Hello forums-goers, this is just a quick note to let everyone who is (hopefully) flooding into our fair forums know exactly what we expect from those who take the time to post here. First of all, a quick run-down of what exactly each of the forums is intended for.
News – Well, this one is fairly obvious, isn’t it? This will be for discussion of news items from the front page, as well as News and Announcements specifically pertaining to the forum.
General Discussion – This is for general discussion specific to Games for Windows – LIVE. This means that we’d like you to keep this forum related to the service itself, as opposed to individual titles, or pictures of your dog eating cake.
Games for Windows Titles – This if for discussion of the various titles available on Games for Windows. I highly recommended mentioning the game you’re discussing in the thread topic, or you’re going to have some confused readers.
Technical Issues – This is for users to assist one another with issues they are having with the LIVE service. We will also post announcements here if there is something that affects the users specifically, and occasionally I may post here, but this is primarily for users to help each other, not get help from developers/MS support. Please try to self-sort your issues into the appropriate sub-forums.
Site Issues/Suggestion – This is for suggestions for improving the site or reporting broken links, etc.
Off-Topic Forums – This is where the aforementioned dog eating cake pictures go. Please, keep the rick-rolling to a minimum.
Shadowrun – This is a forum for discussion of Shadowrun specifically. I went to bat for this one because I’ve been a Shadowrun fan since before the game was released and with the official site going down it has no forums that I could find.
Now, on to the meat of the post:
Forums Expectations
These rules, and your access to these forums, are based on a certain set of expectations. First, these forums are intended for viewers ages 13 and up. Because of the nature of online communication, it is difficult for us to enforce values and behavior of our forum members to an acceptable level for those of a younger age, however moderation will be done to conform to a “PG-13 rating” as much as possible. Secondly, we expect everyone who posts on these forums to respect the rules laid down for them, as well as respect other people.
Just so that we're clear on expectations going both ways, I want to make sure that everyone understands that from a technical support standpoint, ideally these forums will allow the community to help one another. In certain cases the LIVE team will step in and answer questions, gather more information and try to assist people directly, but for the most part the point of these forums is to make that unnecessary by having people answer questions from their fellow users.
This is the best way to foster community - empowering users to make a name for themselves as helpful, knowledgeable people who can and will assist their fellow LIVE users. It also allows the knowledge to spread, so that we don't have to be the only ones holding the keys, so to speak. We have a good core of knowledgeable users who are quick to help others, and these forums provide a wealth of knowledge on most technical topics, if you're willing to read and accept help.
Code of Conduct
All interaction with and on the forums should comply with the Code of Conduct where applicable.
NO CHAT LOGS - Neither I nor anyone else wants to see chat logs posted from AIM/IRC/MSN/Wherever unless it is something that is helpful to others with regards to technical support.
Inappropriate Gamertags
This will all be dealt with on the back end, because your gamertag will end up suspended and you will need to change it, however if you post on the forums with an inappropriate gamertag, you can expect a week long ban to give you time to change it and come back with one more appropriate.
What Constitutes Permanent Banning on the Games for Windows Forum?
When posting a message or creating a discussion on our message board, please follow the Code of Conduct and the listing discussed below. While we have included some specifically disallowed items in this section, this does not mean that the rules begin and end with this listing. Anything we have not specifically mentioned but which runs contrary to the purpose of the forums (positive communication within the community) can also result in negative effects for your forums account and ability to post here. Please, remember the Golden Rule.
· Flooding – Repeatedly posting any sort of material in a manner which is intended to “flood” the forum and cause discussion to be impaired.
· Spamming – This includes posting inappropriate material or URLs, promoting (or bashing) our site or competing sites, and general solicitation URLs or text.
· Hate Speech – Any sort of hate speech will not be tolerated, and will result in a permanent ban.
· Repeat Offenses – Any rules violation done to excess can and will result in a permanent ban. Please, if you’ve been warned or temporarily banned for something, just stop doing it.
· Flame Wars – Flame wars with other forums users (specifically personal attacks or non-constructive arguing) will first of all be treated on a case by case basis. Ranting pointlessly on the unfairness/stupidity of a given topic will also fall into this heading. First incidences will result in a 3 day ban, the second in a week ban, and the third in a permanent ban. Keep in mind however that this is subject to moderator discretion. If you simply start a discussion to incite a flame war, you are likely to find yourself banned immediately.
· Attacks on Microsoft Employees – Threats against any Microsoft employees will be judged on a case by case basis, but we will err on the side of a permanent ban.
· Hacking/Piracy – Any links to pirated related material will result in a permanent ban. Hacking other people’s accounts, impersonation of other members, hacking of the forum messages, taking down the forum due to hacking or discussions of hacking will also result in a permanent ban.
· Inappropriate Nicknames – Any name that can be considered inappropriate to a “PG-13 rated” audience or created to entices hate towards certain people, groups, or companies.
· Illicit Content – This includes links to pornography, piracy materials, virus executables or creation materials, profanity laden rants, drug or paraphernalia websites, or anything else that illegal. Doing any of these things will result in permanent ban and in some cases, Microsoft will contact police officials over the messages and which people posted the message.
· DDAS – Don’t Do Anything Stupid. This will be applied liberally to enact permanent bans on anyone who believes they’re smarter than the forum moderators because they found a way to detract from the forum by doing something not specifically listed here.
Signatures
I had left this without a specific rule thinking people would use common sense, but please - no images larger than 250 pixels tall and 600 pixels wide. Your signature shouldn't be something that is large to the point of disrupting the flow of conversations taking place on the forums. If you are asked by a Moderator to change your signature to something smaller, please do so.
Its nice GFW Live players got a forum now =) lets hope it becoms a succes ^^
Hello everywon!
Just a quik hello and good luck to you with anything GFW :)
Have been waiting for this day, finaly a forum and cant wait for the Live Marketplace and all of that good stuff the boxers have for ages, my hat of for that and finaly maybe your iniative and all talk about have you support Pc Gaming will come to fruition as it's about damn time :D
Best of luck to you guys!!
Wheres this Shadowrun forum you speak of?
A little off topic but how do i edit my posts?!
K00PA TR00PA: Wheres this Shadowrun forum you speak of? A little off topic but how do i edit my posts?!
I dont think you can, well i cant find any button to edit posts so =s
And yeh, the shadowrun forum isnt here also :P
NivekBe: K00PA TR00PA: Wheres this Shadowrun forum you speak of? A little off topic but how do i edit my posts?! I dont think you can, well i cant find any button to edit posts so =s And yeh, the shadowrun forum isnt here also :P
Sorry for double posting but:
I just saw if you click on 'More" in your post, you have an EDIT button, but only on your most recent post it seems, and it also doesnt work tho :p i get an error from the website
Ok, found the edit button but you're right, it only works on your most recent post.
I knew I was forgetting something!
Shadowrun forum is up.
Good show and good rules ! .. Now the question is, do you have the numbers to regulate it ? But so far liking the place although things seem a little slow. Hope it becomes a succes ;)
That's complete necessary a forum for all GFW fans, or well for everybody that play any GFW title.A forum where we can organize matches with another players, and say ideas. GTW was forgotten too much time, this site was pretty dead and boring, with anything new on months.
The best thing of online gaming is being able to play with people you meet online and you want to keep playing with some other time.
This forums are definitely going to help on that, as fans of Games for Windows can meet through specific posts.
Microsoft is on fire today! In case you missed it, they're updating the whole Windows Live set of online services starting today too (WL People, WL Photos, WL Profile and WL Home between others).
It is all about communities: having an online identity and friends attached to it :D
I like the idea here Microsoft! Keep it up!
Imperial Dane: Good show and good rules ! .. Now the question is, do you have the numbers to regulate it ? But so far liking the place although things seem a little slow. Hope it becomes a succes ;)
Microsoft will be most successful in any means.. Nothing is impossible for them.. GFW LIVE service will go on top soon...
Thanks for the Shadowrun forum. When I get more time, I will be sure to visit that forum.
Why is this not stickied? I've been searching for a Forum FAQ for the last half an hour, lol.
Updated this to include a line about the new technical support subforums.
