Casey's Guide to not getting moderated (Version 3.0)

DO NOT REPLY UNLESS YOU HAVE A QUESTION.

If you have a question about a specific moderation you received, please take it to the "Ask the Mods" forum.

It's been a while since this was last updated plus we have a lot of new people who've probably never seen it. A refresher course on System Wars rules can never hurt. Despite the similarities to the general rules mentioned in the rule thread, this is also mainly another chance for people to ask questions without having to dig through the multitude of already asked ones.

First and foremost, read this. It's the Terms of Use that you guys and gals agreed to abide by when you made your accounts.

http://www.gamespot.com/misc/tos.html

Despite the stickied threads and new forum descriptions, there's still a lot of violations happening every day...too many every day in fact. The rules all look pretty straight forward to me but maybe that's just because I know them backwards and forwards. I just wanted to make a thread that points out some of the most common things that get people moderated here and answer any questions you may have about them. If you have any criticisms regarding the rules, consult your nearest brick wall because that is NOT what this thread is for.

1. This may seem like an odd place to say it but ALWAYS READ THE STICKIED THREADS BEFORE POSTING. I can not emphasize this enough. Stickied threads are like special traffic signs warning you about dangerous conditions.

2. You don't have to post in every thread.

a) If you don't like a topic, don't post in it. Don't say things like "Worst topic of the day", "Wall of text", "Too long. Didn't read", "This thread sucks", or "Another crappy thread courtesy of (insert thread creator's name here.)" Trolls post to get attention. Why give it to them? It only encourages them.

b) In Before The Lock - saying that is the same as saying "Suspend me." You obviously know that the thread doesn't belong yet you're posting in it and keeping it alive? Let's not do that.

c) Somewhat related to point b, and this is a big one, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES POST IN A THREAD OR REPLY TO A POST THAT YOU KNOW IS A TOU VIOLATION...NOT A SINGLE WORD. No "Lol. Where are the mods?" No "Why hasn't this been locked?" No "Dude. You're gonna get banned." No "I'm reporting you." Nothing. Not a word. Report it and ignore it. This includes account suicides (posting porn, going on a profanity filled rampage, etc.), off topic posting, advertisements, trolling threads, etc. Once again, report and ignore. THIS INCLUDES POSTING IN THREADS THAT IGNORE A STICKIED THREAD. Saying that you're reporting somebody is considered trolling.

3. There is no excuse whatsoever at any time for flaming. Any and all insults should be removed from your vocabulary while posting on these forums. Don't insult individuals. Don't insult groups. If somebody insults you or says something insulting, report them. Don't insult them back.

4. Censor bypassing. It's not good enough to replace one, two, or even three letters in a censored word with a creative little symbol. The entire word needs to be edited out. Better yet, don't include profanity at all. This isa video game website. Why do you need to swear?

5. Repetitive topics get locked. Before you post a news item or anything like that, take a look around first. Has there been another thread made about it that's still on the first, second, or third page? If so, you don't need to make a new thread about it. Chances are, if your "news" is older than ten minutes, it's already been posted about many times.

6. This is System Wars, not Fanboy Wars. Talk about the systems and not the people who play them. Don't make threads asking which type of fanboy is the worst. Don't make threads pointing out "fanboy logic."

7. Bump. Don't do that. If you want your thread to continue even though nobody is posting in it, add something meaningful to it or just let it go and be sad for a few minutes. You could also try re-posting your thread at a different time of day.

8. Blog threads. You generally won't actually be moderated for these but your thread will be locked. Common examples of blog threads that will be locked here are "My 360 just got the RROD and now I want to tell the whole world about it", "I just traded my 360 for a PS3", or "I just bought a Wii." Fascinating as these are, they're best suited for your blog.

9. Remove "/thread" from your vocabulary. It's obnoxious and annoying and will get you modded for trolling.

10. Regarding quoting of pictures, don't do it if there's more than one. It just adds unnecessary scrolling and loading time. Take a few seconds to edit your post to make things a little bit more convenient for everybody else.

I'll do my best to answer your questions in a timely fashion. Don't be alarmed if it takes a while, however.

If you've read through this and understand it all, you don't need to let me know. You don't need to thank me. It's not for offering suggestions either.This is left open only to ask questions about things you don't understand or that need clarification. Please keep it free of clutter.

Question because I have been known to do this but have never get any warning or anything so I just kept at it...

When posting in a thread that doesn't belong in system wars(ala off topic thread, patch note threads, etc...) its not really against TOU but doesn't belong. I generally post something like "This doesn't belong in system wars" or "Probably better off posting this in 'PS3, xbox 360, off topic, PC' forum" is it warrant a warning or is it okay? Just asking for clarification!

Question because I have been known to do this but have never get any warning or anything so I just kept at it...

When posting in a thread that doesn't belong in system wars(ala off topic thread, patch note threads, etc...) its not really against TOU but doesn't belong. I generally post something like "This doesn't belong in system wars" or "Probably better off posting this in 'PS3, xbox 360, off topic, PC' forum" is it warrant a warning or is it okay? Just asking for clarification!

spinecaton

that would still go under item 2c...not posting in threads that you know don't belong.

In the SystemWars rules stickied thread, the following is listed as a rule: Copyrighted Materials: Don't post any (that includes magazine scans). Could you go into more detail in this, such as, exceptions to that such rule (foreign magazines, links to magazine scans, and/or downloads)? Stevo_the_gamer

foreign mags are okay. just avoid everything else.

What is considered an old thread, a month old, couple of months, a year? So people would know what to bump or what not to bump.

[QUOTE="Stevo_the_gamer"]In the SystemWars rules stickied thread, the following is listed as a rule: Copyrighted Materials: Don't post any (that includes magazine scans). Could you go into more detail in this, such as, exceptions to that such rule (foreign magazines, links to magazine scans, and/or downloads)? CaseyWegner

foreign mags are okay. just avoid everything else.

Why are foreign magazines okay? aren't they covered under copyright protection in america?

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

[QUOTE="Stevo_the_gamer"]In the SystemWars rules stickied thread, the following is listed as a rule: Copyrighted Materials: Don't post any (that includes magazine scans). Could you go into more detail in this, such as, exceptions to that such rule (foreign magazines, links to magazine scans, and/or downloads)? WilliamRLBaker

foreign mags are okay. just avoid everything else.

Why are foreign magazines okay? aren't they covered under copyright protection in america?

i believe that is why.

What is considered an old thread, a month old, couple of months, a year? So people would know what to bump or what not to bump.

gago-gago

i wouldn't touch anything older than a couple of weeks.

[QUOTE="WilliamRLBaker"]

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

foreign mags are okay. just avoid everything else.

CaseyWegner

Why are foreign magazines okay? aren't they covered under copyright protection in america?

i believe that is why.

so they aren't covered under american copyright protection?
okay just wondering.

Is there any "official" word on quoting something against the TOS? Sometimes in some of the longer (but under 5 quote) chains, one person throws in a swear or something that someone might not catch, I've quoted some things like that a couple times, the first time I didn't get anything, but the 2nd time I got a warning, would it get increasingly worse (penalty wise), or do things like that just generally get erased and ignored?110million

you're responsible for what ends up in your post. it's good to always be careful. if it keeps happening, the penalties can indeed get worse.

Is posting spoilers about a game's story without a warning a violation? If it isn't, it really should be. I read a pretty big spoiler about inFamous' story, and it's pretty much ruined the game for me.

Is posting spoilers about a game's story without a warning a violation? If it isn't, it really should be. I read a pretty big spoiler about inFamous' story, and it's pretty much ruined the game for me.

BZSIN

it most certainly is. from the ToU that i said to read "first and foremost"...

"Plot Spoilers: Posting "spoilers" (critical plot details) about games, movies, time-delayed broadcast events, or other media in the title of a topic or in a message without a clear notice is prohibited. To discuss such information in a topic, users should leave the title of the topic as vague as possible, ensuring that no mention of the actual spoiler itself is included, and include a warning (i.e. "SPOILER") in the topic title. In a message post in a non-marked or otherwise unexpected topic, users should leave several blank lines in a post after a warning before revealing any vital plot information."

:)

[QUOTE="Stevo_the_gamer"]In the SystemWars rules stickied thread, the following is listed as a rule: Copyrighted Materials: Don't post any (that includes magazine scans). Could you go into more detail in this, such as, exceptions to that such rule (foreign magazines, links to magazine scans, and/or downloads)? CaseyWegner

foreign mags are okay. just avoid everything else.

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

[QUOTE="Stevo_the_gamer"]In the SystemWars rules stickied thread, the following is listed as a rule: Copyrighted Materials: Don't post any (that includes magazine scans). Could you go into more detail in this, such as, exceptions to that such rule (foreign magazines, links to magazine scans, and/or downloads)? naval

foreign mags are okay. just avoid everything else.

best not to.

Does #6 only apply to thread titles and topics ?

Does #6 only apply to thread titles and topics ?

Nike_Air

it applies everywhere.

What in case if someone creates a relevant topic but it will be randomly invaded by someone who will post pr0n in there. Would the post violating ToU be deleted and discussion allowed to be continued, or just topic would be locked?Salt_The_Fries

the offending post would be deleted and the thread would continue to live. only people who responded to the porn poster would be modded.

shouldnt it be called gamespots guide? unless you have your own separate motives lolPS360_Gamer

i wrote it. :)

Sorry I'm an idiot but what's /thread mean?jasopan

thread over. basically somebody thinks that the premise of the thread was proven wrong and that there's no further need for its existence.

[QUOTE="jasopan"]Sorry I'm an idiot but what's /thread mean?CaseyWegner

thread over. basically somebody thinks that the premise of the thread was proven wrong and that there's no further need for its existence.

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

[QUOTE="jasopan"]Sorry I'm an idiot but what's /thread mean?Stevo_the_gamer

thread over. basically somebody thinks that the premise of the thread was proven wrong and that there's no further need for its existence.

it's usually closer to disruptive posting.

it's usually closer to disruptive posting.

CaseyWegner

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]it's usually closer to disruptive posting.

Stevo_the_gamer

it's best not to include it since it's kinda obnoxious. the reason it's usually considered disruptive is what you mentioned...short little replies ending with a /thread.

[QUOTE="WilliamRLBaker"]

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

foreign mags are okay. just avoid everything else.

Why are foreign magazines okay? aren't they covered under copyright protection in america?

i believe that is why.

[QUOTE="Salt_The_Fries"]What in case if someone creates a relevant topic but it will be randomly invaded by someone who will post pr0n in there. Would the post violating ToU be deleted and discussion allowed to be continued, or just topic would be locked?CaseyWegner

the offending post would be deleted and the thread would continue to live. only people who responded to the porn poster would be modded.

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

[QUOTE="Salt_The_Fries"]What in case if someone creates a relevant topic but it will be randomly invaded by someone who will post pr0n in there. Would the post violating ToU be deleted and discussion allowed to be continued, or just topic would be locked?stiltzsy

the offending post would be deleted and the thread would continue to live. only people who responded to the porn poster would be modded.

then the thread would be removed.

[QUOTE="stiltzsy"][QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

the offending post would be deleted and the thread would continue to live. only people who responded to the porn poster would be modded.

then the thread would be removed.

[QUOTE="Stevo_the_gamer"]In the SystemWars rules stickied thread, the following is listed as a rule: Copyrighted Materials: Don't post any (that includes magazine scans). Could you go into more detail in this, such as, exceptions to that such rule (foreign magazines, links to magazine scans, and/or downloads)? CaseyWegner

foreign mags are okay. just avoid everything else.

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

[QUOTE="Stevo_the_gamer"]In the SystemWars rules stickied thread, the following is listed as a rule: Copyrighted Materials: Don't post any (that includes magazine scans). Could you go into more detail in this, such as, exceptions to that such rule (foreign magazines, links to magazine scans, and/or downloads)? Next-Gen-Tec

foreign mags are okay. just avoid everything else.

this is an american site.

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

[QUOTE="stiltzsy"] What happens if someone has a nice long thread going then changes the initial topic to include pr0n? stiltzsy

then the thread would be removed.

just the TC and anybody who responds knowingly.

Is there anyway you can give these guys back their accounts?

thrones

liquidsword

reversecycology

blackbond

dreamsvision

shun_goku

renegade

shinahouk

etc...

SW's been boring lately without these posters TBH :|

Is there anyway you can give these guys back their accounts?

thrones

liquidsword

reversecycology

blackbond

dreamsvision

shun_goku

renegade

shinahouk

etc...

SW's been boring lately without these posters TBH :|

Bazooka_4ME

banned is banned.

Is it possible for a mod to mod someone just because they don't like them? Hopefully you don't mod me for this but... Doesn't this belong in the ask the mods forum? ;) I'M JUST KIDDING I don't want to be modded, again.scarymovie5

no and no.

How long would you say a spoiler is a spoiler?

I am to believe that discussing the plot of games like Final Fantasy VII, or Ocarina of Time is obviously not spoiler worthy because it is understandable that everyone who is going to play those games has probably played them by now.

But when is the cutoff line? For me personally, I would say 6 months to a year, but, officially, if I was to say something about MGS4's story would I need spoiler warning? That game is just about a year old now.

How long would you say a spoiler is a spoiler?

I am to believe that discussing the plot of games like Final Fantasy VII, or Ocarina of Time is obviously not spoiler worthy because it is understandable that everyone who is going to play those games has probably played them by now.

But when is the cutoff line? For me personally, I would say 6 months to a year, but, officially, if I was to say something about MGS4's story would I need spoiler warning? That game is just about a year old now.

Cow-Juice

ideally, you should always put a spoiler warning no matter how old the game. it takes a matter of seconds and, although it's not likely, there is always the chance that somebody could still have the story ruined for them.

What about reply threads? A thread created just to reply certain comments in other threads or just threads in general?Keltoid

those get locked for being disruptive.