Microsoft has set guidelines for what is acceptable to talk about the Xbox Recycle Bin

What would you do if, while playing an online game with strangers, one of them would tell you: "Destroy yourself, I can not believe you thought you were at my level. ?

How about this: "It was a serious goal for the potato, get sinking."

According to Microsoft's hilarious new set of guidelines for game users on its Xbox Live game service, both of these methods are acceptable and do not deserve to be banned.

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You can probably already see why they are considered acceptable – they are relatively stupid and benign. But more than that, they offer a fairly clear example of relatively harmless and competitive speech.

Here's how Microsoft explains its new guidelines:

"We understand." Games can be competitive and interactions with other players can heat up. "A bit of trashy conversation is an expected element of competitive multiplayer action, and that's not a bad thing." Hate does not belong here, and what's wrong is when this trashy conversation turns into harassment. "

This is the line that Microsoft draws between vulgar speech and harassment – a reasonable line to rely on a service where vocal conversation with strangers often turns into an eco-racist / sexist / homophobic hell.

Microsoft's guidelines become even more specific, with a handful of examples clearly identifying the often obvious difference between vulgar speech and harassment.

What is harassment? Here are some examples of Microsoft:

• "Get (sexual threat) I can not believe you thought you were at my level.
• Hey (blasphemy), it was a serious goal. Get sinking, trash.
• The only reason you became positive is that you spent all your time camping. KYS, kid.
• Cheap win. Totally waited for one (racial insult).
• You are afraid. Get out of my country – maybe they'll let you in when your k / d over 1. "

Microsoft then Hilariously juxtaposes these statements obviously offensive with a quasi-identical equivalent in garbage language:

• "Be destroyed, I can not believe you thought you were at my level.
• It was a serious goal of the potato. To be broken.
• The only reason you became positive is that you spent all your time camping. Try again, kid.
• Cheap win. Come to me when you can actually drive without leaving cars out of the way.
• It is zero. Be good and come back when your k / d is greater than 1. "

Look at the difference? It's often as simple as do not including a sexual threat, profane speech, racist insult or alleged racism.

If that sounds simple – great! Otherwise, it's worth going a step further on Microsoft's surprisingly straightforward and down-to-earth new guidelines.