Forza Enforcement Guidelines

Mission Statement

“To preserve and promote a safe, secure, inclusive and enjoyable experience for all Forza Community members, and provide offenders a chance to change their behavior following enforcement action.”

We put this into practice with the following goals:

• To create and maintain an enforcement policy specific to Forza titles, Forza Discord, Forza Forums and Forza streams.
• To provide a comprehensive understanding of the role enforcement plays in Forza titles, Forza Discord, Forza Forums, Forza streams and how this differs from the Microsoft Services Agreement.
• To establish a structured and reliable enforcement procedure to improve community satisfaction, retention, and sentiment.
• To lead the industry in game-specific enforcement strategies.
• To cultivate a safe, secure, inclusive and enjoyable environment for players of all ages.
• To protect player privacy and the integrity of their personal information.

Forza has a ZERO tolerance policy for hate speech, violent acts, obscene imagery and/or cheating. Anything of this nature will result in a permanent suspension. Please note that further behavior of this type in other Forza titles, social channels or streams will result in more stringent enforcement action, up to and including further permanent suspension of accounts and/or associated PCs and consoles both in game and on Xbox Live.

The Big 4

At Turn 10, we look at four broad categories of enforcement action: These apply to Forza Titles, Forza Discord, Forza forums and Forza streams.

• Xbox Live platform content – this is account-level content such as Gamertag, Gamerpic, profile, Xbox Clubs, Xbox Live messaging, party voice chat.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct – mainly intentional race disruption, such as wrecking, ramming, spearing, and shoving.
• UGC (User Generated Content) – streaming, social media posts, layer groups, liveries, photos, and content on external video sites.
• Cheating, Exploitation, Solicitation, Phishing, and Impersonation – these violations are by far the most serious and can lead to a permanent suspension without warning.

1. Xbox Live Platform Content

Platform-level content is governed by the Xbox Safety team. While Forza suspensions will only impact that game title, platform-level enforcement will impact your entire Xbox Live account. Please visit https://enforcement.xbox.com/ to learn more about platform-wide conduct expectations. To see the enforcement history of your account, please visit https://support.xbox.com/en-US/my-account/xbox-live-membership/account-suspensions-and-console-bans-1

2. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

This category covers in-game conduct, especially in races. Going out of your way to intentionally cause wrecking in multiplayer races goes against the spirit of the game and can result in enforcement action. While the occasional drift taps or nudge is unavoidable, reckless or malicious driving can warrant enforcement action. This is enforced much more strictly in the Forza Motorsport series, but is enforceable in any Forza title.

3. User Generated Content (UGC)

Inappropriate UGC includes, but is not limited to:

• Profanity or other offensive terms or gestures: This includes phrases such as "FTP," "ACAB," "CIP," and other abbreviations.
• Harassment, abuse, or bullying of other players.
• Nudity or other sexual content, including in-game sexual content.
• Harm or violence against people or animals, or promotion of self-harm.
• Cheating, or promoting the use of unauthorized game modifications.
• Use of illegal drugs or controlled substances.
• Other illegal activities.
• Pornographic website logos or similar.
• Personal information such as phone numbers or personal addresses.
• Vans with "free candy" or other similar "free __" wording.
• Certain notorious individuals, organizations or events.
• Certain notorious iconography, including but not limited to:
  • Swastikas
  • Confederate Flag
  • SS-runes
  • Wolfsangel
  • Black Sun
  • Arrow Cross
  • Iron Cross (with contextual clues)
  • Rising Sun

4. Cheating, Exploitation, Solicitation, etc.

• Selling or purchasing in-game content/accounts for real-life money is a severe violation of the Terms of Use and will result in a permanent suspension.
• Accessing and modifying game files will always lead to a permanent suspension.

Common Suspension Types

• User Generated Content (UGC)
  • This suspension type is issues when a player uploads inappropriate content to layer groups, liveries, photos, or other visual media. Please note that this can also apply to in-game offensive content that is discovered on external sites such as Mixer, YouTube, Twitch, Discord, Reddit or the like.
  • Impact: All player UGC is removed from the Community Hub. This content remains on your local save, but will need to be re-saved and then re-shared after the suspension is completed.
• Matchmaking
  • This suspension type is issued when a player exhibits reckless disregard for the rules of racing, including (but not limited to) intentional wrecking, pinning, pitting, spearing, shoving, blocking, and corner cutting. These rules are applied much more strictly in the Forza Motorsport series.
  • Impact: Player is not allowed to compete in online matchmaking for the duration of the suspension.
• Scoreboards
  • This suspension type is used when a player utilizes unauthorized methods to obtain fraudulent leaderboard times.
  • Impact: Player scores or lap times will not appear on public leaderboards.
• Auction House
  • This suspension type is issued when a player is found abusing or cheating the auction house system, usually with automated scripts. 
  • Impact: Player is banned from buying and selling items on the auction house for the duration of the suspension.

Ban Lengths

Turn 10 Studios generally follows a "3 strikes" system

• Strike 1 - 7-day suspension from specific feature(s)
• Strike 2 - 30-day suspension from specific feature(s)
• Strike 3 - Permanent suspension from specific feature(s) or ALL features.

There are specific exceptions to this rule:

• Obtaining unreleased cars will result in a 30-day ban at minimum. Repeated offenses will result in a permanent suspension.
• Using any outside program or purchase of a modded account in order to alter the game or your account will result in an immediate permanent suspension of both your account and device. This includes the Owen's McLaren in Forza Horizon 4.
  • Any accounts trying to access said devices will also be removed from any online game features.
• Any form of hate speech, violent acts, obscene imagery and/or racism.

In addition, some violations can result in a console ban. Should any account attempt to access any Forza titles via the banned device, it will become locked from all online content.

FAQ

Will I be banned just because I received complaints?

No. A common misconception is that a certain number of reports will result in an automatic suspension. According to the myth, even if you haven’t done anything wrong someone can get you suspended by encouraging players to file many complaints. This is false.

Turn 10 investigates complaints and takes each report into consideration when making an enforcement decision, but a certain volume or frequency of complaints doesn’t guarantee a suspension. We take an evidence-based approach to enforcement and take numerous factors into account when considering issuing a suspension. The context around the content or activity is particularly essential and drives our decision-making process. Turn 10 is proud to ensure that every reported item is manually reviewed before any enforcement action is taken.

Shouldn't I receive a warning before a suspension?

The Code of Conduct clearly outlines the rules of Xbox Live and establishes what content and behavior is not appropriate. We strongly encourage all players to familiarize themselves with this document (don’t worry, it’s a quick read!) to best understand how to keep Forza titles fun and safe for everyone. When a player agrees to the Microsoft Services Agreement and Code of Conduct, it’s expected that they understand the rules of the service.

In many cases, a suspension itself also acts as a warning. When Turn 10 Studios issues a suspension, it serves as an indication that a Code of Conduct violation occurred and that the player needs to re-visit the rules.

My roommate was playing when I got suspended. Can it be lifted? 

As the owner of the account you are ultimately responsible for how the account is used, both good and bad. When we issue a suspension, it’s not necessarily because you committed a violation, but because the account was used to commit a violation. Even if you weren’t home or holding the controller when the activity occurred, if a specific Gamertag was used to crash other players, make an inappropriate livery or vinyl, or cheated in a game we must hold it accountable.

If you wish to restrict usage of your account you can set up a passkey on Xbox 360 or Xbox One.

I don't have any prior suspensions. Why is my suspension longer than 7 days?

When issuing an enforcement action, Turn 10 Studios considers any prior suspension history. However, the length of a suspension is also dependent on the severity of the violation. Many first-time violations result in 1-week category-specific suspensions, but if the offense is more severe or places more players at risk, a lengthier temporary suspension may be warranted.

Some types of User Generated Content that can warrant a longer first suspension include, but are not limited to:

• Use of racial or homophobic slurs.
• Use of child endangerment imagery/text.
• Use of graphic and explicit sexual imagery/text.
• Use of violent acts imagery/text.

Especially egregious violations, such as modding, solicitation, harassment, or flagrant imagery in liveries and vinyl groups can result in an immediate permanent or lengthier suspension. This occurs if the account can no longer be trusted to access the certain privileges without threatening the integrity of Forza titles or the safety of the community. Permanent suspensions may also be issued if an account has a history of Code of Conduct violations and continues to engage in malicious behavior despite previous enforcement actions.

I checked the Code of Conduct, and what you banned me for isn't listed.

When players join Xbox Live or use other Microsoft services, they agree to the Microsoft Services Agreement. This document includes a Code of Conduct that establishes the general rules that should be followed when using a wide range of Microsoft products and services.

Every enforcement issued by Turn 10 is rooted in the Microsoft Services Agreement and Code of Conduct, but it’s not practical to list every possible scenario. If you’re ever concerned that an activity may not be permitted on Xbox Live, please review the high-level rules (don’t cheat or tamper, don’t engage in fraud or unauthorized transactions, don’t harm or harass, etc.) and consider the values that they represent.

Why was I banned when other players have ______ (inappropriate content) and they are not banned as well?

User Generated Content is enforced by player reports and acted upon by the Forza Support & Safety team. A real person looks at reported content and takes action after a thorough investigation. Some items may still appear in-game if the player has not shared their creation or it has not been reported. You can report inappropriate liveries/vinyl groups by following the "reporting" instructions below. If a player has not shared their creation but can still be seen while playing online, you may submit a ticket and the Forza Support & Safety team will investigate. 

Reporting

Reporting Xbox Live

The Xbox Safety team enforces platform-wide rules on Xbox Live. Any inappropriate Gamertags, Gamerpics, abusive messages, Xbox Clubs, and other platform-wide features should be reported to Xbox Live – please visit here for more details on Xbox Live enforcement actions.

Reporting in game

Auction House

• *Please do NOT submit a ticket for offensive items in the Auction House. 
• To report an inappropriate or offensive item in the Auction House: Select Auction Options > Report Auction > OK. 

Vinyl Groups & Liveries

• *Please do NOT submit a ticket for UGC if the inappropriate content is on the players creative hub.
• To report an inappropriate or offensive vinyl group or livery: Select Creator Info > Report > Report Offensive Content > OK.  
• *If the item in question is NOT in the creative hub, you may submit a ticket.
• *Please include the players Gamertag and screen shots for evidence.

Photos

• *Please do NOT submit a ticket for Photos if the inappropriate content is visible in-game. 
• To report an inappropriate photo: Navigate to the photo you wish to report: Select Creator Info > Report > Report Offensive Content > OK. 
• *If the item in question is NOT in the creative hub, you may submit a ticket.
• *Please include the players Gamertag and screen shots for evidence.

Blueprints

• *Please do NOT submit a ticket for blueprints.
• To report an inappropriate blueprint: Select Creator Info > Report > Report Offensive Content > OK. 

Cheating

• To report a player you suspect of cheating please submit a ticket and the Forza Support & Safety team will investigate.
• *Please include the players Gamertag and any screen shots/links/videos for evidence.
  • To take a screen shot or video capture:
    • Xbox: Press the Xbox button on your controller > Y for Screenshot or X for Video Capture.
    • PC: Screenshot ALT F1 with Nvidia / record ALT + Z or shortcut you have.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

• To report a player for repeated unsportsmanlike conduct, please submit a ticket and the Forza Support & Safety team will investigate. 
• A clip of the incident MUST be included. You must upload a clip or provide a link to a clip in order for us to investigate. All clips MUST include Gamertags. 
  • To take a screen shot or video capture:
    • Xbox: Press the Xbox button on your controller > Y for Screenshot or X for Video Capture.
    • PC: Screenshot ALT F1 with Nvidia / record ALT + Z or shortcut you have.
      • You can find your clip on https://gamerdvr.com/ or upload it directly. (depending on file size)
• Any reports that do not include a clip of the infraction will not be processed.