[2018] PINNED: SMITE Steam Code of Conduct - Please read before posting

Latest Update: 5th October, 2015

SMITE Steam Code of Conduct
Welcome to the SMITE Steam Discussion Board(s).

The rules listed below explain what is expected of you and what you can expect from other community members. As these rules and guidelines are not exhaustive, remember that Steam moderators have full discretion to address any behavior or events that they feel are inappropriate.

Keep in mind that the Code of Conduct is always being updated and is subject to change.

Vulgar, Obscene, or Inappropriate Language and/or Images
This category includes, but is not limited to, both clear and masked language in posts, signatures, and/or links to websites containing such language or images which:

• Are pornographic in nature
  
• Are inappropriate to human anatomy or bodily functions

Racial / Ethnic
This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites or content containing such language or images which:

• Promote racial/ethnic hatred
  
• Are recognized as racial/ethnic slurs
  
• Allude to a symbol of racial/ethnic hatred

Distribution of Real-Life Personal Information
This category includes:

• Releasing any real-life information about other players or Hi-Rez Studios employees

Sexual Orientation
This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites or content containing such language or images which:

• Insultingly refer to any aspect of sexual orientation pertaining to themselves or other players.

Impersonating a Hi-Rez employee
This category includes:

• Passing yourself off as a Hi-Rez employee to post false information.
  
• Passing yourself off as a Forum Moderator (volunteer or otherwise).

Inappropriate Language
This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites or content containing such language or images which:

• Are a mildly inappropriate reference to human anatomy or bodily functions
  
• Are otherwise considered objectionable

Harassing or Defamatory
This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites or content containing such language or images which:

• Insultingly refer to other characters, players, Hi-Rez employees, or groups of people
  
• Result in ongoing harassment to other characters, players, Hi-Rez employees, or groups of people

Major Religions or Religious Figures
This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites or content containing such language or images which:

• Negatively portray major religions
  
• Negatively portray major religious figures outside of in-game context

National
This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites or content containing such language or images which:

• Promote national hatred
  
• Are recognized as national slurs
  
• Allude to symbols of national hatred

Illegal Drugs or Activities
This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites or content containing such language or images which:

• Reference to abusing illegal drugs
  
• Reference to performing illegal activities
  
• Reference to piracy/copywritten infringement

Spamming or Trolling
This category includes:

• Excessively communicating the same phrase, similar phrases, or pure gibberish
  
• Creating threads for the sole purpose of causing unrest on the forums
  
• Causing disturbances in the forum threads, such as picking fights, making off topic posts that ruin the thread, insulting other posters
  
• Making non-constructive posts
  
• Abusing the Reported Post feature by sending false alarms or nonsensical messages
  
• Numbering a thread, IBTL, TLDR, or any other fad statements

Creating Duplicate Threads
This category includes:

• Creating threads about existing topics
  
• Creating a separate thread about an existing topic for further discussion in more than one forum

Cross Linking Threads
This category includes:

• Linking to threads from other forums
  
• Creating threads/posts with the sole purpose of linking another post

Advertising
This category includes advertisement of:

• Any non-beneficial, non-Smite related businesses, organizations, or websites

Discussing Disciplinary Actions
This category includes:

• Creating posts or threads to discuss disciplinary actions taken against a player, including chat logs and email and/or message correspondence between a player and any forum moderator, forum staff, admin staff, or Hi-Rez employee.
  
• Creating posts or threads to discuss disciplinary actions taken against a character or account on the forums
  
• If you would like to contact support or open a ticket, please email [email protected] or report a problem[hi-rez.custhelp.com].

Circumventing a Suspension / Ban
This category includes, following a suspension or ban:

• Posting on another account
  
• Having someone post on your behalf

Extreme Sexuality / Violence
This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites or content containing such language or images which:

• Refer to extreme and/or violent sexual acts
  
• Refer to extremely violent real life actions
  
• Pornography of any kind

Real-Life Threats
This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites or content containing such language or images which:

• Refer to violence in any capacity that is not directly related to the game world

Posting Cheats, Hacks, Trojan Horses or Malicious Programs
This category includes:

• Posting links to cheats, hacks, or malicious viruses / programs
  
• If you would like to report information regarding cheats or hacks to Hi-Rez Studios, send it to [email protected] or report a problem[hi-rez.custhelp.com].

Real Money Trading, Account Sharing and Selling
This category includes, but is not limited to:

• Buying or Selling accounts for Real Money or in-game currency
  
• Buying or Selling services, in-game redemption codes, or in-game currency for Real Money
  
• Begging for any of the above - giveaways are allowed.

Necroing Old Posts
This category includes, but is not limited to:

• Posting in threads that apply to old SMITE patches.
  
• Posting in threads with outdated news.
  
• Posting in threads which haven't seen activity in an extended period of time.

Naming & Shaming

We do not permit the act of Naming & Shaming, also known as Witchhunting, on the SMITE Forums. If you wish to post about a user experience you had, please make sure to remove any mention of player's name.

IMPORTANT

• This policy is NOT language-restrictive. Language that falls under this policy will always be subject to repercussions, whether it is inappropriate in English or ANY other language.
  
• Repeatedly violating any area of the Hi-Rez Studios Terms of Use or Forum Code of Conduct, including but not limited to the areas detailed above, will often result in permanent banishment from the forums.

When it comes down to it, we want Smite to be a fun and safe environment for all players, regardless of their different experiences and backgrounds. Be kind and courteous, for that is all we ask. Now get in there and start discussing!