I Wish Xbox Live Had An Age Filter

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 at 5:01 pm in Rants, Xbox Live · Comments

I’ve been a member of Xbox Live for over two years, and within that time I’ve ventured ever-so-apprehensively into the murky waters of multiplayer on numerous occasions, namely with Rainbow Six: Vegas. I’ve been fortunate enough to have not had too many bad experiences. The occasional name calling (an Irish guy who referred to me as a “fucking clown”), a potentially nasty experience from playing a camera-based Aracde game (a presumptuous pervert who thought my sole intention of playing UNO was to see his “arrrd cock”), and being excluded from games because I have a vagina (me speaking up in the lobby, which lead to all-round cries of “It’s a girl!” *you have been kicked from the server*).

In fact, I would consider myself to be fairly lucky with how smooth my online experience has been. However, I’ve got to the stage where I wish there was an age filter on Xbox Live; something that would enable me control over what age groups I’m playing with. Because, for whatever reason, out of all the idiots I’ve encountered online, the ones I seem to be least tolerant of are the pre-pubescent kids who take the whole online competitive nature far too seriously.

A couple of days ago, after cleaning up all the single player Achievements in Skate 2 (bar the DLC ones), I decided to take my created skater, Candy, online for a bit of a Jam session. The Jam sessions basically involve 3 rounds, and whoever racks up the most points from pulling off tricks wins. Simple.

I found myself in a game with one other skater, Mysterious something or other, and plugged my headset in just in case he wanted to communicate with me (I’m a co-operative online gamer, y’see). Actually, with the original Skate I ended up chatting to a guy I was playing with online who has been on my Friends List ever since, so you can come across great people online. Anyway, the first round ended, and, not so surprisingly, this guy was beating me. But, by half way through the second round, I had started to hit my stride and overtook his score. My lead was short lived, however, and when Mysterious thingymajig overtook me, he said - in a deadly serious tone - “Take that Candy you fag”. Um, what?

His insults didn’t end there. I decided to stick around for another Jam session, and by this point another two gamers had joined us - I figured his bitterness may turn to them instead. However, he was still insulting me, though I’m not entirely sure why. So, I broke my silence and said the following: “Look, I’m playing this online for a bit of fun, whether I win or lose. You’re taking this far too seriously. What the fuck is your problem?”.

Sometimes I think being female in a predominantly male ‘virtual world’ can work in my favour. I’m pretty sure Mysterious was expecting me to be just another overly competitive boy like himself. Especially as I am rocking a male skater (the female skaters in Skate 2 have awful hair!). Regardless, I didn’t get another insult from him and was able to finish the Jam in relative peace with my dignity intact. No quitting early for me!

Truth is, an 11 year old whiny kid can call me whatever he likes and it won’t hurt my feelings. But I’d rather be spared mindless insults and just enjoy myself online with the games I’ve bought. I highly doubt we’ll ever see any kind of filter for Xbox Live, whether it’s an age filter, a country filter, a gender filter (hah, that would be interesting), but surely I’m not the only person who would want to give up playing amongst these immature, difficult gamers. I guess I’ll just have to continue doing the only thing Microsoft has given me the ability to do; brand those that sour my online experience with bad rep.

How do you feel about playing online with gamers who give you a hard time for no apparent reason? Am I being harsh in getting irritated by these kids?

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20 Responses to “I Wish Xbox Live Had An Age Filter”

ReTodd

# March 11th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

That’s one of the main reasons I don’t play online. I totally get sick of hearing the 14 and younger crowd talk so much shit. There is definite need for a age filter. One that the community can keep in check, so that the kids who say their older can be kicked back to the children’s table when they show their true age by opening their mouth.

Saad

# March 11th, 2009 at 5:24 pm

I don’t have Xbox Live, but I was wondering if you are able to mute individual players? Because that’s what I would do. Anyone who says insulting stuff like that I would mute them forever. Life is short and I don’t blame you for not having any patience with such people.

The other problem is lack of decency and manners, which no filter can ever cure, but potentially could reduce the incidence of whilst playing online. However, I think the best answer is to speak to with friends only and not strangers unfortunately.

WolfieZero

# March 11th, 2009 at 5:30 pm

I find this a lot when playing with kids can be really annoying. But I don’t think it’s exclusive to them as a few of the older gamers get really annoying, but it’s mainly the kids.

I don’t mind marking people for kills or such like as that’s always the way with games; but when the childish insults come at you then it’s like STFU kid.

Another annoying trait is when they do the whole Pwnerer (http://www.purepwnage.com/) trait of just flat out sarcasm all the time. And the singing, when they sing it hurts!

Sean

# March 11th, 2009 at 6:04 pm

Yeah I know exactly how you feel. I get loads of abuse because I am Scottish! Shocking. Then I scare them all by telling them how haggis is made. I do not talk as much in public voice chat anyway, so it is not as bad for me as it is for you. I prefer to keep things quiet.

Los Havros

# March 11th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

Yea, I rarely venture online due to this sort of behaviour. I go online for fun, not exactly to compete. I must say I do like certain online functionality in games in general, like LittleBigPlanet where at the end of each level you’re shown an online leader board. I’m not always in the mood to actually play with some of these people though, if you know what I mean.

The only online game I’ve enjoyed despite idiots has been Warhawk as if I find the people or the game too annoying, I’ll just switch to another game. Bliss.

To answer your main point, online gaming systems such as Xbox Live and the like should really have the option to filter age either over or below a setting of your choosing. It shouldn’t display age, but just filter out those who don’t qualify.

Just some thoughts of mine. Hang in there Ash: you’re both a better gamer and person than they are :)

Alshie

# March 11th, 2009 at 8:17 pm

@Wolfie Zero - I’ve never understood the singing. Why do they do that?

I’ve made a few friends over the years but I usually avoid voice comms unless I’m playing with people I know - there are just too many tossers.

Dave

# March 11th, 2009 at 8:18 pm

As much as I would love an age filter, it just wouldn’t work. Skate is a game for all ages, but the amount of abuse I’ve gotten playing games like Gears off of 11 year olds is amazing!

As you mentioned Mute and feedback is the only way to go, and from what I heard on the Major Nelson podcast they have a massive team dealing with all that sort of stuff, you just can’t catch everyone….

Jandy

# March 11th, 2009 at 8:32 pm

I have played very little online, for lots of reasons including this. I’ve never actually had any really bad experiences, because I hear too many stories like this to even pursue it very far. Plus, I don’t tend to like the usual types of multiplayer games (deathmatch, for instance, couldn’t care less). I like co-op, but I want to play co-op with people I already know, not random people.

The only thing I’ve played online really at all is Rock Band, and one guy gave me bad feedback for being ‘aggressive’. How the hell do you be aggressive in Rock Band? I wondered if it was because I didn’t have the headset plugged in, but who knows? And then I was doing band play with someone once, did two or three songs and then was like, I’ve gotta go, and he send me a message calling me lame, and I’m like, dude, just because I don’t have all day to stay online and play Rock Band… So I figured I’m not really the multiplayer type.

Rockers Delight

# March 11th, 2009 at 8:46 pm

@ReTodd Glad you feel the same way.

@Saad Unfortunately there’s no option to mute players (I’m pretty sure something similar was introduced in Halo 3, but I may be wrong). I would love to limit my online play to friends only, but developers think it’s a good idea to include multiplayer Achievements, and because I like my Achievements, well you get my drift…

@WolfieZero Oh, I’ve had the singing on a few occasions. Rapping sometimes, too. Hilarious!

@Sean Hmm, I’ve never had any abuse because I’m Scottish.

@Los Havros Fortunately my fun online experiences far outweigh my bad ones, so I won’t be giving up on multiplayer just yet. However, in an ideal world we wouldn’t have to deal with these people!

@Alshie Haha, I don’t get it either. It’s the quickest way to draw attention to yourself though.

@Dave Oh well, it’s good to know Microsoft have a team behind this, so it is taken seriously. It’s ridiculous when you actually put it into perspective - you’re paying £40 a year to play online, yet people are talking absolute shit to you/about you.

@Jandy I can totally relate! I’ve been given bad feedback for trash talking. Me? Can you imagine me as the type of person going “Yeah, your mom” (or whatever). I think people do it because they’re sore losers. The whole thing is really unbalanced and needs to be re-adressed, in my opinion.

Matt Brett

# March 11th, 2009 at 9:51 pm

Playing online with the general public is an absolute last resort for me. But if I do venture into the world of prepubescent asshattery, I typically leave my headset turned on, muted, and sitting on the coffee table in front of me. That way, I don’t have to bother muting people and can simply enjoy my game.

One thing I find quite strange, is when there’s no audio option for disabling voice chat all together. When you don’t have your headset on, voices will come through the speakers. Not having the ability to shut them off pisses me off to no end. I actually just went and bought a PS3 headset so I don’t have to suffer through hearing dudes yelling through my surround speakers. Well that, and so I can talk to dudes in my squad. ;)

I’m not as patient as you, and fly off the handle when some anonymous shithead starts spewing garbage in my direction - in any direction, for that matter.

Skate 2 is a game I definitely won’t be playing online. The shit talking I witness in the first game blew my mind, and still takes the cake in that department. But what angered me more, was the quitting before an event was done… if they were losing. It almost sucks when a game tracks stats for wins and losses, as it pretty much guarantees people will bail early.

Anyway, I’m getting side-tracked. An age filter wouldn’t entirely rid us of the shit talkers, but it definitely would weed them out a bit.

Rockers Delight

# March 12th, 2009 at 12:57 pm

@Matt Brett Noticed from Twitter you’ve been playing a fair bit of Killzone 2 MP. I hope the Killzone crowd is better than that of Skate’s. I’m going to venture online with it once again. Here’s hoping I get lucky! Not with wins, but the people I play against.

Matt Brett

# March 12th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

Yeah, I’ve been playing Killzone 2 online almost every day for the past couple weeks. Just love it! Even with 32 people online, there isn’t a whole lot of chatter. That probably has everything to do with the fact that no headset is bundled with the PS3. It only supports Bluetooth for wireless, so you’re looking at spending at least $40 if you want to get your chat on. Which is just fine by me. Even then, I still get annoyed with some people. Last night someone had their input level too high and every sound from the game was echoing through my headset. Oh, and let’s not forget about the person who had a yappy dog in the room. Thankfully, you can mute individuals.

Zamu3L

# March 12th, 2009 at 8:03 pm

I turned voice communications off for everybody apart from those on my friends list. I gave the public a chance one and decided that ultimately there is noone worth talking to online after all the sore losing and general faggotry from other players - especially as i only tend to play online with my friends anyway…

Oh and i just can’t stand it when they start singing, it induces a severe case of RAGE on my part.

Rockers Delight » Aside: Major Nelson Messaged Me, Microsoft Gained Ashley Kudos

# March 16th, 2009 at 5:28 pm

[...] on from my blog post regarding a possible age filter for Xbox Live, Major Nelson contacted me via Xbox Live to say he was sharing the post with his team. Dave Moran [...]

Skar

# March 16th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

I read this post and can’t imagine I forgot to comment on it. So here my experience.

I usually play Call of Duty (4 and 5) online. And I - just like everyone else - get pissed when they start singing or shouting… or just talking bullshit. Really the 15-years-old kinda behavior. Just to piss people off.

I just came up with an idea which might work:

Instead of an age-filter, use some sort of voice-scoring-system. Just like the one with report it to their reputation when they are aggressive or when they are unsporting.

But this time everyone gets like 3 voice-score-points. Whenever someone reports them for talking bullshit or being annoying vocally, they get a point subtracted. And when they hit 0, their voice is muted for a certain period (say 1 day?).
After that day their ‘voice-score’ gets 1 point added and after another day it’s back to 2, with a max of 3?
Something like that would work.

That way, when someone behaves annoying, 3 people can vote him out and make the person muted. And that way people with only 1 point will be very careful to what they do/say.

And maybe even a longer penalty time for people who gets their voice-score being reported often? After getting 0 points within one week/month, you have to wait 2/3/4/5 days. In the end the guys who abuse us vocally, will get punished and will think twice after that.

I think it would be pretty easy to implement, cuz Microsoft (or Sony) could easily just block their voice-comm - even when they aren’t in a game but just talking on the party-system (Xbox Live).

Han

# March 20th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

Tweens are the bane of my life lol!

I do think there should be some sort of filter - at least a parental one? (is there one already?) They can’t exactly bleep swearing for every conversation can they?

Raven

# March 31st, 2009 at 2:19 am

Ok, most kids are total fags I admit. I’m 14, but unlike most of the other annoying kids online, I am not a kid who acts like a douche. I actually try to have a good time gaming. I hate all this “PWNED YOU @$*%^ PWNED! GO BACK TO ASIA!” crap. It pisses me off. ;(

The Wonderful World of Avatar Props

# August 12th, 2009 at 4:03 pm

[...] Take the matter regarding downloadable content Achievements, or the suggestion I made about the introduction of an age filter on Xbox Live, or even Microsoft ironing out the predominantly useless XBL feedback system. To me, [...]

Let’s Make Xbox Live A Better Place

# August 25th, 2009 at 5:00 pm

[...] Xbox Live age filter - Playing Skate 2 with pre-pubescent kids isn’t fun, especially when their childish insults are directed at you for no reason. If an age filter was introduced, I’m pretty sure I’d be avoiding anyone under the age of 16. If there ain’t grass on the pitch, you’re not playing. [...]

13 and decent

# September 4th, 2009 at 6:06 pm

Now look not all of us younger guys are jerks. Okay, yeah ive had abuse but if you do the age filter then kids like me who play properly will have to play with the jerks who abuse you and thats not fair for us. What should really happen is each person whos sensitive about that should be able to create their own game and be able to kick anyone if they abuse, or have moderators who you can report people to and they get banned for a certain amount of time. i no im going to be referring to an old game but runescape has the right idea and Microsoft are copying it anyway because of the member thing, so why not have mods who can stop people? But they have to be responsible, otherwise they get that privilege removed if they misuse it by just blocking people they don’t like. it would be much fairer on us kids who dont abuse in game.

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