Terms of Service

[dmiller68]

These are the Terms of Service which can be updated and amended as we go forward. We will let you know if there are changes.

Generally:

At the end of the day PreGameLobby.com is a community site. As a community we will work as hard as possible to foster the unique vision, traits and qualities that initially brought us together. This means that more than likely you will find adults here who do not want to deal with childish antics. We game to have fun, not necessarily to win. PGL is an extension of this philosophy. We can carry out an adult discussion and know how to disagree with people without getting irate. If you have these traits you will most likely fit in; if you do not, chances are you will not. We will do what we can to protect, foster and grow the PGL community, including removing members who do not understand what it means to be a PGL member.

Forum Rules:

1. You must register with us in order to post. Posting to Pregamelobby.com is a privilege, not a right. If your post gets deleted (in violation of any of the below guidelines or otherwise) do not expect or ask for an explanation.
2. PreGameLobby was designed to cater to those people who are tired of the immature antics most of us have encountered during online gaming. While childish antics do not always disappear when someone becomes a legal adult we have an age policy requiring members to be over 21 years of age. PreGameLobby will perform no babysitting duties. If we determine that you are not capable of conducting yourself in a manner acceptable to PGL Staff Members, you will be banned without warning or explanation.
3. Posts or signatures that constitute advertising on the boards will be deleted. We generally refer to such postings as SPAM. If you have something you would like to promote (your business, Web site, etc), you may contact the owners to negotiate an appropriate fee.
4. Harassment, threats and abusive language towards other members, moderators or administration are not tolerated. Your account will be deactivated and we will no longer allow you to participate in our community by any means. Based on our judgment, we may decide to give you a warning before taking action, although we are not required to do so.
5. Copyrighted material, etc.: Posts containing links or information pertaining to illegal file-sharing of copyrighted material (music, "warez", or otherwise) will be deleted on sight. Any discussion of how to do anything illegal (warez, other pirated software, etc) will also be deleted on sight.
6. Avatars: Please use your head when selecting the 80 pixel square graphic that appears each time you post. Often referred to as keeping it “work safe”, do not employ avatars that could be deemed offensive, overtly sexual, or hateful in the most conservative of settings. This rule also applies to any links you decide to post or keep in your signature. Again, use your brain... could someone at an office in a major corporation be fired over having an image such as your avatar in their web history?
7. Pornographic material will be deleted on sight. Also, do not link to pornographic material from the site.
8. PGL leadership reserves the right to suspend your account at any time for behavior that is deemed immature, inappropriate, or in conflict with the Terms of Usage. Determining whether behavior fits in these categories it up to the discretion of PGL leadership.

Additional Guidelines:
(while not hard and fast rules, these guidelines help to keep things running smoothly)

• Introduce yourself. For your very first post, whether it be starting a new thread or replying to another, you might want to give a little background on yourself before you type your message. Also, please fill out the profile area inside the user menu, so that people know who you are, your gender, and where you reside.
• Gaming identities. It would be nice if everyone here used their gaming identity (regardless of platform) for their forum name. If you have already signed up and did not use your gaming identity as your forum name and would like to, we can change it for you (please ask a moderator!). If you do not use your gaming identity as your forum name, at least put this information in your forum signature.
• Use Search. Please use the search feature if there is a particular topic or person you are looking for. Very handy. This can save a lot of heartaches and "oops" posts.
• Content. We're not stuffy, and we talk about everything, as seen on the forum. Watch how you say things in your posts. We like to keep things at an adult level. This means l33t speak really has no place here. We're adults and discuss things like adults. This means complete sentences that convey a meaningful point. If the words you type were an article, could they only be published in a hate or porno mag? Yes? Then don't post them here. There are several Internet boards that accept any kind of posting. We're not one of them.
• Meaningful Content. Try to keep your posts meaningful and informative! Repeating similar posts such as "LOL" or other single word responses should be kept to a minimum. That is not to say we can't all have a good laugh now and then, but remember we are here to generate a community and help others; please don't waste our time.
• Private Messaging. If you find yourself about to make a post directed to a fellow individual or group of posters, ask yourself, "Wouldn't it be easier to use e-mail?" Posts that are addressed to one specific person (be it another user or Mod/Admin) will be removed. HOWEVER, we do allow certain posts made *about* other users such as "birthday posts" and also what can be called the "appreciation post."
• Repetitive Posting. Do NOT make posts telling other lobbyists to go read your other posts. There are a handful of cases where this is fine, such as referencing a related topic in another forum that you want to bring to attention inside a particular thread you’re in. Most of the time you may also start posts in General about topics in other forums.
• About disagreements. Of course you are going to disagree with other people's posts, different pieces of content on PreGameLobby.com or certain points of view being put forward by gamers, writers, and staff who contribute to the site. This board would be boring if everyone agreed and nobody challenged anyone on anything. Debate is encouraged. Harassing or threatening someone because you disagree is wrong and spineless. Keep in mind, the moderators will decide what’s harassing or threatening… not you. Also keep in mind that we are all adults and we can disagree about something without ending up in a playground battle. Be mature.
• Closely watched topics. Religion and politics will typically ignite debate regardless of where they are posted. Choose carefully whether you want to open up one of these topics. They will be watched closely and if it is seen that meaningful discussion has fallen to useless name-calling, they will be closed and the offending parties reprimanded.
• Be tolerant. Ignore the posts you do not like and support the ones you do. Responding to posts you dislike is a waste of energy, time, and thought that could go to an interesting post.
• Spoilers! A quick note about posts that may reveal and therefore ruin the ending to a recently released game, book, reality show program, etc. The results to shows like “’American Idol” are first aired on the East Coast, don’t spoil it for our West Siders. There is some grey area here. If you really feel it’s warranted to post anything that may be considered a “spoiler,” please preface the subject line with “**SPOILER**” or use the Spoiler tags.”
• Moderators. Each forum has been assigned users who have requested to act as volunteer board moderators (mods). These users have been approved by other members and PreGameLobby admins. Existing mods generally nominate the replacement of a mod who is stepping down. While we generally side with the moderators and the decisions they make, if you have a strong case where you feel a moderator is not doing their job or abusing their power you may contact the appropriate administrator who will review your complaint and choose whether or not to take action (or even reply to you at all.) Harassing moderators is grounds for ban.
• Generally. Have fun but remember we are here to have adult conversations and discussions. If you are annoying other members or otherwise not contributing you will be asked to modify your conduct. If you fail to do so you will be asked to leave and/or banned. Please remember, PGL is what we make of it. Ensure your actions make PGL the best place on the net for adults to discuss gaming and other topics.