Microsoft has announced that it will partner with Nintendo and Sony to engage in social gaming, which will be responsible for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X, the Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 5. Microsoft unveiled the initiative on December 14, 2020 on its news blog. The report outlines three key pillars to ensure that everyone is safe: prevention, partnership and responsibility.
Dave McCarthy, corporate vice president of Xbox Operations, elaborated on the enormous challenges companies face in maintaining a safe gaming environment for vulnerable players. He added that only one company can solve these challenges. As a result, he noted that Microsoft is pleased to partner with Nintendo and Sony Online to promote safe and social gaming.
Here are brief versions of the three policies:
- Prevention: Institutions “empower players and parents to understand and control sports experience” Players will do this by providing options that allow them to adjust their online experience. This means parental controls are easy.
- Collaboration: Companies are “committed to working with industry, regulators, law enforcement and our communities to improve user safety.” This means working with relevant parties to create online security initiatives and conduct shared research. Companies have a zero tolerance policy regarding hatred, harassment or exploitation of young players.
- Responsibility: Companies “We have a responsibility to keep our sites as secure as possible for all players.” This includes making it easier for players to report misconduct and responding with appropriate enforcement action against violators. This includes compliance with all local laws in the event of a need.
In recent years, we’ve seen Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony work a little more on each other in game features like cross-play and cross-saves.