FEDERATION 2 GAME RULES SUPPLEMENT - HARASSMENT

This document was last updated on July 15, 2004

INTRODUCTION

This supplement to the Fed2 Rules is about harassment. It explains what we do and do not consider to be harassment within the context of Federation 2, how to make sure you don't inadvertently commit harassment, and what to do if you are being harassed.

SOCIAL COMMANDS

Federation has social commands which allow you to interact with other players - for example you can kiss, snog, grope and so on.

Leaving aside considerations of harassment, overuse of any of those commands is not allowed because it counts as disruption or scrolling.

But consider that the commands are social in nature and are meant to allow you to form relationships with other players and interact with them with some degree of intimacy. The commands should therefore be used where appropriate, and not to excess. We expect our players to be mature enough to figure out when and how the commands should be used.

In Fed, there is an old tradition of snog-and-run attacks. Walk or teleport into a room, snog someone, and walk/port out before they can react. Great fun! But even this can be taken too far if it is overused. Only do this to your spouse or best friend, someone you know will find it amusing.

Remember that the commands are - or can be - intimate. They are there so you can show affection to those you are close to - lovers, close friends, and so on. But just as in real life you wouldn't walk up to a total stranger, or a slight acquaintance, and start groping them, so you shouldn't do it in Fed2.

Many players do not want physical contact with any but their close friends. That includes hugs, tickles and kisses as well as the more sexual snog and grope. You have no way of knowing whether a player welcomes contact or not. So you should start from the position of NOT imposing these intimate commands on anyone unless you know they won't object. Be aware of other people's feelings and use the social commands judiciously.

To people who say, "But why do you have these commands if we're not allowed to use them?" we repeat that they are there to be used in certain circumstances, when appropriate, and you are supposed to be grown-up enough to figure out what those circumstances are. If you're not sure, don't use them.

CONSENT

The key to deciding whether something is harassment or not is the issue of consent. Two people - or a group of people - can have a great deal of fun together in Fed, chatting, using interactive commands and so on. But both people have to enjoy what is going on. If one person says they are not enjoying the situation and wants to stop, then that should be the end of it. If someone withdraws their consent and tells you to stop whatever you are doing, then stop.

Here are some examples of when you should stop what you are doing:

These are just some examples; just because we haven't listed something specifically here, it doesn't mean it's ok.

No really does mean no.

GETTING IGNORED

Fed2 gives players the ability to block, or ignore, players that they don't want to hear from. Once blocked, nothing from the ignored player will show up on their screen - not comm messages, say messages, acts or relays.

This function allows players to block out a lot of the things that could be considered harassment. However, that doesn't make it OK to do those things, because if your behavior means that a player has to ignore you every time you come into the game, it will ruin their enjoyment.

If a player blocks you, you should NEVER try to get around the block by using an alt. If you do that then you will be guilty of harassment.

COMMON EXCUSES

Sometimes people don't think what they are doing is harassment, and have a variety of excuses why they are not guilty. They may genuinely not mean to harass.

Sometimes they know they are guilty but use the excuses to try to get out of trouble.

Here are some of the excuses that we do not accept.

It's only a game.

Yes, it is only a game, but things that happen within it are no less real for all that. Players are real people with real feelings and they can feel really intensely about things - otherwise cyber-sex wouldn't be nearly so popular!

I was role-playing being a jerk.

There is a big difference between role-playing and harassment. This excuse doesn't get anyone out of the consequences of being a jerk. If you bully or harass players you'll be in trouble and you can't use role-play as an excuse.

I was only joking.

Practical jokes are a problem. They may sound really funny to the people who plan them, but they are often not at all funny to the victim. They can cause real distress and offence. It makes no difference that the perpetrators do not MEAN to upset anyone... if you do cause offence, accidentally or otherwise, you have to bear the consequences.

They are taking it all too seriously.

Maybe they are. But that's no excuse. If you do something to someone else which they tell you they don't like, it doesn't matter whether you think it's trivial or that they are over-reacting. If they tell you to stop - then stop! Nobody has to talk to you or interact with you if they don't want to and you should not force yourself on anyone.

What about my right to express myself freely?

Touching is consensual, and each person has their own comfort level, their own parameters of personal space. A player once put it like this: "Your right to swing your groping hand ends where my arse begins." In other words, you do have a right to express yourself freely as long as your expression doesn't conflict with another person's right to NOT be touched.

WHEN IT'S NOT HARASSMENT

Sometimes players cry "harassment" when someone does something they don't like, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is harassment. The difference is between things to do with game mechanics, and things to do with social interaction. For example, in Fed:

These are all things to do with the game mechanics and although those that do them may get the reputation of being a snert, and make many enemies, that's just the way they choose to play. It's not harassment.

JURISDICTION

We can only help you if the harassment is taking place in Fed itself. If another player is harassing you by email, IM, ICQ or some other method, there is nothing we can do.

Some software allows you to filter email, or block IMs from certain players. If you can then that solves the problem.

Otherwise, you should complain to the Internet Service Provider that the player is using to send the messages and ask them to take action.

AVOIDANCE

Sometimes a dispute between two players blows up into something more serious. Sometimes two people just can't seem to get along.

The Fed universe is big enough that under normal circumstances you should be able to stay away from someone you don't like.

And remember that two wrongs don't make a right. If someone harasses you, you should not turn around and do the same thing to them because that puts you in the wrong as well. The proper response to an annoying player is to block them - not to annoy them back!

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE BEING HARASSED

If someone does something to you that you consider is harassment, then the first thing to do is to tell them that you are not enjoying what they are doing. Whether it's a tight-beam conversation you didn't ask for, a social interaction that makes you uncomfortable, or cyber-sex that goes too far, if you do not consent to the contact, or you want to withdraw your consent, then you must make sure the other player understands that.

You need to tell them clearly and firmly that you want them to stop whatever they are doing. You need to do this in an "out of character" fashion, in plain language, so there is absolutely no question that you mean it and are not just "playing hard to get".

If they do not stop, then use the block command to cut off their contact with you. Having done that, you should NOT send them any further messages. Sending them messages when they cannot reply to you will turn the tables, and give them grounds to report you for harassment, so don't do it.

If you find that you have to block somebody every time you log into Fed, because they are harassing you, then you can ask for help.

If, having blocked a player, they try to get around the block by using an alt to send messages to you, then you can also ask for help.

If there is a member of staff available, explain to them what is happening, and they can talk to the player and ask them to stop whatever he or she is doing to harass you; if the player doesn't stop, they can take further action.

If there is no member of staff available to help you, then report the harassment and we will take action after the event.

You must include a capture of the incident with your report. A capture is the proof of what happened and we can't do anything without that proof. Make sure the capture shows you telling the offender to stop, and them NOT stopping.

Mail the capture to feedback@ibgames.com.


This Supplement was written by Fi Craig, Director of Game Management for ibgames

Read the other supplements:

Public/Private Behavior
Acceptable Language
Electronic Noticeboard

Read the full version of the Fed2 Rules

Read the Terms and Conditions