Xbox LIVE has a feature called the "Xbox Gamer Spotlight," which is a weekly feature that, as the name implies, spotlights an Xbox 360 gamer. However, it seems that fame comes at a price, as Xboxist reveals.

Wombat of Cheap Ass Gamer recently revealed on that site's podcast recently that being featured on the Spotlight wound up opening him up to a world of recorded audio and written abuse. "Imagine one of those f*bomb filled multiplayer gaming sessions with 12 year old boys," Xboxist says, "but multiplied a thousand-fold with no mute button in sight."

This led to some investigation by another member of CAG, who contacted five previously featured gamers, and discovered that one had changed their Gamertag. Another who responded, a female gamer, said they had a similar experience to Wombat's.

"I did recieve a lot of negative comments afrer my spotlight. A lot of them were because I am a girl. Also there were a lot of inappropriate sexual comments." She added that people also took advantage of their Xbox LIVE Vision camera to send "naked crotch shots."

Xboxist discusses the matter further here, but the question remains: other than discontinuing the feature, what can really be done about it?

"Of course, you are allowed to report anyone you choose," Xboxist notes, "but the situation becomes hopeless when facing a mailbox full of fools."