Possibly the worst thing about gaming online is the verbal abuse. Both kids and adults alike find a newfound freedom when blasting shotgun shells into complete strangers, and it's easy for tensions to run high in competitive environments.
But no longer. Microsoft has updated its code of conduct (opens in new tab) for online play through Xbox Live, containing some brilliant suggestions of inoffensive trash talk, with such zingers as "get destroyed", "can't believe you thought you were on my level", and – our personal favorite – "that was some serious potato aim".
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While it's easy to poke fun, it's also dangerous to gloss over the toxic environment that can emerge during online play – and it's reassuring for a console maker to be so explicit over what isn't acceptable. Other guidelines on "Going too far" call out sexual threats, profanity, and racial slurs (as they naturally should).
You can see the full list of suggestions in the image below.
Playing it safe
Children and adults alike are spending more and more time onscreen, and figuring out how to detoxify these digital spaces is becoming increasing crucial for players wanting to actually enjoy their time gaming.
Some high-profile games like Apex Legends have worked around the problem by removing the need for verbal communication altogether: the game's simple 'ping' system allows players to send coordinates or calls for help to their teammates without needing voice chat, and also helps with possible language or comprehension barriers players might have.
There are also a host of Xbox parental controls that allow you to turn off voice chat or messages from players you haven't befriended. Why struggle with a problem when you can just remove it entirely?
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