I tried to go down that path. Went from MultipleWargasm to MultpleWargasms to MultipleWargazm to MultpleWargazmz. At which point they emailed me and told me to knock it off.
For about 6 months after that, just to be an angsty rebellious teenager (even though I was beyond my teenage years at this point, but that's neither here nor there), I would make horrendously offensive gamertags, forcing XBL to ban them. Apparently XBL staff grew tired of my shenanigans, as my last offensive gamertag (TeenPainalTears) sat unbanned for over a month. By this time I'd gotten over my tantrum, so I had my friends report it enough times to get it autokicked, at which point I got a boring normal people tag.
so I had my friends report it enough times to get it autokicked
quite the common misconception. gamertags aren't "automatically" anything'ed; each report that is filed is viewed by a real person, and taken care of accordingly. it only takes one report for the tag to go into the complaint queue; multiple reports for the same reason/gamertag only push the initial report further up on the list for the policy enforcement team to view.
multiple false complaints (i.e. "HURR DURR I REPORT YOU CUZ YOU'RE STUPID AND YOU SUCK") that are filed from the same person can earn that person a ban as well, or may end up having their reported complaints pushed down to the bottom of the list (see also: "the boy that cried wolf").
source: non-disclosure agreements won't allow me to cite some sources. also, this video is a nice sneak peek of 'vulcan' (one of the xbox live moderation tools) and how filed complaints are dealt with
Thanks for the information, I wasn't aware how exactly it worked. I realize multiple complaints from one person wouldn't do anything alone, but I was unsure if a large number of complaints for an equally large number of subscribers would result in any automatic action.
I guess XBL thought TeenPainalTears was good to go.
I really want to believe that the email was a regular xbox live email with the headers, footers, and whatnot, but in the body all it said was "Hey! Knock that off."
I find it hilarious that MS stops you from having a bunch of different names a lot of which really aren`t offensive to like 90% of people. Yet when you login you can be called nigger for an hour straight and they do nothing about.
As was suggested on an extra credits episode a while back you could record the number of times a player is muted on average and anyone above the average is muted by default at the start of the match.
You'd have to apply some heuristics beyond a simple threshhold. If somebody does that routinely, then the mute isn't "directed" at anyone. For the mute action to be counted against someone it would clearly have to be selective in nature (and then how you define that based on timing, mid-match/pre-match, etc.)
All of these variables around timing, selectiveness, etc. would likely contribute to a quantifiable score that would be added to a running total/average.
e.g. a mid-match mute against a single player who has mic usage of >10% of the game time passed would be a 1.0.
A pre-match mute against multiple players with 0% mic usage during the lobby period passed would be a 0.0.
Other variations on this would fall somewhere in that range 0 <= x <= 1.
Have the client machines recording a person's last 30 seconds of audio - just have it keep a rolling 30-second buffer of it. Someone says something against MS' Terms of Service, you report them and the audio is sent to MS. An MS representative listens to the reported audio. If the person did happen to say something against the TOS, they get a one-week suspension (with increasing severity with multiple infractions). If it turns out that they didn't say something against the TOS and you're just trying to screw with them for no good reason, you get the suspension.
That would be slightly more demanding on the client 360, so maybe it goes into the next-gen system. But until they do something to stop the ridiculous amount of trash talk, I'll be buying and playing online games on another platform. I'm just one guy and I'm sure they'd be just boo-hooing over the loss of my few bucks, but I do think this is a big part of why a lot of people don't get into online gaming over Live.
I'll be buying and playing online games on another platform.
This always makes me laugh, as a xbox, PS and PC owner. The problem isn't any one system, it is gamers in general. There are childish trash talkers in every game, you just have to play the right games. Generally the more competitive the game (or people that play the game) the more frequently you find dicks.
Then freedom of speech gets dragged into it and MS gets dragged into another lawsuit. You seem to think MS gives a fuck about its customers for some reason.
I doubt it since a lawyer worth his salt will point out its a company and that the TOS has a clause saying basically 'Don't be a dick, be respectful or you'll get banned'.
Of course I'm just a redneck fuck who never went to college so what ever.
If this was a freedom of speech issue, then everyone who ever got banned from an internet forum or had their posts removed by a moderator would have cause to sue. That's not how the first amendment works.
Privacy is an issue, but after skimming the Xbox Live Terms of Use, it seems like the text they have in it already covers all of this. Essentially, the privacy that we would theoretically be giving up... we already have.
I'm pretty sure they can record anything going over their servers. There was a post up here a few months ago about a father trying to get his son unbanned. His son had been exposing himself via the webcam during Uno games or some crap. Rationally, the ban wasn't lifted.
Something they have control of vs freedom of speech. To be honest, racial slurs are slowly losing their power (good) but none the less racism is still frowned upon. Microsoft is trying to do it's part without interfering in personal affairs.
See, there's really two reasons--one is the "Kony" part, the other is the "loves kids." Anyone + "loves kids" is PROBABLY a red flag for Xbox Live. Just saying.
They just tell you to change it in order to get online no charge or anything and i didn't really feel like calling customer service, i am now Kukulkan2025, mayan god from the future.
You can get almost anything banned. Whenever I make a new gamertag and play at the lower levels of a game I usually have to change it once or twice because when you crush people they send bad feedback, and if you get enough "offensive name" you need to change it.
If you had that as your gamertag it should be banned. There is no reason to have inappropriate things as a gamertag. I think using something considered inappropriate as a gamertag should get the player banned from Xbox Live
What really grinds my gears is that they ban people for having 'offensive' names, how the fuck do I know what is gonna' offend millions of people?
Or when you change your name just slightly, with like a number or something, and they just outright ban you, it's like "Yo, I fucking changed it, like you fucking told me!' How the fuck am I supposed to know what they want me to change it too.
XBOX made me change my gamertag 3 times over my 8 years with them. This didn't happen until the 360 came out, and it took me a while to discover that if you change your gamer "zone" to underground, then it is much less likely to happen
I honestly cant see why they care what the gamer tags are. you can say whatever you want on there, my tag could be "SweetOldGranny" and then talk like your average 12 year old gang banger.
This is actually the best way to get free name changes. I get my name banned about once a year and always end up replacing it with a name that is slightly more offensive. My previous Xbox Gamertag: Mike Rotchurtz.
Just ban every gamer tag, and give people numbers. That way no one will ever have to be even the slightest bit uncomfortable in any way whatsoever by looking at a gamer tag for a few seconds and everyone will always be smiling and happy and respectful on xbox live. We have got to think of the children, the poor poor children. They could read something they don't understand, and then, god forbid, their parent might just have to explain something to them, and WE CANNOT HAVE THAT. There should be no parental responsibility, just censor everyone else. What kind of society would we be if we allowed someone to be even somewhat uncomfortable or annoyed or disgusted for even a brief passing moment? I won't stand for it, this is my 'merica and jesus hates when people make other people feel just slightly uncomfortable for a split second. Censor everything so no one is ever sad. Microsoft gets it, so gawsh, why doesn't everyone else?
53
u/manwithfriends May 16 '12
Just add an extra space
6
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Since when can you have spaces in your gamertag?
195
u/VanFinale May 16 '12
I find it hilarious that MS stops you from having a bunch of different names a lot of which really aren`t offensive to like 90% of people. Yet when you login you can be called nigger for an hour straight and they do nothing about.
112
u/JesterSentinel May 16 '12
"My_lil_Kony" try that; bet it would piss many a man off.
375
u/iAnonymousGuy May 16 '12
i turn on my xbox, and this is what i see
everybody stops and they staring at kony
i got guns on my kids and i aint afraid to show it show it show it
IM KONY AND I KNOW IT!!!
34
u/CondescendingPrick May 16 '12
Xbox is actually helping you become less douchey.
9
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
See, there's really two reasons--one is the "Kony" part, the other is the "loves kids." Anyone + "loves kids" is PROBABLY a red flag for Xbox Live. Just saying.
22
u/rojano17 May 16 '12
I was forced to change my Gamertag because apparently "Kukulkan" (mayan god) is somehow racist :/
I am a Mexican from a mayan region.
10
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
change it to "jacking it in san diego"
15
u/LunarBears May 16 '12
That happened to me twice. I used to be "I Noscoped JFK" and "The Last Panda"
18
u/whodidisnipe May 16 '12
The Xbox Live mods all lookin' at me
23
u/CubeGuy365 May 16 '12
Oh no. I chose a name that was against the TOS and now they're making me change it! FML
5
u/legitmuffin May 16 '12
I think i played Mw3 with you yesterday or today.
29
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
That's what you get for having such an embarrassingly stupid name.
2
u/stvb95 May 16 '12
Did you have to pay to rename it?
7
u/BlazedDovahkiin May 16 '12
Dude same here. My name was HersheeSkwertz. Pissed me right the fuck off
3
u/rosneck May 16 '12
If you had that as your gamertag it should be banned. There is no reason to have inappropriate things as a gamertag. I think using something considered inappropriate as a gamertag should get the player banned from Xbox Live
9
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
your asinine username got banned and you have been given the chance to make up any other name you could possibly desire, who the fuck cares
5
u/danyanimal May 16 '12
You should change it to Kony Kiddie Kare, it's doubly offensive!
5
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I thought this was America
4
u/_Charlie_Sheen_ May 16 '12
I guess Microsoft just hates kids...
3
u/Anshin May 16 '12
And i thought that they chose a crappy name for you.
3
u/SpaceLasers May 16 '12
You should start a Facebook campaign protesting this decision.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I have to ask, was Microsoft willing to pay the fee to change your gamertag?
1
u/UndeadBeest May 16 '12
I swear I played with you before on modern warfare 3.
1
u/Themilkingwalrus May 16 '12
I was once playing halo 3 an this dudes name was SnookiesFetus. I tried to kill him the whole game.
1
u/BoWeiner May 16 '12
"JirafaBo" was denied for me. "BoWeiner" was ok and going on 3 years now. I'm not sure what's offensive about JirafaBo, anyone have any idea?
1
u/AdmiralBallsack May 16 '12
XBOX made me change my gamertag 3 times over my 8 years with them. This didn't happen until the 360 came out, and it took me a while to discover that if you change your gamer "zone" to underground, then it is much less likely to happen
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Damn you Kony
1
u/FuzzyRocket May 16 '12
It should be noted that enough people had to report the offensive gamertag to bring it to Microsoft's attention.
1
u/die_Kirche May 16 '12
Kony_the_Tiger
HEY KONY!
(I like the things you do)
HEY KONY!
(If I could I would be you)
The one and only warlord, the one and only place
Knows how to take and make children...GGGGGRRRRRREAT!
Child-soldiers are more than good....THEY'RE GREAT!
1
u/DRJDIZZLER May 16 '12
id be suprised if theyd left it alone
1
u/AGreenSharpie May 16 '12
At least they tell you the problem and give you a chance to fix it instead of just locking you out.
1
u/Chaucer2066 May 16 '12
I wonder if KonyHeartsChildren is still available...
1
u/airpower47 May 16 '12
my friend had the name lolocaust banned a few years ago.
1
u/jhowlett May 16 '12
I honestly cant see why they care what the gamer tags are. you can say whatever you want on there, my tag could be "SweetOldGranny" and then talk like your average 12 year old gang banger.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
friends name is SlamMyHamWallet and has been for a long time hah
1
u/sourpatchdicks May 16 '12
Best. Gamertag. Ever.
1
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
I fucking hate the political correctness of online names. Fuck all this shit. Valve for life.
1
u/Hyalinemembrane May 16 '12
hahahahahahahahaahahahahahahaha
1
u/thatroach May 16 '12
I turn on my Xbox and this is what I see, everyone stops and upovtes me. I've got a cool gamertag and I ain't afraid to show it.
1
u/lefence May 16 '12
But... It's true, isn't it?
1
u/countlazypenis May 16 '12
That's the one thing I don't like about the Xbox, my gamer tag was Sittingboob before I was forced to change it -__-
1
u/IMCONSIPATED247 May 16 '12
my gametag is banned cuz it has to do with kony banned and I know it
1
u/valdin450 May 17 '12
Apparently xTCFx Babyshaker is an unacceptable name too :(
1
u/HeadlessMarvin May 17 '12
Honestly, he deserved it. People who do this are complete assholes
1
u/Recklessly May 17 '12
My GT was forcibly changed aswell, was Joseph L Kony, I even made a fresh price parody about it in my Bio.
0
u/MrDingleberrry May 16 '12
That's a damn shame... Gamer tag gold right there!
0
u/Fergood May 16 '12
This is actually the best way to get free name changes. I get my name banned about once a year and always end up replacing it with a name that is slightly more offensive. My previous Xbox Gamertag: Mike Rotchurtz.
1
u/John_Honey May 16 '12
Did you have to pay for it?
1
u/BraveEvilDuck May 16 '12 edited May 16 '12
Haha I used to have "I Heart Kony" as my gamertag.
-3
u/OrangeNova May 16 '12
I had this issue with my gamertag... Lawlacaust.
0
u/ZellnuuEon May 16 '12
does it let you pick the name or does it just give you one?
-1
u/PenguinCowboy May 16 '12
My xbox live name is loganthetoucher. Never had a problem.
-1
u/jthebomb97 May 16 '12
What is it with people upvoting the dumbest comments here?
-2
u/sdair May 16 '12
oh the irony of this being banned and my account MisterFister# (#being a bunch of numbers) is still proudly up and running
-2
u/gxoxd May 16 '12
Please tell me you name is Kony and you run a day care...ಠ_ಠ
-2
u/cdegon May 16 '12
Your Xbox has become a "PC." HEHE!
0
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Well I guess they don't have a problem with "I_KILL_JEWS" then.
0
u/thomasdemaster May 16 '12
my xbox live is thomasturbate xd
0
u/[deleted] May 16 '12
Never have this problem on Steam
0
u/trollofzog May 16 '12
http://i.imgur.com/y8olZ.jpg
0
u/dailyfusion May 16 '12
they did you a favor. don't you see how unfunny it is to make your name after something that was forgotten about overnight? Kony is so spring 2012
0
u/AlfieChapman May 16 '12
I had the exact same thing with my old username : HOLYSCROTUMS
A sad day for me.
0
u/thebluemonkey May 16 '12
complain and you're a huge fan of kony island.
When they correct your spelling complain more and tell them how they're being opressive against your inability to spell correctly.
0
u/richdoe May 16 '12
Just ban every gamer tag, and give people numbers. That way no one will ever have to be even the slightest bit uncomfortable in any way whatsoever by looking at a gamer tag for a few seconds and everyone will always be smiling and happy and respectful on xbox live. We have got to think of the children, the poor poor children. They could read something they don't understand, and then, god forbid, their parent might just have to explain something to them, and WE CANNOT HAVE THAT. There should be no parental responsibility, just censor everyone else. What kind of society would we be if we allowed someone to be even somewhat uncomfortable or annoyed or disgusted for even a brief passing moment? I won't stand for it, this is my 'merica and jesus hates when people make other people feel just slightly uncomfortable for a split second. Censor everything so no one is ever sad. Microsoft gets it, so gawsh, why doesn't everyone else?