Combatting Antisemitism in Games

The article examines the rise of antisemitic hate within global video‑game ecosystems and introduces a new assessment tool developed by the Anti‑Defamation League (ADL). It highlights alarming real‑world statistics, noting 15 antisemitic murders in Sydney and record‑high assaults reported by the ADL in 2025, underscoring a broader trend of increasing hate crimes. Within gaming, the ADL’s 2024 report identified 1.8 million instances of hateful content on Steam, including extremist groups and Nazi‑themed avatars, prompting criticism of Valve’s moderation practices.

To address this gap, the ADL launched an Online Gaming Leaderboard that rates ten popular multiplayer titles on policies and in‑game tools designed to curb antisemitism. The scoring framework evaluates eight criteria across two categories: policy measures (e.g., explicit hate‑free codes of conduct, escalation plans to law enforcement) and technical tools (e.g., username filtering for “Killzionists” or “murderIsraelis,” blocking, muting, and reporting efficacy). The leaderboard assigns traffic‑light ratings—green for Advanced Protections (Fortnite, Call of Duty, Minecraft, GTA Online), amber for Moderate Protections (Roblox, Madden NFL, Valorant, Clash Royale), and red for Limited Protections (Counter‑Strike 2, PUBG).

The ADL reports that games with mature violent content often implement stronger safeguards than platforms perceived as more family‑friendly, and that many developers respond positively to the findings. The initiative aims to expand coverage beyond antisemitism, encouraging broader industry dialogue on digital safety and highlighting the potential of civil society to influence game design.