Microsoft (MSFT) is announcing a Safe Gaming Partnership

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Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has issued a joint principles statement with competing video game giants Nintendo Company, Limited (NTDOY) and Sony Corporation (SNE). “Our Shared Pledge for Safer Gaming” is largely a pledge to protect younger and more vulnerable players from inappropriate content and abusive or spying behavior by other players.

In the absence of any specific events that could trigger such a move, a similar explanation for this shocking news is that these companies are making a pre-emptive strike against the kind of intense political scrutiny that is taking place. attack other major technical companies, most notably Facebook, Inc. (FB).

  • Microsoft has teamed up with Nintendo and Sony to promote safer gaming.
  • The main aim is to protect children, especially the most vulnerable.
  • Avoiding the kind of criticism targeted at Facebook may be motivating.

Three guiding principles

The joint statement with Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony set out three principles that will guide their work:

  • “Prevention: Empower players and parents to understand and control play experiences.”
  • “Partnership: We are committed to engaging with industry, regulators, law enforcement, and our communities to advance consumer safety.”
  • “Responsibility: We hold ourselves accountable for making our platforms as safe as possible for all players.”

In summary, the statement states: “This partnership marks our commitment to working together to improve player safety and ensure that a game truly stays for the players. all. “

Importance to investors

“It looks like it has come out of the blue,” said Michael Goodman, director of digital media at research firm Strategy Analytics. “There do not appear to be any privacy issues or breaches that would require this type of response,” he said.

However, Goodman continued: “Technical companies have been under a lot of pressure from Congress. This could be a way for them to get ahead of the loop and the separation from Facebook, which is a poster child for Congressional level . “

Michael Inouye, an analyst with ABI Research, offered the following comments: , and in this case, they are taking a proactive approach to work towards a safe environment for all gamers. “

In short, by publicly resisting bullying and spying behavior in the gaming world, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony hope to burn their images as good corporate citizens. If this effort succeeds in detecting or mitigating potential political or regulatory scrutiny, that should be positive for both these companies and their investors. In addition, this effort could allay the concerns of parents and carers who have been skeptical about allowing their children to engage in online games, and thus opening up the opportunity for additional sales.

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