Rockstar Games' latest update for Grand Theft Auto Online is causing a bit of a stir.
On one hand, it's isn't the full-next-gen upgrade for the PC version of GTA Online that fans have desperately wanted for a long time, so it was always going to be received negatively. On the other hand, it's a genuine attempt at combating the game's long-time problem with toxicity, but it's drawing mixed reactions.
As noted by Tez2 on X, the new PC-exclusive feature added as part of the October 3 patch for GTA Online lets Rockstar "ban you from using VC.
Almost immediately, the deluge of negative comments regarding Rockstar's latest update came flooding. Most shared anecdotes about how similar systems have been banned them for using bad language in voice chat that exists in-game. Simply put, these AI systems can block your access to games even if you're just reading out loud profanity that the game's script contained.
If you're wondering why this is a PC-exclusive feature, there's a simple reason. Both Xbox and PlayStation police players using their own methods. On the Xbox, players can record voice chat from online lobbies and even voice clips if they're reporting inappropriate behavior online. This isn't a limited feature specific for a single game - it applies to all games that support voice chat. PlayStation implemented a similar safety feature a few years back, but Sony clarified that this doesn't "actively monitor or record" conversations.