[2020] PINNED: ! -=- FORUM RULES -=- ! ! -=- FORUM RULES -=- !

Rules from Valve per your agreement to be on Steam:
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4045-USHJ-3810

NOTE: I've copied the current version below, but please see the above link for to be sure you are viewing the latest version. Further if you have any questions regarding these rules or any other rules from Valve for Steam, visit the provided links, and additionally this Guide:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=143962136

Rules and Guidelines For Steam: Discussions, Reviews, and User Generated Content
These guidelines apply to all places in the Steam Store and Community where users can post content. This includes, but is not limited to, discussions, comments, guides, product reviews, screenshots, artwork, videos, tags, Steam Workshop, and Steam Greenlight.

When providing feedback, posting information, or discussing a product in Steam, whether it’s negative or positive, please make sure you are being relevant, constructive and polite. Developers take feedback from all kinds of sources into account, even though they may not have the time to respond to every post or question.

Please note that Administrators/Moderators reserve the right to change/edit/delete/move/merge any content at any time if they feel it is inappropriate, abusive, or incorrectly categorized.

All users are subject to the Steam Subscriber Agreement and Steam Online Conduct.
General Rules

Do not do any of the following:

• Flame or insult other members
  
• Bypass any filters
  
• Abuse or encourage abuse of the Reputation, or Post Reporting Systems
  
• Post personally identifiable information (i.e. name, address, email, phone number, etc.)
  
• Bump threads
  
• Derail a thread's topic
  
• Post links to phishing sites
  
• Post spam (i.e. +1, 10char, rickrolls) or Re-post Closed, Modified, Deleted Content
  
• Repetitively post in the incorrect forum (example: trade requests belong in trading forum)
  
• Openly argue with a moderator

Off-Limit Topics/Replies

Do not post any topics/replies containing the following:

• Porn, inappropriate or offensive content, warez or leaked content or anything else not safe for work
  
• Any discussion of piracy will result in a permanent ban from the Steam Community including, but not limited to:
  
  • Cracks
    
  • Key generators
    
  • Console emulators
• Cheating, hacking, game exploits
  
• Threats of violence or harassment, even as a joke
  
• Posted copyright material such as magazine scans
  
• Soliciting, begging, auctioning, raffling, selling, advertising, referrals
  
• Racism, discrimination
  
• Abusive language, including swearing
  
• Drugs and alcohol
  
• Religious, political, and other “prone to huge arguments” threads

No Backseat Moderating

Let the moderators do the moderating. Backseat moderating is when people who are not moderators try to enforce the forum rules. If you see a person breaking the rules, take advantage of the Report (FlagImage) button or simply ignore the offensive post(s), thread, or review.
Report Posts to Moderators

Should you observe a fellow Community member breaking these rules please report the post or item by clicking the Report (FlagImage) button located on every item, post, and review.
Repeated Offenders

Repeated offenders of the above rules and guidelines will be banned from the Steam Community. Any moderator has the ability to ban a user for violating the rules at their discretion.

EDIT:
Subject change to make it stand out more.

7 Days To Die Forum Rules (applies to both the Steam and Official Forums):

https://community.7daystodie.com/topic/5-official-forum-rules-and-guidelines/

NOTE: While some of these do not directly apply and some have directions that slightly differ, the premise of the rules remains the same when applied here.
For reporting, you would use the Flag instead of the Exclamation Point mentioned in these rules.

NOTE: These have been copied for convenience, but please check the above link in to be sure of the latest versions.

Official Forum Rules and Guidelines
*Updated June 12th, 2020*

Welcome to the official forum for 7 Days to Die. This is a place to discuss the game, as well as offer feedback, trade advice, and share, meet, collaborate, and otherwise interact with others in the 7 Days to Die community.

The Fun Pimps want you to feel free to express your opinions regarding the game and other matters discussed on this forum. To be clear, both positive and negative feedback is welcome. We also want all visitors to enjoy and benefit from this forum, and to make that possible we need all users to participate in a civil, constructive, and respectful manner.

To that end, all users have a responsibility to be familiar with, and comply with, the features, guidelines, and rules described on this page. Users that fail to comply are subject to moderator action (see below).

Explanation of Features & Guidelines 1. User Accounts
You must create an account and be logged in to post or perform other actions. We manually approve your first few posts to fight spam, which means they may not appear immediately. Only one account per person is allowed; duplicate accounts will be deleted.

2. Safety & Security
Although we’re not responsible for any user’s negligence where it comes to safety & security, we do recommend that users:

• Use a strong password, and don't share it.
  
• Not share personal contact details, like real name, phone number, or address.
  
• Not arrange to meet anyone from these forums in real life, and that minors in particular always consult their parents or guardian first.

3. Categories & Sections
The forum is organized into PC and Console categories. These categories have sections with identical names, so please take care to post new threads in the correct section. Threads posted in the wrong section can result in moderator action.

4. Blocking Users
If you and another user aren’t getting along, you have the option of blocking specific users so that you don’t see their posts. Understand that by blocking users, you may miss out on important parts of a discussion.

On the official forum, block or unblock a user by going to Settings -> My Account -> Edit Ignore List.

On Steam, go to a user’s Profile -> More -> Block All Communication.

5. Advertising
Users may not use the forums to advertise any websites, products, or services in general, with limited exceptions:

• In the Servers & Community section, you may post links to 7 Days to Die servers and server providers.
  
• In the Channels section, you may post links to video channels that focus on the game (recorded and live-streaming).
  
• In the Images & Videos section, you may post links to one-off videos and screenshots of the game.

Links or references to websites, images, or videos in other parts of the forum are allowed only if they relate directly to the existing topic. Anything else is considered spam. Discussion in another user’s thread about the media itself (for instance, asking people to ‘like’ a video) is considered off topic and not allowed.

6. Getting Help and Reporting Problems
If you encounter a bug in the game and/or need support, you may report it here on the forums in the appropriate section. We encourage and appreciate your bug reports. Please observe the specific rules and restrictions for each section that may be set in sticky threads, such as "Read before creating new threads".

If you need support with an issue outside of the game itself, such as with your key or with forum registration, please use the support page.

7. Private Messaging
Private messages are subject to the rules below regarding Misbehavior, Piracy, Spam, Meta-Forum Commentary, and Release Date Harassment. In addition, private messages are meant to be seen only by the intended recipient, unless the sender and receiver agree otherwise. However, moderators can review all private messages that are reported.

8. Moderators
All content on this forum is moderated. The moderators are here to help keep things organized, placid, and free of trouble. Contact them via private message if you're unsure if something is allowed, or if you need an administrative change like a new user name or deletion of your forum account. Moderators may specify in a thread what is suitably on or off topic, or otherwise clarify the rules, and users must heed these guidelines.

9. Reporting Posts
Please report any post you think needs moderator attention using the button at the top right corner of that post. Don’t reply to such posts (including spam), as this ultimately creates more content to clean up. Note that only moderators see these reports. Although moderation takes time, we review all reported posts and take moderator actions as we judge appropriate. Reports that are false, uncivil, or fail to cite an actual rule violation are considered abusive and themselves subject to moderator action.

10. Moderator Actions
Use of this forum is a privilege, not a right. If the moderators find a post to be in violation of any of these rules, they may take some or all of the following actions.

• Edit out the unacceptable part of the post.
  
• Move the post to a more appropriate section or thread.
  
• Delete the post entirely.
  
• Edit, move, or delete subsequent posts that quote or refer to the edited, moved, or deleted post.
  
• Lock or delete the thread.
  
• Issue the user a warning, with a message describing the rule violation.
  
• Issue the user an infraction, with a message describing the rule violation. Too many infractions in too short a timespan will automatically trigger a ban.
  
• Issue the user an immediate ban.
  
• Delete the account without warning, if it primarily spreads spam.
  
• Send the user's IP address etc. to higher authorities, if it looks like they've done something illegal.

Prohibited Content

The following types of content are prohibited across the forums. This includes posts, images, user names, avatars, profile information, and edit comments. Using external links to circumvent these restrictions is also prohibited.

Prohibited content is subject to moderator action (see above).

If you see a rule violation in another user’s post, please report it (see above).

A) Misbehavior

1. Flaming
Insults, personal attacks, name calling, accusations, harassment, abuse, intimidation, or retaliation.
Derogatory slurs against a person's race, religion, sex, age, nationality, etc.
If you are flamed, don't respond. Report it!

2. Filth
Unreasonably profane, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, or adult themed content.
These forums are meant to be 'safe for work,' even if the game itself is not. Some ‘filthy’ words are automatically filtered out and replaced with symbols. Bypassing this filter through creative spelling is prohibited.

3. Off Topic/Derailment
Digressing from a thread or forum section’s established topic, such as by questioning a user’s choices or views outside the game when they’re seeking help.

In particular, new accounts may be flagged as spammers and banned if they start with content unrelated to 7 Days to Die.

4. Trolling
Intentionally posting to disrupt, evoke negative reactions, or spread misinformation. Provoking others into arguments for the sake starting a flame war (including as a response to someone else breaking the rules).

5. Impersonating
Acting as a developer, moderator, administrator, or other user.

6. Begging
Asking for the game, game merchandise, participation by other users on or off the forum, or anything else.

B) Off Limit Topics

1. Piracy
Discussion of software piracy, including links to illegal downloads of games and methods to circumvent copy protection.

2. Re-Openings
Continuations or restarts of previously closed or deleted threads, or subjects declared off limits by the developers or moderators.

3. Goodbye Posts
Announcing that you are leaving a discussion, the community, or the game out of dissatisfaction.
People come and go on the forums and start and stop playing the game for a variety of reasons. Users can determine your presence or absence simply based on your activity.

4. Cheats & Exploits
Discussing the details of cheats or exploits, or third party tools or sites that facilitate cheating or exploits, in public posts.
Due to the negative impact cheats and exploits have on the game and community when widely disseminated, any cheats, exploits, or things you’re not sure about should be reported to a moderator via private message.

5. Politics & Religion
These topics are off limits in all contexts.

C) Bad Netiquette

1. Duplicate Threads
Making a new thread about a topic when there’s already an active thread on that topic to use instead.

2. Bumping
Short posts made so that a thread appears more active, without adding anything of substance.

3. Necroposting
Replying to old threads with outdated information.
As a rule of thumb, any thread started during a previous Alpha is too old. Start a new thread instead.

4. Flooding
Essentially redundant content posted more than once.
Intentionally off-topic or nonsense content.
Multiple short posts in a row.
If you think of something more to add, edit your existing post.

5. Non-English Languages
Posts must be made in English, so that they can be effectively moderated. You may post a translation in a second language under the English part of your post, using the spoilers tag.

6. Annoying Text
Posting in textspeak, all caps, invisible fonts, or other hard-to-read writing styles.

7. Spam
Posting unauthorized advertisements or links to advertisements.

D) We Don't Want to Hear It

1. Discussion of Moderation Actions
Publicly visible responses to or discussion of forum moderation.
Instead, send a private message directly to the moderator(s). On Steam, you may use the comment section that’s provided with every warning and ban.

2. Release Date Harassment
Repeated requests for information on the timing or content of future changes to the game (including via private messages).
The Fun Pimps want the community to be excited for future updates, but they also want discussion regarding updates to be civil and respectful. The team makes their best effort to document the latest revealed information in the developer thread for the next coming update, in the News & Announcements section.

3. Doom & Gloom
Predictions of failure regarding the future status of The Fun Pimps and their games.
Accusations of any developer lying to the community or planning to abandon the game.
Such commentary is unwelcome. It is demoralizing to the community, potentially libelous, and not a constructive form of feedback.

4. Meta-Forum Commentary
Bringing up that you are blocking a particular user, reporting a post, unsubscribing from a particular thread, or posting in general about your (or any user’s) specific past, present, or future use of the forum software.
Using the forum features as provocation, leverage, or talking points.
It's not relevant in a discussion, and it's not the concern of other users.

5. Naming & Shaming
Content that advances damage to a person or server’s reputation in the community, for instance by alleging griefing, cheating, admin abuse, server bans, or other offenses.

Allegations like these aren’t fair unless proven true, but the staff are unable to investigate what did or didn’t happen outside the forum.

6. Unsolicited Critique on Writing or Post Quality
Not all users may have formally studied English, and perfect spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. is not required.

Cheater, Hackers, Bad Admins - Name & Shame - And YOU!
Copied here for convenience:
Cheater, Hackers, Bad Admins - Name & Shame - And YOU!

Originally posted by Red Eagle LXIX: Name and Shame type posts of any type are not allowed. Further, there are policies in place against naming and shaming others publicly.

• Developer's Comments on Name & Shame (Official Site Forum Rules): http://7daystodie.com/forums/showthread.php?87-Official-Forum-Rules-and-Guidelines&p=31224&viewfull=1#post31224
  
• Steam Code of Conduct (You will not Defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others.): http://store.steampowered.com/online_conduct/
  
• Rules & Tips for Steam Community: Contributing Positivity and Avoiding Bans as stated in unwritten rules, "Naming and shaming of any kind" and "Exposing supposed cheaters (Report them through Steam profiles or in-game reports)": http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=143962136

Playstyle Attacking It seems there has been an increasing amount of attacking those whom would play with different settings, values, modifications than default.

This needs to stop. These forums are not here just for the default settings and/or harder. They are here for everyone who enjoys the game in any way they choose to play.

The Fun Pimps themselves have said many times that while they are designing the game how they want it to be played, but they also want the user to be able to have the customized experience the user would like.

Going forward, threads request help customizing the experience toward a player's liking or offering suggestions for such should not be met with attacks, comments of how they should play another game, comments they should just enable cheats, etc, etc. Those who've decided to make such comments will have their ability to interact with the community restricted.

Each time such a thread is posted a person makes a choice to either help, do nothing, or attack as described above, or advice on how to deal with x, or another action when choosing to reply. If you find yourself as one whom would choose to attack as a reply, I would suggest converting to the kind who would just ignore such a thread.

The Fun Pimps themselves have said they would like people to enjoy the game how they wish.

As such we should all be willing to support those who wish to customize their experience (or at least stay quiet).

Thanks to those who've made efforts to help others customize their experience.

Please post in the appropriate forum! Thank you!

• General Discussions
  This is the place for General chatting about the game and related items
  
• Off Topic
  Talk about stuff other than the game.
  
• Bug\Crash Reports
  Having an issue, problem, got a bug, had a crash? This is the place to report and look for help.
  
• Servers
  You have a server you'd like to advertise, this is the place.
  
• Modding
  Want to find, make, or ask question about mods or modifying the game then this is place to go.
  
• General Questions
  Got questions about the game itself or how to do something in or with the game well here is where you might want to be.
  
• Meeting Room
  Seeking friends or just want a quick body shield then seek within this field of posts.
  
• Console Talk
  Want to talk about the PS4 or Xbox One version of the game as published by TellTale Games then here be the place.
  
• Trading
  Have something 7DTD you want to trade away/for? This is the place to advertise your swap able items.

This is a clear reminder to report posts you think are trolling or fanboying instead of responding.
This is a clear reminder violations of the Steam Discussion forum rules, or this specific Game's forums rules will not be tolerated.

Thank you.

To those who do the right thing reporting such posts instead of interacting or providing vigilante justice commentary I would like to offer my thanks.

Together we can make this a better place for all to interact as a community.

Moderation Team Roland
OzHawkeye
SylenThunder
Crater Creator
Valmar
Red Eagle LXIX

List is in no particular order