It's a new world as Microsoft and Xbox have reinterpreted their existing Services Agreement (binding all Xbox Live account holders) under new "Community Standards" in some...interesting...ways.

Who determines what is "a little bit" of trash talk, and whether or not it is "clean"?

When are prizes and giveaways "frequent", "regular", or "repetitive"?

Is music in voice chat really "inappropriate"?

What makes a political position "controversial"?

Is requesting redress for damages or losses in the form of compensation from Xbox now tantamount to fraud?

What about playing a game before its release date, or disclosing its "surprise ending" (and what makes it a surprise)?

And...who watches the watchmen, anyway?

All this, plus EA's reactions to Anthem and its own new world in the age of the influencer, in today's Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/z9khLd4hlKQ

For more on the issues presented by guidelines instead of rules:

"Virtual Legality #50 - On the Tyranny of "Guidelines": A PlayStation Story (Hoeg Law)"

(https://youtu.be/-ZPlpI1WeTQ)

#XboxLive #Anthem #VirtualLegality

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Discussed in this episode:

"Electronic Arts says the old way of releasing games doesn't work anymore"

PCGamer - May 7, 2019 - Andy Chalk

(https://www.pcgamer.com/electronic-arts-says-the-old-way-of-releasing-games-doesnt-work-anymore/)

"Xbox Live’s new standards try to define acceptable trash talk"

Polygon - May 2, 2019 - Owen Good

(https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/2/18527220/xbox-live-community-standards-update-toxic-behavior-harassment)

"Community Standards for Xbox"

(https://www.xbox.com/en-US/Legal/Community-Standards)

"Microsoft Services Agreement"

Updated May 1, 2018

(https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement)

Electronic Arts "Legal" Terms

(https://www.ea.com/legal#1)

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FOR MORE CHECK US OUT:

On Twitter @hoeglaw

At our website: https://hoeglaw.com/

On our Blog, "Rules of the Game", at https://hoeglaw.wordpress.com/

On "Help Us Out Hoeg!" a regular segment on the Easy Allies Podcast (formerly GameTrailers)

(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrxXp1reP8E353rZsB3jaA)

Biweekly on "Inside the Huddle with Michael Spath" on WTKA 1050