Behavior Standards, Player Complaints

[Ginger]

Welcome!

Here's a link to the Rules Thou Shalt Not Break, a basic guide to how we expect you to behave at game.

Here's a link to our Standards and Discipline Policy, which details out our very simple rules, what to do if you have a complaint, and how you can expect it to be handled.

[Ginger]

Current as of 11/3/2016. Official up-to-date version is on the wiki at Discipline and Standards Policy.

The purpose of this page is to document our expectations for player behavior, and how you can expect Staff to respond to a complaint.

Because Vampire the Masquerade is a setting of strife and backstabbing, we don't intend for BAM to be a safe-space environment. PVP (player-versus-player) conflict can and should occur. We expect players to keep conflicts in-game, and to remember that the purpose of this game is for all our players' entertainment and enjoyment. If in-game PVP conflict leads to real-world problems, please contact Staff to let us know. We'll step in and try to set things right, but we can't act unless someone informs us there's a problem.

Basic Rules

Here are our basic rules. Breaking these may earn you a strike. Our policy is three-strikes-and-you’re-out. Strikes remain on file forever.
* don’t be a jerk. no really, it’s that easy.
- be respectful of other players
- don’t cheat
- keep the in-game drama in-game
- keep the out-of-game drama out-of-game

These things may get you banned from game. Possibly with no warning.
* touching another player without their consent
* egregious or deliberate cheating or metagaming
* harassment, theft, assault, and all the other “why do we even need this rule” things (even if they occur away from game)

How to File a Complaint

If you have a complaint, PM the Staff group. Please include the basics: who, when, where, what. While we do accept verbal reports, we require they be followed up in writing. If you like, you can also file your complaint via chat - just catch one of us online.
An ideal complaint would be brief, factual, polite, and actionable. For advice from Staff on what to write, please see the forums Perspectives on Storytelling Post How to Complain.
If your complaint is regarding a member of Staff, please feel free to contact another member of Staff, or the Head Storyteller directly: PM Ralph
Staff will review the complaint, and designate the primary handler(s) who will investigate or take action as necessary. Staff will document the complaint, the discussion, the investigation (if applicable), any proposed actions, and the results of any actions taken. Staff will close the loop with the complainant, but will not always share the details of action taken. As a general rule, contents of complaints will not be shared beyond those involved + Staff.

Remediation and Discipline

The two most common actions taken by staff in regards to a player complaint are warnings and remedial actions. However, Staff does have a broad array of powers and the authority to address complaints and mistakes.
Staff's powers include, but are not limited to:
* Erase or alter in-game information (retcon)
* Put a hold on any plot, staff or player driven
* End any plot, whether staff or player driven
* Grant a strike to a player
* Suspend a player
* Ban a player
* Other actions as necessary at staff discretion

While rare, players can be banned from the game. By default, a ban is for life. However, a ban can be revisited after one year. If the ban is lifted, the first further offense will result in another ban.

Strikes stay on file forever - they do not "age off" nor are they reset after a suspension or ban.

Appeals Process

Players can appeal a staff decision by submitting a request to the Staff group. Staff will investigate with a different primary handler.

[Ginger]

Current as of 11/3/2016. Official up-to-date version is on the wiki at Rules Thou Shalt Not Break.

These are the most important and immutable rules of MET, the ones that keep your game and your players safe from folks who either don't care that you're playing a game, or who take the game way too seriously. Always adhering to these rules will also keep your game amenable to law enforcement and other non-player folks. Anyone breaking these rules can be asked to leave, at any time.

NO TOUCHING. Plain and simple. If characters and players are friends and don’t mind, then that's fine. But unless it is agreed upon in advance by both players - sometimes called consenting to physical role play - assume that you can not and WILL NOT touch another player.

NO STUNTS. That means none whatsoever. It's far too easy for things to get out hand in the heat of the moment. Save the stunts for your imagination. If you can imagine you're a centuries-old vampire, you can imagine you're swinging on a chandelier or leaping across rooftops.

NO WEAPONS. No matter how careful you are. Whether it's to prevent some fool from skewering himself on your new dagger, or to make sure the police don't think you're a threat, weapons of any sort are forbidden. Even fake or toy weapons, trained attack gerbils, and laser pens are not allowed; use item cards instead.

NO DRUGS OR DRINKING. Well, duh. At best it's tasteless; at worst it's illegal. Don't do it. Players who are impaired are a threat to other players and the game. It's one thing to play a character who is drunk or stoned, but another thing entirely to actually come to a game under the influence. We play in a public area, with many individuals who are not in our game. Do not come to game drunk or stoned, do not get drunk or stoned at the game site. What you do on your own time is none of our business, but once “Game On” is called, it becomes Staff’s problem.

IT’S ONLY A GAME. If a character dies, if a plot falls apart, if a rival gets the upper hand, it's just a game. You and the rest of the players are doing this for fun. Taking things too seriously, or taking character issues into real life, will only spoil everyone's enjoyment, including yours. Remember, playing a game should be fun — if you're not having fun, it's time to reassess. Remember to leave the game behind when the session's over. "Soft" role-playing (conversing in character without challenges) can be fun, and there's nothing wrong with talking about the game afterward at the local diner (we normally go to Denny’s afterwards). On the other hand, demanding weekly clan meetings or trying to rouse your Primogen to talk business at three in the morning signifies the need for a change in perspective.

BE MINDFUL OF OTHERS. Not everyone around you is playing the game, and it's in extremely poor taste to try to feed off passers-by. You want to ensure that your game and your players are welcomed. Frightening people and getting the local law enforcement called on you is not the way to do it. This is especially important because we are playing in downtown Mountain View. We have done our best to keep a good dialogue with the local law enforcement and businesses in the area. Please continue to do so.