Microsoft has announced that it is making quite a significant change to the Xbox Live Code of Conduct, which dictates how those who create a Gamertag on the Xbox 360 or on the PC can use it. For the first time in the history of the service, the software giant is set to allow gamers to show off their nationality, religious beliefs or orientation in more intimate matters.

March Whitten, who is the general manager of Xbox Live, has put out a public statement saying, “Under our previous policy, some of these expressions of self-identification were not allowed in Gamertags or profiles to prevent the use of these terms as insults or slurs. However, we have since heard feedback from our customers that while the spirit of this approach was genuine, it inadvertently excluded a part of our Xbox Live community.” He also clarifies that staff at the Redmond-based company will continue to make sure that the Gamertags used are in no way an insult to another category of players.

This change was apparently initiated after a lot of players complained that the current rules linked with Gamertags did not allow them to express their identities in a clear manner.

In the past, Microsoft was known to ban some names it considered too revelatory or potentially offensive. The new rules will broaden the range of names that can be employed but the initial period will likely be a bit rocky, as the company and players get accommodated with the new limits.

Given the number of players who are using Xbox Live and the wide variety of human types one can encounter when engaged in multiplayer games, it might not be quite a good idea to create a Gamertag that reveals too much about the player who employs it. Despite this fact, the new Xbox Live Code of Conduct grants more power to players, which is always a good thing.