Xbox has a new « strikes » system for dealing with toxic players, but does it take a tough enough stance?
Pushing back against toxicity is a constant battle for online games and platforms, and while a lot of resources are devoted to the ever-present problem of people being jerks, the rules often remain unclear. What are the actual consequence for misbehaving on Xbox Live, PS Plus, or your favorite individual online game? Why do some people receive harsh punishments for seemingly minor infractions, while others seem to get away with bad behavior forever? Well, Team Xbox are making the ground rules a lot clearer, with a more regimented “strike” system, similar to ones often used with driver’s licenses. That said, there’s still plenty of leniency built into the system.
Going forward, being reported for something on Xbox Live will get you a strike or possibly multiple strikes. For instance, swearing and evidence of cheating with get you 1 strike, targeted harassment will get you 2 strikes, and hate speech will get you 3 strikes. There is also a sliding punishment scale – a single strike will only get you kicked off Xbox’s online and social features for a day, but if you rack up 8 within a six month period, you’re gone for a year.
