Take a look at the Black Friday sales hitting Xbox this week

You realize what you’re saying, is on the internet also…right?

I can understand questioning rumor, but when Microsoft states:

“To be clear, the Xbox Live Policy & Enforcement team does not monitor direct peer-to-peer communications like Skype chats and calls,” a Microsoft representative tells IGN. “Also, we take Code of Conduct moderation via Upload Studio very seriously. We want a clean, safe and fun environment for all users. Excessive profanity as well as other Code of Conduct violations will be enforced upon and result in suspension of some or all privileges on Xbox Live. We remain committed to preserving and promoting a safe, secure and enjoyable experience for all of our Xbox Live members.”

It kinda stands in stark contrast to what you’re saying. Microsoft wouldn’t release a statement specifically about profanity laden content, which in and of itself is borderline insanity for something you have to consciously decide to watch.

Because Microsoft has never been shy about giving the reasoning for bans, when people are doing things they feel violates the ToS. Same with Sony. Not to mention that coming out with a false reason for such bans (a la profanity) has now created more of a PR shitstorm for them, than simply saying yeah, they were accessing XBL using a glitch, outside the regions where XBL is available.

And why wouldn’t a company be honest about it? Doesn’t it sow confusion to not? Let’s take your scenario, as an example. What purpose does reinforcing the profanity policy publicly serve, when the real issue is people accessing the market place illegally?

Wouldn’t it serve the companies long term interests better to simply say, Don’t do this, you will get banned. Which keeps those people buying games, and utilizing their system and network? To not come out and say it simply seems like a way to get rid of loyal customers.

Just to be clear though, one of my biggest issues with MP gaming in general is the mouths on some of these people, but, I prefer leaving the rating/filtration to the users, not the corporation. If I want someone removed from my experience, I should have that ability via my console, I don’t think it’s wise to have some bureaucrat pencil pusher making those decisions for me. What they find unacceptable, I may be tolerant of. What I find unacceptable, they may not care about, etc…

Best to let the user customize their experience, and not try to do it for them, in my opinion.

Oh, just to be clear, I’m not arguing, I’m simply curious why you’d think Microsoft would say one thing, when it’s something else entirely that was the problem. I just don’t see that as a great way to manage your business. But, yeah, not trying to be combative.

I think the only way is to let the user have the ultimate power, obviously not ban power, but ban from my console/PC experience, absolutely. As it is, I only allow friends to add me, everything else must be via request. We also have a closed vent server (For PC, clearly), and only hand out passwords to people who’ve proven they are compatible with us (We too, are batshit crazy in our own way hehe).

The rating system wouldn’t necessarily remove them from your experience in my vision, it would simply give you an understanding of general public opinion. That having been said, the general public is overloaded with fucking morons, so, as with most ratings, I’d take them with a grain of salt, and simply rely on my personal experience to decide whether or not to remove someone from my life.

Additionally, there should be repercussions for people abusing the ratings system as well. What happens on Youtube, Metacritic, Amazon etc… should be prevented at all costs. As I said, allowing the user the ultimate power will let Microsoft focus on the important things that only they can control, software/hardware functionality etc…