Forum Rules
Table of Contents
Introduction
Ban-worthy Offenses
Infraction-Worthy Offenses
Forum Basics
Welcome to the Heroes of Newerth forums! This document contains the Forum Rules and should be used as a resource for all users. These rules apply to all sections of the forum but some specific rules may be superseded by section specific guidelines. Consult the stickied threads of each subsection for any additional rules that may apply.
Please enjoy the forums!
Adherence to these guidelines shall be determined at the sole discretion of S2 Games staff and forum moderators. Keep in mind that your ability to use the forums is a privilege, not a right. S2 Games staff and forum moderators reserve the right to remove, edit, move or close any post for any reason.
Any actions taken will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may result in more severe or lenient action depending on previous infractions. This determination is at the sole discretion of S2 Games staff and forum moderators, and is final. Warnings and/or Infractions may be issued for minor violations of these rules. Serious or repeated offenses may result in a ban from the forums or even termination of your HoN account. Please note that the categories below are not exhaustive and inappropriate conduct of any kind may result in content removal or loss of posting privileges. The laws that apply in the offline world must be adhered to online as well. S2 Games has a zero tolerance for illegal behavior on the Heroes of Newerth forums. Online conduct should be guided by common sense and basic etiquette. Consult the HoN Terms of Service for additional restrictions and information.
S2 Games reserves the right to modify the Forum Rules at any time.
If a forum user posts something that violates the Forum Rules, they will incur an infraction and receive a private message. In this message, you will see the reason why you received this infraction, a message from a member of the moderator team, and a copy of the post you are being reprimanded for.
As a result of this, you will lose access to the forums for a set period of time dependent on the number of infractions you have incurred. The first infraction will result in a short suspension. Each additional infraction will extend the length of the suspension. At five infractions, you will lose your access to the Heroes of Newerth forums permanently. No exceptions.
The system in place allows for the opportunity to gain “extra chances” as well. Should a user display pristine posting behavior over a period of six months, then one of their infractions can “expire” and thus not count towards the five infraction limit. This can only occur three times for any given account.
NOTE: If a user is determined to be providing no value to the forums, they may lose their access before reaching the infraction limit. This measure is reserved for users that are displaying clear intent to disrupt or cause issues and only used in extreme cases.
Sometimes it is necessary for moderators to delete posts from the forums. This can be for many reasons including, but not limited to: breaking the forum rules, off-topic discussion or posting in an anti-constructive manner. In all cases, the moderators will seek to keep the user informed as to why the posts were removed. As described in the infraction section above, users will receive a message for any infraction-worthy material that is removed.
If users engage in off-topic discussion in a thread, these posts are often deleted to keep the thread on track. In these cases, the posts will be deleted but infractions are not always handed out. However, moderators will post in these threads to notify the users why their posts were removed and to remind them of these forum rules.
Breaking any of the rules listed below will result in a permanent ban from the forums and, in some cases, loss of game play privileges. There are no exceptions to these rules and no second chances.
Description:
Posts or remarks regarding the following: future change logs, unreleased heroes, or any new content that has not yet been posted by S2 Games staff members.
Forum Rule:
Leaking of any kind will be dealt with severely. If you generate a leak from one of the private forum sections, you will be permanently banned from the forums AND lose your game play privileges.
Spreading leaked content or posting fake leaks is equally inappropriate. If you spread or fake a leak, you will incur a lengthy forum ban.
Description:
At S2 Games, we appreciate constructive criticism and are constantly seeking to better ourselves. However, threats, slander, and libel against the company will not be tolerated. Any attack on S2 Games, verbally or otherwise, will be dealt with harshly.
Forum Rule:
We will never punish a user for criticizing S2 Games or HoN in a constructive manner. However, defamation and attacks against the company are taken very seriously and harsh punishments will apply. Users found to be behaving in this manner will incur a permanent forum ban.
Description:
The use and promotion of hacks, exploits, and malicious software of any kind is strictly forbidden.
Prohibited actions include:
- Using or distributing "auto" software programs or "macro" software programs or other cheat utilities, programs or scripts.
- Uploading any software or content that you do not own or have permission to freely distribute.
- Promoting or encouraging any illegal activity including hacking, cracking or distribution of counterfeit software (includes: mentioning names and posting screenshots or links).
- Posting, transmitting, promoting, or distributing content that is illegal.
- Uploading a file that contains a virus or malicious data.
Forum Rule:
The use or promotion of hacks, exploits, or malicious software will result in permanent forum ban and loss of game play privileges.
Description:
Impersonation of S2 Games employees or volunteer personnel (including, but not limited to: GMs, Moderators, and Support Volunteers) in an attempt to mislead another forum user.
Forum Rule:
It is illegal to knowingly impersonate another actual person through or on the forums, for purposes of harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another person. It is illegal, by Forum Rule, for a person to falsely assume or pretend to be an S2 employee or volunteer. If you are found to be doing this, you will incur a permanent forum ban and your account name will be flagged for a nickname change where appropriate.
Description:
The use of sub-accounts or unlinked alternate accounts (together referred to as ‘alternate accounts’) on the forums in general is NOT prohibited. However, using alternate accounts to circumvent or avoid punishment is not allowed. Use of alternate accounts on the forums to bump your own threads or manipulate poll results is also not allowed.
Forum Rule:
Should a user choose to use alternate accounts for any of the prohibited actions stated above, all infractions they incur on the alternate account(s) will count on the user’s main account as well. We reserve the right to moderate by-the-user rather than by-the-account.
Alternate accounts used inappropriately will be permanently banned from the forums. Any infractions or punishments given to said alternate account will be applied to the main account as well.
Thread: Forum Rules
Posting Permissions
