New rules

[Shadowseeker]

I have edited and formatted them, and the suggestion will be that the rules will appear in the same manner like now (meaning we will use drop down boxes for details and keep the rule page short and clean. Council email will be hyperlinked, but using a picture like on the forums).





Please comment on things to fix/change:

[url="http://magicduel.cixx6.com/info.rules.html"]http://magicduel.cix...info.rules.html[/url]












EDIT: This topic was made to discuss them and to change formulations/formatting when needed.

GENERAL THINGS TO KNOW:

If Mur is mentioned, we are talking about Muratus del Mur, the game creator. Council refers to [council], the anonymous players chosen to help out with the game. The following rules will have a short summary and a dropbox for the detailed rules. If LHO's (people with * around their names) say not to do something, it is generally advisable not to do it. If an LHO says something is allowed yet it is rule-breaking, both the LHO and the criminal will get punished; it is no excuse to go unpunished. If you are asked to provide proof, please have a screenshot and/or a chatlog, preferrably both. Chatlogs can be pulled by a few select people, however they have to do it within 12 hours and are not obliged to do so. Jail times are always just a minimum.

[log='EXTRA GENERAL THINGS'][list]
[*]In the event of any of the rules, in any category, being broken on such a scale that it can not be considered as done by the character, it will be considered as done by the player. In this case, all alternate accounts will be investigated and may also be punished, whether directly connected to the crime or not.
[*]Interactions that occur outside of MD or the MD Forum are not subject to MD's control. If someone is harassing you using an out of game method such as MSN, you need to deal with the matter through that communication method's systems, not MD.
[*]If something is restricted by the interface and you find a way to do it any way, assume it is a bug or exploit. If you proceed to take actions that the limitations of the interface suggest you should not be able to, you may be banned at any moment without warning.
[*]Jail times are minimums, not maximums. It is the responsibility of whoever jailed you to release you. If the party who jailed you fails to do so after you have served your specified sentence, you may request release from the Council. It is not normally permitted to Jail someone without stating a minimum sentence, however there are rare cases this may happen. If you do find yourself in jail with no specified release date, no one is under any obligation to release you.
[*]If any of the automatic system traps catch you, you will not be released unless you have a very very good reason. Such traps are usually in place on direct links to things within MD, be careful following links through any means other than the provided interface. If that still happens, please contact the Council.[/log]
[*]In the event that an alliance only has 2 members or less, they are in constant danger of being disbanded immediatedly. Using alts to fill the seats is not allowed if they are from the same person.
[/list]
THINGS [color=#ff0000]NOT[/color] TO DO:[list]
[*]Spam anything of sorts
[*]Be offensive or harass
[*]Exchange rewards by faking quests
[*]Code to automatize things like a bot, or to do harm
[*]Forge any sort of proof
[*]Use real world cash to trade, or steal money to get credits
[*]Use duplicate or stolen pictures for avatar submission
[/list]
[log='THINGS [color=#ff0000]NOT[/color] TO DO'][list]
[*]Flood chat, spam links in chat, or spam PMs. New players under 20 days are not allowed to post links in chat to avoid spam. Older players can post anything as long as they choose decent materials. Links to porn sites or similar will be punished by ban regardless of the player.
[*]Use bugs you have not reported and been given permission to test.
[*]Post spoilers in public places, or indicate publicly that you would ever be willing to give spoilers. If you are found giving spoilers, you -will- get in trouble.
[*]Exchange wishpoints
[*]Use playernames that suggest you are either someone official to the game, or another player, or names that are just offensive. If an LHO asks you to have your name changed because of that, please email Council to do that, otherwise a punishment might be pending.
[*]Use coding methods and bots to cheat.
[*]Advertise other games. While you may talk about them, please do not try to advertise for them excessively, it can and will get you banned with no warning.
[*]Use out of realm information to harass someone. If your actions are based purely on in game character relations, they can still get you banned if they make the other person feel unsafe. In game mechanics such as spells, attacks, and certain item effects are not harassment, but if done to an excess you may open a case with the court. Keep in mind that you will need proof.
[*]Use foul or suggestive language in Player Logs. Doing so will result in the logs deletion, with further actions against you possible.
[*]Abuse the silence spell. It is not meant as a punishment tool, it is supposed to be used against spammers. If there are too many abuses going on, it will be removed. There are stronger tools in the hands of LHOs to deal with spammers, if silence fails.
[*]Harass or insult. If any of that kind that is repeated several times will result in jail, if not ban. Please include proof when reporting to either an LHO or the Council.
[*]Forge proof. When giving proof of any kind false testimony and forged screens will be punished hard. However please make sure to have some proof, not just simply player testimonies.
[*]Code maliciously or not in accordance to function. Scriptable items need to be logical in all aspects (image, code, function, name, description, etc). If the code on scriptable items is malicious, the player will lose the ability to edit. If it is just unsuitable, then you will usually be warned first. You can be banned for this.
[*]Use real world cash to make in game trades in any way outside of the MD Shop itself. You can purchase credits and trade those, however you are not to trade real world currencies.
[*]Use a Credit Card for an MD payment without authorisation from the owner. Your account and all accounts associated with it will be permanently deleted, and you will be banned for life. This action will be taken on detection, regardless of how long ago it may have happened.
[*]Copy or steal an image from somewhere else for avatars or contests. If detected, the person who uploaded it will be held responsible. This does not apply to images used in personal papers as MD does not claim copyright to such images.
[*]Upload duplicate avatars, or copies of avatars already uploaded to MD. If you detect one, report it please. This offense will result in jailtime or a ban.
[*]Fake "Mur said so" or "Council said so" orders. Any claim of "Mur said so" or "Council said so without it being true leads to a permanent ban without any explanation or defending possible.
[*]Bother Mur with anything related to roleplay or unimportant things (meaning not game breaking bugs). While this usually will result in no punishment, he has the right to apply one at will.[/log]
[/list]
CAN DO:[list]
[*]Play multiple alternate accounts (alts)
[*]Use any ritual unless it is an exploit
[*]Search for bugs and exploits, if you report them
[*]Generally do anything not covered you wish to unless too many people complain: Even then there should not be punishment.
[/list]
[log='CAN DO'][list]
[*]You can have multiple, alternate accounts (alts). Any alternate accounts that you control are not allowed to interact with each other beyond a conversational level. All accounts from the same network are automatically logged as alts, and several automatic restrictions will be enforced by the interface. See below for further rules and restrictions on alts.
[*]In the Tribunal there is a special room called "The Sunny Bedroom" you can rent for any sort of private conversations and roleplay you wish. Chat is not logged in that location, and nothing that happens there can be used as evidence in a trial. All non chat based rules still apply there, however.
[*]So long as you are not abusing a bug, every ritual is valid, no matter how unfair it may seem.
[*]You may use any non bug method to get losses that you wish.
[*]You may search for bugs and exploits, if you report them. You may even be allowed to keep using them within limits.[/log]
[/list]
ALT RESTRICTIONS:[list]
[*]No Trading of Creatures, Items or Avatars
[*]No Fighting each other
[*]Generally, do not create or use accounts solely to benefit another of yours.
[/list]
[log='ALT ABUSE RULES']The connections between all alt accounts are tracked, however only Mur has the tools to check if accounts are an alts or not. Alt checks are performed when special rewards are being given by Mur or the Council, however an alt check will only be performed at another time if there is a very good reason for it.
• If an alt check is performed, and you are found to be in violation of the Alternative Accounts rules and restrictions, you are permitted to dispute the results.
• If the results are disputed, you are still liable to suffer any punishment the initial ruling resulted in, while you await the result of the new test.
• If you dispute the results of an alt test, a different test will be used to scrutinize the evidence in more detail.
• If you dispute the results of an alt test, and a more in depth alt checking method still concludes you are in violation of the Alternative Accounts rules and restrictions, your punishment will be worsened. You may still continue to dispute the results, however you will face whatever the current punishment is and the same risks of worse punishment, each time until such a time as you are found to not be in violation of the Alternative Accounts rules and restrictions, you are told you are no longer allowed to appeal, or you cease disputing the results and serve your current punishment.
• You may not take actions on one of your accounts that another of your accounts is able to gain direct profit from. Profiting can be in the form of reputation, or gaining of trade commodities such as creatures, items, applicable knowledge, any other form of game currency that may arise, or any advantage conferred by spells or abilities.
• Any funds of one of your accounts may not be used for the profit of another of your accounts. Knowledge, coins, activated credits, creatures, spells and abilities, and any other forms of currency that may emerge in the future may only be used to profit the account that holds them, or an unassociated account. Purchasing things for a "friend" on one of your accounts, who then gives them to another of your accounts, is still alt abuse, and if your "friend" is found to be a knowing party will also be subject to punishment. Joinining an alliance with several alts also counts, if it is to fill the seats for the sake of it.
[/log]
BUGS AND EXPLOITS:[list]
[*]Don't abuse them
[*]Always report them
[/list]
[log="BUG RULES'']A bug or exploit is a mechanism that was not supposed to exist in that manner. The following rules deal with these manners:[list]
[*]Any bug that can be confirmed repeatedly (meaning, at least 3 times and a certain period of time longer than 30minutes) is to be reported on the forums or to the Council. Please request it to be hidden by having a forum moderator hide it after creation if it is a sensitive matter, although you should preferably email Council.
[*]While testing the bug can be fully used, if any findings are reported. It is allowed to share to a limited amount of people for testing purposes on the condition that these players are not supposed to use it afterwards anymore. A list of these people should go to the Council to let them know about who participated.
[*]While a reward will be given for new findings of importance, there will be no guarantee for that. An established bug tester may demand a certain ransom for a bug, however when caught using it and not having reported they shall be punished.
[*]After the report was handed in, the finder of the bug shall be allowed to use the bug (however not excessively, nor is sharing allowed) until Mur or the Council asks that person to stop.
[*]Any person caught using a bug they did not report will be punished. Any person knowing of a bug and using it in any manner they were not given approval of shall also be punished.
[/list]
Any especially dangerous bug tests should be done using alternative accounts. These kind of tests need prior permission. For the purposes of fixing these (or tracking purposes) you should write down any relevant information such as ID etc. You may not be fixed, regardless of what damage it did to the account, so pick one to test at your own risk. Because of the nature of such dangerous exploits, we ask that you do not share any information regarding it unless the Council approves.
[/log]

Edited June 30, 2012 by Shadowseeker

[Chewett]

The automatic system traps tell you to email council giving a very good reason. alts got caught and unbanned, if you have a good reason i think they will unban you, mur always did.

I was under the impression demanding a ransom was bad form, and actually much worse nowadays, mur didnt like people demanding things...

[Shadowseeker]

Changed the part about the automatic traps, as to the ransom part...we do have that in the rules currently, so I copied them over from what I assume Mur originally wrote. Personally, I think it doesn't make much sense as well.

CHANGELOG:
-about the automatic traps chew mentioned
-about LHO's: If an LHO says something is allowed yet it is rule-breaking, both the LHO and the criminal will get punished; it is no excuse to go unpunished.
-edit: Use a stolen credit card to: Use a Credit Card for an MD payment without authorisation from the owner
- included council in the mur said rule part.
-In the event that an alliance only has 2 members or less, they are in constant danger of being disbanded immediatedly. Using alts to fill the seats is not allowed if they are from the same person.- added now.

-possibly the ransom issue?

Edited June 22, 2012 by Shadowseeker

[Chewett]

well, if both you and me see that as stupid, why dont you change it

[Shadowseeker]

Waiting for community/council input on that part, since it would be the most controversial, I think.

[(Zl-eye-f)-nea]

If an LHO says something is allowed yet it is rule-breaking, both the LHO and the criminal will get punished

That seems harsh. Some new player goes to an LHO for advice and gets busted? Fair enough if someone is trying to screw an LHO, but generally? I think that's well harsh.

Z

[Grido]

I asked him to add that bit, there's precedent for LHOs saying things were alright to do, even though they were listed in the rules page as not so.

Personally I feel that it isn't an excuse to have not read the rules yourself and rely that someone else must be telling the truth because they hold a certain position. It is a player's own responsibility to maintain accordance with the rules, not anybody else's.

[(Zl-eye-f)-nea]

LHOs are arguably the most official and responsible people in MD. They have a very special status and are tasked with helping and knowing. Part of helping, is knowing. Even though I have played MD for years, I would still expect an LHO to be able to support me where my gaps are - and if they werent 100%? to say so or find out. I think it's cheapening them to add that caveat, not to mention alleviating them of what is, imo, part of what they are there for. If an LHO gives a player advice, it should be right or they shouldnt be giving it - otherwise they might as well not be LHOs.

Z

[Grido]

I would agree with you on your points about what an LHO is there for, and what should be expected about them.
It's not intended to cheapen the LHOs but to ensure that other players don't use them as a scapegoat for their actions. To prevent players from using as their defence that an LHO said it was alright to do.

[Kyphis the Bard]

On the matter of the "bug ransom" thing, I only included that because it was already there, and hadn't been contradicted yet.

Personally, I suspect that anyone that actually ransomed a bug would yes, get some manner of reward, however would also get watched very closely to make sure they weren't useing any OTHER bugs in secret.
Either that, or they would get their ransom request publicly ignored, but watched until they where discovered abuseing the new bug. Especially since any bugs worth ransoming would be pretty obvious in their use >.>

Still, It is something that has been said we can do, even if it is very silly to try, and hasn't been contradicted yet, so I think it should still stand for now.

[Junior]

In regards to Z's POV i would agree with Grido since in the RL the term is "Ignorantia juris non excusat" ("ignorance of the law does not excuse)

[(Zl-eye-f)-nea]

I get what its there for, but on the flip side if an LHO did say so, and there is evidence of it, then what? Then they both get done according to this. Ignorance of the law? If you consult a lawyer or a police agent about the law you expect correct information, if you get false information you sue - if that's a better scenario for you, no problem.

[Chewett]

I would agree with Z. It is does seem unfair to blame a player who has asked someone, who supposedly should know... although i doubt about the knowledge of the rules amoung some LHO's, and then been punished because that LHO was wrong.

When people ask me about various bug and abuse related things, if i tell them i think its alright, i also tell them that if they later get punished they should tell whoever is punishing that i said it was ok, and that they should also contact me. And that if i was wrong i would fight to get their punishment removed and i would take it. If someone isnt ready to accept something like this, they shouldnt be confirm it.

Personally, i think the whole LHO part needs to go. These rules were mainly written when LHO's were moderators in the game, when they know a large amount about everything, and most of them were bug testers. Nowadays many LHO's lack knowledge of the rules which i do not think some of them should be in the position of telling people exactly what the rules say...

Overall, LHO's do a good job, but their job nowadays is far removed from actually knowing rules...

[Fyrd Argentus]

1. It think some form of indemnification should be in place for bad advice from LHO's. The LHO should say IDK if they don't. If the LHO says it's okay but it turns out not to be (assuming the player did not trick the LHO somehow), then a. The player is cautioned but not punished, b. the LHO is evaluated as to whether they are fit to remain an LHO, but not punished unless malicious intent is found.

2. In this community, we must define the standard for "offensive". I like to reference a PG movie rating -- if that is correct. I have not thought through all the international website - culture concerns. But it should be spelled out, not assumed that everybody knows what is and is not considered offensive.

3. Revealing personal information about players, that was not gained in-realm, should not be condoned. It is not exactly harassment, but can be damaging via invasion of privacy, and can lead to safety concerns.

Edited April 28, 2012 by Fyrd Argentus

[Kyphis the Bard]

Seconded on Fyrds third point.

[Burns]

[quote name='Fyrd Argentus' timestamp='1335631897' post='110257']

2. In this community, we must define the standard for "offensive". I like to reference a PG movie rating -- if that is correct. I have not thought through all the international website - culture concerns. But it should be spelled out, not assumed that everybody knows what is and is not considered offensive.
[/quote]

How do you imagine that to happen? Should we make a list of words thou shalt not use? And another list of words thou shalt not use more than 3 times? And then we send that list to all the kids who register as e-mail... undoubtedly you see the problem.
Plus, people are extremely flexible with written language these days, if you put a ban on something, they'll take the next best. To give one of the few examples that aren't meant to insult people, the internet is full of ads for dope, and to avoid any indexing, they do ads for Mary-Jane.

It'd be incredibly hard to make a list of things you can't do in decency, and on top of the hard work, it'd be completely useless. Or we do it like MPAA: Don't like you, X-rating. Because you suck, that's why.

[Chewett]

[quote name='Burns' timestamp='1335676739' post='110293']
How do you imagine that to happen? Should we make a list of words thou shalt not use? And another list of words thou shalt not use more than 3 times? And then we send that list to all the kids who register as e-mail... undoubtedly you see the problem.
Plus, people are extremely flexible with written language these days, if you put a ban on something, they'll take the next best. To give one of the few examples that aren't meant to insult people, the internet is full of ads for dope, and to avoid any indexing, they do ads for Mary-Jane.

It'd be incredibly hard to make a list of things you can't do in decency, and on top of the hard work, it'd be completely useless. Or we do it like MPAA: Don't like you, X-rating. Because you suck, that's why.
[/quote]

Agreed. We cannot define offensive, people must use their common sense, and respect other peoples wishs. If someone says they find whatever you are saying offensive, be respectful and dont use said word. We are a community after all...

Edited April 29, 2012 by Chewett

[Shadowseeker]

Seeing as there is no more response for a long while, i gather they can be taken as it is right now? Unless council would like to comment on the ransom issue.

[Udgard]

"No Trading of Creatures, Items or Avatars" for alts.

While this rule is being discussed, can I ask for the reasoning for the item ban rule?

From memory, no item trade between alts rule was created to prevent shared tools abuse according to this announcement:

[b]"No more item transfers between potential alts[/b]
Items can no longer be transfered between what MD considers to be "alts". I say it this way because not all accounts restricted by the altchecker are alts, some are different people accessing md from same network, others are accounts "borrowed" for active days keeping to friends (md tags them as alts then) others are not even that. This might be damaging for people that live in same place and can no longer exchange items in md, but the benefits of restricting alts from item/resources transfer are far more important. This should slow down (at least a bit) potential future abuses related to the shared tools acquiring and resource hoarding."

First it was done via the trade advisor, and later on a rule was created that totally restricts item transfer. My question is: why not just apply the rule for shared tools and resources then? Why restrict item transfer in general, which makes it impossible to have one account roleplay with the items the player stored in another account. Unless it's a case where someone uses an alt just to create items for the main (which falls under "using an account solely to benefit your main" - I agree this should still not be allowed), IMHO this simply restricts freedom in roleplay and could be avoided.

[Chewett]

See this most recent annoucement RE Alts:


[quote]Ann. 2217 - [2012-02-24 17:12:40 - Stage 11]
To clarify some questions about alt abuse:

Any use of alt accounts specifically to aid your main is abuse. Any use of someone's multiple alt accounts to help another is abuse. All trades between your own accounts is banned. Using one or more players to help circumvent this ban is also abuse and everyone involved will be punished.

Alts are meant to be played to experience different gameplay, or generally have fun doing things. Any use of accounts to specifically benefit yourself or another without actively playing them is abuse and should be reported.

If in doubt, contact us.[/quote]

And then the followup announcement

[quote]Ann. 2221 - [2012-02-28 21:06:47 - Stage 11]
We have received various emails regarding if various things are alt abuse or not, and therefore this announcement is more detailed in regards. If it is still unclear then you should as before, ask us. Believing something is ok is not an excuse.

You are allowed multiple accounts and you are allowed to do what you wish with them - provided you play them separately and within the rules then that is perfectly fine. Breaking the rules with one account can get punishment on your other accounts as well.

With having more than one account, you need to remember these rules;
You are not allowed to have (idle or active) multiple accounts in the same or surrounding scenes - log them out or keep them apart. This is to stop the farming of alts.
You are not allowed to use multiple accounts to help someone become or remain MP6. Any number of a person's accounts are all allowed to be the adept of someone, but not the same person.
You are not allowed to use an account to aid any of your other accounts. This means you cannot sell creatures on one account to give the profit to another, nor are you allowed to trade creatures or items between your accounts.
More generally, you are not allowed to use multiple accounts to help, benefit, or otherwise influence one specific player for their gain or loss.

But the most important thing to remember. Alts are meant to be able to enjoy another side to MD, in some way or another.[/quote]

I trust you have seen them? And if so, why complain now instead of when those rules came out?

[Kyphis the Bard]

In addition, those rules aren't community rules, but hardcoded interface restrictions. That point is more of a reminder and explanation (ie a new player creates an alt and can't understand why the interface won't let him do those things)

[Udgard]

[quote name='Chewett' timestamp='1336748117' post='111599']
See this most recent annoucement RE Alts:




And then the followup announcement



I trust you have seen them? And if so, why complain now instead of when those rules came out?
[/quote]
Yes I did. And better now than even later no? Since we're talking about rules here and are trying to consolidate a list of rules, I figure this is the a good time than waiting for who knows when is more appropriate in the future.

[Grido]

In the case of trading coins between alts, you might use another account of yours to store and age creatures, and then sell them when they have "enough" age on them, transferring the coins onto your main account.

In terms of resources, you might store 'chunks' of certain resources on various accounts so that you can continue collecting them without getting too large a pile that you then wouldn't be able to sell as easily.

Shared tools has already been stated.

As for standard, everyday, items I don't imagine there is much of a reason, but it's much easier and efficient to say no to everything, than listing the various things you can and can't trade, and then someone pleading confusion of the rules when they get caught breaking this one.
Although thinking about it, the account has to have got that item somehow, if they bought it then they used coins or creatures primarily, in which case it goes against the above and would be extended alt abuse. If they got given it as a gift then it would be fine, I figure, but where does the line lay for distinction?


LE: For clarity, the above examples are NOT allowed. They are examples of why such rules are in place.

Edited May 12, 2012 by Grido

[Liberty4life]

[quote name='Grido' timestamp='1336828292' post='111667']
In the case of trading coins between alts, you might use another account of yours to store and age creatures, and then sell them when they have "enough" age on them, transferring the coins onto your main account.

[/quote]

wait we are allowed to do this?

why the heck i bought creat slots when i have over 50 alts >_>

[Chewett]

[quote name='Liberty4life' timestamp='1336831511' post='111674']
wait we are allowed to do this?

why the heck i bought creat slots when i have over 50 alts >_>
[/quote]

He is saying this is NOT allowed liberty... And explaining why such rules are in place with that example