Code of Conduct

This document was last updated: April 2007

The Code of Conduct outlines the rules that you need to follow to ensure that Xbox.com, Xbox LIVE, and Games for Windows - LIVE are fun for everyone.

What not to do:

• Don't use Xbox LIVE, Games for Windows - LIVE or Xbox.com to do anything illegal. Microsoft is not responsible for anything you say on the service/website or for anything that happens because of what you say; you alone are responsible.
• Don't harass, abuse, or spam other players.
• Don't scream, yell, threaten, or stalk other players.
• Don't distribute, post, publish, upload, disseminate or discuss defamatory, infringing, obscene, sexual or other unlawful materials like child pornography or illegal drugs including images, audio, video, or text.
• Don't post links to websites that violate the Code of Conduct.
• Don't give out information that personally identifies you (such as your real name, address, phone number, credit card number, etc.) while you're playing. This includes voice chat and the names you create for your gamertag or mottos. This information could be used by other players for illegal or harmful purposes. Also, don't give out the personal information of other players.
• Don't create a gamertag or motto that other users may be offended by, this includes comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or insinuate any of the following: profane words/phrases, sexually explicit language, sexual innuendo, hate speech (including but not limited to racial, ethnic, or religious slurs), illegal drugs/controlled substances, or illegal activities.
• Don't create a gamertag or motto that references controversial religious topics, notorious people, organizations, or sensitive current or historical events that may also be considered inappropriate.
• Don't cheat in a game unless cheats have been deliberately enabled.
• Don't modify or hack game content to create cheats.
• Don't intentionally play with someone else who is using mods in order to help inflate your rank, also known as 'boosting'.
• Don't post links to materials that could harm other users' computers or would allow others to inappropriately access software or Web sites.
• Don't impersonate or harass Microsoft employees, moderators, or staff members.
• Any non-game-related conversation that takes up a substantial amount of the forum or chat space and prevents users from finding game-related information may be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct.
• Don't use the forums or chats for any commercial purpose without the express consent of Xbox.com. You may only create an account for yourself as an individual. You may not create an account for your corporation or other business entity.

If you violate the Code of Conduct or the Terms of Use that you agreed to, action may be taken against your account. Some offenses warrant an immediate account cancellation, including but not limited to hacking, modding, severe racial remarks, continued creation of profane gamertags, and posting viruses or URLs to viruses. In addition, trying to avoid a temporary ban by creating a string of new accounts may result in a permanent ban on the new user account and a possible escalation of punishment to the original account and all related accounts. If you create an inappropriate gamertag you may be required to change it. If you use an inappropriate motto, we may delete it and you may be temporarily locked out of your account. If we are notified that you are abusing the voice feature you may be voice banned. If we are notified that you have posted inappropriate content of any kind, it will be removed. Depending on the severity of the offense, you may even have your account terminated. Microsoft is not obligated to send you a warning before these actions occur. If you are banned while participating in a tournament or competition Microsoft assumes no liability in the loss of any potential prizes or recognition related to the tournament or competition. Microsoft is not obligated to monitor every post, but we have the right to remove any post or take action against any user.

Microsoft reserves the right to remove at any time, without notice, any user-created content from Xbox LIVE, Games for Windows - LIVE and/or Xbox.com. Microsoft reserves the right to immediately terminate or suspend a user for violations. Microsoft can contact any Internet Service Provider and provide the ISP with information on illegal activities.
How can you avoid getting into trouble? That's easy. Just follow the rules.

What you can do:

• Use your friends list to keep track of the people you like to play with.
• On Xbox 360, choose an Xbox LIVE Gamer Zone that fits your playing style; this way you can play with other gamers that like to play the way you do.
• Take a break or mute a player who makes you angry. If you act out it could be considered harassment.
• Send negative feedback or file complaints on problem players. Select them from the player list and choose the Feedback or File a Complaint option.
• If you find players you enjoy gaming with, put them on your preferred gamers list.
• If you encounter an obnoxious player, you can mute them. Some games even allow the host to boot them from the session.
• If you're a parent, you can use Family Settings to turn off your kids' ability to use the Voice Communicator and their ability to make online purchases on the Original Xbox. You can use Family Settings on Xbox 360 & Windows Vista to control who your child can play with and how much interaction they can have with the community.

General Web Site Precautions

Some areas of Xbox.com may post Internet Web-site links. Please be advised that Microsoft is not responsible for the content on the Web sites associated with the links you may view.
Some content and links on the Internet may contain adult content and may not be suitable for children. We encourage parents to join their children as they surf and explore the Internet.
Be sure to reread this document once in a while because Microsoft will update it periodically. Some games and events may also have additional guidelines that govern your use, so be sure to review them as well.