The realized implications of Microsoft's gold policy

To be completely clear, gold sharing is consumer friendly. The ability to host multiple accounts on the same subscription is likely one of the most welcome changes to Xbox's online policy, in my, and many other's opinions. However, as competitively tuned
games are coming out in increasing numbers, a very real issue is on the rise.

Many other games call these 'smurf' accounts, where higher skilled players create new accounts to play with lesser skilled players. This essentially bypasses the barrier between higher and lower ranks in competitive ladders, as evident in games like Overwatch and
Rainbow Six. Obviously, this impacts the initial experience of each new player.

In some online platforms this issue is lessened by a pay wall, where accounts must buy games separately to play them. However, as games are linked to the account holder and home Xbox of said account holder, this has allowed free reign for people to create
enumerating accounts, in 3 minutes time no less.

Of course, some people have no issue with the occasional 'smurf' as their frequency of affecting the game through skill can vary wildly. But that's not the core issue.

The largest problem at hand is how accounts are able to subvert the report systems designed by game developers and even that of Microsoft's. If punishment should befall an alternate 'smurf' account, why should they care?

This ends up creating an evident apathy within some who hold these accounts. Should something go wrong, smurfs mayn't hesitate to leave or turn off their consoles, essentially handicapping the game experience for one team of a competitive game. Not to mention,
a report of these account holders contains little value. As aforementioned, new accounts can be created with little effort, and punishments do not transfer.

The solution? I propose such a system be implemented. For the good of multiplayer integrity, accounts created under the same subscription should be monitored for bad behavior. If an entire account is suspended or banned, future ones should reach the requirements
to be banned faster, until account creation on that subscription is suspended entirely.

Alternatively, newer accounts in general should have harsher ban requirements to boot, deincentivizing bad behavior from the get go.

I know this issue has surfaced in many games, and as 'smurfing' is not illegal, enforcing such policies under this justification can have real legal ramifications for Microsoft and game developers.

However, if such accounts are bypassing report systems from all parties, action must be taken. For the future health of the Xbox Live community, an active approach to the abuse of these systems must be taken, otherwise player enforcement of the code of conduct
will lose power.

:)

 

The Old Republic & Final Fantasy XIV Online?

MMOs are difficult to do on the 360 because of Microsoft's patching policy.

 

BBC Iplayer

True, but the implications was of an App for that BBC content, as its going to be available to both Silver and Gold Level members