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. Strikes only last for six months, so your record can eventually be wiped clear if you can stay on the straight and narrow long enough. Even if you’re in time-out, you’ll still be able to play your games offline – although Microsoft may completely suspend users in extreme cases involving illegal activity. Here’s a graphic breaking down how the new strikes system will work in more detail (click the image for full resolution).

　　“The new system attaches strikes to every enforcement, ranging in severity based on inappropriate activity. Each player will now have a view of their enforcement history including strikes and the overall impact these have on their player record. This revised system gives players a better understanding of enforcement severity and the cumulative effect of multiple enforcements. Enforcement transparency is about giving players clarity into how their behavior impacts their experience. Our content moderation efforts are not changing as a result of the new enforcement strike system. 

　　With the new system, enforcements will also include strikes based on the severity of their actions. The system is similar to demerit strikes used in driver’s license systems in many countries. For example, a player that has received two strikes will be suspended from the platform for one day, whereas a player that receives four strikes will be suspended for seven days. Players have a total of eight strikes and, once reached, will be suspended from Xbox’s social features like messaging, parties and party chat, multiplayer and others for one year from the enforcement date. All strikes received stay on a player’s record for six months. Today, players will all begin with a blank slate, or zero strikes. Any previous enforcements, such as suspensions, must still be completed; new enforcements as of today will result in strikes.”

　　Hopefully, this will make for more consistent enforcement of rules on Xbox, although some would argue 8 strikes is a bit on the soft side. I’d also like to see some reward for consistent good behavior, rather just punishments for bad – perhaps folks with long-term good records could get special discounts or some sort of exclusive content.

　　You can learn how to report toxic behavior you’ve encountered on Xbox here and check out your own enforcement history here.