should, however, guard against becoming aggressive and abusive yourself. Try to remain level-headed and objective. Don’t let yourself become embroiled in a heated exchange. Use few and clear words.

4Anonymity – protect yourself and others!

In addition to creating an identity for yourself in the gaming world, using a nickname also lets you protect yourself. Make sure you never reveal too much information, such as your real name, your address, or your phone number.

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