Guidelines Board - Required Reading

[Drakie Cakie]

RP Review and Guidelines Board
* Gaia ToS and the Guild Constitution Rules all apply here. *

Recommend Game Types:
- A structured-style game. With a centralized plot and character sheets; the story is mostly lead by the thread creator.
- A free-style game. Rules and a title must still be included, and a good first-scene setup in one of the first posts, than just playing from there with the characters developing as the game goes.

Things to Think about when setting up an RP:

1. Be clear and give information, try to use correct spelling and grammar as often as possible but a few mistakes are okay, we're not grammar Nazis here.
2. A title and plot summary of the RP you want to start. (Recommended that the plot summary be well thought-out, or have a set of goals)
3. How often you are on Gaia to RP. You really shouldn't start a game if you aren't going to be on for at least a few hours a day. If you're just playing in someone else's game it's fine to have left, but if you're hosting it you need to be available regularly.
5. Do not start an RP if you do not intend to stick with it for at least several weeks.
6. You must monitor your thread for R-rated content. If I find cybering or PG-13+ RolePlaying, not only may they be banned, but you may as well if you knowingly allowed it.
7. Don't create a RP that is not at your level (beginner, novice, advanced). If you're a beginner RPer, then set your RP level accordingly. However, if you'd like to move up a level, then a higher level is all right, as long as you give a concerted effort to RP at that level consistently.

When Creating:

Red - Rule, must follow this format.
No Color – Guideline. You don’t have to do this, but it’s recommended.

Titles:
1. Tags. Tags. Tags. These are extremely important. Always use them when applicable.

Status:
[+] Open To New Players
[-] Closed To New Players

Level:
[L-B] Level - Beginner (poor grammar, short posts, ect)
[L-N] Level - Novice (good grammar, longer and more in depth posts, ect)
[L-A] Level - Advanced (great grammar, mutli-paragraphs per post, thorough character development, ect)

Players:
[P-1x1] One Player, One on One
[P-_] Insert the number of players desired
[P-UL] Unlimited Number Of Players Welcomed

Other:
[L] If the Thread-Creator wants the thread locked. Finished Games should be locked.
[D] If the Thread-Creator wants the thread deleted

2. Do not use...
i. All Caps
ii. bRoKeN CaPs
iii. Excessive Symbols (!!! ??? @#$@)
iv. For The Love Of God, Do Not Use ChatSpeak! (Plz, U, R.)
v. RP or Yaoi in the title, redundant.

The 1st Post or Located in the 1st Few Posts:
Descriptive Title: Do not simply say 'YuGiOh Rp!' It needs to have a name, like 'The Heart of the Cards' or something to that effect.
RP Level: Beginner, Novice, Advanced
Series/Originall: Information/Background
RULES: It is very important you have rules and structure to your RP. Always mention that all players must follow the Gaia ToS and the Guild ToS, and that no PG-13+ activities will be tolerated, even if only offered in PMs. You can not offer or support any kind of Adult RPing.

NOTE ON RULES: If you decide to post a rule in your RP about above PG-13 activity, then it CANNOT say 'take it to PMs' or 'take elsewhere,' etcetera. THIS IS A NO-NO. The guild cannot condone activity above PG-13, since Gaia does not allow it, so if you must mention PG-13 activity, then simply say 'No activity above PG-13.' Thank you.

Policy On Bumping - While you are starting an RP, if it is not having any responses, you may bump it ONCE A DAY for as long as necessary, but once you have an active player whom you are RPing with within the thread, bumping should no longer be used since it is no longer necessary to keep your RP near the top.

Your Responsibilities!

You will need to promote and maintain your RP! Do not create and leave your RP. If you do this excessively, you will lose the right to make them. And yes, I will know if you do this. People love telling me stuff.

You can also be held accountable for your players if they engage in acts that violate the Gaia ToS, and if you do not report it and know it is happening, you will face the same consequences as those players. Whip your RPers into shape!

This system of setting up an Rp is not required but is a recommendation. You should still put a lot of thought into how the RP’s set up and try your best to keep it neat and organized. These rules are set up this way to help people who are new at starting and operating RPs to do so smoothly and give them the best chance of getting an active RP going. Experienced forum-type RPers are welcomed to bring in their own style as long as it has the general parameters requested above.

However, the moderators of the Guild have the right to deny or shut down ANY RP FOR ANY REASON. And also to ask that certain objectives or elements be added or taken away from a game.

And lastly...
Yes, while sometimes us mods can be nazis, we really do want the best for your RP. If you have questions, please ask them here. If you want to report something happening within the guild (over PG-13 activity, harassment, etc.), then feel free to PM me or comment here.

Play House Mods:
Drakie Cakie  

[Drakie Cakie]

The PG-13 Rule in Detail

Gaia Online is a PG-13 website, and to uphold that roleplays that are created anywhere on Gaia Online must follow this as well. Many people have asked what is considered over PG-13 material. Below is several items listed per category of what is safe for roleplaying on Gaia, and what is considered against the rules.

Romance
Roleplays that revolve around two or more characters meeting and falling in love is safe on Gaia. However, certain actions are over the PG-13 limit, and if performed will lead to a warning, and a ban being placed on the people guilty.

As with most couples, hugging and kissing is allowed on Gaia Online. This is a general display of affection and breaks no rules. There are several things that are considered over the PG-13 guideline, and are as follows:
Grabbing of private areas, fondling
Sexual encounters, also known as cybering
Inappropriate dialogue, "talking dirty"
Nudity, a character stripping in detail or for acts of seduction


Fighting and Violence
Many roleplayers enjoy a good fight now and again. As these fights take place, several things can be done to break the PG-13 mold, which can lead to an account being warned or banned.

With fighting, general portrayal of violence is allowed. This includes bloodshed, slicing, killing, beating, and other general actions. What is breaking the PG-13 limit, is extremely graphic descriptions of violence in a fight. Going into details down to the last organ hitting the floor is considered over the PG-13 limitations.

Exploration
Nothing says the prospect of adventure like entering an uncharted wilderness and seeking out an item or destiny. Exploring can lead roleplayers into places where the setting could be quite grisly. Similar to the violence rule, please be aware of how to describe places and settings.

Slave, Master, Kidnapping, and Pet
These kinds of roleplays are based around a dominant/submissive style. These in the past have lead to may PG-13 violations, and hopefully we can change that. These kinds of Roleplays must have zero sexual content, and zero physical abuse within the RP.

To stay PG-13, the roleplay must follow all of the above areas. Remember, as a thread owner it is your responsibility that people keep your thread clean of violations. If you see someone violating the rules, report them using the Report This Post button.

How to keep a roleplay free of PG-13 violations

Remember, cybering is not allowed anywhere on Gaia. This includes the forums, PMs, GAIA towns, and the game chats. Therefore, you should not post something like "take cybering to PMs". If your roleplay is found with something like this, you will be asked to change it. If you do not change your thread after being asked, you will receive a warning for encouraging PG-13 violations (such as cybering). Remember, if the thread creator expects PG-13 to be broken, then starting the roleplay is a bad idea.

So, in short:
Telling people in thread rules to take PG-13 violations to PMs, AIM, or anywhere else is not allowed on Gaia Online.
Setting the rating of a roleplay over PG-13 is a bad idea. this could lead to your thread being mistaken as a place where TOS breaking violations are acceptable, which can leave the thread owner in a sticky situation.

Taken From Gaia Online Barton Town Rules and Guidelines
Other Credits: Winget