Thursday, May 22, 2008

Poor Dick Gaywood: Kicked Off Xbox Live Because His Real Name is Offensive


Richard Gaywood (his real name) has been kicked off Xbox Live because they have deemed his gamertag "RichardGaywood" to be offensive. While I find this to be hilarious, others have expressed concern over Microsoft's arbitrary decisions on what is or is not offensive. The response from Xbox Live is below:
Kotaku.com - "We want the Xbox LIVE community to have the freedom to express themselves, but we also have a responsibility to create an inclusive, safe environment," said Microsoft's Stephen Toulouse. "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 the these guidelines, it was necessary for the gamertag to change."
What do you (non-existent) readers think? Is Microsoft in the right or the wrong here?
For more information visit Kotaku.

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