GameOver Hate conference aims to create healthier, happier online communities

The Council of Europe will sponsor a conference this fall to discuss issues within gaming communities, with the goal of finding solutions for creating happier, healthier online environments, according to the event's official Tumblr.

The GameOver Hate conference will be held in Budapest this Sept. 23 through 28. According to the event page, the conference will tackle problems of "hate-speech" in online games and help attendees determine what drives this negative behavior — as well as come up with ways the industry at large can help to curb it.

"We understand that games are a very specific online environment that needs specific conversations, debates and experts and we want to create a meaningful discussion around this topic," reads the event page. "We don't want to only focus on the problem itself and the reasons behind it, but also in trying to find solutions and good case practices around the industry, in different communities and various players experiences."

The week-long event will include talks, debates and gaming sessions focused on helping participants learn how to create and maintain more inclusive online gaming spaces. Attendees will learn what drives the negativity and abusive speech from some players and how developers, community managers and other industry members can prevent and combat it.

Currently, the program for the event includes the debut of GTFO: A Film About Women in Gaming, the Kickstarter-backed film by Shannon Sun-Higginson. Check out the GameOver Hate Tumblr for updates on the conference.