Moogle Post Founder 'Oldbear Stormborn' Accused of Sexual Harassment & Blackmail - Final Fantasy XIV

SBFord · June 2018

Moogle Post Founder 'Oldbear Stormborn' Accused of Sexual Harassment & Blackmail - Final Fantasy XIV - MMORPG.com

Final Fantasy XIV News - PC Gamer is reporting that over a dozen women have accused the founder and editor of The Moogle Post community blog for Final Fantasy XIV of sexual harassment and blackmail. The writer has interviewed nine of the twelve women alleging the abuses by Oldbear, a group that collectively calls itself the Anonymous Janes in order to protect their privacy.

Read the full story here

Albatroes · June 2018

This kind of stuff seems to be coming to light a lot more frequently since last year, across all aspects from entertainment to sports, business, etc. Really sad when you look into how long these things have been going on for and how long it took for them to be known about.

Sovrath · June 2018

While "one or two" disgruntled exes could be understandable, that fact that there are eight seems a bit telling. Or creepy. Not sure.

Granted, this is all "alleged" and anything is possible.

I wonder if these interviews were done with a company account or private e-mail?

Scot · June 2018

You will notice that PC Gamer say they have interviewed nine of over a dozen girls. This is how you do journalism, the fact that broadcasters in the UK and I am sure elsewhere could take pointers from a gaming magazine shows you the state of broadcast news.

During the Weinstein scandal, you could get on national news by making a tweet, no collaborating evidence, no interview. Now all that came later, but the story for the first few days was based only on tweets as far as I could tell. When people make these sort of accusations, interviews were a minimum requirement.

The problem is the story now comes first, if it is viral on twitter, broadcast news feels it is being left behind and abandons sound journalistic principles.

Well done PC Gamer, for flushing this man out the right way.

GeezerGamer · June 2018

It's difficult to get a group of people to come forward. So, to make over a dozen women publicly speak out against you......yeah you did something wrong.
I believe this one.

alkarionlog · June 2018

though its still internet and chances of being real a lot smaller then I would think, plus if the abuse was only online, is really that hard to block people?

SBFord · June 2018

alkarionlog said:

though its still internet and chances of being real a lot smaller then I would think, plus if the abuse was only online, is really that hard to block people?

Why should anyone have to put up with abuse anywhere at any time? Just because it's "only online" is no excuse for predatory behavior. Do you honestly believe that this behavior is limited to "only online" and that it won't, or hasn't, leaked into the dude's real life? Why should it go unpunished just because it's "only online"?

Further, who's to say that there won't be real world predation on his part? It takes a minimal amount of effort to find numerous stories about predators taking their abuse into their victim's real lives.

mxmissile · June 2018

SBFord said:

alkarionlog said:

though its still internet and chances of being real a lot smaller then I would think, plus if the abuse was only online, is really that hard to block people?

Why should anyone have to put up with abuse anywhere at any time?

I get harassed by the government weekly, why is that OK? It affects me and my family, severely. Why is that OK? Why does the gov not fall in to "anywhere at any time" clause?

SpottyGekko · June 2018

This trend makes me profoundly uncomfortable.

It used to be: "...has been arrested on suspicion of..."

Now it's merely "...has been accused of..."

Good luck recovering from that if you happen to be innocent.

Hashbrick · June 2018

SBFord said:

alkarionlog said:

though its still internet and chances of being real a lot smaller then I would think, plus if the abuse was only online, is really that hard to block people?

Why should anyone have to put up with abuse anywhere at any time? Just because it's "only online" is no excuse for predatory behavior. Do you honestly believe that this behavior is limited to "only online" and that it won't, or hasn't, leaked into the dude's real life? Why should it go unpunished just because it's "only online"?

Further, who's to say that there won't be real world predation on his part? It takes a minimal amount of effort to find numerous stories about predators taking their abuse into their victim's real lives.

Being "forced" online is extremely different than being forced in real life. In real life you may not have a choice as you are being physically handled. Online however you can easily turn off skype, log off the game, etc. I'm not saying they are not victims here but they are just as at fault as he is for how long it goes on and how far it goes. I just have zero sympathy for the I'm the victim card when they are at fault as well.

Harassment is an everyday occurrence online, everyday some dick is trying to ruin someone else's day. You know that coming in, you can mitigate that by keeping yourself away from social media where a cesspool of nothing but brainwashing takes place.

I read the entire story and no where in any of the womens' story did I see a trap that they couldn't get out, each situation had an exit, they didn't take it. They went along with it, cause they "cared" for him. We all make mistakes in life, some more than others.

rpmcmurphy · June 2018

Hashbrick said:

SBFord said:

alkarionlog said:

though its still internet and chances of being real a lot smaller then I would think, plus if the abuse was only online, is really that hard to block people?

Why should anyone have to put up with abuse anywhere at any time? Just because it's "only online" is no excuse for predatory behavior. Do you honestly believe that this behavior is limited to "only online" and that it won't, or hasn't, leaked into the dude's real life? Why should it go unpunished just because it's "only online"?

Further, who's to say that there won't be real world predation on his part? It takes a minimal amount of effort to find numerous stories about predators taking their abuse into their victim's real lives.

Being "forced" online is extremely different than being forced in real life. In real life you may not have a choice as you are being physically handled. Online however you can easily turn off skype, log off the game, etc. I'm not saying they are not victims here but they are just as at fault as he is for how long it goes on and how far it goes. I just have zero sympathy for the I'm the victim card when they are at fault as well.

Harassment is an everyday occurrence online, everyday some dick is trying to ruin someone else's day. You know that coming in, you can mitigate that by keeping yourself away from social media where a cesspool of nothing but brainwashing takes place.

I read the entire story and no where in any of the womens' story did I see a trap that they couldn't get out, each situation had an exit, they didn't take it. They went along with it, cause they "cared" for him. We all make mistakes in life, some more than others.

Ugh, this is awful. You're talking from hindsight and also not understanding the effect of psychological manipulation.

Abusers manipulate people, they isolate people mentally, they destroy their self-assurance and self-confidence, they use all sorts of psychological behaviour to control the other person.
It's so easy to say they should just say no, or they should just leave but the real world does not function like that. Look at how many women struggled to leave abusive husbands even when it's at the risk of their own life, look at how many refuse to testify or make all sorts of excuses for their abusers behaviour. These people are so insidious it's unreal.

Hashbrick · June 2018

rpmcmurphy said:

Hashbrick said:

SBFord said:

alkarionlog said:

though its still internet and chances of being real a lot smaller then I would think, plus if the abuse was only online, is really that hard to block people?

Why should anyone have to put up with abuse anywhere at any time? Just because it's "only online" is no excuse for predatory behavior. Do you honestly believe that this behavior is limited to "only online" and that it won't, or hasn't, leaked into the dude's real life? Why should it go unpunished just because it's "only online"?

Further, who's to say that there won't be real world predation on his part? It takes a minimal amount of effort to find numerous stories about predators taking their abuse into their victim's real lives.

Being "forced" online is extremely different than being forced in real life. In real life you may not have a choice as you are being physically handled. Online however you can easily turn off skype, log off the game, etc. I'm not saying they are not victims here but they are just as at fault as he is for how long it goes on and how far it goes. I just have zero sympathy for the I'm the victim card when they are at fault as well.

Harassment is an everyday occurrence online, everyday some dick is trying to ruin someone else's day. You know that coming in, you can mitigate that by keeping yourself away from social media where a cesspool of nothing but brainwashing takes place.

I read the entire story and no where in any of the womens' story did I see a trap that they couldn't get out, each situation had an exit, they didn't take it. They went along with it, cause they "cared" for him. We all make mistakes in life, some more than others.

Ugh, this is awful. You're talking from hindsight and also not understanding the effect of psychological manipulation.

Abusers manipulate people, they isolate people mentally, they destroy their self-assurance and self-confidence, they use all sorts of psychological behaviour to control the other person.
It's so easy to say they should just say no, or they should just leave but the real world does not function like that. Look at how many women struggled to leave abusive husbands even when it's at the risk of their own life, look at how many refuse to testify or make all sorts of excuses for their abusers behaviour. These people are so insidious it's unreal.

You just proved my point by using real world references and not one that is online.

Ridrith · June 2018

Hashbrick said:

SBFord said:

alkarionlog said:

though its still internet and chances of being real a lot smaller then I would think, plus if the abuse was only online, is really that hard to block people?

Why should anyone have to put up with abuse anywhere at any time? Just because it's "only online" is no excuse for predatory behavior. Do you honestly believe that this behavior is limited to "only online" and that it won't, or hasn't, leaked into the dude's real life? Why should it go unpunished just because it's "only online"?

Further, who's to say that there won't be real world predation on his part? It takes a minimal amount of effort to find numerous stories about predators taking their abuse into their victim's real lives.

Being "forced" online is extremely different than being forced in real life. In real life you may not have a choice as you are being physically handled. Online however you can easily turn off skype, log off the game, etc. I'm not saying they are not victims here but they are just as at fault as he is for how long it goes on and how far it goes. I just have zero sympathy for the I'm the victim card when they are at fault as well.

Harassment is an everyday occurrence online, everyday some dick is trying to ruin someone else's day. You know that coming in, you can mitigate that by keeping yourself away from social media where a cesspool of nothing but brainwashing takes place.

I read the entire story and no where in any of the womens' story did I see a trap that they couldn't get out, each situation had an exit, they didn't take it. They went along with it, cause they "cared" for him. We all make mistakes in life, some more than others.

Once upon a time I would have agreed with you but that isn't the case anymore. People online can be just as easily manipulated and abused just as they can offline. There are plenty of weak-willed and vulnerable people who get online to find friends and to make social connections. Based on the stories here it seems like he targeted people who were less experienced or in dire need of a connection and reached out to him as somebody who at least in game, is seen as an authority figure. Somebody who is helpful and can provide them with information.

They got duped. The guy is a predator, for sure. As for blaming the victim, come on dude. Seriously? It was their choice to get on camera and to do things for the guy, sure, but at what point does it become an issue? It's obvious that the guy was manipulating and blackmailing them with vague threats of showing recordings or pictures that they had sent him in confidence. That shit is scummy and predatory. That would be like me holding an ex-girlfriend hostage because I had naked pictures of her and was threatening to send them to mutual friends or family if she didn't keep in contact with me. It's gross and this 'Oldbear' fellow should fuck off.

SBFord · June 2018

Hashbrick said:

SBFord said:

alkarionlog said:

though its still internet and chances of being real a lot smaller then I would think, plus if the abuse was only online, is really that hard to block people?

Why should anyone have to put up with abuse anywhere at any time? Just because it's "only online" is no excuse for predatory behavior. Do you honestly believe that this behavior is limited to "only online" and that it won't, or hasn't, leaked into the dude's real life? Why should it go unpunished just because it's "only online"?

Further, who's to say that there won't be real world predation on his part? It takes a minimal amount of effort to find numerous stories about predators taking their abuse into their victim's real lives.

Being "forced" online is extremely different than being forced in real life. In real life you may not have a choice as you are being physically handled. Online however you can easily turn off skype, log off the game, etc. I'm not saying they are not victims here but they are just as at fault as he is for how long it goes on and how far it goes. I just have zero sympathy for the I'm the victim card when they are at fault as well.

Harassment is an everyday occurrence online, everyday some dick is trying to ruin someone else's day. You know that coming in, you can mitigate that by keeping yourself away from social media where a cesspool of nothing but brainwashing takes place.

I read the entire story and no where in any of the womens' story did I see a trap that they couldn't get out, each situation had an exit, they didn't take it. They went along with it, cause they "cared" for him. We all make mistakes in life, some more than others.

Sounds sort of like the abusers' enablers who say "you shouldn't wear that" or "you just shouldn't go there" or "you shouldn't act that way" to women. Ugh. Just no. Abuse is abuse is abuse online or real world. It should not be tolerated in any way, shape or form in any setting.

Victim blaming is grotesque. Abuse is the fault of the abuser only and only the abuser should suffer the consequences. The double dip of abuse, both from the perpetrator and, later, the "blamers" is why so many people are hesitant to speak up.

JeffSpicoli · June 2018

Image: https://forums.mmorpg.com/uploads/editor/9l/762yb34vmvhi.gif

OldBear Stormborn

Ridrith · June 2018

https://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/comments/8u2u92/why_tmp_seems_to_be_sending_mixed_messages_about/

Hashbrick · June 2018

SBFord said:

Hashbrick said:

SBFord said:

alkarionlog said:

though its still internet and chances of being real a lot smaller then I would think, plus if the abuse was only online, is really that hard to block people?

Why should anyone have to put up with abuse anywhere at any time? Just because it's "only online" is no excuse for predatory behavior. Do you honestly believe that this behavior is limited to "only online" and that it won't, or hasn't, leaked into the dude's real life? Why should it go unpunished just because it's "only online"?

Further, who's to say that there won't be real world predation on his part? It takes a minimal amount of effort to find numerous stories about predators taking their abuse into their victim's real lives.

Being "forced" online is extremely different than being forced in real life. In real life you may not have a choice as you are being physically handled. Online however you can easily turn off skype, log off the game, etc. I'm not saying they are not victims here but they are just as at fault as he is for how long it goes on and how far it goes. I just have zero sympathy for the I'm the victim card when they are at fault as well.

Harassment is an everyday occurrence online, everyday some dick is trying to ruin someone else's day. You know that coming in, you can mitigate that by keeping yourself away from social media where a cesspool of nothing but brainwashing takes place.

I read the entire story and no where in any of the womens' story did I see a trap that they couldn't get out, each situation had an exit, they didn't take it. They went along with it, cause they "cared" for him. We all make mistakes in life, some more than others.

Sounds sort of like the abusers' enablers who say "you shouldn't wear that" or "you just shouldn't go there" or "you shouldn't act that way" to women. Ugh. Just no. Abuse is abuse is abuse online or real world. It should not be tolerated in any way, shape or form in any setting.

Victim blaming is grotesque. Abuse is the fault of the abuser only and only the abuser should suffer the consequences. The double dip of abuse, both from the perpetrator and, later, the "blamers" is why so many people are hesitant to speak up.

We'll agree to disagree, I get it you are pro victim here. I however have seen many sides. I know women that are strong and can deal with their own struggles and know when to say no and I know women who have fallen into traps and "feel" like they have to say yes. Also women who flirt and tease constantly to stir up things and then manipulate the situation to become a victim.

I also know how two people can manipulate each other, it isn't just one side of the coin and if you think that, you are part of the problem not the solution. You can even see in the chat references where both manipulated each other.

I was born and lived my entire childhood in an abusive family, my dad would constantly drink and verbally abuse everyone in the family. My mom was a victim but she was at fault she never had the courage to stand up and do what was right even though she volunteered at a woman's abuse hotline and house.

I deal with depression regularly, my wife is diagnosed with it as well as chronic OCD. She gets thoughts, thoughts that aren't her own. Thoughts of failure, thoughts of suicide, thoughts of being abandon. It can have zero reason to it, it just pops in and stays there. It is a horrible horrible condition that has little to do with their character or how she wants to be seen by others. Even with that she has dealt with this online crap by predators and still never fell in the trap, never felt like she had to do anything or answer to anyone.

Once again I'm not saying they are not victims cause they are, but they are not victims without fault. There's a major difference. I don't take this lightly, but burning this guy on the stake like he did everything is just pure wrong.

Pemmin · June 2018

SBFord said:

alkarionlog said:

though its still internet and chances of being real a lot smaller then I would think, plus if the abuse was only online, is really that hard to block people?

Why should anyone have to put up with abuse anywhere at any time? Just because it's "only online" is no excuse for predatory behavior. Do you honestly believe that this behavior is limited to "only online" and that it won't, or hasn't, leaked into the dude's real life? Why should it go unpunished just because it's "only online"?

Further, who's to say that there won't be real world predation on his part? It takes a minimal amount of effort to find numerous stories about predators taking their abuse into their victim's real lives.

we know there was alleged real world abuse according to the women interviewed if you actually read the full article . By the accounts the dude is a text book emotional manipulator and control freak(also a unemployed loser sponging off of women and his mom). I think the headline of the article is poorly presented(the attempt to swing it into the #metoo is working against it to by down playing the situation to someone who casually skims the headline)....I saw very little online use of real world positional power(cause frankly he didn't really have any) to harass and a lot more just flat out predatory emotional and sexual abuse through technology. he was manipulating them into positions vulnerability where they both felt unsafe and felt they couldn't exercise there right to "no". (zoe's account was particularly unnerving).

ZombieCat · June 2018

Hashbrick said:

SBFord said:

alkarionlog said:

though its still internet and chances of being real a lot smaller then I would think, plus if the abuse was only online, is really that hard to block people?

Why should anyone have to put up with abuse anywhere at any time? Just because it's "only online" is no excuse for predatory behavior. Do you honestly believe that this behavior is limited to "only online" and that it won't, or hasn't, leaked into the dude's real life? Why should it go unpunished just because it's "only online"?

Further, who's to say that there won't be real world predation on his part? It takes a minimal amount of effort to find numerous stories about predators taking their abuse into their victim's real lives.

Being "forced" online is extremely different than being forced in real life. In real life you may not have a choice as you are being physically handled. Online however you can easily turn off skype, log off the game, etc. I'm not saying they are not victims here but they are just as at fault as he is for how long it goes on and how far it goes. I just have zero sympathy for the I'm the victim card when they are at fault as well.

Harassment is an everyday occurrence online, everyday some dick is trying to ruin someone else's day. You know that coming in, you can mitigate that by keeping yourself away from social media where a cesspool of nothing but brainwashing takes place.

I read the entire story and no where in any of the womens' story did I see a trap that they couldn't get out, each situation had an exit, they didn't take it. They went along with it, cause they "cared" for him. We all make mistakes in life, some more than others.

[mod edit]

It is not about "growing a thicker skin" it is about being treated like a human being [mod edit]

Cryomatrix · June 2018

After reading through the story in PC Gamer Oldbear is a classic person with borderline personality disorder. They act in very similar ways. Emotional abuse and manipulation to the max. Classic that they always try to blackmail with self-harm when all else fails.

I have a rule to ignore and stay as far away as possible from people with cluster B personality disorders. The four personality disorders are as follow:

1) Borderline - Kanye West
2) Narcissist - Political figures - especially a few well known ones
3) Histrionic - Kim Kardashian
4) Anti-social - classic psychopath

From Mayo-clinic website
Cluster B personality disorders are characterized by dramatic, overly emotional or unpredictable thinking or behavior. They include antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20354463

SBFord · June 2018

Hashbrick said:

We'll agree to disagree, I get it you are pro victim here.

Shouldn't everyone be "pro victim"?

Hashbrick · June 2018

SBFord said:

Hashbrick said:

We'll agree to disagree, I get it you are pro victim here.

Shouldn't everyone be "pro victim"?

There's two sides to every coin, if you are looking for something reactionary I'm not going to give it.

I'm not here to stir up the forums, I just stated what I thought because there is so many that sticks to one side and very little that look into the middle. I already got someone who took time to step away from their twitter feed to insult me instead of discussing. In fact I'll respectfully disappear.

tawess · June 2018

Having followed the spectacular implosion of Tyler Carpenter formerly of HSB. I have no problem beliveing this. (Tyler tho had the good grace to own up to what he had done) Now that is not the same as passing any meta-legal judging. That is up to the courts, and it always has to be. Even if we do not like the outcome.

MrTuggles · June 2018

I think what is most sad is that a collective of individuals can come out and say these things about anyone, with absolutely no proof mind you, and destroy someone's career or lively hood. And to the above poster, you can't call someone a victim unless there is a proven crime. There is a reason that our justice system presumes everyone innocence until proven guilty. Any one recall the Salem With Trials? 200 people were accused with 20 people being killed. The only proof needed was someone with an accusation.

SBFord · June 2018

MrTuggles said:

I think what is most sad is that a collective of individuals can come out and say these things about anyone, with absolutely no proof mind you, and destroy someone's career or lively hood. And to the above poster, you can't call someone a victim unless there is a proven crime. There is a reason that our justice system presumes everyone innocence until proven guilty. Any one recall the Salem With Trials? 200 people were accused with 20 people being killed. The only proof needed was someone with an accusation.

I guess verbal and emotional, psychological abuse doesn't count in your assessment? If not, you're missing so much of what makes a predator who they are. Kind of sad, really.

sayuu · June 2018

seems to me that the safest thing for people to do nowadays is to not have any contact with anyone else at any time. . .

the court of public opinion never cares about waiting for the facts before passing a guilty verdict, and for many people that is just as damaging to their lives as one in a real court of law.

sad.

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Moogle Post Founder 'Oldbear Stormborn' Accused of Sexual Harassment & Blackmail - Final Fantasy XIV

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Aloha Mr Hand !

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This have been a good conversation

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