From now on, players who are repeatedly reported for breaches of Xbox's Community Standards will now fall under the new strike-based system called the "Enforcement Strike System." This means, when abuse reports are made, Xbox community managers will be able to issue strikes to players based on the severity of incidents. Players who cumulate repeated strikes will be facing punishments, including lengthy bans.
We want players to feel comfortable jumping into any multiplayer chat feeling supported and welcome, and if they experience or witness inappropriate conduct, they can take action.
Microsoft spokesperson
The new Enforcement Strike System will work on a cumulative basis, with strikes for bad behavior being recorded on a player's profile for six months. If a player then receives another strike during this period, they can be suspended from playing for a day, and four strikes in the same period may receive a seven-day ban. Any player receiving eight strikes in a six-month period could also be suspended from Xbox social features including parties and party chat, multiplayer, and other services for an entire year under the new system.
Xbox are also trialing a reactive voice recording app aimed at helping players capture in-game abuse so it can be reported to Microsoft. The app, which is being made available to players who are part of the Xbox Insiders program, will allow a player who encounters toxic voice chats that breach community rules to record a 60-second clip, which can be sent to the Xbox Safety Team for review.
These new features are a welcome addition in the fight against online toxicity and abuse in gaming. They will help to ensure that players don't miss out on interactions with other gamers because they are afraid to speak.
Dan Raisbeck, Co-founder, The Cybersmile Foundation
The new chat reporting feature will be made available in English-language regions, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with plans for it to roll out to the wider Xbox community yet to be announced.