How to make a “forum” policy (Developers Corner)

There are four essential parts to a fourm policy: 1. Instruction  2. Limitation  3.Legal protection  4.Input/Discourse   Of course, there’s more to it than this: full discussion after the jump…

The first part is instruction.  Even though a game maker has seen dozens of forums, for many users they have no idea what is OK or not OK to talk about.  The instructions should be fairly clear about the general range of  topics allowable in the forums, or if the forums are categorized, the instructions should direct the user  towards what category where a certain post should be posted.

The second part is limitation.  Most common limitations include language, racism, religious discussions, personal attacks, and other common-sense limitations on touchy subjects.  Also often excepted is discussion of the developer’s choice’s in the game making, known bugs and cheats, and unsolicited suggestions as to how to improve game-play.  This part depends upon the developer’s concept of what a forum is for.  Other limitations include commercial posts, spam, linking-out to other games/sites, or any subject that doesn’t help the game-player.

Legal protection:  This in some way reiterates the topics in the second section.  Limits on personal attacks on other forum users, racism, religious rants, off-color language, and off-topic posts are prohibited.  This gives a legally defensible position if there is litigation related to some one feeling they were libeled or illegally attacked on a forum topic.  For the legal protection to have the best effect, the developers’-publishers’ have to have a person(s) moderating the forums for these unacceptable posts.  If the legal protection language is done properly, then the administrators have the right to warn, and then eventually ban the person from the forum, and even from the game/MMO itself. 

Input/Discourse:  This is why most people come to a forum to participate.  If the first three elements are taken care of efficiently and seamlessly, the valued customer can discuss, suggest, and gently vent to their hearts content.  A little teasing, good-natured ribbing, or even over-familiarity are allowable if the administrators can guide the discussions in a firm yet direct way.  And the meaning of community is most at evidence here if you can use that forum to worry about building inertia and good-will for the game rather than constantly fighting the legal aspects, which can be invisible yet well-done if you use some foresight, planning, and a good lawyer (with the common sense of a gamer).  Most gaming lawyers will have a solid template that you can customize for your independent or small gaming site.

Finally, here are some links (for example’s sake only) given without commentary.

World of Warcraft Forum Rules http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/forum-coc.html?sid=1

 Eve Online Forum rules  http://wiki.eveonline.com/en/wiki/W/index.php 

Second Life Forum rules https://blogs.secondlife.com/community/features/blog/2009/02/25/second-life-discussion-guidelines

 Activision Forum Rules http://forums.activision.com/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=517

 EA Forum Rules   http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/335106.page

Jay Moffitt is a Tennessee attorney. This blog is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not consitute legal advice or create an attorney/client relationship. Jay Moffitt is not certified as a specialist in this area by Tennessee and Tennessee does not certify specialists in this practice area. All comments will be answered promptly and courteously as long as they are germane to the discussion and do not contain specific game names or incidents.

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