The next episode of NBC's Law & Order SVU features a "ripped-from-the-headlines" story about a game developer who is the target of harassment from the male-dominated video game community. Inspired by the harassment and threats surrounding GamerGate, the episode centers on game developer Raina Punjabi, who's harassed, doxxed and swatted by gamers.
In the episode "Intimidation Game," the Special Victims Unit deal with the rape and death threats lobbed at Punjabi and her employees. After her game company's website is hacked and Punjabi is swatted, she becomes "the face of women in gaming." On the eve of the launch of an international game rollout, the promo explains, SVU must contend with a flood of online harassment that looks like it will result in some very real violence.
"When a woman is attacked at a gaming convention, the detectives uncover the misogynistic underbelly of the gaming world," the episode's description reads. A pair of previews from NBC offer a taste of what's in store.
The episode appears to feature its share of gaming cliches — "What's the next level?" detective Amanda Rollins asks when Tutuola says "This is a game to them" — and at least one first-person shooter-style shot. It also works in another ripped-from-the-headlines reference, mentioning the "cyber terrorists" who made Sony back down on releasing The Interview.
Law & Order SVU "Intimidation Game" airs on Wednesday, Feb. 11 on NBC.
