540°

Microsoft Labels Autistic Boy A Cheater On Xbox Live

There's a bit of a she-said, they-said situation going on near Seattle, with the mom of an 11-year-old boy saying Microsoft reset his gamerscore unfairly and the company saying it was done because he was cheating. Regardless of the truth, the boy has been branded a cheater on Xbox Live and has to earn whatever achievements he had before all over again.

Jennifer Zdenek told Q13 FOX News that her son Julius Jackson went online recently only to discover that his gamerscore had been reset and his account branded as belonging to a cheater.

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gameinformer.com
 
Nineball21124868d ago

Oh nice, Microsoft!! Way to pick on the less fortunate!

Ok, I just had to say that. I don't really know the details. :D

mcmmaster4868d ago (Edited 4868d ago )

You don't even need to see the details, clearly its the mum that is at fault as why on earth would she let an 11 year old boy play Dead Rising 2 (AN 18 YEAR OLD GAME, well in the UK), to make it worse he's autistic. Think its the mum that needs sorting out and not Microsoft

DaCajun4868d ago

Yea that is pretty messed up that you would let you kid play mature rated games and especially one as impressionable as a child with autism.

But on topic I like how microsoft just goes around banning whomever they want or resetting achievements without proof and SONY well never does anything to cheaters whether it be sharing saves to get trophies you didn't earn or just cheating on an online game to just plain internet stalking. One goes to the extreme the other does nothing. I had some loser on PSN with a racist name basically the name says he killed Ni***rs(Blacks), he would send me messages calling me the "N" word and would make new accounts when I blocked other ones. He went through 10 before he stopped. A Sony rep told me on the phone to just keep blocking him and that he didn't find the name offensive at all either even though dozens of people reported this racist stalking cheating POS. They also tried to push off responsibility to the publisher of the games. What a joke. Then you got M$ who will ban you or remove a gamertag if it even slightly offends someone and take away your achievements if you get enough of your friends to report one person as cheating for no reason but you don't like them.

One goes overboard and the other doesn't do crap but as for the boy I seriously doubt the kid was cheating he's probably just extremely good at games due to his autism.

edgeofblade4868d ago

It's quite telling that the mother was refereed to the legal department. That means she came in ranting and raving and claiming "AYM GONNA SEEW YEW" ("I'm going to sue you"). That's the standard response anytime someone threatens legal action.

Dante1124868d ago (Edited 4868d ago )

@ DaCajin

Idk, DaCajin. You can get banned pretty quickly for cursing someone out in a back and forth argument (replying back with mgs) on the PSN, surprisedly even in chat (notice the censoring in the text chat) as well as for ANY little thing you say (Damn fool-banned) or do in Home.

N4WAH4868d ago (Edited 4868d ago )

@ DaCajun

"especially one as impressionable as a child with autism."

How exactly can a person that does not know right from wrong, danger from safety, life from death, be impressionable by video games or m rated anything?

"I seriously doubt the kid was cheating he's probably just extremely good at games due to his autism."

^This you couldn't be more right about. My nephew
(autistic) is a savant at counting, memory and he has uncanny balance. He loves video games but unlike the kid in this article, he isn't very good at them. So this is probably the one area this kid excels.

Either way MS should find a way to make this right.

rezzah4868d ago

parents usually dont care as long as they see their children smile, which isnt really bad because they want to make their children happy. It makes them happy.

However they should pay attention to the things that make them happy from time to time.

DaCajun4868d ago

@dante

I took pics of all the PSN text messages he sent me and sent them to Sony and they did absolutely nothing. I even called them a dozen time to get no help what so ever. Maybe others have had better luck but I had none, so now I don't even bother.

Blaine4868d ago (Edited 4868d ago )

@mcmmaster

You never played any games the "rating" said you were too young for? You'd probably be the only person on earth.

(I put rating in quotation because, really, I don't know anything about the people who hand out these ratings. I don't know of any studies to back these ratings either, and I don't know of any respectable study that says ANY game genre affects children in any negative way. But here's a case study of one for you: me. Played every violent game I ever wanted to before I was old enough to meet the "rating", and it hasn't affected me in the least.)

ComboBreaker4867d ago (Edited 4867d ago )

Now you gonna tell her how to raise her kid?

When you were a kid, you played Mortal Kombat II, and you turned out fine.

Christopher4867d ago

Two wrongs don't make a right.

Sure, I'd be right there to tell her what games are and are not appropriate for a child, though one should note that many autistic children have a stronger bearing over what is reality and what isn't when it comes to these sort of thing (I have two autistic nephews like this). But, regardless of the possibility of this being a matter showing bad parenting, Microsoft needs to have a way to explain why someone is a cheater as well as proof to prove that someone has cheated.

If I suddenly had my account labeled as such, you better believe I would be all over Sony or Microsoft with the reason why and method that they used to determine this. In fact, it's something they should have in place, ability to prove why someone is a cheater, prior to implementing the ability to label an account as such.

ExplosionSauce4867d ago

Microsoft banned some guy whose last name was "Gaywood". MS deemed it inappropriate and was banned from XBL, despite the guy proving them that it was his real name.

Microsoft can be pretty square to the point of lacking common sense at times.

gcolley4867d ago (Edited 4867d ago )

your post lacks common sense

jadenkorri4867d ago

yeah, bosse is Astrixed out on psn, i couldn't believe it, this was in a text chat room, confused the hell out of me as i was saying you have to defeat bosses to get your soul back in demon souls, i noticed and we loled over it.

AngryTypingGuy4867d ago

I can understand labeling someone with Parkinson's a cheater since they can press the buttons ultra fast, but a poor Autistic boy? This is uncalled for!

InactiveUser4867d ago

Who gives a hmmm if he's autistic or not. The question is, did he cheat or not? If he did, then it's deserved. It has nothing to do with being autistic or not. They're looking for sympathy support or something.

HolyOrangeCows4867d ago

Microsoft accidentally labeled a kid as a cheater who happened to be autistic.

Quick, attack their character! CHAAAAARGE!
/s

Kurt Russell4867d ago

You know there isn't enough war and famine in the world when the news are reporting tripe like this. Dumb fuck mum is unhappy because her spoilt brat had a fucking computer game score wiped. When I was a kid my high scores got wiped every time I went to bed... and nobody gave a fuck.

kunit22c4867d ago

yes, its true that the mom shouldn't let a little autistic kid play mature games, but Microsoft just labeling anybody that they "think" is cheating a cheater is so stupid, what a bunch of dumb asses if I had an Xbox I wouldn't even try to get my gamerscore high just because those guys might think i'm a cheater just because its high...

kancerkid4866d ago

ANd of course none of the trolls here who had none of the facts of the case are not commenting on the article that proves the kids was cheating...

+ Show (17) more repliesLast reply 4866d ago
Nineball21124868d ago

I'm sure they just saw how high the kid's achievements were and assumed he was cheating. Although, I'd think they'd have to verify it in some manner before labeling someone as a cheater. *shrug*

Anyone know what the procedure is for this?

SonyPS3604867d ago (Edited 4867d ago )

I really don't get the 8 disagrees you got for your comment.

Is N4G full of retards or something?

I was thinking the same thing, but surely they'd know for sure. Being "really good at a video game" shouldn't count as cheating, even Micro$oft know that.

MGRogue20174868d ago (Edited 4868d ago )

omg.. look at the pic, he puts the 360 on the carpet while playing.. fail

Expect a RROD/E74 error any day now.

sobekflakmonkey4868d ago

The kid has autism you fuckn idiot..

gamingdroid4867d ago

Now we know how all those RROD came! People just don't care there are vent holes on the bottom.

Silentmerc3nary4867d ago

"The kid has autism you fuckn idiot.."

True. But his mum, however, does not.

antz11044867d ago

Speaking of, so the mother probably brought up the fact that her child has autism, how would xbox know that? She probably tried to use that as leverage to get the kids score back. Mom of the f#cking year right there.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4867d ago
Dave13514868d ago

Well we dont know all the details. Did the kid actually cheat for one? If he did then yea he deserves the word cheater. But if he didnt microsoft needs shot in the head.

Led-Zeppelin4868d ago

Microsoft is just jealous a autistic boy can kick their ass when it comes to getting achievements.

gamingdroid4867d ago

I find it hard to believe a autistic kid cheated (albeit I don't know the severity of his condition), but I find it also hard that MS would detect non-cheaters and label them a such.

That would open them up to lawsuit so it seems reasonable that MS is 100% damn sure some cheating went on regardless of who did it.

tdogg060519914867d ago (Edited 4867d ago )

He shouldn't be playing those games regardless of his autism. He should be playing t for teen at best regardless of what or how he understands reality. Take that kid away from that parent.

Focker4204867d ago

Buy him a PS3, Way more autism friendly.

SonyPS3604867d ago

I actually laughed out loud.

JeffGUNZ4867d ago

This title is so missleading. Microsoft never even knew the kid had any disability. The kid cheated and got caught, cry me a river. The kid lied to his mother about cheating, who could ever imagine?!!!? That mom needs to stop making excuses for her child.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4866d ago
jay24868d ago

Yes love. And you've let your pre teen autistic son play 18 rated games. AND this news channel SHOW HIM DOING SON WTF! All of them are in the wrong. The news channel for showing and 11 year old playing obvously unsuitable games. The mum for buying the games. Come on guys, a normal 11 year old could buy them online but that poor kid most liekly can't :(. And that same mum just sitting on the sofa letting him play them.

BX814868d ago

Because you wouldn't let your kid play that game doesn't make her wrong. She clearly knows what he's playing. If she thought he couldn't tell it was a game not real life I'm sure she would do something. I guess your parents must have locked you in a room with Barney all day long?

jadenkorri4867d ago

as much as we all say we wouldn't allow kids to play 18 rated games, its gonna happened, fore most whats important is that they know its not real, 2nd would be you know their playing... and third if hes playing any game online and swearing like n**ger this and f**k you, please god take it away.

MidnytRain4868d ago (Edited 4868d ago )

That's not really the point of the article, though. No one is blaming video games for this, so I don't know why people are getting so defensive. There's no actual proof that shows us if he was or wasn't cheating, so it doesn't make sense to pick sides at this point. But I will say that this wouldn't be the first time Microsoft has punished somebody who was innocent.

tdogg060519914867d ago

I completely agree, that kid should not be playing those games. it is very irresponsible and its like letting your kid watch R rated movies you just don't do it. I am going to learn from all of these idiot parents.

Warprincess1164868d ago (Edited 4868d ago )

Ok you guys need to stop acting like you never played a mature game when you were a teenager. Now if the boy had a ps3, this would have never happen.

Dante1124868d ago (Edited 4868d ago )

Guilty lol

Back in the day....

Mortal Kombat 1, 2, 3.
Resident Evil 1, 2, 3
Doom games
Eternal Champions, etc.

.... It was my cousin's fault though lol

bilbob12345ca4868d ago

Surree blame the cousin ;)

Dante1124868d ago (Edited 4868d ago )

lol XD

After seeing this, how could I resist.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

mcmmaster4868d ago

Yeah but this kid has autism for christ sake, this can't be good for the brain

Megaton4868d ago

Why is his mom content to let him be a loner just because he's autistic? Kid can still have friends.

Megaton4868d ago

You even watch the vid? She says the Xbox is so important to him because he can't have any friends because of his illness.

BX814868d ago

I'm sure Megaton is on his way right now to go hang out with the kid... I know I am... well his mom any way!

Boody-Bandit4868d ago (Edited 4868d ago )

Really, and you know this how exactly?
Autistic people don't all fall under one class. There are so many variables. Most autistic people lack social skills and most excel at certain things. Maybe gaming is his.

As far as mature rated games. I don't think this applies to most autistic kids. They don't know what age means. Sex, death, illness or right and wrong. How are they suppose to be influenced in anyway by M rated titles? Most of the people posting under this article obviously know very little about this subject.

SWORDF1SH4868d ago

But a News channel showing a 11yo playing a mature rated game is very irresposible. The vast majority won't understand your insight. I'm sure they could of showed him playing a different game.

Megaton4868d ago

Just judging by how he spoke to the camera, I highly doubt he's so bad that he can't have at least one friend. If for nothing else, just someone to game with.

Boody-Bandit4868d ago (Edited 4868d ago )

I agree with that swordf1sh but I am not debating that. I am merely pointing out that megaton could not be more wrong about autistic kids having friends. The most common trait of the illness, besides severe OCD, is next to no social skills.

Megaton perception is often very misleading. I don't get into it on this site to often but this is one topic I probably know more about the 99.9% of N4G members.

SWORDF1SH4868d ago

@BH
On that subject I totally agree with you. It's also nice to have insightful comments. Bubbles

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130°

10 Biggest Xbox Mistakes of All Time (So Far)

The Xbox brand has done a lot of good over the years, but their various blunders are pretty wild to look back on in their magnitude.

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culturedvultures.com
piroh1d 4h ago (Edited 1d 4h ago )

Ironically number 9 can save them at this point (releasing games on multiple platforms)

OtterX10h ago

You could add the naming scheme for the consoles, it just confuses customers. I know they wanted to avoid traditional numbering bc it would always be lower than their competitor, but this whole 360 then One then Series thing is confusing af. Imagine a Soccer Mom trying to figure this stuff out. I still mistakenly call the Series X the One from time to time on accident.

RNTody9h ago

Don't forget about the Xbox One, Xbox One X and Xbox Series X! Good luck to Soccer moms around the world.

Cacabunga10h ago(Edited 10h ago)

Phil Spencer is the worst that has happened to Xbox.
They built a respectable brand up to Xbox one. Then this guy took over and things became a joke

Reaper22_4h ago

He still has his job. Something you can't say about Jim Ryan.

Cacabunga4h ago

Both bad execs. One is on job and one thankfully retired.

MaximusPrime_7h ago

Really good video.

I remember the days with RRoD was big news on here, N4G.

Microsoft had it turbulence number of years.

Looking at the success of Sea of Thieves despite being 6 years old, time to release Halo, Forza horizon 4 & 5 on PS5. It'll help their revenue

shinoff21834h ago(Edited 4h ago)

2 of the 4 games they did already sold really well. So it's definitely going down. Idk about halo or forza but I feel those studios they've bought in the last 5 years, their coming

ChasterMies1h ago

I found this video painful to watch. Can someone list them out?

Top 10 for me from are:
1. 2013 reveal presentation
2. Bundling Kinect 2 with Xbox One
3. RRoD or why rushing to market with hardware is always a bad idea.
4. Buying studios only to close them.
5. Ads on the Home Screen
6. Letting Halo die.
7. Letting Geard of War die.
8. Every console name
9. Charging for Xbox Live on Xbox 360 when Sony let PS3 players play online for free.
10. Cancelling release of OG Xbox games after the Xbox 360 launched.

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150°

Microsoft to Add Copilot AI to Video Games

Microsoft recently revealed its plans to incorporate Copilot directly into video games, with Minecraft being the first showcased example.

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xpgained.co.uk
Fishy Fingers4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

F*** AI

"Hey Copilot, what's a good meme to prove I dislike AI".... https://giphy.com/clips/sou...

Einhander19724d ago

Two trillion dollar company that just can't wait to put as many people possible out of work as fast as possible.

It feels like every single thing they do is making gaming worse and destroying the industry.

4d ago
4d ago
4d ago
darthv723d ago

....you know it takes people to program the AI.... right? It isnt like it is sentient. We haven't reach skynet level of situation or anywhere close to the matrix just yet.

That's next Thursday.

Einhander19723d ago (Edited 3d ago )

It takes a people to program the AI then that AI is used for who knows how many games eliminating countless jobs which only grows as AI is used for more and more game creation functions.

What you're saying is so ridiculously short sighted and truly larking any kind of understanding and foresight.

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CaptainFaisal4d ago

Why all the hate? Im actually excited about this! Always wanted this kind of immersion, and an AI companion with me all the time helping me out knowing the status of my skills/inventory/progress and giving me tips on the best approach or how to craft something specific is game changing for the industry.

Hate all you want about AI, but this is just the start and I can see the potential already. You wont be complaining in the next 5-10 years about this, but rather complain if a game hasn’t implemented it.

MrDead4d ago

Yes we can't wait for the work of others to be used without the need to pay them so that MS can profit even more from the people they fire.

I_am_Batman4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

There is no chance I'd ever use something like this, especially if it's not part of the core game design, but a layer on top of it. It's way too much handholding. Many games already feel like busy work, because they don't let the player figure things out on their own. Having a real-time interactive guide defeats the purpose of playing the game in the first place in my opinion.

If this were to become the standard like you predict, we'll see more and more video games get away with bad design, because people will just be used to ask for help from the AI companion anyway.

Number1TailzFan4d ago

Well Nintendo don't need this with some of their games these days, with invincible characters, items, easy bosses etc.. they do the hand holding built in

helicoptergirl4d ago

Takes "hand holding" in games to a whole new level.

BlackDoomAx3d ago

Because human nature xD Almost every new technology had these kind of comments.

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70°

Activision team is opening a new game studio in Poland 'Elsewhere Entertainment' to build new AAA IP

Microsoft's Activision subsidiary announced today that it is opening a new game development studio to take advantage of the huge talent pool growing in Poland. It'll be the second Activision studio based in the region, joining Infinity Ward Krakow, although this studio is, in fact, not working on Call of Duty.

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windowscentral.com
Psychonaut858d ago

They’re not working on Call of Duty? Give it time.