Xbox Live "Gay" Crackdown MIGHT Be Getting A Little Out Of Hand

[magik]

Wow this is really disappointing, Microsoft has never appeared to be homophobic.

What's next, banning "black"? "woman"? "Buddhist"? "iPod"?

Way to set a mature and professional standard, Microsoft. Ignorance reigns supreme on XBOX Live.

Yeah, homophobic ignorance is hilarious. :rolleyes:

How old are you?? :rofl:

It's funny seeing all the little kiddies bashing Microsoft for this when it's not actually up to them in the end...

[Minimoose]

Some people don't seem to realize that Microsoft have to ban these names because so many people using their service complain about them.

What option are they going to choose:

1) Ban the offensive name (to some), make lots happy and a few unhappy

2) Do not ban the name, make one happy and a lot unhappy

Although I do not personally find these names offensive, I still think Microsoft have to do this if there are enough complaints and I don't see why some people can't see this.

[leesmithg]

Source: http://www.kotaku.com.au/games/2008/05/xbo..._of_hand-2.html

That is some name to have mind you heh.

Dick Gaywood. :laugh:

So if my daughter decided to use her name, it would be banned also.

Her first name is Gaye.

[duritz]

I can see how Microsoft decided to remove it. Imagine a parent walking in and seeing their child playing with a player with the name "Gaywood". These parents would freak out, especially when they have no idea that this is actaually the guys name. It would be fine if XBL was 18+, but it isn't. Sorry for the guy but he was kinda asking for it honestly.

[Rebdomine]

GAYWOOD.. LOL

[C_Guy]

I agree, but if the majority of your demographic are idiots you unfortunately have to cater to that.

No you don't. Not everyone will agree with corporate values but as a corporation you can decide to stand by them or cater to said "idiots". It depends what you want your company to stand for.

How old are you?? :rofl:

It's funny seeing all the little kiddies bashing Microsoft for this when it's not actually up to them in the end...

Indeed. Except Microsoft is only blocking the word because it is the "kiddies" who complained in the first place. So "in the end" it seems it is up to the users.

I'm glad you think the issue is so funny, a clear indication of your own age and maturity level.

[magik]

Indeed. Except Microsoft is only blocking the word because it is the "kiddies" who complained in the first place. So "in the end" it seems it is up to the users.

Rightfully so, they are the paying customer.

I'm glad you think the issue is so funny, a clear indication of your own age and maturity level.

I think you're funny. You are the joke here. Especially with your remarks implying that others on this forum are homosexual. Great job, kid. (Y)

[ShaneSparky_YYZ]

I've seen worse, Gay Harry Dick :laugh: I don't know why someone would name their kid Gay or Gaye.. lol

They'd be tease so much.

[Phemo]

Actually, Xbox Live's terms of service does state that you should not use your real name as your gamertag. It's possible that this is why the tag was denied (MS would have his real name saved on the profile after all) so in which case, everyone is whinging about the 'gay' thing for absolutely no reason.

[Mikeyface]

This thread is ridiculous!

Wait, I just realized that I'm the 1,035th member of Neowin.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Okay, I can either warn at least three of you, or not warn you and let the insults against eachother cancel each other out.

I am pretty sure you know who you are, but comments that are a clear violation of Rule #4 "No...Personal Attacks...Retaliation of any kind against a user" are what I am talking about.

While I decide what to do, get your act together.

[gigapixels Veteran]

No you don't. Not everyone will agree with corporate values but as a corporation you can decide to stand by them or cater to said "idiots". It depends what you want your company to stand for.

Stand for? This is a multinational corporation we're talking about. I like Microsoft and their products, but I don't have a deluded idea that they're about to stand for anything but monetary gain. If they have to ban a few names here and there because a bunch of immature idiots (a majority of their user base, no doubt) find it offensive, then that's their prerogative. And frankly, I don't disagree with it. If they told me my gamertag was somehow offensive to many people and needed to be changed, then I'd go ahead and do it. It really doesn't matter in the end. It's just a gamertag.

[utdarkviper]

Actually, Xbox Live's terms of service does state that you should not use your real name as your gamertag. It's possible that this is why the tag was denied (MS would have his real name saved on the profile after all) so in which case, everyone is whinging about the 'gay' thing for absolutely no reason.

+1 end of conversation! :p

[TogaForComfort]

I know a Gaywood. I also know someone who's mum is called Gay Pope!

[duritz]

I know a Gaywood. I also know someone who's mum is called Gay Pope!

wow, that is her real name? lol

[leesmithg]

I've seen worse, Gay Harry Dick :laugh: I don't know why someone would name their kid Gay or Gaye.. lol

They'd be tease so much.

My daughter is called Gaye as it's a nice name, it has a meaning which has zip to do with homosexuality.

Thats why you were created to make stupid people look smart.

[magik]

^ I think you're missing a comma somewhere. :p

[PiracyX]

This thread is ridiculous!

Wait, I just realized that I'm the 1,035th member of Neowin.

Holy crap. You have posted 10 times in what nearly 7 years lol.

[Smigit]

If MS feels those names should be banned, then that's fine. I personally doubt it has anything to do with some homophobia with in the company, but more to do with idiots complaining about it or abusing it.

I have no doubt its likely to do with user complaints. That said, MS should reevaluate this policy of banning names based on other users outside of the company's feedback, especially one in an environment such as Live where in the middle of a game things can get heated. Whose to say where this ends and what other people find offensive? MS should be checking the names to ensure they actually are crude regardless of the number of complaints. If people are too small minded to be able to accept the name this man had it should be them that is made to suffer not the man who was given the name at birth. Hell, it's not like people had to play with him.

It's nice MS take users opinions on board, but I think this is pushing it.

[magik]

I have no doubt its likely to do with user complaints. That said, MS should reevaluate this policy of banning names based on other users outside of the company's feedback, especially one in an environment such as Live where in the middle of a game things can get heated. Whose to say where this ends and what other people find offensive? MS should be checking the names to ensure they actually are crude regardless of the number of complaints. If people are too small minded to be able to accept the name this man had it should be them that is made to suffer not the man who was given the name at birth. Hell, it's not like people had to play with him.

It's nice MS take users opinions on board, but I think this is pushing it.

Well, they do evaluate the reports before making the final decision. Plus, I'm sure there had to have been literally thousands of complaints before this even got escalated. Also, as someone else pointed out, MS explicitly states not to use your real name.

So I think the action is more than justified in this case.

[BajiRav]

XBL has been around for a while now and everyone in the know - knew there are restrictions on the name you can use. Why is this being tossed around suddenly? :/

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Microsoft has sent out their reply to the whole RichardGaywood issue. If you haven't heard about it yet, an Xbox Live user - RichardGaywood - got his gamertag banned late Tuesday. As it turned out, the Live user's legal given name was actually Richard Gaywood.

Anyway, Microsoft's Stephen Toulouse pointed towards the Xbox Live Terms of Use as the reason for the ban:

While it may be clear to some that Gaywood is a legitimate surname, it may not be obvious to other Xbox LIVE members. In this case, a complaint was filed by a member of the community, requiring the Xbox LIVE team to examine the gamertag within the context of the Xbox LIVE Terms of Use. Based on these guidelines, it was necessary for the gamertag to change.

Kotaku reports that Microsoft will not be reinstating RichardGaywood's gamertag, just like any other gamertag found violating the XBL ToS.

Source: http://xbox360.qj.net/Microsoft-responds-t...g/49/aid/120404

Seems like MS is catering for the idiots who actually think this is an offensive name, instead of banning them for being stupid.

I'd much prefer a new law in the 360 guidlines: idiots = perm ban :laugh:

[Sethos]

Seems like MS is catering for the idiots who actually think this is an offensive name, instead of banning them for being stupid.

I'd much prefer a new law in the 360 guidlines: idiots = perm ban :laugh:

As mentioned above, It's against the TOS to use your real name as Gamertag.

So they still got a 'legit' reason.

[Windam]

I'm surprised people care about this.

[bodhicoyote]

Anyone who gets their panties in a twist over the word "gay" needs to grow-the-hell-UP.

If you freak out over the mere mention of homosexuality, you're either A) a giggly little middle-schooler, or B) need to face some facts about yourself and come out of the closet already.

The asinine things people get upset over just blows me away sometimes...