OUR GOAL
These rules are not to limit people's freedom of speech or discussion. These rules simply strive to keep the forum and chat on topic, productive and inclusive for all members. Accidental violation of minor rules will not result in strict penalties. We want everything to go smoothly so that our users can enjoy this forum and chat.
Please keep in mind that, where applicable, these rules apply to all Elements Community public areas including the forums and chat. Please look to any Staff or moderators for help in understanding where these rules apply.
MINOR INFRACTIONS - 20 points
Language Policy: We wish to create the friendliest atmosphere possible in our forums. As such, excessive use of strong language will not be tolerated. The odd "bad word" is fine but a profanity laced rant is not. Discretion will rest with the moderators.
Off-Topic Posting: Posts are to be on the topic of the board description where they're posted. Off Topic posts may be moved or closed at the moderators discretion.
Low Content posting: No one-sentence posts with no substance. Posting "I like it" on a card or tournament idea adds nothing.
Spamming: Please do not double post or cross-post the same message in multiple forums. You will not PM or email multiple members of this site the same message. This includes "bump threads", posts intended merely to increase one's post count, and advertising threads.
Thread Hijacking: taking a thread off-topic to pursue one's own agenda.
Shouting: excessive use of caps, large fonts.
Questioning moderation policies/actions in the forums: if you have a disagreement with a moderator (If your thread gets deleted, if you get a warning, etc.), DO NOT post your complaint publicly on the forums. If you have a problem with a moderator's actions, PM or email the moderator privately. If the moderator's response is unsatisfactory, PM one of the administrators.
Acting like a mod:
Self-policing in social groups is a positive effect, but don't act with authority if you have none. Leave the mods' work to the mods and just use the report function so we can avoid provocation.
Do not post on behalf of someone who's banned. That'll probably get you banned, too. The idea of being banned is that they're no longer a part of this online forum community and are no longer allowed to interact here. No making threads that give glory to banned people. It's not a violation to mention them in passing but no threads that focus on them. ("Ah, TrollDuJour, I miss him so!" "or Hey, it's TrollduJour's birthday!") Prohibited threads include "What banned member do you miss/would you bring back?" type of threads. They're banned; don't give them that attention. If a moderator gives you specific instructions in a warning, and you blatantly disregard it, you are subject to being banned.
Accusing people in public
Now and then we get reports from people who have faced what they suspect to be a cheater/hacker/exploiter in PvP. Please don't mention their username in public. Instead PM it to Admin Higurashi or use the Arena Reporting Tool if it's in the Arena.
Abuse of "Report to moderator" button: multiple reports per thread, duplicate or frivolous reports will be deemed abuse and subject to warning. Every report is addressed. Please do not report something more than once.
Discussing ways to play Elements without ads: Elements is kept running thanks to ad revenue. No ad revenue, no free game. No game at all, in fact. Playing Elements on the main site is always going to be the best way to support the game and zanz, which gives him more incentive to develop the game. Any questions or suggestions of this nature will be deleted on sight.
MEDIUM INFRACTIONS - 40 points
Flaming: Do not post any messages that harass, insult (name calling), belittle, threaten or mock other members. Debates are fine, but critique the opinion, not the person. Personal attacks are not permitted.
Trolling: Do not post topics with the sole purpose of starting a dispute.
Advertising: Posting or private messaging to sell, buy, or trade products or services, links to auctions, affiliate links, links to promote personal or commercial websites, blogs, other forums and so forth is not allowed anywhere without explicit permission.
Disrespecting moderators. Be respectful in both the forums and any private communications with moderators. Moderators are volunteers that donate many, many hours of their own time to help in the forums and chat rooms.
Constantly bothering game developers. Elements the game owner and Lead Developer Zanzarino visits from time to time in the forum chatrooms. Please be respectful and don't bother him constantly by asking dumb questions. Regular conversation is of course permitted but spamming private messages asking how to upgrade cards is not. Let's give developers room to work on the game, ok?
If you want to get in contact with Zanzarino, please PM an administrator or send email to game.elements@gmail.com
MAJOR INFRACTIONS - permanent ban
Hacking, using bots, exploiting, etc. This is the fastest way of getting a permanent ban. Keep in mind that even talking about these things in public is forbidden.
Multiple accounts are not permitted. If you have a good reason for needing more than one account, contact an administrator and ask for permission. Usage of multiple accounts to circumvent penalties will result in a ban.
Offensive Posts, Links or Images: This means:
No rape threads/posts/images
No defecate threads/posts/images
No bestiality threads/posts/images
No overtly pornographic threads/posts/images
No pedophile/incest threads/posts/images
No grossout threads/posts/images
No Disclosure of Other Person's Personal Information: Do not disclose any other member's email, real name, address, phone number, IP address, or other personal information. This includes the posting contents of emails, private messages, warnings, infractions, and bans. Do not bring personal disputes into the forums.
Undefined: Obviously we can't anticipate every situation. For that reason, We reserve the right to remove any user at any time for any reason. If we think you're trying to manipulate the system, you'll be removed.
Warning points
Minor infraction: 20 points
Medium infraction: 40 points
Major infraction: Permanent ban
Warning levels
20+ points -] you will be put on user watch list
40+ points -] all your posts will be moderated (your posts become visible only after being approved by moderators)
60+ points -] you will not be able to post
Only mods and warned users can see their own watched status.
How do I get rid of warning points?
Your warning level will decrement automatically 1 point for every 24 hour period when you are not warned. This means that if you get warned for a minor infraction (20 points), and don't get warned again, your warning record will go back to zero in 20 days.
These rules are not to limit people's freedom of speech or discussion. These rules simply strive to keep the forum and chat on topic, productive and inclusive for all members. Accidental violation of minor rules will not result in strict penalties. We want everything to go smoothly so that our users can enjoy this forum and chat.
Please keep in mind that, where applicable, these rules apply to all Elements Community public areas including the forums and chat. Please look to any Staff or moderators for help in understanding where these rules apply.
MINOR INFRACTIONS - 20 points
Language Policy: We wish to create the friendliest atmosphere possible in our forums. As such, excessive use of strong language will not be tolerated. The odd "bad word" is fine but a profanity laced rant is not. Discretion will rest with the moderators.
Off-Topic Posting: Posts are to be on the topic of the board description where they're posted. Off Topic posts may be moved or closed at the moderators discretion.
Low Content posting: No one-sentence posts with no substance. Posting "I like it" on a card or tournament idea adds nothing.
Spamming: Please do not double post or cross-post the same message in multiple forums. You will not PM or email multiple members of this site the same message. This includes "bump threads", posts intended merely to increase one's post count, and advertising threads.
Thread Hijacking: taking a thread off-topic to pursue one's own agenda.
Shouting: excessive use of caps, large fonts.
Questioning moderation policies/actions in the forums: if you have a disagreement with a moderator (If your thread gets deleted, if you get a warning, etc.), DO NOT post your complaint publicly on the forums. If you have a problem with a moderator's actions, PM or email the moderator privately. If the moderator's response is unsatisfactory, PM one of the administrators.
Acting like a mod:
Self-policing in social groups is a positive effect, but don't act with authority if you have none. Leave the mods' work to the mods and just use the report function so we can avoid provocation.
Do not post on behalf of someone who's banned. That'll probably get you banned, too. The idea of being banned is that they're no longer a part of this online forum community and are no longer allowed to interact here. No making threads that give glory to banned people. It's not a violation to mention them in passing but no threads that focus on them. ("Ah, TrollDuJour, I miss him so!" "or Hey, it's TrollduJour's birthday!") Prohibited threads include "What banned member do you miss/would you bring back?" type of threads. They're banned; don't give them that attention. If a moderator gives you specific instructions in a warning, and you blatantly disregard it, you are subject to being banned.
Accusing people in public
Now and then we get reports from people who have faced what they suspect to be a cheater/hacker/exploiter in PvP. Please don't mention their username in public. Instead PM it to Admin Higurashi or use the Arena Reporting Tool if it's in the Arena.
Abuse of "Report to moderator" button: multiple reports per thread, duplicate or frivolous reports will be deemed abuse and subject to warning. Every report is addressed. Please do not report something more than once.
Discussing ways to play Elements without ads: Elements is kept running thanks to ad revenue. No ad revenue, no free game. No game at all, in fact. Playing Elements on the main site is always going to be the best way to support the game and zanz, which gives him more incentive to develop the game. Any questions or suggestions of this nature will be deleted on sight.
MEDIUM INFRACTIONS - 40 points
Flaming: Do not post any messages that harass, insult (name calling), belittle, threaten or mock other members. Debates are fine, but critique the opinion, not the person. Personal attacks are not permitted.
Trolling: Do not post topics with the sole purpose of starting a dispute.
Advertising: Posting or private messaging to sell, buy, or trade products or services, links to auctions, affiliate links, links to promote personal or commercial websites, blogs, other forums and so forth is not allowed anywhere without explicit permission.
Disrespecting moderators. Be respectful in both the forums and any private communications with moderators. Moderators are volunteers that donate many, many hours of their own time to help in the forums and chat rooms.
Constantly bothering game developers. Elements the game owner and Lead Developer Zanzarino visits from time to time in the forum chatrooms. Please be respectful and don't bother him constantly by asking dumb questions. Regular conversation is of course permitted but spamming private messages asking how to upgrade cards is not. Let's give developers room to work on the game, ok?
If you want to get in contact with Zanzarino, please PM an administrator or send email to game.elements@gmail.com
MAJOR INFRACTIONS - permanent ban
Hacking, using bots, exploiting, etc. This is the fastest way of getting a permanent ban. Keep in mind that even talking about these things in public is forbidden.
Multiple accounts are not permitted. If you have a good reason for needing more than one account, contact an administrator and ask for permission. Usage of multiple accounts to circumvent penalties will result in a ban.
Offensive Posts, Links or Images: This means:
No rape threads/posts/images
No defecate threads/posts/images
No bestiality threads/posts/images
No overtly pornographic threads/posts/images
No pedophile/incest threads/posts/images
No grossout threads/posts/images
No Disclosure of Other Person's Personal Information: Do not disclose any other member's email, real name, address, phone number, IP address, or other personal information. This includes the posting contents of emails, private messages, warnings, infractions, and bans. Do not bring personal disputes into the forums.
Undefined: Obviously we can't anticipate every situation. For that reason, We reserve the right to remove any user at any time for any reason. If we think you're trying to manipulate the system, you'll be removed.
Warning points
Minor infraction: 20 points
Medium infraction: 40 points
Major infraction: Permanent ban
Warning levels
20+ points -] you will be put on user watch list
40+ points -] all your posts will be moderated (your posts become visible only after being approved by moderators)
60+ points -] you will not be able to post
Only mods and warned users can see their own watched status.
How do I get rid of warning points?
Your warning level will decrement automatically 1 point for every 24 hour period when you are not warned. This means that if you get warned for a minor infraction (20 points), and don't get warned again, your warning record will go back to zero in 20 days.