Forgers, remember to adhere to the Xbox Community Standards.
What you need to know
- A Halo Infinite gamer was unannouncedly banned from the Forge mode for a period of three months due to using custom-made props resembling marijuana in their map.
- Microsoft enforces the Xbox Community Standards, which doesn’t allow the use of this prop.
- Even though the suspension was eventually removed following an appeal, many people still thought that it was too rigorous of a punishment to be given without any prior warnings.
- Significantly, because Halo Infinite’s Forge is always online, players who are forbidden from playing will not be able to access any part of the modality while their ban is active.
Halo Infinite’s Forge Mode
Starting with its Forge beta, released about one and a half months ago, Halo Infinite players on Xbox and PC have been using the map-making tool Forge mode to make fantastic maps.
Amazingly designed arena maps to humorous party stages with special modes have been created and shared by very clever community members, giving players an immense selection of user-generated content to appreciate.
We have covered more about the latest technologies, their updates, findings and more here.
Loaf Lord – Creator
Loaf Lord, a Forger, recently released a map called Juju’s Room, faithfully reproducing their bedroom from real life.
The map amazed the community with its complex features and innovative design, but there was an issue: included props that looked like both weed and its usual cigarette form.
Loaf Lord Banned
Microsoft and 343 Industries became aware of the map, so it was taken down and Loaf Lord was given a temporary ban from Halo Infinite Forge that will last until March 2023.
Illegal Activities Promoted
It is apparent why the map was deemed inappropriate, as the Xbox Community Standards dictate that Microsoft must “respect local laws and remove content or behavior that encourages or promotes illegal activities”.
But what surprised many people was that the person who created the map was given a ban right away, with no warning.
On one hand, I find it rather extreme for the developers to suspend a player over an issue like this when they could have given out a warning first. Though, on the flip side, We understand where Microsoft and 343 Industries are coming from.
ESRB
The ESRB is known to be stringent when rating game material, and it’s possible acknowledging drug use in Halo Infinite could cause the game to receive an “M” for Mature rather than the current “T” for Teen rating.
Even if you don’t believe that Halo should have been rated M like in the past, Microsoft and 343 Industries are convinced that it’s the right decision to aim for a T rating.
Taking into consideration the continuous connection requirement of Halo Infinite’s Forge, it makes sense to make it online-only for security reasons and so players can keep playing even if the session host disconnects. But one con is that suspended players cannot access Forge at all.
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Unlike other Halo titles where Forge can be used offline in a setting like this, Halo Infinite totally restricts players from using it.
It’s important to note that the developers immediately banned Loaf Lord, however, 343 Industries’ Forge Lead Designer Michael Schorr personally responded and the ban has since been removed due to an appeal as this article is being written.
Schorr shared a Tweet that included a citation from the Xbox Community Standards “Keep it legal” section, stating: “‘Here is the relevant passage from the Xbox Community Standards…And please remember that Halo Infinite is live in many countries where marijuana is illegal.’
Overall, it’s a good development that Microsoft and 343 Industries are willing to review first-offense cases like this.
Despite this, you should refrain from including any humorous references to drugs in your Forge maps as it could potentially lead to a ban and restrict your access to Forge.
What do you think about this ban? Tell us in the comments section below.
