Yes Microsoft did ban people for expressing ANY sexual orientation, which was contrary to their TOS. It wasnt Homophobic it was a blanket ban on expression of sexuality, Gay or Straight. It just so happened that the people who made the loudest noise about this was the Gay Gaming Community. After careful consideration MS decided to CHANGE their policy (its called progression) and allow expression of sexual orientation. There is no hypocracy here, just evolution.
They didn't ban people for being straight. They banned people for expressing if they were homosexual, hence it is deemed homophobic behaviour. If you had said "I am straight" in your bio with nothing else there, you would not have been banned.
It's great that MS decided to get with the times and change their policy. It's a shame it took them a while and that common sense didn't prevail sooner
The reason people become defensive over the enforcement team, is that in 99.99999% of cases they do a very good job. As the old addage goes...'the lady doth protest too much methinks'... is generally appropriate for people who scream and shout their innocense and try to pour scorn on those people within an enforcement role, and 99.9999% of the time those people turn out to be the douchebags that everyone knows them to be, particularly when they have a track record for similar or other offenses. The reason that you are attracting so much scorn is that you have made some claims with ZERO evidence to back up anything you say. If you are so proud of your 'win' (in the most part) over the MS enforcement team, post all of the details, so that we can see what you took them to court over and the final ruling of the court. Also explain how MS 'harassed' you (black SUV's outside your house with men in dark glasses and trench coats? Threatening emails? Horses head in your bed ?)
I doubt it's 99%. What I have said is that they are not perfect. Do you disagree with this? Do you agree that they make mistakes? I hope you're not trying to imply that I'm in the 99% of douchebags because I certainly am not. Having said that if you are implying I am one, surely that would make you one.
I have NOT lied and made false claims. Anything I have stated is the truth. Furthermore I have linked to articles in which genuine incidents have occurred. I need not post all my details, especially on a public forum and (or perhaps an enforcement team member). I won a civil case over it, stoked.
It would help if you weren't so daft and got with reality and realised no one is perfect, especially not the enforcement team and that they make mistakes.
Your claims go from beating MS in court in your earlier emails to ...'Took them to a civil court and with the help of fair trading we found a solution that for the most part was in my favour.'...
Hardly a consistent story!
It is a consistent story as that's what happened. Don't try to poke me on this as you won't get anywhere. Let's discuss whether mistakes do occur and perhaps find a solution for them.
And FYI the reason I have a strong support for Stepto and his team, I spent over 3 years as an (unpaid) Mod on a CS Gaming server (
www.shady.com, it doesnt exist anymore but belonged to CJunky of DefCon notoriety)- having to deal with cheating weiners and potty mouthed llamas, either screaming abuse or spamming offensive emails. Its not fun, its tiresome and at times soul destroying, but when you have a thriving community, it becomes your responsibility to protect those people who do play nice and by the rules and those who dont, lose their privelidge to play in that community. Nobody is perfect, and occasionally mistakes are made, but on the whole Mods and enforcement teams do a good job.
I'm also a mod (current too), but on a PC server and have been an admin in other servers as well (previously a forum admin, unrelated). I've dealt with cheaters and trolls and can smell them out from a mile. I know one thing though, if I make a mistake, it's better to open up and admit it, rather than to hide it under the rug or dick about.
I am against all forms of cheating, racism and sexism. Playing on a gaming community, especially those I mod in is a privilage, not a right, and it's reflected in the motd. You have to realise though that in any form of administration there are bad seeds too. Not just those who will kick players randomly but those who just aren't good at the job (similar to that in real life work employment).
Although it's not paid, being a moderator/admin is a job and should be as such and done properly. If someone is NOT breaking the ToS then they should not be kicked/banned. Otherwise, change the ToS to "you can be kicked for any reason we deem fit blah blah blah".
Likewise players make mistakes and generally the punishment reflects the level of their offense, with minor infractions getting short bans or suspensions and total douchebags losing all privelidges and perma-bans. The problem is certain individuals always want to push rules and then squeal like stuck pigs when they get punished, for what they know they have done wrong. Siting the blame on everyone else, except for themselves. A bit like the little t*rd who posted videos on YouTube of Stepto banning him unfairly (after he ediited out all of the profanity, the threats against Stepto's family and the rest of his pottyspeak) showing the world how badly the MS enforcement team had treated him. Fortunately the entire stream had been captured and was posted for the world to see what total scum this individual was.
The interesting story is when a moderator wants to push the rules, or in some cases, ignore them to ban someone they dislike just because they disagree with something said.
I ask you this, in every case do you think Stepto and his team have acted fairly and professionally?
Personally, I don't think so. In the majority of the cases I think they do act fairly but there are some cases which are not clear-cut or some cases where they make mistakes or base their decision on their belief, opinions or feelings.
I believe that a lot of people just put up with poor enforcement or unjust bans either because they do not know where to complain, how to complain or just don't have the spirit to stand up for what they believe in. Currently as it stands the XBL Enforcement Team are the last stop. There is no one higher, and no one the police them. This is extremely worrying for such a large community. Even more so as it's one you have to pay for.
In short if you want to be taken credibly, if you make allegations, back them up with some facts or expect to receive the same level of disbelief and doubt as you did off the XBL Enforcement team
Mushii
Excuse me, I have been taken credibly hence why I got some of my money back for the poor service. I'm not posting my name or address for you to pry over. Rather expressing MY experience and MY opinion. Furthermore, your posts continue to reflect that of an angry enforcement team member/mod. Could we have met before
Lol, thats your credibility out the window.
Yours was out the window when you criticised me (just then). Again you fail to see the argument so this discussion is way above you. It's a shame people actually don't see my side of the story or comprehend what I'm trying to convey. In the end it doesn't matter because I won my battle.
Now, the offensive material bit is very subjective. As demonstrated here, people look the the phraze "IED > Marine" and deems it highly offensive. To some, it's not highly offensive.
BINGO. You've nailed it. What may insult some will be suitable for others and vice versa. It's all very subjective and down to opinion.
I personally think it's a bit of a crass joke that no a stand up comedian in the US will be able pull off. But a comedian somewhere else in the world? Maybe. Do I think it's a bannable offense? No.
Suspendable? Perhaps. Warning? Definitely.
Again it's all subjective. In america some comedians are allowed to use racial slurs because of their skin colour. I like the point you bring up though.
There isn't just a black and white zone. The XBL enforcement teams need to take into account the greys. Especially if it's a international service.
The rules need to be more clear-cut and depend less on interpretation.
I've never had any personal problems with XBL mods or whatever. But I know of situations where moderators pick and choose what to enforce and what not to. The most worrying one is racial discrimination (yes, we know the old joke about XBL and 12 year old racist kids but that still doesn't make it right). What I find the most worrying: There's no real accountability with the enforcers.
Now, that's all well and fine for a free forum. But for a paid membership service? There is cause of legal concern.
I feel everyone should be accountable, especially those being PAID to moderate. It's their job and they must do it fairly and openly. So I agree with you there. Very good point.
Furthermore moderators must enforce ALL rules, not just ones that they see fit. If they support a particular view, or have a belief which goes against that of someone who faces a ban (be it a political, race, etc) it should NOT come in to play.
great post.
