Microsoft confirms it’s banning users for explicit Baldur’s Gate 3 uploads

Baldur's Gate 3 Header

Microsoft has confirmed that they are handing out Xbox account suspensions and bans to users whose auto-uploaded screenshots and video clips feature mature or explicit content. This most notably extends to Baldur’s Gate 3 where nudity can feature in a number of scenarios.

Microsoft’s Xbox Support account on Twitter states that “Xbox account suspensions are not automatic. Each clip is reviewed by a moderator and, if found in violation of our safety and content policies, actioned accordingly. Our team evaluates appeals and can reverse suspensions if action was taken in error.”

They then note that suspensions can be removed and advise to turn off auto-uploading of captures – see here for how to do this.

Larian Director of Publishing Michael Douse said, “We’re in discussion with Microsoft, and we’re looking into it. Annoying and uncool.”

We’re in complete agreement, and this is entirely a problem of Microsoft’s making that should be addressed by the company on both a policy and technical level.

First things first, captures are auto-uploaded by Xbox consoles by default, which means that even if you have no intention of sharing a screenshot or video with other people you can inadvertently be in the firing line for a suspension.

Secondly, while the Microsoft support team’s tweet suggest that you can “turn off auto-upload when sensitive content is being captured,” there is no such facility in the system settings. You can completely turn off auto-uploads, but cannot filter based on a game’s age rating.

And finally, all of this is just because of butts, boobs and willies being shown in clips and the cultural panic and pearl clutching that this causes amongst Americans. Are people getting banned for showing off video game violence, like gory takedowns in Mortal Kombat or “killstreaks” in Call of Duty.

All of which is to say that this is incredibly stupid and Microsoft should modify their console default settings, and implement age gates at multiple stages from the point of capture to sharing and viewing.

Baldur’s Gate 3 was our Game of the Year 2023. The boobs and butts were only a small part of why it won.

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I'm probably wearing toe shoes, and there's nothing you can do to stop me!

2 Comments

  1. It really is ridiculous, especially as you pointed out that clips of violent games are all fine. Their twitter support are absolutely useless, so no surprise they’re touting using a feature that doesn’t even exist to avoid the bans.

  2. Look, it’s all well and good if my kid sees someone being ripped in half, but I’ll be goddamned if they will see a penis.

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