'Abuse turned me off gaming online'

Most gamers who play online have probably come across abuse.

Players hurling insults at one another, via microphones or chat rooms. Sometimes it's just banter, but it can cross the line.

20-year-old chef Tom Willmott told Newsbeat that he often heard racist or homophobic comments being made.

His friend Matt Semple says he's received death threats when playing a range of different games.

He says the abuse he got affected his confidence and he's now stopped playing online unless it's with his mates.

Developers are being urged to do more to stop abuse.

Speaking to Newsbeat at the launch event for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, the game's chief designer said its creators had a "low tolerance for toxic behaviour".

"Abusive language, inappropriate emblems, I don't want that around," said Michael Condrey.

The problem has also attracted the attention of politicians in Westminster.

John Leech MP, member of the culture, media and sport committee in the House of Commons, told Newsbeat the games industry has a duty to deal with the problem.

"I think the industry has a duty, given the industry makes quite a lot of money out of gaming, to actually see what level of abuse is going on and come up with a solution with how they deal with it."

Video journalist: Steffan Powell

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