Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Microsoft continue their collaboration to enhance player safety across their gaming platforms. The companies aim to provide positive and enjoyable experiences for all players, particularly children, through a multidisciplinary strategy that includes advanced technology, research, community initiatives, and human oversight.
Since their initial shared commitment announcement in 2020, the companies have worked together, stating that collective effort allows for greater progress. They have updated their shared principles to reflect technological advancements in player safety and new forms of collaboration with industry initiatives and trade associations.
Core Principles of Player Safety
Prevention
- Player and Parent Empowerment: They provide controls for players to customize their gaming experience and tools for parents to manage their children's experiences.
- Accessibility of Safety Features: Efforts are made to ensure safety features are easy to use and understand. Information on these tools is disseminated through platforms, support channels, websites, and retail stores.
- Policy Communication and Enforcement: Players and parents are informed about codes of conduct and terms of use, which are enforced through preventive and remedial actions. Product design prioritizes transparency and player choice.
Partnership
- Industry Collaboration: The companies engage with global and regional industry trade organizations, regulators, law enforcement, non-profit groups, and experts to advance online safety. This includes participation in groups like the Thriving in Games Group and the Family Online Safety Institute.
- Shared Research: Joint research is conducted to inform policy and drive industry innovation. Individual companies also work with external research centers focused on play and wellbeing.
- Community Engagement: They partner with their communities to promote safe gaming and encourage the use of reporting tools for misconduct. Systems are in place for rapid responses to emerging incidents.
- Ratings and Information Sharing: Collaboration with ratings agencies such as ESRB and PEGI ensures games are rated for appropriate audiences. They also work with the Entertainment Software Association and other trade associations to share trust and safety information.
- Technology Investment: Leading technology and proactive collaboration are utilized to prevent improper conduct and content. Participation in initiatives like the Tech Coalition and its Lantern program supports child safety through technology and knowledge sharing.
Responsibility
- Reporting Mechanisms: Players can easily report violations of codes of conduct and community guidelines, which are continuously refined.
- Enforcement Actions: Content deemed unsuitable is removed, and appropriate enforcement actions are taken for violations, including restrictions on platform use, with escalating measures for severe or repeated offenses.
- Data Practices and Oversight: Responsible and transparent practices, including the ethical use of data and the deployment of process enhancement technologies with human oversight, are maintained.
- Legal Compliance and Law Enforcement Notification: The companies comply with applicable laws and respond to legitimate requests from law enforcement. They promptly notify law enforcement of unlawful conduct or perceived imminent player harm.
- Transparency of Rules: Rules and requirements are published, and reported players are informed of the conditions for continued platform engagement.
This ongoing partnership underscores a commitment to collaborative solutions for player safety, aiming to create welcoming gaming environments for all.