Microsoft is set to launch abusive voice reporting feature for Xbox consoles. Announced in July, it allows players to submit inappropriate remarks that are heard while playing multiplayer games. The system captures a 60-second clip saved on the console; You will then have 24 hours to complete the report. The feature arrives this week in the September update for Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. However, it is initially limited to “select English language markets” in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Microsoft says it designed Voice Reports to balance ease of use with minimal intrusiveness in games. “Our feature is designed so that only you, the player, can initiate capture of the last 60 seconds of gameplay activity that occurred for content moderation purposes,” the company wrote. It works similar to standard gameplay capture, but content recorded for moderation review is only used for this purpose. Microsoft wrote: “It will not appear in your recent clips, and the clips cannot be downloaded, modified or shared.”
And the company stressed that the console will not save or download any clips unless it starts the reporting process. After you capture a segment of spoken chat that you believe violates the Xbox Community Standards, the sample will remain on your console for “24 hours online,” and you can choose to submit it immediately or wait for your gameplay session to end. In addition, your Xbox will alert you as a final reminder to submit the report if the 24-hour period is about to expire. Finally, you will receive a subsequent notification telling you if the company has taken action against the perpetrator.
The Xbox September Update also includes the ability to quickly broadcast Xbox games to Discord. After updating your console, you can link your Discord account and join podcasts on the platform right from the console. You’ll find the activation controls in the Xbox Guide by going to Parties & Chats and selecting Discord.
The September Update also allows users to toggle the console’s variable refresh rate (VRR). You can now turn the feature off or back on by going to General > TV & Display options > Video. You’ll see options to leave VRR ‘always on’, toggle it to ‘games only’, or disable it entirely.
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