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Xbox Community Network - Code of Conduct


  1. Introduction

    1.1 The Xbox Community Network ("XCN") is a network of community-run websites, blogs and forums supported by Xbox and this is the XCN Code of Conduct, which provides guidelines to XCN members as to how they must conduct themselves and lists the circumstances under which an XCN member may be removed from the XCN.

    1.2 This Code of Conduct may be updated by Microsoft in its sole discretion and XCN members will be notified if there are any changes.

    1.3 The Code of Conduct is here to make being part of the XCN more rewarding and more enjoyable for all of its members. Please read this Code of Conduct carefully. If you have any questions or require clarification, please let get in contact with a member of the XCN Admin Team by emailing xcn@digital-outlook.com.

  2. XCN Code of Conduct (August 2007):

    2.1 Behaviour

    • 2.1.1 XCN members must behave in courteous and respectful manner to other members within the XCN and derogatory comments aimed at other XCN members will not be tolerated and will constitute a breach of this Code of Conduct;
       
    • 2.1.2 Offensive or abusive language, whether in verbal or email form, against any party is not permitted;
       
    • 2.1.3 If XCN members feel the need to make a complaint they should contact the XCN admin team;
       
    • 2.1.4 If any XCN member is deemed by XCN Admin team to have acted in an unsuitable manner it shall receive 2 written warnings before being removed from the XCN after the third transgression.
       
    • 2.1.5 XCN members are expected to behave in a courteous and respectful manner to the XCN admin team and derogatory comments aimed at XCN Admin Team members will not be tolerated and will constitute a breach of this Code of Conduct.
       

     
    3. 2.2 Tiering

    • 2.2.1 XCN member sites will be categorised in two tiers: The XCN tier and the XCN Elite tier.
       
    • 2.2.2 All new member sites will automatically be categorised in the XCN tier.
       
    • 2.2.3 Member sites who regularly update their content to a high quality, consistently provide feedback to the XCN Admin team (see section 2.3), consistently engage the XCN Admin Team with communication, show consistent enthusiasm for the XCN and its content and show an exemplary concern and passion for the wider Xbox community may be promoted to the XCN Elite tier.
       
    • 2.2.4 Member sites in the XCN Elite tier can be moved to the XCN tier if they do not continue to display the aforementioned qualities. Member sites will be notified one month in advance of any movement between tiers.
       
    • 2.2.5 XCN tiering is not based on size of audience or location of an XCN member site.
       
    • 2.2.6 Member sites in the XCN tier will receive the following:

      • Non-exclusive content - including interviews, screenshots, trailers.
         
      • Review code where possible.
         
    • 2.2.7 Member sites in the XCN Elite tier will receive the following:

      • Exclusive content - including interviews, screenshots, trailers.
         
      • Competition opportunities.
         
      • First refusal on review copies
         
      • First refusal on event invites where possible.
         
      • Non-exclusive content - including interviews, screenshots, trailers.
         
    2.3 Feedback

    • 2.3.1 All members are required to send the XCN admin team links to XCN-provided content in order to enable the XCN admin team to demonstrate members' efforts within Microsoft;
       
    • 2.3.2 If an XCN Elite site is consistently unable to do this they will be moved to the XCN tier.
       
    • 2.3.3 Sites in the XCN Elite tier who fail to return links to XCN-provided review code will be less likely to be sent review code when future opportunities arise.
       
    • 2.3.4 XCN Tier sites who do not send links back over a three-month period will be considered 'inactive'. They will then be asked if they wish to remain part of the XCN. If no response is received they will be removed from the XCN.
       
  3. 2.4 Events

    XCN members invited to events by the XCN admin team may be required to agree to a Service Level Agreement which will provide expectations of coverage and behaviour during the event to ensure that invites to events are distributed to the XCN members in the fairest way possible.
     
  4. 2.5 Assets

    From time to time XCN members may wish to use promotional assets including but not limited to screen shots and game stills ("Assets"). In doing so, XCN members must access the Microsoft Prosource repository online at www.microsoftprosource.com and must agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Prosource in relation to the licensing and use of such Assets.