In general, we follow the same rules and guidelines for prohibited behaviour as outlined by Square Enix.
Rules & Policies Rules & Policies: https://support.na.square-enix.com/rule.php?id=5382&la=1
Prohibited Behaviour: https://support.na.square-enix.com/faqarticle.php?kid=68216&id=5382&la=1
We will clarify and reiterate those rules below, while clarifying with specifications on some of those rules.
Prohibited Behaviour
Prohibited behaviour can be categorized as any behaviour that has an adverse impact on another user’s game play or use of any service provided for use by the 14th Shard (ie. Mumble, Discord, website access, etc.). If a violation is confirmed, it is the sole discretion of the administrative team to determine an appropriate penalty.
Harassment
“Harassment” includees any speech and/or behaviour that inflicts emotional distress on another person. We take harassment extremely serious, where the punishment for harassment is an immediate ban from using any/all services provided by the 14th Shard.
- Discriminatory expressions based on race/nationality/thinking/gender/sexual orientation/gender identity
- Discriminatory expressions about a state/religion/occupation/organisation, etc.
- Obscene/indecent expressions
- Actions that inflict emotional distress using content related to historical events or crimes
- Stalking
- Disclosing or indicating another person’s real world personal information without permission
- Other actions that are generally regarded as actions that inflict deep emotional distress on another person
Harassment will not be tolerated on any platform, method of communication, or channel where expressions can be made. This includes but is not limited to game streaming services like Twitch, Discord channels not run by the 14th Shard, third party websites or web applications.
Nuisance Behaviour
“Nuisance behaviour” means any speech or behaviour that hurts others or obstructs game play, but which is not classified as harassment. Even if it was not the intention, a penalty may be imposed if the end result was that another person was hurt or obstructed.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of examples of nuisance behaviour…
Offensive expression
“Offensive expression” means an expression in general that inflicts emotional distress by being offensive to another person. Offensive expression may include:
- Aggressive expressions such as violent language/slander/insult/threat.
- Expressions that provoke or belittle another person, such as excessive criticism, negation/ridicule
- Expressions that significantly lack consideration for another person
- Expressions that unilaterally reject another person’s opinion
- Expressions that any reasonable person would find offensive
- Expressions that compel a playing style
- Expressions that attempt to unilaterally exclude someone from the game or content/community, etc. (Except when in accordance with rules set by an administrator such as a Free Company Master or Officer)
- Expressions that contravene public order and morals
- Other expressions that are offensive to another person
Offensive expressions are prohibited in all places where expressions can be made in Final Fantasy XIV and in other services provided by or moderated by the 14th Shard.
Obstruction of play
Spamming
This includes the use of chat (including Quick Chat and Emotes) to obstruct another person’s conversation or ability to use a service provided by the 14th shard.
Obstructing transit/progress
This includes blocking passages or facilities along which players pass, or obstructing another person’s game play progress. For example, this may include teleport cancels, preventing movement with furniture, etc.
Improper expulsion voting
Improper use of voting mechanisms to exclude another member.
Intentional leaving or disconnection
Obstructing game play by intentionally leaving game or disconnecting from a server.
Other obstructions
We may deem any other obstructive behaviour as abusive and may take punitive action should it be brought to our attention.
Fraud
Fraud is an act of deception intended to deprive another player of their full enjoyment of the game or a player’s property. Fraud occurs most often in agreements between players for trade, loot, or betting:
- Trade fraud: Fraud relating to the exchange of items or in-game services.
- Loot fraud: Fraud relating to loot distribution.
- Bet fraud: Fraud relating to the gambling of gil or other possessions on the outcomes of in-game events (Please note that gambling on the outcomes of events outside of the game, or the gambling of anything other than in-game gil or possessions, is strictly prohibited).
Impersonation
“Impersonation” means impersonating or fraudulently claiming to be other players, SQUARE ENIX employees, or any third parties. This could involve using a name that resembles the character name, Free Company name, etc. or is used by another person.
Account sharing or loaning
Sharing, lending, or disclosing account information for an account provided or administered by the 14th Shard, including but not limited to Discord, the website, or Mumble, may end in punitive action.
Misuse of flaws
“Misuse of flaws” refers to the deliberate exploitation of a fault in one of the services provided by the 14th Shard, or manipulating a feature of one of the services provided by the 14th Shard so that it does not function as intended, in order to obtain personal gain or cause disadvantage to someone else. If you find a flaw, please report it as soon as you recognize it.