Standards of Behaviour

I think we’ll start with please don’t abuse the site. Given the social networking features available on yoyogames.com, we trust users to act responsibly. We are, after all, a community, and the strongest communities are based on their constituents showing each other mutual trust and respect.

Any game, comment, review, message, forum post or entry in the Wiki can be flagged by any user if deemed to be inappropriate and will be reviewed by a Moderator or YoYo Admin. We reserve the right to edit or delete content and to suspend users who persist in breaking the rules. We really don’t want to ban anyone from the site because that’s mean and we’re a nice bunch, but in extreme cases we may have to, as a last resort.

Here we'll try to explain what to do and what not to do at yoyogames.com.
The YYG forums have a separate, more forum specific set of rules, which can be found here. Please note that the GMC is also a separate forum with its own set of rules, which can be found here.

1. I think we'll start with Please don't abuse the site. Given the social networking features available on yoyogames.com, we trust users to act responsibly. We are, after all, a community, and the strongest communities are based on their constituents showing each other mutual trust and respect.

2. Most of the rules are fairly common sense. It boils down to "Don't be a jerk." Some rules might not be so obvious to some users (see Spam...please!), so be sure to read them anyway, but generally act respectful and constructive and you should be fine.

3. Spam. No one likes it. Neither the ground up variety of meat in a tin, nor unsolicited and/or unauthorized advertising, solicitations, promotional materials, junk mail, chain letters, etc. Any found on the site will be removed and we’ll suspend users who post spam.

4. Any user profile, game, comment, review, message, forum post or entry in the Wiki can be flagged by any user if deemed to be inappropriate and will be reviewed by a Moderator or YoYo Admin. We reserve the right to edit or delete content and to restrict or suspend users who persist in breaking the rules. We really don't want to ban anyone from the site because that's mean and we're a nice bunch, but in extreme cases we may have to, as a last resort.

5. We really must insist that you read our Terms & Conditions for clarification of any of these points, as violations of the Terms & Conditions may result in suspension or termination of your account. Once you’ve been banned there is no coming back, so please don't give us a reason to take that option. Above all, we want you to enjoy the site! :)

Tips to help you stick to The Rules:


 * The site is not intended for uploading any files that aren’t Game Maker games. We will take it very seriously if any users post files that contain Malware, or anything at all harmful to the user who downloads.


 * YoYoGames.com is as we’ve said a community, and will attract users of all ages, so we ask you to consider this before uploading a game that could be seen as pornographic or highly unsuitable for younger users. If a game is flagged by another user for this reason, it risks being removed.


 * Similarly, if your game contains graphic or gratuitous violence it may be very offensive to some users, so please think carefully before uploading. That’s not to say we don’t like FPSs and such, but common sense tells us when a line has been crossed…


 * We’d like to remind all users that Copyright infringement is very much frowned upon and illegal. We ask you to only upload games that you yourself have made, using Game Maker, and that they contain only elements that you are entitled to or that you have obtained the rights to use.

We really must insist that you read our Terms & Conditions for clarification of any of these points, as violations of the Terms & Conditions may result in suspension or termination of your account. Once you’ve been banned there’s no coming back, so please don’t give us a reason to take that option. Above all, we want you to enjoy the site!

No offensive language or content
'''Keep in mind that this is an all-age website. Language containing racism, sexual remarks, insults, pornography, drug use... will not be tolerated.''' Strong and/or offensive language will be removed and users who keep using such language will be warned or restricted by a moderator.

Inflammatory language will most likely result in you getting some inflammatory language in return. Don’t start fights and don't keep them going. If you use offensive language in comments, descriptions or titles, the content will probably be removed or altered by a mod. Similarly, if your game contains graphic or gratuitous violence, it may be very offensive to some users, so please think carefully before uploading. That is not to say we do not like FPSs and such, but common sense tells us when a line has been crossed. Offensive language or content in usernames or user details (including avatars) will be removed and the profile may be banned.

Don't use cracks
Don't use or encourage others to use illegal versions of Game Maker.

Any reference to illegal versions of Game Maker or cracks can and probably will result in a permanent ban of the member who posted it. Likewise, don't reveal your GM Pro license key to anyone; a key is yours, and yours alone.

Game Maker games only
Only upload games which have been made with the official Game Maker software.

The site is not intended for uploading any files that aren't Game Maker games. Games or tools made with a different development tool will be removed from the website. Games with as only content references (links) to other games are not to be uploaded either. Anything that's not a game (examples, tutorials, tools...) should not be uploaded as a game. Upload those in the resource section.

No malicious content
In short: no malware, no undesired messages and let the player close the game whenever he wants to.

We will take it very seriously if any users post files that contain malware or anything at all harmful to the user who downloads. Games should not harm or block the players computer in any intentional way and should always have an easy, obvious close-option (with the escape button, the Q-button or a different, clearly in-game stated closing option). Players are not supposed to know how to use the Windows Task manager to terminate games. Games should also never automatically execute other software which results in damage, stuck software (eternal loops) or unwanted information (spam, porn).

Don't steal content
Using bits of other games or any other resources is not allowed without the permission of the original content owner.

We would like to remind all users that Copyright infringement is very much frowned upon and it is illegal. We ask you to only upload games that you yourself have made, using Game Maker, and that they contain only elements (images, sounds, music, game characters...) that you are entitled to or that you have obtained the rights to use. If you see stolen content, try to get the original owner to report it to us, that way we know for sure he doesn't agree to the use of his property.

Only one game page for each game
Please submit your game once and only once.

It might seem clever, but we’ll remove duplicates and other versions and you will waste downloads and reviews on the copies of the games that get deleted. New versions should replace the original game file, use the appropriate buttons in your account to update games.

Select the right completion status
Only set your game to complete if it's actually a complete game.

Demo's are to be set as incomplete, Beta versions should only be visible to Beta testers in the Beta section. Incomplete means that it isn't finished and Beta means you think it’s complete, but you want some people to test it first to make sure.

Proper description and screenshots
'''Give your game a decent description and actual, in-game screenshots. Your game profile should invite the player to play the game and give him a clear indication what it will look like.'''

You're allowed to add one game logo as screenshot, but the game should at least show one in-game screenshot. Don't upload default Windows desktops, popular game art, sprites or sprite-sheets as screenshots. The game description is not the game help file; just make a simple, yet appealing description of the game. The in-game controls or a list of version updates don't belong in the game description.

No account copying
You're not allowed to copy the account of a different member in the attempt to make fun of or to harass the other member.

Such accounts will be banned and this may also have consequences for your original account, should you have one.

No secondary accounts
You're not allowed to make more than one account, as this can only be abused (uprating, downrating...).

Group accounts may be condoned, but these can't be used for anything but posting and discussing the games of this group of members. Such an account cannot be used to comment on any other games or to review or rate them. If you want to change your username, request this by reporting your own account (via the YoYo Helpdesk) and asking for a new name. Don't turn this into a game, though, your username is what members know you by and shouldn't change all the time.

The Purpose of a Comment
Can be a simple question, note, suggestion, or opinion on the subject.

If your message doesn't fit in one comment, you may want to consider writing a review or sending the creator of the game a personal message. A message like "bad" or "good" is quite pointless, as it's a personal opinion about the game. Try to clarify what it is you liked or disliked about the game.

The Purpose of a Review
'''Is not to make a simple comment with a more elaborated rating. You cannot make a review like this - "Pros: Everything, Cons: None really, Review: the game was good!".'''

The purpose of a review is to give the readers an idea of what the game is like, as a critical analysis. You don't need to be constructive in your criticisms, but you need not be offensive either. If your review is short, make sure it is packed with information and a strong opinion. Your ratings need to be realistic, not exaggerated or altered from any 'personal vendetta' against the creator or the game. If you don't want to spend time criticising a game, add a simple comment instead of a review.

No spam
'''Spam. No one likes it. Neither the ground up variety of meat in a tin, nor unsolicited and/or unauthorized advertising, solicitations, promotional materials, junk mail, chain letters, etc. Any found on the site will be removed and we may suspend users who post spam.'''

Don't advertise your game in comments either, if you want to inform your friends about your game, and if they don't mind, you can do it through the private messaging system. Adding comments and/or reviews with nonsense is also considered spamming.

Report bad content
Please use the report or alert buttons to inform the moderators about bad content.

The mod team relies on the members to report any bad content. All elements have been given a report- or flag-button. If you see anything that breaks the rules, please report it and, if asked, give a brief, though clear reason for your report. Please leave moderating up to the moderators. Do not impersonate a moderator, or act like you are a moderator. This does not mean that you should not report someone who is not following the rules. It just means you should let the moderators tell that person what to do. In most cases you'll only make things worse, especially with spammers or flame wars.

Pointless reporting
Please don't report something unless you have a good reason for it or you know it's breaching the rules.

We are getting a large list of games, resources, comments, reviews and members being reported for no obvious reason. We can see who reports what and we may act against abuse of the report system. You are allowed to report yourself, but only to request a username change.

Direct moderator contact
We ask you to use the report buttons if possible, rather than directly contacting a moderator.

The report system allows a much faster reaction time, the moderator whom you're trying to contact may not be active or may not have time to handle your request/report properly. If you use the report system, the first active moderator can check out what's wrong. If, for some reason, you really do want personal contact with a moderator, you'll find a list of active website moderators here.

The YoYo Team updated January 2011