Games and software giant Microsoft has defined what constitutes 'trash talk' and language that steps over a line.

In an update to its Xbox Community Standards page earlier this week, the firm now gives examples of each. 'Trash talk' is healthy engagement and banter, while 'harassment' is negative, personalised and disruptive.

"We get it – gaming can be competitive and interactions with other players can get heated," the company wrote.

"A little trash talk is an expected part of competitive multiplayer action, and that’s not a bad thing. But hate has no place here, and what’s not okay is when that trash talk turns into harassment.

"Trash talk includes any lighthearted banter or bragging that focuses on the game at hand and encourages healthy competition. Harassment includes any negative behaviour that’s personalised, disruptive, or likely to make someone feel unwelcome or unsafe. To qualify as harassment, the behaviour doesn’t have to be drawn-out or persistent. Even a single abusive message could harm someone’s experience. Know when to draw the line, when to back off. Know and respect the other player."

The company goes on to give examples of each, below:

Acceptable trash talk includes:Get destroyed. Can’t believe you thought you were on my level.
That was some serious potato aim. Get wrecked.
Only reason you went positive was you spent all game camping. Try again, kid.
Cheap win. Come at me when you can actually drive without running cars off the road.
That sucked. Get good and then come back when your k/d’s over 1.

Going too far looks like

Get . Can’t believe you thought you were on my level.
Hey , that was some serious potato aim. Get wrecked, trash.
Only reason you went positive was you spent all game camping. KYS, kid.
Cheap win. Totally expected from a .
You suck. Get out of my country—maybe they’ll let you back in when your k/d’s over 1.