Microsoft has apologized for the banning of an Xbox Live user who self-identified herself as lesbian, even going as far as to call their policies “inelegant.”
After the woman revealed her homosexuality in her Xbox Live profile, she was continuously harassed, and Microsoft banned her account, saying many gamers found “her lesbianism offensive.”
Microsoft did note that their XBL policy bars “the expression of relationship preference in Gamertag profiles and tags, whether that’s heterosexual or other.” Stephen Toulouse, Xbox Live program manager for policy and enforcement, did note that Microsoft is “looking into that policy,” and that it could be up for change.
The original post by the banned woman is here: “Identifying Yourself As A Lesbian Gets You Banned On XBOX Live”
Result for: xbl
Microsoft has announced that they will be offering Xbox Live for free to anyone who downloads the GTA IV expansion The Lost and Damned, for the week of February 17th-22nd.
Xbox Live multiplayer is normally reserved to those who pay for a Gold account, but the software giant is adding extra cross promotion for the downloadable content.
Additionally, Rockstar Games and XBL are promoting the expansion with a week of events that include the “chance to take on hip-hop DJ Statik Selektah in a special Game with Fame event and to play against “the people behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise” in a Game with Rockstar.”
The downloadable content, which reportedly cost Microsoft $50 million USD to secure exclusively, will sell for 1600 Microsoft Points beginning on the 17th.
Result for: xbl
Sony Computer Entertainment America has proudly announced that there are now 14 million active PSN accounts worldwide, matching the 14 million active users Xbox Live currently has. It is important to note however that XBL originally launched in 2002 but also costs money for a subscription. PSN is free.
As of July, Sony only had 10 million registered users who had downloaded 170 million pieces of content. That has now grown to 14 million and 273 million pieces of content.
“With 14 million active accounts and 273 million pieces of content downloaded, we know that you’re thirsting for this digital entertainment,” said John Koller, director of hardware marketing for SCEA.
“PlayStation Network has truly hit its stride with unique downloadable games and a video delivery service featuring movies, TV shows, and original programming that you can watch in HD with your PS3, or bring with you on your PSP.”
