Central Server User Agreement

[JCP]

Okay, here's the DRAFT User Agreement for the Central Server.

It attempts to put into writing the guielines for the site, which sort of evolved over time.

The original guidelines were the FAQ and a mandate from Pegasus not to spoil any game secrets and to let players discover as much as possible for themselves. And we always listen to Pegasus, MightyE's beloved wife. Always. :)

I have been reluctant to codify the rules for a long time - I think that written rules encourage loopholes. :( But the Central Server is hosting about 2000 players now, and it's about time.

To encourage debate, I'll post a draft and accept comments. Should a revision be necessary, I'll lock this thread, revise the document, and start the process over again. Not every suggestion will be used, but this is our game - players should have some influence.

[JCP]

LotGD.net Official Codex of Conduct / User Agreement

1. Introduction to LoGD

Welcome to LotGD.net, the Central Server of Legend of the Green Dragon
(Copyright 2002-2003, Game: Eric Stevens).

Legend of the Green Dragon is an open source game distributed at http://sourceforge.net/projects/lotgd/ . The three official servers run pre-release code, and are used to playtest and game balance additions before release. Other servers are free to modify the source code as the game is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL); however this means that the source code to the game, and all derivatives of the game must remain open and available upon request.

The three official servers are:
a. The Central Server (Beta Server), LotGD.net
b. MightyE's Development Server (Alpha Server), logd.mightye.org
c. Kendaer/Moonchilde's Server, logd.dragoncat.net

All three official servers use as-yet unreleased beta code of the game, which means that there are features on these servers that don't appear anywhere else, and that we're constantly adding to the game, so things change a lot. Speaking of which, this codex may change as well, so check back every so often to see any additions to the rules.

2. Introduction to the Central Server, LotGD.net

As the Central Server, LotGD.net has been designated an an inclusive all-ages, family friendly server, and many of the rules reflect this status.

Please keep in mind that the Central Server is the primary server for the game, and has an added obligation to be as open an environment as possible.

3. About this Codex

If you play this game, you agree to abide by this codex, just like all the other players. However, this codex represents a minimum level of regulations, and does not contain every possible situation. The management will clarify any issues, but remember that the rules are listed in, but not limited by, this codex.

4. Game Balance

The management of this game strives for game balance and to keep the game enjoyable for all players. Certain options have been disabled because they give an unfair advantage to some players and not others, i.e. bank transfers.

a. Multiple Character Cheating

Players are allowed to have multiple characters, provided that the characters do NOT interact. In other words, a player cannot refer, set bounties on, or attack their own characters. The management may restrict the number of characters players may have in order to effectively monitor Multiple Character Cheating.

5. Game Secrets

LotGD is an adventure game that encourages exploring. To that end, players are encouraged to discover many of the events of the game for themselves, and not to reveal them to other players. Repeated requests to obtain this information will be considered disruptive.

These "secrets" include, but are not limited to:

a. Colors
b. Creatures at the Stables
c. Special Events in the Forest
d. What happens when you face the Dragon

Occaisonally, some "secrets" may need to be discussed (i.e. to resolve bug reports or game balancing issues), but such discussions should be held in appropriate forums (beta commentary, petitions, Ye Olde Mail, etc.) and not where they could be considered "spoilers".

6. Language Filter

This game contains a language filter that turns many words commonly considered offensive to symbols (#$!#). This is a warning to the player to choose a different word. Trying to bypass the filter in any manner is considered in violation of the rules.

a. The filter is overly aggressive, and uses character swaps to automatically filter common ways to bypass the filter. This may result in common, non-offensive words being filtered, like p-i-z-z-a or d-i-c-e. Choose different words, and do not bypass the filter - this is a violation, even for non-offensive words.

b. The filter cannot catch every single offensive word. Even if a word is accepted by the filter, it may be considered offensive and in violation of the rules.

7. Offensive Language / Material

Offensive is a broad term, but you should know what is generally considered offensive on an all-ages, family friendly server. If you are unsure or if there is a question, the opinion of the management staff is the opinion that matters. This includes any messages or material that are ethnically, racially, religiously, politically, or sexually offensive, insulting, or demeaning, as well as any messages that are slanderous, harassing, or threatening to others. In addition, while we encourage constructive debate, non-constructive negative comments may be inappropriate.

a. Character names or titles considered offensive are not allowed.

8. Language

This is an English speaking server.

a. Please do not write comments in non-english languages. While the management may know more than one language, they certainly do not know them all. To make sure that the management can properly review the comments, all comments must be written in english.

b. "IM"- or "AOL"-speak (when u r rite like this r sumthing 2 this effect) may be
faster to type, but it is very difficult to read. Please try to spell out words in comments.

c. Netspeak shortcuts (lol, , brb) are allowed, in moderation. Note that these are generally acronyms or smilies, which are not difficult to read. Yes, there is a fine distinction between "b" and "c" - if you can't figure out the difference than you're better off typing out everything.

d. Yes, the "drunken slurring" effect of drinking too much ale does operate in violation of the "keep everything easier to read" edict. It's an official exemption. Think of it as our way of showing the negative effects of alcohol as a public education service. :)

9. Advertising

There is a link on the log-in page (LoGD Net) that lists other servers running LotGD games. Do not advertise them in the commentaries. Don't use the commentaries to promote other sites, even your personal web pages. You may list urls in your bio, available on the preference page. Any links to offensive material or sites is a violation of the rules.

10. Disruptive Players

The management wishes to provide all players with an enjoyable gaming experience. Disruptive behavior ruins that experience and is not allowed. Disruptive behavior is sometimes obvious, and sometimes up to the subjective opinions of other players and/or management. If another player thinks you are being disruptive enough that they take the time to tell you to stop or file a petition against you, then that's usually too disruptive.

11. Enforcement

Violations of the rules of conduct can result in warnings, comment deletions, bans, and account deletions, depending on the nature and severity of the offense. Typically, accidental or one time violations are considered minor and may receive warnings, while blatant or repeated violations are considered severe and will earn more severe punishments. The management reserves the right to delete any commentary or ban any player at our sole
discretion. (Sorry, but it may be necessary.)

Management consists of moderators (regular players with commentary monitoring abilities) and admins/jr admins (superusers with editor access). In addition, some admins (i.e. MightyE and Kendaer) have access to the active source code.

While the management will enforce these rules officially, it is hoped that not only will all players follow these rules, but will endeavor to help others follow these rules as well.

[Catscradler]

Looks great! Small suggestion for an addition: mentioning that if a comment board has a description of the topic at the top, most of the conversation on that board should be within the bounds of that topic.
ie. Role-playing only in the Garden, game balance in the Eye-Catching Pavilion.
I say "most" because of some of the off topic subjects I've seen discussed in these places (JCP and Eva discussing PS2s in the Garden - tsk, tsk).

[Kether Rowan]

I'm happy to see that the management's discretion and judgement are supported in enforcing the rules, and off hand I don't see anything that could be a loophole.

With those two thoughts in mind, It might be worthwhile to state that the management's judgement on questionable behaviour, performance, abuse of mechanics should be considered an immediate addendum to the rules for that particular case, untill a more detailed discussion can be held. This way, it saves us from the arguments starting with "you can't tell me not to do it, it's not in the rules."

--Kether

[feahyarmen]

In generals terms, it's a very clear (and clever) codex, JCP, I think it will work even in it's current state.

Speaking of generalities, I think it should be even more clear in 2 aspects:

a) The codex applies to this server only
- remembers what happened with people migrating from down servers. The same can occurs with allowed behaviour of other servers.

b) An "at a glance" paragraphs somewhere that gives a briefly of the whole Codex, reflecting the inspiration behind.
- Being realistic, not all people reads terms and conditions from A to Z. How many of you read the whole agreement to use THIS forum? :)


Now, let's go into details:

3. About this Codex
...
The management will clarify any issues, but remember that the rules are listed in, but not limited by, this codex.

I would add something about "for those thing unregulates please follow the spirit behind this Codex" or so. That way we let people to control themselves.

7. Offensive Language / Material

Maybe clarify that Ye Olde Mail isn't a private tool where you can post whatever you want. Indeed, I remember at least one trouble beteween 2 players while using it for personal things.

8. Language
...
a. Please do not write comments in non-english languages.

Ack! I had a deep speaking-fight with an old moderator (now deleted) about it. I know, I know, I'm personally touched in this thing, but I still believe that Moderators must not be very strict with this points. Write a line in Spanish is quite different than start a chat between two Rumanians. (sorry, I had to say something here :) )



A last thing I didn't read in the Codex:

I'm not from USA, but I remember a law you have where any person below 13 is prohibited to give his real information. If I'm not wrong, you also can speak about it. The fact that the server is in Germany doesn't matter at all, any average lawyer could bypass that saying that the info was generated inside USA.


Edited sun, 14-dec

I found the link of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/coppa1.htm), also abbreviated as COPPA. phpBB has COPPA guidelines too. I found even a page describing COPPA in www.ftc.gov (http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1998/09/privchil.htm), and maybe a more meaningful page: Does COPPA apply to your web site? (http://www.fcw.com/civic/articles/2000/0515/web-2coppa-05-16-00.asp)

[feahyarmen]

I'm happy to see that the management's discretion and judgement are supported in enforcing the rules,
...
It might be worthwhile to state that the management's judgement ... should be considered an immediate addendum to the rules

I think it's implicit in 11.Enforcement, by telling that Moderators can ban players. But it's a good idea to say it clearly: Admins Wishes (and caprices) Are Law. If they mistake, then the law mistakes, but it keep being the only valid law.

Nice, they are judgment and executors, now I think :)

[Catscradler]

It just so happens that I was once asked in a YOM about the chatting conventions on the central server. Here's what I wrote at the time - this could be used as a short version of the rules:

About chatting conventions:
There's no public official rulebook written yet, but there are certain things the staff enforces:
1. No circumventing the language filter.
2. Don't give away game secrets. This is a game of exploration, so don't spoil it for everyone. If it's covered in the FAQ, it's free knowledge of course, as well as a few obvious things that were added since the FAQ was written.
3. This is a FAMILY FRIENDLY server. People of all ages play here, so keep that in mind.
4. No URLs in the comments. In bios are okay.
5. Follow the rules at the top of the page (eg. only role-playing in the Garden, only beta stuff in the Beta Pavilion, the others are mostly general.)
That's about it. Accidents and lapses are okay. All of the staff can delete comments, so if one of your posts disappears consider it a warning.

You may want to read the FAQ (in the Village Square.)

Good luck.


And let's add 6. Listen to the admins and moderators. Disobeying these rules could result in you being banned from this server, or account deletion.

[Twist]

This is a very good first step. I agree that some sort of summary would be helpful, since it's on the verge of legalistic mumbo-jumbo (though very readable, it's somewhat long). I have a couple of comments though.

In section 5 you misspelled "Occasionally". No other spelling or grammar mistakes that I could find.

Related to the multi-character cheating section, I would include something about camping players at certain levels. It's harder with the masters who challenge you if you stay truant too long, but it still happens, especially on level 15 (WolfmanJack on lotgd.net). This makes the game imbalanced if people camp at lower levels (low-level players with massive weapon and armor could seem to be a bit unfair), and encourages multi-character cheating if you camp at higher levels (since players can rack up a lot of gold there, and use it to set bounties which another player could collect). What legitimate reason could someone have for sitting on level 15 and getting 200k gold? We might want to be careful not to give so much information that we make it easier for people to "cheat" in these ways, but if we can easily catch them then there's no harm in spelling it out. The "richest" listing in the Hall of Fame is a bit conspicuous for those trying to accumulate riches.

[FanboyElric]

As a side comment on languages, I was surprised section 8 did not include a "No 1337 speak" clause, either seperately or as a subset of 8.b.

[Sneakabout]

Looks good, the only thing that I'd put in would be to put at the top that Admins can put in any rules they deem necessary at any time. Also something about misuse of Clans might be useful as it is a new feature...

[lingo]

Looks pretty good to me.