MMO Madness: Behind the Troll Mask
A show where we dissect the trolls decode the toxicity, and explore why so many virtual worlds end up full of very real hate.
MMO Madness: Behind the Troll Mask
Toxicity by Design
Episode 6: Toxicity by Design (How Devs Accidentally Enable Bad Behavior)
Some MMOs are practically built for trolls—and not the dungeon kind. In this episode, Boss Mode digs into how developers, often unintentionally, create mechanics that fuel griefing, gatekeeping, and pure chaos. From loot systems that pit guildmates against each other, to chat tools that double as trolling megaphones, we’re breaking down how design choices can turn a game into a breeding ground for bad behavior.
But it’s not all doomscrolling—we’ll also share some darkly funny grief stories and a few redemption arcs that remind us why we keep logging back in, even when the salt runs deep.
Got your own MMO war story? Send it to podcast@mmomadness.com
—it might just end up in a future episode.
"We’re going beyond the patch notes… and pulling the mask off the madness.”
