Skunkworks Servers

A Space Engineers Gaming Community

User Tools

Site Tools


behavior_expectations

Behavior Expectations

At SkunkWorks we want to ensure that all players have an enjoyable experience on our Servers. While we host our servers as a PVE, PVP, and PVEVP experience - we recognize that through our development team's efforts and the feedback from the community - we have created a truly unique PVP experience on SkunkWorks.

It comes as no surprise that when players are put in a semi-competitive environment - tempers can flair and hostilities can rise.

We want to lay out a framework for what we believe is inappropriate behaviors both in-game, in our discord, and potentially in private conversations between players. Our expectation is that you adhere to these guidelines and help to create a welcoming environment on SkunkWorks.

Should you not be able to adhere to these guidelines, you will be subject to a strike-based punishment system that may result in a non-appealable ban from our servers - Punishments can be found at Punishment Methods


Community Guidelines

Respect for All Players and Staff
All participants are expected to demonstrate respect toward fellow players and members of the Staff at all times, both within the Discord server and during gameplay. This includes refraining from derogatory remarks, harassment, or other conduct that undermines the dignity of any individual. Special consideration is extended to the Staff, who serve as volunteers and generously donate their time to maintain and improve the community experience. Should you encounter an issue or dispute requiring Staff intervention, you are required to follow the established protocol outlined in Getting Support, including the proper submission of a support ticket. Failure to adhere to this process or exhibiting disrespect toward Staff in these interactions will be considered a violation of this rule.

Prohibition of NSFW Content and Advertising
Posting, sharing, or distributing content of a sexually explicit, graphically violent, or otherwise not safe for work (NSFW) nature is strictly prohibited in all areas of the Discord server and in-game chat. Additionally, advertising of any kind—including but not limited to Space Engineers external services, products, or servers—is not permitted unless explicitly authorized by server management. This rule ensures that the community remains a safe, inclusive, and distraction-free space for all participants. Any violations of this policy will be subject to immediate action, up to and including permanent removal from the server and Discord server.

Consistent Identification Across Platforms
For the purposes of maintaining clarity, accountability, and streamlined communication, all users are required to use the exact same username on Discord as their in-game name. This requirement facilitates efficient resolution of issues, simplifies interactions with Staff, and reduces confusion among community members. Failure to comply with this rule may result in restricted access to certain features or channels until the username discrepancy is resolved.

Prohibition of Toxic Behaviors
Toxic behavior is strictly forbidden within the Discord server and during gameplay. For an explanation of what toxic behavior constitutes and how the #war-room channel is meant to be used, please see the “What is Toxicity?” section below

Respectful Engagement with Server Management
Participants are expected to engage with server management in a respectful and constructive manner, even when disagreements arise. Disrespectful or hostile attacks directed toward management, whether verbal or written, will not be tolerated under any circumstances. While we recognize and respect the right of individuals to express differing opinions, the management team reserves the right to disagree with those opinions and to make decisions in accordance with what they determine to be in the best interest of the community as a whole. Constructive feedback is welcomed and even encouraged in non-moderation disputes; however, any attempts to undermine or blatantly disrespect the authority of management will be considered a violation of this rule and addressed accordingly.


What is Toxicity?

The term “toxic” is frequently used within the context of online competitive gaming to describe a range of undesirable behaviors. However, on SkunkWorks, it is inherently a nebulous and subjective term, often influenced by individual perspectives, differences in Space Engineers backgrounds, and situational factors. This ambiguity can lead to inconsistencies in understanding, community perceptions of enforcement, and personal accountability, which undermine the fairness and enjoyment of the gaming environment.

The purpose of these behavioral expectations is to provide a comprehensive and precise definition of what constitutes “toxic behavior” within the SkunkWorks community, using clear and explicit language to eliminate ambiguity and establish a common understanding among all participants as much as possible. By doing so, we aim to create a framework that supports consistent enforcement of community standards, protects the integrity of gameplay, and fosters a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all players.

On SkunkWorks Servers, toxic behavior can be defined as any conduct by an individual or group that substantially disrupts the gaming environment, undermines the integrity of fair play, or negatively affects the emotional well-being of other participants. Such behavior may encompass, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Verbal Abuse:The use of derogatory, profane, or otherwise offensive language directed at other players, teammates, or opponents, including slurs, insults, threats, or any form of targeted harassment.
2. Harassment: Persistent, unwanted, or targeted actions intended to intimidate, demean, or humiliate another player. This includes stalking, doxxing (disclosure of personal information without consent), or encouraging others to engage in similar behavior.
3. Griefing: Actions taken with the intent to disrupt gameplay for others, such as intentionally sabotaging team objectives, repeatedly killing or hindering teammates (e.g., “team-killing”), or exploiting game mechanics in a way clearly not intended in order to cause frustration or disadvantage to others.
4. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Engaging in behavior that violates the social norms of fair play, such as taunting, mocking, spamming in-game communication channels, or intentionally prolonging fights to frustrate opponents. This is open to Admin interpretation as things like Kiting or Heavily Armored ships are not necessarily considered “Unsportsmanlike”, for instance.
5. Egregious Hate Speech: Any communication, whether verbal or written, that promotes or expresses extreme prejudice or hostile discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
6. Spamming or Flooding: Repeatedly sending excessive, unnecessary, or irrelevant messages or commands within in-game chat, voice communication, or any related platform, thereby disrupting communication and focus.
7. Manipulative Behavior: Coercing, pressuring, or deceiving other players with the intent of winning their trust for the sole purpose of betraying it, to their detriment and your advantage.
8. Excessive Negativity: Persistently displaying defeatist attitudes, complaining, or blaming teammates in a manner that demoralizes others and undermines team cohesion. Constructive Criticism is GOOD, but don't complain to complain and offer no feedback

These explanations lay the foundation for a common and universally understood definition of toxicity.

We acknowledge that, in certain circumstances, behavior exhibited within the gaming environment may not be universally or unequivocally classified as “toxic” by all participants or observers due to variations in individual perceptions, contextual factors, or subjective interpretations of the conduct in question. However, in such cases where ambiguity or disagreement arises regarding the classification of a specific action or behavior, the determinations made by the authorized Staff, acting in their capacity as impartial arbiters of the platform’s rules and community standards, shall remain fully valid, binding, and enforceable. The Staff's authority to adjudicate these matters is derived from their designated role to interpret, apply, and enforce the established Code of Conduct as laid out in the Server Rules, including the discretionary evaluation of nuanced or borderline situations. As such, any decision rendered by the Staff in these instances is to be considered final and is not contingent upon unanimous consensus among players. This ensures the consistent application of community guidelines and the preservation of a fair, safe, and respectful gaming environment for all participants.


How does #war-room fit in with these expectations?

The #war-room discord channel is a space uniquely crafted to allow for more combative and spirited interactions, embracing a dynamic akin to playful rivalry among friends. In this environment, a small degree of incivility—such as sharp remarks, pointed critiques, or even lighthearted insults—is tolerated, provided it is delivered with good intentions and a mutual understanding that all participants are ultimately members of the same community. This atmosphere is built on a foundation of rivalrous camaraderie, where participants can engage in heated debates or critical discussions without taking offense.

That said, the “war-room” operates under clear, albeit unspoken, boundaries. While some derogatory comments may be permissible as part of the tone, lines that involve malice, cruelty, or deeply personal attacks are never to be crossed. The goal is to foster a space where individuals feel free to challenge each other aggressively, but in a way that promotes engagements and strengthens relationships rather than damaging them. Participants are expected to approach these interactions with an underlying sense of goodwill, recognizing that any incivility allowed in the “war-room” is not an excuse for genuine hostility but rather a means of fostering a culture of tough love, growth, and mutual respect. Abuse of this dynamic will not be tolerated and will be addressed to ensure the room remains a space for spirited but ultimately constructive discourse.

As per our Punishment Methods, the first toxicity-related offense will result in a warning, aside from especially severe and egregious violations. If this offense happened in #war-room specifically, the offender's access to this channel will be permanently removed. An appeal can be made to this revocation once, and will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

behavior_expectations.txt · Last modified: 2025/01/14 04:30 by skunkworks