Microsoft encourages trash talk, just don't be racist/sexist/offensive about it

If you've been on Xbox Live for any length of time, you probably have thick skin towards trash talk. Now, Microsoft clarifies its guidelines.

[AngainorG7X]

Let's see how this goes

[Silly gameAr]

Do they pay well?

[Sono421]

Isn't trash talk meant to be offensive? I'm confused.. I understand the no racist/sexist, but offensive?.... that's why it's called trash talk... you're talking trash.

[ravinash]

@ Sono - You Mama is still open season!

[blacktiger]

so is your dad

[darthv72]

trash talk isnt meant to be offensive, it is meant to be discouraging. Meaning to throw another player off his game. Yet in this day and age pretty much anything can be offensive. Even using a term like snowflake is considered offensive to the right person while to others its just a harmless insult. That is what trash talking is... harmless insults. The idea is to have power over the words, not the other way around.

[NecrumOddBoy]

You can't offend someone, they can only take offense to it. Thick skinned people are less offended than others. There is difference between racism/sexism and that. A person can find or take offense in almost anything so it's really hard to make up standard like that with such a broad range based on someone's personal feelings. Whatever happened to just not being an ass?

[jznrpg]

For positive MS articles yes

[Gwiz]

Yo momma so ugly that even Scorpion said " Stay over there ".

[jjb1981]

Just to your mom...

[Nu]

if your mum was a videogame she'd be rated E for everyone

[Silly gameAr]

What happened to "That's my company!"?. Now my comment makes no sense lol

[AngainorG7X]

I read the article and i had to change it, lol 😂😂😂

[rainslacker]

Ms has been trash talking in a very passive aggressive way all gen towards Sony, so it doesn't surprise they'd say their users can do it.

Can't they just say be respectful, and not encourage trash talking. Even if its not racist, sexist, or discriminatory, some people are pretty sensitive to such talk. They won't stop idiots from talking really bad with this sentiment either way, but they could be more encouraging of a positive online environment.

[Sophisticated_Chap]

Please......

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I don't like trash talk personally, ruins the whole tone of the game.

[DaveZero]

Make things up much do you??

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

First to 10 million wins - Mjr Nelson, they are deplorable on all levels. the cream rises to the top.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Let's see the results

[SmielmaN]

I agree with the racist/sexist part, but trash talk is trying to piss someone off and is likely to be offensive.

[wraith9999]

lets see the results of you 1v1'ing zeref

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Yep I want to shake the N4G forums on this, I'm ready to fight my big bro (Off topic)

[CyberSentinel]

define "offensive"...

[SegaGamer]

Exactly. Seeing how people get offended by every thing these days, offensive is just too vague of a word.

[sampsonon]

people getting offended indeed.

[shaun mcwayne]

What do you mean "how people", dont you mean native Americans, some people just twist things to get some light on their agenda. Its only a big deal, if You make it a deal.

[Cobra951]

Offensive: adj. Whatever we say it is.

[uth11]

Whatever we say it is TODAY. We will use completely different standards tomorrow and the next day..

[RauLeCreuset]

"The overall gist of the new community standards is 'Don’t be a dick.' Pretty good advice, in-game as it is in the real world."

Seems I was just saying something along those lines the other day. That's most of the battle. But for people convinced the majority of offenders are getting caught up for innocent utterances and for those who want to plead ignorance, it's better for them to adhere to that simple saying "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Like with many other things, it's best to keep it simple and only graduate beyond that once you've mastered the basics.

[CyberSentinel]

I wonder if the notion "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Has led/ will lead, to people not using microphones while playing games online. 🤔

[RauLeCreuset]

CyberSentinel

Lost in that ponderence is any concern for the people currently not using microphones while playing online because of the toxicity.

[CyberSentinel]

Some online games are very dependent on fast/voice communication. If people fear being banned because of “offensive” and “hate” speech, it could lead to a decline in online games.

Maybe that’s why single player games are becoming popular again...

🤔

[RauLeCreuset]

CyberSentinel

I doubt it. There's the offset of more people engaging online in the absence of that conduct. But beyond that, it's less to do with lacking self control and more to do with lacking consequences for failing to exhibit self control. You'd be surprised how many find their self control when faced with real consequences. Trust that most of the people behaving that way online somehow manage to be more disciplined when at work, school, or otherwise about in the real world somewhere where that kind of behavior has real consequences.

[Christopher]

***I wonder if the notion "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Has led/ will lead, to people not using microphones while playing games online. 🤔***

Kind of the opposite, actually. I think most people who hate hearing from others mute everyone and don't use headsets at all.

[uth11]

Maybe there should be rooms that are moderated and rooms where "anything goes", and people can gravitate to whichever they feel more comfortable with

[BlackTar187]

The less people who talk crap the more effective mine will be. As someone who has participated in organized sports my whole life and boxed for a long time i can without a doubt understand that the only effective trash talk is offensive. We all shake hands or hug after cause it's just a game and like the sport we just played the effective trash talk is a skill that requires skill in delivery and tone and we as opponents respect that.

[bolimekurac]

Most people wont understand what you said
" it's best to keep it simple and only graduate beyond that once you've mastered the basics."
but many of us do.

[bolimekurac]

cybercentinel, when was hate speech ever excepted, when was being a total asshole ever excepted. people should always fear if they are purposely being offensive and hateful, yes its free speech but this is a paid online service with rules and while trash talk is all good and dandy, ruining someones time or cursing them out etc.. thats just never been cool and should be punished when that behavior materializes online while playing games with other people who dont want to be abused.

[bluefox755]

Therein lies the problem. "Offensive" is entirely up to the subjective whim of the offended. Offense is taken, not given.

[rainslacker]

True, but there are times where people are trying to offend others. Itd be impossible to be completely inoffensive, unless you just dont trash talk. Some people dont like trash talk, and find it offensive whether they're on the receiving end or its aimed at someone else. It doesn't have to fall into one of the isms or be discriminatory to be offensive. Just saying someone sucks at the game is enough to trigger some people.

Generally, I feel it's better to encourage a positive online environment than one where trash talk is encouraged. Dont have to ban or restrict because of trash talk, but dont say its perfectly acceptable, because it just means people will keep pushing to see how far they can go.

But, in the big picture, it probably doesn't matter much. Across the whole community, and generally speaking, there are plenty out there who will make everyone look bad

[jeki]

"If I can't use the n-word does that mean I can't say hello to people?"

That's how you morons sound, like dysfunctional man-babies.

[CyberSentinel]

What is “offensive” to you, may not be offensive to others. For instance,

“Homosexuality is a sin”

“Gender dysphoria is a mental illness”

“You play like a girl”

“That kill was gay”

What is the definition of offensive, and who should get to make that judgment?

[jeki]

@CyberSentinel

There will always be people who don't find things offensive, that doesn't mean you should say them.

In this case, Microsoft gets to make the judgement of what's offensive. If you're not sure about saying something, you probably shouldn't say it until you are sure. It's not complicated.

[CyberSentinel]

@jeki

I don’t think you realize how broad of a term “offensive” is...

If companies should have the right to censor free speech, shouldn’t they also have the right to discriminate against who they hire and fire, or even provide services too?

🤔

[Projekt7]

@CyberSentinal
There’s times your batteries might die on you at the wrong time, your killed instantly after spawning and you simply mumble gay or shit. Your not meaning that at any person or to offend. It’s just part of speech. Especially those of us that have been around since online gaming started. Now I can be recorded and taken out of context for a slip directed at no one and be given a red card because my microphone picked it up and someone reported it. Like everything this will boomerang and end up effecting the people who called for it. People might also stop handing over their hard earned money in fear they might accidentally say a naughty word. I’m pleased single player is making a comeback. Is tea bagging still a thing? Life and family has had me sidelined for some time now. I personally used to be shocked at the tweens playing online screaming and screaming in a prepubescent voice the worst things possible, all while you could hear the mom and dads in the background telling them to quiet down. Back then I blamed those adults in the room.

[jeki]

@CyberSentinel

Microsoft isn't censoring free speech, they are implementing a code of conduct on their servers.

I'm sure you can figure out what is ban-worthy, if you're not sure then play it safe until you are sure, unless you don't care about being banned.

Hiring practices have nothing to do with this conversation.

[CyberSentinel]

@jeki

The “Code of Conduct” defense.

If a baker decides he doesn’t want to bake a cake for a customer, because that customer’s lifestyle goes against the bakers “code of conduct”, should that Baker be forced to bake the cake? 🍰

🤔

[jeki]

@CyberSentinel

You're not making sense.

[Mystogan]

Exactly, if you are a decent human being, you know exactly how not to be an asshole.

[rainslacker]

@cyber

Legally, a business isnt required to sell to anyone they dont want to if it goes against their established beliefs. They can not actively restrict access to the premises based on the things protected under the equal rights amendments, or just make random exclusions without a basis of an established belief....usually formed from active religious affiliation, or membership in some group with some guiding principals. The only exclusions are based on gender or race, nothing else is covered under the equal rights amendment....although gay rights are being looked at as an addition to the amendment, or it's going to be decided by the supreme court.

There was a case exactly like what you posit, and the Baker wasn't required by law to bake the cake for a homosexual marriage.

[CyberSentinel]

@jeki

"@CyberSentinel

You're not making sense."

Actually, it does make sense...it just went over your head.

[CyberSentinel]

@rainslacker

Agreed.

Here's my question:
When do My religious beliefs, infringe on your religious, civil or constitutional rights?

If I am Catholic, can I refuse to serve Muslims?

If I am Muslim, can I refuse to serve women who aren't dressed appropriately, or accompanied by a man?

If I am Jewish can I refuse to serve homosexuals?

[jeki]

@CyberSentinel

No, it makes no sense. You're comparing rules on a game server that users must abide by to a baker's personal views on LGBT issues and whether or not he has to bake a cake (what?)

Let's be honest, you have no argument at this point. Resorting to ad hominem attacks only makes that more evident.

[CyberSentinel]

@jeki

My point is, if you are for companies restricting freedom of speech, then be prepared for when they start restricting other rights you care about,. Privacy, religious, civil, human and constitutional rights.

[johndoe11211]

Apparently offensive to Microsoft is having the username xxjesusislordxx seeing they just banned a guy for having that name.

[ajax17]

yeah, I can't wait for someone to be banned from live because they "misgendered" someone

[Christopher]

Typically it boils down to personal attack or not.

"F that!" is much different than "F you!" for example.

[Mystogan]

They literally did

[rainslacker]

Opposite of respectful I assume.

[AuraAbjure]

"Yo mama a ga* retar*d ni*/a who is worth less than a squirrel fa*t."
- Spanky.

That is an example of the kind of offensive talk which is non-conducive towards a healthy competition among mature individuals.

[pinkcrocodile75]

anything a Feminist would find offensive... which is everything.

F@ck em!

[Futureshark]

Non offensive trash talk?
Such as.. "oh you...you... you... you!"

[LOGICWINS]

*reported

[Vanfernal]

Detective Yu??

[SIdepocket]

That’s racist to Asians.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

You're You!?
"Yes, I'm Yu!"
No, you're not me, I'M me! You're you!
"That's what I said! I'm Yu!"
You motherf-...*to be continued*

[jeki]

See my reply to CyberSentinal above.

[Christopher]

You suck
Git Gud
You can't hit shit
Are you blind?
Go back to playing CAndy Crush
Etc.

[uth11]

What If someone online has multiple personality disorder, and gets offended by being called "you" in the singular?

[drpepperdude]

Don't ever write 'You Suck' in a message on xbox live, you will be promptly banned by your fellow xbox community pals. P.S. not a joke... Also if you want to really get your pals juices flowing throw in a few curse words, maybe they will even give you a console ban for extra credit.

[Teflon02]

I mean. If you're taking the time to be an ass and write to someone you suck, while it's nothing big and sounds silly. You're asking for it. Why go out of your way to be toxic. It's one thing to be on the mic and trash talk eachother which has always been alright on every platform. It's when you're now going out of your way to be an ass that's a problem. This is like the dude on PSN situation. Ppl were crying like it's a sony thing and now it's showing that it's just they decided to blow that story up despite the fool deserving what he got lol

[Silly gameAr]

Back in my Gears of War 24/7 days, if I wasn't called the n word, or getting some nasty voice msgs, at least 3 times a day, I thought something was wrong. People don't have to deal with that mess as much these days.

[drpepperdude]

Some dude was saying everything in the book over his mic and I'm fine with that (it takes more than words to hurt me) but since I didn't have a mic at the time I sent him a message with those two "toxic" words and he reports it which ends in xbox stepping in to... obviously ban me only for a service I pay for...........

[Christopher]

Okay, it's anecdotal, but if that's true, that's lame.

[Cavalier]

Fair enough.

[staticall]

- Make fun of other people’s identities or personal traits
«I identify as a player with highest KDR, killing me = making fun of me. I WILL REPORT YOU»
Or
«Didn't you hear the footsteps?! Come on, dude»
«First of all, it ma'am. And i'm deaf. REPORTED»

- Send harassing or abusive messages
Define «harassing» and «abusive», please. Because what's abuse to me != what means abuse to some Jack or Jennifer

- Use a club to shame other players or groups
Love the double standarts - trash talk is ok, but not when you're in a club

- Start a broadcast in order to troll someone
«I killed a popular streamer when he/she was broadcasting and now i'm getting death threats. It was done on purpose, to troll me! Ban him/her!!!»
Or what if a good player broadcasts playing in some competitive game and when kills a player says "Your trash", is that ok or not?

- Flood voice chat with music during a multiplayer match
So screaming, fart sounds are ok? And what's wrong with music during a match? Problem is when you set volume to the max and the solution is - mute

- Post game clips that will offend many others
So don't post any game clips? Because people get offended by anything this days. And how many is «many»

---

All you, as a company, should do is to provide the tools for people to block chat/messaging (completely or certain users), mute voicechat completely or for separate users and block/ban certain people. Different people have different definitions for «abusive», «offensive» and other. Your rules will never cover all cases.

P. S.: Those "rules" are from official "Community Standards for Xbox"

[Teflon02]

Because that's going to stop a community from harassing you if they do it using social groups. Be real. The point is to keep the place fun for everyone. You're not getting banned for the situations you''re using as an example. You damn well know the context in which they speak for every situation but wanna pretend you don't lol. It's perfectly logical and fair. You can be reported for saying nothing. Being reported is irrelevant. What's relevant is what they respond to in MS. All these companies are pretty fair or Overwatch wouldn't have anymore players as 90% of them are toxic

[RauLeCreuset]

There's this effort to play ignorant and grasp at ridiculous outliers or hypotheticals to justify nullifying the rules. They should be honest and admit they don't care about what's offensive. They want no restrictions on how offensive they can be.

[Bleucrunch]

This is not trash talk though....this is embarassing on M$ part....just might as well ban voice chat while you are at it....(walks away cursing at the world.....)

[Casepb]

Isn't the main point of trash talk to be offensive?

[Christopher]

No. Not always.

Git Gud != "You suck, you f*** face."

Essentially, just stay away from personal attacks, but keep up the criticism.

[BlackTar187]

How sad are people now that their little emotions can't be disturbed lol.

I respect a clever witty offensive trash talker.

[conanlifts]

There is a difference though and I think more people need to be banned but only in extreme cases. The other day I accidentally joined a party invite ( I was pressing home after a bad match and joined another party by mistake that sent an invite). They started by telling me I sucked ( I really did in that match) but then followed up in great detail about how I should kill myself and why (related to my poor performance in 1 match). I didn't talk, they didn't know me or my age, I could have been a child etc and this is what annoyed me the most. I tried to record the conversation and stayed online, but didn't realise recording in game activity does not record chat. I reported it, but I doubt anything will be done as my chat evidence was not recorded. But these players are toxic and should be banned. On the other hand if I have a bad game I know it and don't mind being told. But in this instance it was definitely worthy of a ban for them. In life no one would ever talk to me like this, but online they hide behind their keyboards and mics.

[Neonridr]

Nothing wrong with a little friendly banter.. let's just keep our mothers out of it.

[Teflon02]

Basically, sounds like its always been. While mothers have always been attacked in Voice chats lol

[GordyNYC]

How about instead we work on getting people to have thicker skins. This makes for healthier individuals.

[Teflon02]

Having thick skin and avoiding a toxic community is 2 different things. You shouldn't need to pay to be online being harassed because you played the game and killed someone who's not as good as you in CoD (example)

[RauLeCreuset]

Sure. Let's start now. Those are the rules for participation. It's not that hard at all. Let's conduct ourselves with the modicum of maturity and respect for others required or don't participate if that's too much for you.

[jeki]

How about you don't act like an asshole instead. This makes for a better society.

[ANIALATOR136]

What you perceive to be an "asshole" may not be what he perceives to be an "asshole"

[Christopher]

I get plenty of attacks here. I have comparably thick skin. Doesn't mean I want to have to deal with more of it when I'm relaxing and trying to enjoy my hobby or that we should encourage people to continue to be offensive and annoy others online.

People is the #1 reason I rarely play games with others. Even MMOs I tend to play without any headset just so I don't have to listen to others. I get enough of that here. I'm trying to relax and enjoy my time, not deal with more of the same.

[rainslacker]

Or, work on trying to foster a community of respect where it's such talk is not generally respected so those who act on such a way feel left out when they behave in such a way, so they end up trying to be respectful instead of looking like they're begging for attention

These are paid services, and as such, promoting a positive environment seems more productive.

I've had a similar conversation with Christopher on many occassions about such a thing on n4g, and this site doesn't really accept trash talk as a matter of course. Its plentiful, but not encouraged by the admins. In fact, I doubt you'll ever see a mod here say something along the lines of, "yeah, provoke others in the community. That's fine. Just dont say offensive things or make it a personal attack." Even if the rules permit trash talk to some degree, that's a far cry from encouraging it.

[sampsonon]

isn't that common sense?

[Christopher]

Definitely none.

[rainslacker]

Common sense is not usually all that common

[2pacalypsenow]

This is cringe worthy.

Trash talk is just that TRASH talk.

[Majin-vegeta]

Git gud noob 1v1 me on rust.

[Christopher]

You had me up until Rust.

[drpepperdude]

You offended me, I don't have any rust on me. P.S. I reported you to xbox police.

[Fluttershy77]

We all know what's offensive and what isn't. After living for some time in this earth of ours you start to realize that putting your actions where your mouth is, makes you less likely to have to put your money where your mouth is.

[drpepperdude]

In the ma'am age, no we don't.

[TheColbertinator]

If Microsoft banned everyone who has racist, sexist or offensive on Xbox Live the servers would be ghost towns.

[jeki]

Most people aren't racist or sexists.

[gam3r_4_lif3]

Man you should get some better friends. No one I play on xbl are racist or sexist

[Tazzy]

Lmfao no they don't I got a 2 week suspension for sending a message back to a guy that messaged me after we played playing call of duty black ops 3 multiplayer he said he'd beat me I said go 1 on 1 then and then I got suspended for 2 weeks. Last time I checked saying go 1 on 1 then isn't trash talk me saying I'd kick your ass and destroy you and you'll rage quit that's trash talk Microsoft doesn't encourage anything Xbox Live players are a bunch of babies that's a fact.

[drpepperdude]

Yeah Xbox has been overboard with banning people for a while now. But I think most people are on PS4 so it never became a issue in gaming news.

[Tazzy]

Yeah they are overboard I agree I use both services and I like PS4 better nobody is messaging you saying crap my nephew is 13 and he games with me on Call of Duty and he's good people on Xbox have said KYS. I took a pic of being called the N word and a bunch of other things and tagged Phil Spencer and Microsoft in the pics saying YOU ALLOW THIS BUT I GET SUSPENDED FOR SAYING GO 1 ON 1??

[bluefox755]

People will get around this by coming up with esoteric replacements for the "offensive" words, and these words will be common words, that would cause an issue if banned.

[Tankbusta40]

So sick of this baby culture the world has taken to. I don't "trash talk" in video games but people way too soft these days

[drpepperdude]

I understand censoring racist words and death threats but almost everything else is definitely because of modern softness.

[strayanalog]

With today's societal climate, I think Microsoft may have eliminated everyone from talking.

[blacktiger]

YEAH RIGHT, you can't draw a line and say trash talk is fine but everything else is not,

[Smokehouse]

👍

[AllMightyFox]

censorship by any other name …..

it's sad to see that freedom of speech doesn't exist, we live in a world of criminal punishment only proving we don't have rights, just privileges that can be revoked at any time … examples

1) 4th amendment - NSA violates privacy - civil forfeiture by police
2) 2nd amend - red flag they take your property and revoke your rights
3) invoke your 5th amendment it's used against you
4) 6th amend - label terrorist you don't receive due process
5) 8th amend - punishments must be fair - minimum sentencing, tough on crime laws

and so on and so on …. it's hard to support these companies or this country the has become nothing more than hypocritic

Corruption SMASH !!!!!!

[jeki]

You don't have a constitutional right to say what you want on Microsoft's servers.

[AllMightyFox]

WE don't have constitutional rights anywhere … lol

[jeki]

"WE don't have constitutional rights anywhere … lol"

In your mind we don't...lol.

[AllMightyFox]

so you think YOU have rights when everything in my original post is true and not up for debate ? … now that's funny

[rainslacker]

Freedom of speech only applies to government agencies prohibiting thatnright. You are not guaranteed the right to say anything you want with private entities. Those private entities are exercising their own free speech by saying they don't want that kind of talk when your there.

In any case, free speech, isnt freedom from repercussion, even on the government level. You can say whatever you want, but depending on what and where you say things, there may be consequences. You can't be persecuted in most cases outside hate speech, or yelling fire in a theater when there is none...or some other such speech which could cause an immediate physical threat to others.

You also aren't free to say things which are libelous or slanderous....which in some cases trash talk might be.

[AllMightyFox]

consequences and repercussions as you put it is proof that there is no such thing as freedom of speech …

just as our freedom of privacy is voided by the NSA, recording monitoring …

or how our right to due process can be voided by labeling us … and everything else I originally pointed out

it's sad because people want to believe the propaganda but ignore the reality of facts

I don't agree or support people like Nazi's/religions or any group/institutions, but I do believe WE ALL should be able to have our freedoms … and every defender for banning even hate speech is an activist for the removal of freedoms ….

it's just f'd up as it gets anymore

[BlackTar187]

All mighty i agree with you and although i don't know if my agreement is on the same severity of yours but i will admit that we're losing in general what we are or should be guaranteed in this great country the worst part is the rationalizing done by those who can't see beyond their nose.

Being offended is very healthy for people it's sad we're losing that understanding

[rainslacker]

No. Free speech means you can say what you want. But, it also means that others can say what they want too. What they have to say you may not agree with, or it may have other repercussions. Such as, if you say hateful things at work, you might get fired. They aren't infringing on your free speech. You were free to say it. They are free to exercise their own right to say that they don't want that kind of thing there by letting you go.

All people have a constitutional right to is freedom from having their freedom of speech repressed by the government itself. No one else is required to allow you to say what you want without consequence.

[AK91]

What’s the point of trash talk then?

[Andy_Dee]

Isn't trashtalk supposed to offend the other?

[Christopher]

I thought it was supposed to be derogatory towards their capabilities in the game. Not necessarily offensive on a personal level.

[Sono421]

You think people don't get offended when you call them bad at the game?.......

[Christopher]

Getting offended by what someone says doesn't mean it's offensive language...

Two entirely different things.

[Hedstrom]

Or just dont thrash talk?

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Er...
That's a tall order, there.
Online gaming chat is full of trash regardless of system, so long as it's public servers and competitive pvp.
Asking things not to escalate is, sadly, a pipe dream at best.

[ger2396]

Is snowflake offensive?

[drpepperdude]

Please don't say it again it really get's their blood boiling, they might ban us all!

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

I’ve been banned twice in the last 2 months because I beat people so bad in DOA6 that they send me hate mail and I reply in the typical “you shouldn’t be so trash” fashion. Xbox is completely unfair about how they ban people and for the length of time. Now I don’t even reply to people I just block them to avoid further bans.

[drpepperdude]

I just quit paying for Xbox Live, investing in PC gaming at the moment.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Basically don't be a d**k. Its not that hard ... Anyone wanting to learn how to trash talk with out being offensive, racist or using foul language... just watch some tape of NFL Quarterback Phillip Rivers. Trash talks with the best of them and never drops an F-bomb or curse word and certainly doesn't use racist slurrs.

[meep316]

The only thing that makes me uncomfortable is when people talk about family members.

[BlackTar187]

Lol do they know them?

They win you lose and it wasn't even related to the game you're playing vs them. If someone doesn't actually know personal info about you then you shouldn't take anything personal.

[meep316]

Oh right, I forgot you people didn’t know anybody in real life.

[Dizzy11523]

Still more freedom of speech than Overwatch at least.

[ajax17]

sooo basically no trash talk

[sprinterboy]

In Microsoft we trust/S

[optimus]

i find it more interesting that in order to moderate any potential offenses it would require microsoft to record everyone in every game at every hour cause if they didn't then it would be a matter of "he said-she said"....eventually, we'll see more games incorporate the "target" communication system found in Apex Legends where people don't really need a mic or headset to play a game....

personally, i don't play with a mic cause i get tired of listening to people (mostly kids) argue with their mom, or play random music in the background...sure, i can mute them, but then you end up spending more time muting people after every match than actually playing...these days, i rarely play online for any game for that reason. then if you don't have a mic, they actually take the time to write you a message just to call you a noob after a match..."really"?. and if you beat the crap out of them then they accuse you of cheating followed by whatever derogatory term they can think of..not worth my time or the $60 a year..bring on my single player games.

[SlagWolf]

Any thing can be offensive since that is a subjective word

[Knushwood Butt]

I don't play online multiplay much any more but if I do then muting all players before the start of a match is a given, and I blocked all messages from non-friends a long time ago.

[Ogygian]

"We encourage trash talk, but not [definition of trash talk]"

[AuraAbjure]

Hahaha still pissed they removed the ability to talk to enemy players in game at Halo 3. The live trash talking to enemy players in game at Halo 2 was epic. And then when they died their voice would be muted until they respawned and a super satisfying croaking sound would emit from ones headset letting you know they ded haha.

[Artemidorus]

Grow a back bone it's a clown on the other side of the ear piece plus you have the power to block.

[drpepperdude]

None of the gamers over at Xbox know how to use the mute button. It's really not that surprising when the heads of Xbox don't even know they created it and only see the ban button.

[Majinzo]

This is interesting and awesome. We need more of this.

[BlackTar187]

Your comment is sad. Fix the personal issue that allows you to be offended by complete strangers instead of trying to censor the stranger.

[Twinblade]

Everything is offensive.

[aftershock]

I solve this problem by usually muting everyone in an online lobby so I don't have to listen to squeakers talking about fucking my mom for the thousandth time.

[XxINFERNUSxX]

Trash talking been around since the Quake 3 / Unreal days and way before them in gaming, why is this such an issue now? I did not have a problem with cursing left and right cursing at and being cursed at during the good old days of FPS gaming. Now it seems everyone is a fairy. I mean who cares most people are thousands of miles from you, behind a screen. Then theres always mute chat and voice so use it.

[mogwaii]

Then what's the fucking point?!.
Allow it or dont ya stupid carnts!

[BlackTar187]

Trash talk but don't be offensive.. lol we're so soft, trash talk is all about being offensive to dig into them and throw them off. What a joke

[frostypants]

I mean...trash talk is meant to be offensive. That last part makes no sense.

[FanboysKiller]

Likw a third grade teacher.

[C-H-E-F]

Microsoft encouraging everything except the release of their sale numbers.

[DaveZero]

I hear what ms are saying yet I don't agree that they go about it properly.

As an example, one of my son's friends were being annoying while playing siege with us all. Later that day I found out my son had a 1v1 with him and had beat him. So for a laugh and a joke I sent my son's friend a few simple messages saying how my son had kicked his butt just as a wind up. There was no racist, sexual or swearing, it was simply abit of a wind up. Low and behold the next day i had found i was banned from xbox live for a day because my sons friend had reported me for swearing in messages.

Obviously ms do not look at the evidence and as soon as something is reported hand out bans which is like someone going into a store and stealing in front of camera equipment, yet the police won't look at the evidence.

Ms need to police it properly and not hand out judgements based on people saying someone spoke to them in a way they shouldn't of been spoken to. I have no problem with ms dishing justice out on those that are making game lobbys, voice comms and other forms of communication unplayable, but they do need to police it properly which is something I feel they do not do at the moment.

[bujasem_89]

To me, this means Ms has finally settled on a market they want to cater to.

They finally found a place to nest in this industry, all is as it should be. Cool.