Microsoft have decided that their Code of Conduct statement need some updating and company’s policy regarding sexual orientation and Xbox Live profiles. Marc Whitten issued an open letter to the LIVE community to explain Microsoft’s CoC update.

Dear Xbox LIVE members,

Since the beginning, Microsoft has made an investment in the security and safety of Xbox LIVE and created tools and monitoring practices to ensure it is a fun and welcoming entertainment experience for people of all races, nationalities, religions and sexual orientations. And thanks to this investment and the enthusiasm of community members like you, we’re proud to be the strongest and most diverse online community of its kind at 23 million.

The Xbox LIVE Terms of Use and Code of Conduct are designed to create a place where people can safely enjoy all of the ways to interact on our service, be it online multiplayer gaming, photo sharing, Netflix parties, or social games such as 1 vs. 100, without fear of discrimination or harassment. As the service evolves and our customers provide us with feedback, these rules evolve to incorporate new features or changes in how people wish to interact.

With that in mind, I’d like to announce an update to the Xbox LIVE Terms of Use and Code of Conduct which will allow our members to more freely express their race, nationality, religion and sexual orientation in Gamertags and profiles. Under our previous policy, some of these expressions of self identification were not allowed in Gamertags or profiles to prevent the use of these terms as insults or slurs. However we have since heard feedback from our customers that while the spirit of this approach was genuine, it inadvertently excluded a part of our Xbox LIVE community. This update also comes hand-in-hand with increased stringency and enforcement to prevent the misuse of these terms.

I truly believe that our diversity is what makes us strong: diversity in gaming and entertainment options, and diversity in the people that make up this amazing community. I look forward to seeing you on LIVE soon.

Jump in,

Marc Whitten

Gamertag – Notwen

While this is a step in the right direction. You have to see the oncoming disaster that is sure to follow. Everyone needs to feel they can be who they want to be and not hide who they are. It doesn’t matter if it’s in real life or online. People should not be afraid to express themselves. However with this new CoC and the LIVE community’s high percentage of trash talkers and racist idiots and homophobes, LIVE’s policing member are going to be very busy.

We’ve all seen the videos on YouTube of some kid getting harrassed because he put th word GAY in his profile. What? You haven’t? Well here I’ve provided it for you. Take a look at what LIVE’s future is:



Think about what’s happening in that video happening in every match, because that’s what will happen. The gaming community while diverse is infested with idiots. This isn’t just a problem on LIVE. I’ve heard some homophobes and racist on PSN. But PSN users don’t all have mics. Some a majority of online matches are very quiet. Hmmmm maybe that’s not such a bad thing?

Once people start flaunting their sexual preference the shouting and name calling will spread. It will be a tidal wave of verbal abuse across LIVE’s bandwidth. There will be freedom of speech and expression. But not necessarily the kind that LIVE was looking for. It’s going to get bad people. You’re going to be using that mute button more often. You might as well just set voice chat up so you can only talk to your friends.

LIVE is going to show the world it’s true colors. And it’s going to be ugly. Microsoft are trying to make LIVE a great social experience as well as a great gaming platform. It just too bad that it’s users are going to ruin that experience.

Green Light Gamer

yeah....and your point is... there are people on steam and psn screaming like that asw3ell but not as much because well not many ps3 owners play ''MANY'' games many people use it for bluray so

i stand corrected
there is not many people on psn aswell

I did mention PSN. The internet is full of idiots.

We have to hope that Microsoft push back hard against the intolerance and bigotry. Otherwise LIVE is just going to be a cesspool of obnoxious screaming douche bags. I don't agree with being gay. But no one deserves to be harrassed. My point? LIVE is changing and growing. I'd like to think the community is going to change with it.

And thinking that no one plays games on PSN is ridiculous. I use both PSN and LIVE. And while I prefer LIVE, PSN has a thriving community.

LIVE's level of maturity is the problem.

cool to know

guys is this arguing really necessary?

People on LIVE are most certainly responsible for their behavior. Acting like a douche bag and taking no accountability for those actions is what's immature. LIVE is going to have to get strict when someone breaks the rules. The community is goingto have to better police it's self.