FROM DIGITAL RESENTMENT TO RADICALIZATION:GAMERGATE AS A GATEWAY TO THE ALT-RIGHT

Year 2025, Issue: 42, 35 - 51, 30.11.2025

Mert Can Atar

https://doi.org/10.20875/makusobed.1679380

Abstract

This study analyzes the role of the GamerGate controversy in the digital evolution of alt-right discourse. Originating from gaming culture, the movement evolved into a radical subculture driven by opposition to woke values and political correctness. The alt-right framed these progressive discourses as elitist, exclusionary, and authoritarian, portraying themselves as culturally displaced. GamerGate facilitated digital radicalization by mobilizing disaffected white, male, and heteronormative users and weaponizing cultural grievances. A qualitative, theoretically grounded, and conceptually informed approach is adopted. The findings show that GamerGate impacted not only gaming culture but also the broader digital public sphere and political communication strategies. Tactics such as trolling, doxxing, and harassment became normalized, contributing to the rise of far-right’s digital mobilization. Ultimately, GamerGate should be viewed as a critical precursor to platform-driven ideological polarization, marking an early stage in the formation of today’s digitally mediated political landscape.

Keywords

GamerGate , far-right , alt-right , digital radicalization , woke discourse.

Ethical Statement

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Supporting Institution

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Thanks

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DİJİTAL HOŞNUTSUZLUKTAN RADİKALLEŞMEYE: GAMERGATE’İN ALT-RIGHT’A AÇILAN BİR GEÇİT OLARAK ROLÜ

Abstract

Bu çalışma, GamerGate olayının alt-right dijital söyleminin gelişimindeki rolünü analiz etmektedir. Oyun kültüründen doğan bu hareketin, zamanla “woke” ve politik doğruculuk söylemlerine karşı gelişen tepkiyle nasıl radikal bir dijital alt-kültür inşa ettiğini incelemektedir. GamerGate, sosyal adalet girişimlerini elitist ve dışlayıcı olarak çerçeveleyen bir ideolojik refleks geliştirmiş; özellikle beyaz, erkek ve heteronormatif kimlikleri tehdit altında hisseden bireylerin dijital radikalleşmesini hızlandırmıştır. Çalışma, niteliksel, kuramsal ve kavramsal analiz yöntemleriyle yürütülmüştür. Bulgular, GamerGate’in sadece oyun alanını değil, dijital kamusal alanı ve politik iletişim pratiklerini de dönüştürdüğünü göstermektedir. Hareket, trolleme, doxxing ve çevrimiçi taciz gibi taktikleri meşrulaştırmış, aşırı sağcı alt-kültürlerin dijital mobilizasyonuna zemin hazırlamıştır. Sonuç olarak GamerGate, platform merkezli kutuplaşmanın erken evresinde belirleyici bir dönüm noktası olarak değerlendirilmektedir.

Keywords

GamerGate , alt-right , aşırı sağ , dijital radikalleşme , woke söylem.

Project Number

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