Rules and Expectations
Flying Lab Software truly values our friends in the Pirates of the Burning Sea community, and we believe that they are entitled to the most pleasant forum experience possible. To facilitate this we've created a list of rules and expectations governing the expected behavior of our forum guests.
Not only will offending posts be deleted, but repeat offenders risk further disciplinary action, up to and including a permanent ban of their forum account. Only Flying Lab Software staff and their official representatives will be the arbiters of what constitutes a violation of the following rules. We reserve the right to remove offensive posts and suspend or ban accounts without notice.
If community members should come across a post that violates any of the following rules, they are asked to use the Report Post feature of our forums, including a brief but thorough explanation of the reason for reporting the post in question. Repeatedly spamming reported posts as a method of revenge or harassment will not be tolerated.
General Rules for the Pirates of the Burning Sea Community
The most important rule of all is the expectation that you will treat each other with respect. That includes (but is not limited to) the following:
Do not abuse new users
Remember that new users will not always know where to find information that may be common knowledge to the seasoned forum user.
No Flaming
While debate and discussion are encouraged, we will not tolerate rude or insulting posts, personal attacks or inflammatory posts of any kind.
No Trolling
Posting in a thread for the sole purpose of harassing a user or derailing/hijacking a thread topic is not allowed.
No Spamming
Posting multiple threads with the same content is not allowed. This rule also applies to the use of our forum private message system to spam other members.
No Foul Language
This includes the use of invectives like fag or gay (or any variation), sexually explicit language, racially or culturally insensitive comments, or the use of any words understood as offensive to others.
No Offensive Images
This includes forum icons and message attachments deemed pornographic, defamatory or offensive.
No Defamation
Bashing of other gaming companies, individuals or game titles is not allowed on the Pirates of the Burning Sea forums.
Do not discuss Exploits
Exploits in Pirates of the Burning Sea should be reported via the Support Website not the forums.
Do not infringe Copyright
Attachments must not include any content which is the intellectual property of any organization or individual other than Flying Lab Software or yourself.
No Impersonation
Impersonation of other forum members, members of the development team, the forum moderators or any other official representative is not allowed.
Do Not Post Official Correspondence
Without express, written permission, the posting of any private correspondence between official representatives of Flying Lab Software and forum members is forbidden.This includes any private messages of conversations with GMs, Developers and Forum Moderators.
No Advertising for Commercial Purposes
Advertising of in-game services or society recruitment is acceptable, provided it is posted in the correct forum sections. Other advertising is forbidden, unless with the explicit permission of Flying Lab Software.
No Discussion of Illegal Activities
This includes software and music piracy and discussions involving illegal drug use.
Respecting our Global Community
Players are encouraged to participate and contribute to the conflicts between nations as it occurs in the context of Pirates of the Burning Sea game play. That is to say, posts that are made to deride, cajole or taunt enemy nations can be acceptable, so long as it is made clear that the tirade in question is a role-play device, and (this is the important part) is posted in the appropriate forum location.
Here's a handy list of places on our forums where you are welcome to rattle your digital sabers:
National Discussion
Tales of the Burning Sea (RP)
Any role-play posts outside of those sections run the risk of being relocated or removed all together.
Important Note: Abusive and bigoted posts cast in the light of 'role-play' may still result in immediate removal and may be followed by punitive action against the poster, if a moderator feels that the post in question crosses the line.
In the end, a dose of common sense and fair amount of human decency will help you dictate where that line is. As always, Flying Lab Software staff and their representatives reserve the right to have final say in these matters. All we ask is that you take some time and personal responsibility for the kinds of posts you make on our forums.
IRC Chat Rules
Firstly, the rules of the Coldfront IRC network apply.
- No Harrassment
- No channels with profanity/sexually related content in the name
- No public channels with profanity/sexually related content in the title
- No public or private channels that trade in warez or sexually related content
- No nicks that can be taken as profanity, sexual, or warez related
- No channels that advertise other IRC Networks or redirect users
- No racist channels and/or nicks or any other discriminting type of behaviour
#burningsea is considered to be Teen rated, like the official forums. The channel has a profanity filter in place, which will automatically replace obscenities with <censored>.
Do:
- Read the channel /topic and latest !news
- Be constructive
- Help others
- Be polite
Don't:
- Spam
- Troll
- Inflame
- Defame
- Insult
- Harass
- Discriminate
- Private message FLS staff without permission
- Pester FLS or channel staff
- Post links to YouTube, Google video, YTMND, and other video sharing sites, unless directly related to PotBS.
- Discuss the big three -- Sex, Religion, Politics
