General Rules
When Posting and Creating Threads/Topics
Avatars
Forum Staff, Breaking the Rules, and Moderation
Forum Help, Feedback, and Support
Forum User FAQ
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General Rules:
Don’t be disruptive - This means no spamming, no hate speech, no trolling, no flaming, no inappropriate content, no platform wars, no backseat moderating, no racist, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic slurs, no deliberate mislabeling of individuals, and other such behavior detrimental to conversation. It means that when you disagree with someone, you discuss your differences in a calm and civil manner and take the matter to private message should it begin to interfere with or derail conversation in the thread; that when others decide the conversation is over, you respect their boundaries and disengage; that when you have a problem with another forum user, you seek the help of the moderators or Community Manager. In short, don’t be a jerk.
Be constructive- Instead of repeating a well-known meme, create or write something original! Avoid posting responses that don’t do much to further the conversation, especially if that response involves popular images or phrases. Talk about the games, not the other people: nothing spoils a thread more than personal comments about the people whose thoughts you disagree with or dislike. Please try to avoid hyperbole and exaggeration.
Stay on topic- Keep focused! If it doesn’t have anything to do with the main topic of the thread, don’t bring it up. If necessary, make a new thread or take the matter to private message.
Be respectful- At the Gearbox Software Forums, we ask that you treat your fellow forum members with respect. Be more polite than you think you need to be. Manners cost nothing, but they are extremely valuable here! Disparaging comments towards other members, moderators, Gearbox and its affiliates will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, homophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic insults, insults relating to disabilities, the deliberate mislabeling of individuals or shaming of any kind aimed at any person or persons. If you can’t say something that contributes to a thread and is tactful, useful, or relevant, it’s best that you don’t post. If you feel a moderator is acting inappropriately, please contact a different moderator or the Community Managers (@GeekVersusNerd or @Noelle_GBX ) via private message.
The rules apply to everyone, all of the time: no exceptions. It doesn’t matter who you are, how long you’ve been around, or what you’ve previously posted; if you post in a way that breaches these guidelines, you’ll receive the same consequences that anyone else would. Neither anger nor frustration grant special posting privileges. Ranting, insulting, spiteful, overly emotional, or sarcastic posts are less likely to result in a positive response than calm, reasoned, and sincere ones. You do have a voice here, so say things that will constructively add to the conversation.
Do not post scans or illegally obtained / distributed materials or discuss piracy- These topics are strictly forbidden. Don’t talk about piracy. Don’t post about pirated or illegally obtained / distributed materials in any capacity. Don’t post pirated or illegally obtained / distributed materials. Don’t ask how to obtain pirated or illegally distributed materials, and don’t provide instructions on how to do so. This includes but is not limited to magazine scans, illegally obtained software, and other copyrighted materials.
On game modifications and modified content- The discussion of modified, custom and user-created game content is acceptable so long as the discussion and materials do not violate the Terms of Service or Terms of Use for the respective platform or platforms, do not violate copyright, do not involve the duplication of in-game items, do not negatively affect the multiplayer experience and do not provide an unfair multiplayer advantage.
On data mining - The discussion of data mining and the methods used to mine code (for example, the UCP Filter Tool), and the posting of data uncovered through mining is strictly forbidden. Please do not post or share content mined from game code.
You only have one account- Each user is allowed one account. Use it wisely. Multiple accounts, as well as accounts registered solely for advertising, are not permitted.
Spam- It should go without saying, but no spam.
Report troublesome posts- If you see someone violating these rules, let us know by clicking the “Flag” button (
) in the lower right-hand corner of their post.
Commenting on older posts- Please checking the date of the most recent posts in a thread. If the thread is older than six months, consider the thread inactive and refrain from commenting.
Note: We reserve the right to remove, edit, move or close any thread for any reason. These rules are subject to change at any time.
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When Posting and Creating Threads/Topics
Search- Before making a new thread, please use Search (
) to make sure it hasn’t been posted before.
Use the appropriate section/category- Make sure your thread is going in the right place! If it’s not news, don’t put it in the News section. If you need technical support, put it in the Technical Support section, not General Discussion.
Make an effort- Don’t make one-line threads. Don’t just paste a link or an image and hit “Post.” Put some effort into that thread and make it something you can be proud of!
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Avatars
Avatars- Avatars may be no more than 100 pixels wide by 100 pixels tall and no larger than 30KB. Avatars may not contain any offensive language or imagery.
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Forum Staff, Breaking the Rules, and Moderation
In The Box- These are Gearbox employees and developers! They are also designated by orange usernames and orange glow around their posts.
Moderators- Volunteer community moderators, not employed by Gearbox. They help keep the forums clean and enforce the rules! You can identify a moderator by their purple usernames and purple glow.
Breaking the Rules
Our approach here on the Gearbox Software forums is to give you guys- the community- the ability to have a say in what belongs on the forums and what doesn’t. If you see a topic or post that breaks the forum rules in any way, all you have to do is “flag” it. Once a post receives a certain amount of community flags, it is automatically hidden from view. Having your posts legitimately flagged for rule violations will result in the following penalties:
1st offense: PM warning
2nd offense: 2 day suspension
3rd offense: 2 week suspension
4th offense: 1 month suspension
5th offense: Permanent ban
Just like the forum rules themselves, these penalties are subject to change at any time. We have a fantastic community and everyone following the rules is crucial to maintaining it. Thanks in advance for your help in making that happen!
Moderation Inquiries and Disputes
If you feel that you were the subject of an invalid flag or suspension, or would like to request more information regarding a flag or suspension you received, please contact a member of the moderation staff, or the Senior Community Manager (that’s @GeekVersusNerd ) via private message.
Details regarding flags and suspensions/bans will only be discussed with the affected member(s) and never in an open forum. Threads or posts created for the sole purpose of discussing moderation will result in suspensions. Additionally, any private messages w/ forum staff regarding flags/suspensions should be kept private. If you have a question regarding disciplinary action taken against another community member, you are free to reach out to that member directly.
Public or private disrespect, harassment, and/or disparaging comments toward moderators will not be tolerated on the forums and violators will receive suspensions depending on severity. Extreme cases may result in immediate and irreversible bans.
Alt Accounts and Communicating During Suspensions
Alt accounts (second accounts) are not allowed on the forums for various reasons. Many times people who feel they have been wrongly suspended think creating an alt account to communicate this is justified, but that is not the case. All second accounts will be immediately permanently banned and could result in an extended suspension or permanent ban for the creator.
If you legitimately feel like you have been wrongly banned, please go to http://gearboxsoftware.com and contact us, adding “Forum Ban” into the subject line. This will be a better way to contact us that will not risk lengthening your suspension or having your account permanently banned.
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Forum Help and Feedback
We’re here to help. If you need any assistance, have some feedback, or want to discuss an administrative action, send a PM to one of our Forum Leaders.
Support
If you need technical support for Gearbox Software games, please visit http://support.gearboxsoftware.com
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