War Room Rules and Etiquette

[Parma]

In The War Room, you will be able to participate in games that involve strategy and thinking, such as mafia games. Here, other kinds of strategy games, such as mystery games, are also provided. The subforum also welcomes discussions regarding such games.

Forum Rules apply in The War Room.

Multiple Posting

!NEW! All users are permitted to make consecutive posts in an ongoing game's thread if necessary. An example of a situation in which you may wish to make another consecutive post; if you make a post and notice that you left some information out or you simply need to clarify something.

If you are found to be abusing the multiple post rule (for example doing so often and without justification) you could face a warning/infraction under the 'pointless post' rule which is present across the whole forum.


In additional to the Forum Rules, there are rules that apply for actions in The War Room. Following actions will be considered as violations by staff.

As a player:

• !NEW! Editing or deleting your posts in the thread of an ongoing game in which you are a player.
• Posting after being lynched/killed in a mafia game, unless it was allowed by the host.
• Bringing up discussions related to a current game in another thread other than the respective game's thread
• Poor sportsmanship, being rude to hosts and/or players.
• Continuously violating games' rules.

As a host:

• Adding roles or a mechanic in the game, that encourages players to violate Forum Rules.
  NOTE: Host can request the roles/mechanics in concern be checked by a staff member prior to hosting the game.

For violations that are unique to The War Room, warnings and infractions are usually given in the form of Pointless Posts. In the Convesation explaining the warning/infraction, the reason why the staff chose to take action will be specified. Accumulating infractions could warrant further penalties such as being limited from joining games or being banned from the subforum for a given period.

The following posts will explain how to host a game (Mafia or Non-Mafia), introduce some standard mafia game rules, and explain specifically about other official threads that staff have created in this subforum.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the moderators of The War Room: @Enzap; @Maniacal Engineer; @TheCapsFan; @Zexy;

 

[Mintaka]

Re: Rule clarification

Hosting a Mafia Game

The War Room Game Schedule/Queue lists the games in 'Currently Active/Ongoing Games', 'Signups', 'Games Queue' and 'Conceptual Queue'.

'Conceptual Queue' shows games that are being made, along with the name of the user that is making the game. Reporting a game for 'Conceptual Queue' is not a necessary to have the game signups posted, but reporting it for 'Games Queue' and waiting for the games above it to enter 'Signups' is. However, it helps to post what game you are working on in 'Conceptual Queue' before moving it to 'Games Queue' since it will alert other users on what game you are working on.

Games listed as 'Signups' are accepting players necessary to run the game. Once a game gains enough players, and host begins the game, the game will join 'Currently Active/Ongoing Games' list.

Here is the simple process regarding hosting a mafia game:

1. Creating a mafia game requires preparing the game’s rules and roles in general. You are also advised to post it in 'Conceptual Queue' until said preparation is done.
   
   
2. When the game's rules and roles are ready, you are free to post it in 'Games Queue'. Once all the games above it are removed and there is enough space for it to be moved in 'Signups' you can post the thread! This is because we have a limit on how many games can be run at once, based on the subforum's amount of activity.
   
   
3. Hosts can request to have their mafia game checked by a willing Mentor/Balance Checker or a Moderator. Those in charge of checking a game will ask for the rules, roles, and other necessary information. New hosts are no longer required to seek moderator approval before posting their first game. However, if you are a first time host and would like some help, don't be afraid to ask one of our mentors, if needed.
   
   
4. If you have your game finished in making, yet you wish to post it later, you can request the game to be listed under 'Conceptual Queue'. However, this step is not necessary to post your finished game.

Informed observers, such as co-hosts and Mentors/Balance Checkers/Moderators involved in the creation of the game's signup, are strictly prohibited from sharing information to the players or otherwise providing difficulty for the game to be run. For informed observers violating this policy, a Pointless Post infraction will be given without any warning, and further punishment such as being banned from the subforum can follow.

A user can only host one game at a time, mafia or non-mafia.

Mafia game threads must have the ‘Mafia:’ thread tag, which can be posted/edited in through the "Thread Tools" option in the beginning of the thread. Also, all thread titles must include the date of the last update provided by the host.

Games that become inactive (lacking an update) will have three days to resume standard gameplay, after which it will be put on hold and moved to the Archive. The host will then have four days to contact a moderator should they want the game to resume before the game is closed for good. If a host fails to update for three days a second time, the game will be closed for good, and will be moved to the Archives.

 

[Paperhorse]

Re: Rule clarification

Regarding Rights as a Host

Hosts can remove/sub players from the game at their discretion. If hosts are unsure whether to remove/sub a player, they may ask a staff member for opinions regarding a player's action. If hosts find a player problematic for valid reasons, they have the right to refuse them from signing up in their future games.

Valid Reasons may include:

• Inactivity / Active Lurking
• Poor Sportsmanship, such as making rude comments (Both in the game thread and private communications)
• Violating game's rules continuously
• Playing against win condition
• Otherwise being uncooperative as a player

 

[Paperhorse]

Re: Rule clarification

Hosting a Non-Mafia Game

The War Room also welcomes games, that are not mafia games, which make use of strategy. Non-mafia games can vary from a chess game fitted to be played in a thread and QuickTopic, or a mystery game in which players must find a guilty among them after searching for clues.

Non-Mafia games are also categorized into The War Room Game Schedule/Queue.

Non-Mafia game threads must have the thread tag 'Non-Mafia:', which can be added via the "Thread Tools" option in the beginning of the thread. Also, all thread titles must include the date of the last update provided by the host. Games whose titles do not include this information may be closed.

All non-mafia games must have strategy in them. Whether it involves working with teammates to accomplish an objective with items given, or escaping a dungeon with limited items, strategy must be involved. This does not include the abuse of forum services just to accomplish an objective. If a non-mafia game is determined to employ this type of abuse, it will be closed upon staff judgment.

 

[Parma]

Re: Miscellaneous

The War Room also welcomes discussing topics related to strategy games. We also have a guide related to hosting a mafia game, and another guide related to playing a mafia game.

Mafia Philosophy

In the Mafia Philosophy thread, users are encouraged to discuss, debate and share ideas about mafia games, as well as sharing their personal viewpoints on various game-related subjects. Discussions about strategies as a player, or those about methods that a host could use are also welcome.
Note that unlike The Situation Room, you cannot use this thread to discuss general matters and can only use it to discuss meta aspects of the game. Also keep in mind that you cannot bring up ongoing games in this thread; all public discussions related to a current game should take place in the thread.

The Situation Room

The Situation Room serves as a general chat thread. If you have some questions of how the staff members manage the subforum, feel free to ask in the thread and one of the staff members will answer it. You can also discuss future games and gaming ideas, or give advice on a user’s activity as a player and/or host. This thread also serves as a general chat thread for The War Room regulars. You can talk about anything you want that doesn't necessarily relate to the War Room itself, and interact with each other on different subjects.

Discussing a mafia game that is currently running, in any aspect, is strictly forbidden. This includes commenting on a player’s actions, the roles revealed, or the flavor text. This can encourage discussion related to the mafia games happening outside the game thread. Please take the negotiations, comments, and discussions to the respective game threads.
The thread serves as a place to chat for everyone. Hence, it must be kept open to every user, so that it does not discourage a user from bringing up a new topic. A closed group of users cannot exchange posts more than two standard thread pages (30 posts). If staff judges that you are doing this, they will ask you to stop. If you do not stop even after the warning, it can warrant infractions.

Accumulating violations in The Situation Room can warrant a ban from the thread for a given period.

The Round Table

In said thread, users can provide feedback to The War Room staff that may influence future changes in the rules.

 

[Parma]

Regarding conduct.

1. Keep personal issues out of public threads. Resolve them with relevant parties and do not bring them into games.

2. Personal issues also do not leave public threads. Whatever happened in mafia games, they should be resolved within that game and end there.

3. Keep arguments tolerable. Posts that discourage players from posting, out of concern of offending or upsetting the speaker, will not be tolerated. This applies especially if the host as requested to the players to keep debates sportive.

4. Even if a moderator is playing a game, they can and will speak up if they find the public situation in a mafia game unsuitable. If they need to get information they should not have as a player in order to enforce order in a game, they may sub out.

5. The War Room has a zero tolerance policy on bullying. If bullying occurs, there will be consequences up to and including infractions, thread bans, or a ban from the War Room. We will not hesitate to close down games. The staff will take whatever actions we deem necessary whenever we deem it necessary to ensure that TWR remains a positive and friendly environment.

6. Please REPORT anything you find unacceptable. Report button or a PM. If you’ve been insulted behind the scenes (in QT or skype), report to a moderator. If you find yourselves in too high of a tension yet they think it has not been taken care of, report to a moderator.



We remind you that penalties include warnings, infractions, being limited from joining games, or bans from thre ads/forum.

 

[Zenax]

Re: War Room Rules

Playing and hosting a mafia game is a fun experience. However, there are times when things can get tricky. Here is a set of guidelines to help you when making decisions on how to act as a respectable player or a fair host. These are not mandatory, but strongly recommended to make the game as enjoyable as possible, both for yourself and the other players.

Hosting

• Neutrality

This is an important point to respect when hosting.

When assigning roles to players, using a Random Number Generator is recommended because it is the fairest method. Please try to remain as neutral as possible and avoid giving players certain roles or assigning all roles arbitrarily.

Even if the game is not going your way, make sure that you treat all of your players equally and fairly; this means that you should not favor a faction over another and never intervene with the players unless it is to enforce the rules. It is imperative that you abstain from giving away information or tip the players in a direction they might have not seen had you not intervened. This also means that you should post as little as possible while hosting, since it can be distracting to the players.

Keep in mind that you may only enforce the rules of your game. If a player breaks one of Bulbagarden's rules, it is best to report the offending posts and let a moderator take care of it.

• Consistency

There might come a time where you will need to change an element of the game to avoid a game-breaking scenario. However, keeping this as a last resort is a good idea if you want your players to enjoy the game fully. This means that you should not change the rules, roles, winning conditions, or other elements once the game has started unless absolutely necessary, especially to favor one faction over another.

This also applies to your update time. It's a given that real-life events may alter your access to the internet, but do try to stay consistent with the time at which you update your game, as it can get confusing and inconvenient for the players otherwise.

• Responsibility

Sometimes you will make mistakes, which may end up changing the game in some way. This is always regrettable, but take the blame and be straightforward about it if this happens, and do not put this on the back of your players.

• Cordiality

Answer all the questions your players may have to the best of your abilities. However, be certain that you are not giving away any information to prying eyes while doing so; if a player has a question regarding their role, it is best to contact them privately to sort things out.

Playing

• Read the rules

In addition to the rules of the game, forum-wide rules and War Room-specific rules must be followed.

Before you join a game, please be sure to read the rules. If you have any issues with a host's rules or need clarification, you should discuss them with the host before you enter the game. Consistently breaking rules may have consequences up to and including a limitation on playing games or a ban from The War Room.

• Respectfulness

Always maintain a friendly and respectful demeanor toward other players and the host. While debates may become heated, it's important to only dispute ideas and opinions - insults or rudeness toward users may result in a warning or infraction. This especially applies to actions directed at new players.

• Sportsmanship

It is expected that when taking part in any game, up to and including a victory or loss (individual or factional), players will remain sportive and polite. Gloating over a win, blaming others for a loss, discouraging others from posting, etc fall under this guideline. Additionally, do not drag issues related to other games or personal drama into a game - please resolve these outside of The War Room.

• Activity

When you join a game, it is expected that you will remain active and contribute to the game reasonably often. This includes using your role, posting in-thread (and in QuickTopics, if applicable), and responding to other players when possible and practical. If you cannot keep up with the game or will be away for a while, please inform the host so you may be subbed out if necessary. Posting in-thread to inform other players of your absence is also recommended.