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A Game Developer’s Guide to Combat Toxic Behavior, Part 2

Featured Image: A Game Developer’s Guide to Combat Toxic Behavior, Part 2
Sep 17, 2024 —

Part 2 of 3: Building a Better Gaming Community by Establishing and Enforcing Guidelines

As we covered in Part 1 of our 3-part blog series, defining your vision for toxic behavior and aligning stakeholders is crucial. The next step is setting expectations and boundaries for your community, which is done through effective guidelines. Let’s dive into the art of establishing and enforcing community guidelines that will keep your game healthy and thriving.

The Blueprint: Establish Effective Guidelines

1. Set Crystal Clear Expectations

Your community guidelines should be a beacon of clarity. Address key areas such as:

Remember, clarity is key. Use accessible, easy-to-read, inclusive language that resonates with your player base while aligning with your game’s culture. Consider visual aids, like infographics, to make guidelines easier to understand and share. Also keep definitions at a high level so the focus is on the behavior, not specific examples (ultimately you need to decide what’s acceptable).

2. Community Collaboration

Don’t go it alone! Involve your players in the guideline creation process through polls, feedback sessions, and community discussions.This input ensures the rules reflect community values while upholding your standards. A collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and investment among players, which can make them more likely to self-regulate and report violations.

3. Keep It Snappy and Engaging

Attention spans are short, so make your guidelines concise and engaging. Use real-world examples and scenarios, possibly tied to your game’s lore or characters, to illustrate both desirable and unacceptable behaviors. Gamified explanations, like interactive quizzes or unlockable rewards for reading, can also boost player engagement with the rules.

4. Align the Guidelines with Your Vision

Wherever possible, tie your guidelines back to your company’s mission and the core values of your game’s universe. This not only provides clarity, but also gives players a sense of connection with the bigger picture. The more invested they are in your vision, the more likely they’ll adhere to and promote a positive community culture.

The Execution: Enforcing Your Guidelines

1. Implement User-Friendly Reporting Systems

Implement a streamlined reporting system that’s integrated directly into your game interface. Ensure players can flag inappropriate behavior quickly, offering an option for anonymity if needed. The system should be intuitive, with categories and examples to guide players through the process. Keep them updated on the outcome when appropriate, as transparency in reporting builds trust in the system.

2. Build Your Moderation Dream Team

Invest in a well-trained, emotionally intelligent moderation team. These unsung heroes need to understand the game, the player base, and the nuances of online behavior. Training in conflict resolution, mental health awareness, and bias reduction is essential for fair and consistent moderation. There are plenty of paid solutions, but also consider developing an ambassador program, where trusted community members help moderate and set the tone for in-game behavior.

3. Leverage Tech-Savvy Solutions

A great team will be limited without the right tools. RallyHere’s Sanctions API allows you to directly feed important report data to its integrated user-friendly Support Portal, providing your moderation group with all the information they need for a detailed investigation right at their fingertips.

If you are a match based game, RallyHere’s Sanctions can also help maintain fair play by implementing temporary penalties for players who frequently abandon matches, encouraging consistent participation and improving the overall quality.

4. Consistent Enforcement

Consistent enforcement of community guidelines is essential for creating fairness and trust within a gaming community. Create and use internal guidelines on how to handle various situations, ensure the people taking action are properly trained, and use a peer review system to remove potential bias. Regular audits and feedback from your community can help refine your practices further, ultimately helping to foster a positive environment where players clearly understand the boundaries.

5. Consequences and Transparency

Create a transparent, tiered system of consequences for rule-breakers. From warnings to temporary or permanent bans, make sure players understand the potential outcomes of their actions.

RallyHere’s Support Portal also allows you to track the reason for enforcement and assign suspension or ban durations to ensure efficient and immediate action is taken.

6. Evolve and Adapt

Your community will change over time—so should your guidelines. Regularly review and update your rules to address new challenges, trends, or gameplay mechanics. Notify your community in advance when changes are made and use player feedback to fine-tune the updates, ensuring the rules remain fair and relevant.

Nurturing a Positive Gaming Ecosystem

1. Spotlight and Reward Positive Behavior

Recognize and reward players who exemplify positive behavior. In-game badges, exclusive items, or public shout-outs acknowledge the good help set the standard. Consider creating a leaderboard for positive contributions, like reporting accurately, offering helpful advice to new players, or embodying sportsmanship.

2. Ongoing Education

Make community values a living part of the player experience. Create accessible resources like tutorials, blog posts, and in-game prompts that continuously reinforce positive behaviors. Engage with players through content that resonates—whether it’s humor, storytelling, or social media challenges—to keep the message fresh.

3. Unite Your Community with Events

Organize community events that promote camaraderie and showcase your guidelines in action. Tournaments, charity streams, and cooperative in-game challenges provide opportunities for players to bond while reinforcing the values you’ve set. Events that bring players together can help strengthen the community and reduce instances of toxic behavior.

Conclusion

Establishing and enforcing community guidelines is more than just setting rules—it’s about creating a space where all players can thrive. By setting clear expectations, enforcing them fairly, and nurturing positive interactions, you’re not just building a game; you’re cultivating a vibrant, self-sustaining community.

The goal isn’t to police your players but to empower them to create a healthy, enjoyable environment for everyone. With thoughtful guidelines, consistent enforcement, and a focus on positivity, you’re paving the way for epic battles, legendary teamwork, and friendships that extend far beyond the game itself.