Rules
When using the Player Moderator powers that you have, you must
use
them in conjunction with these guidelines and the Player Moderator Code of Conduct.
What reporting powers do Player Moderators have?
Abuse reports
Abuse reports with mutes
-
When submitting reports you can also optionally mute
players.
The mute will last for 48 hours, so it is critical that you only use
the mute facility where it is absolutely justified in accordance with
these guidelines and the Code of Conduct. We do not want to see
innocent players muted, nor mutes placed where a simple report would
have been sufficient.
The mute is a very powerful tool for
combating scammers and can really help us to impact on the scamming
element within the game, making the RuneScape a better environment for
all. However, it must be seen as a tool to aid Jagex and not as a
punishment in itself. The Player Moderator mute must only be applied in
a situation where it will actively stop rule breaking from happening.
There are several cases where a mute will never be required so be sure
to make yourself aware of the difference.
Rule 7 - Macroing
You must not use other programs to gain an unfair
advantage at the game.
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Rule 1. Offensive language
You must not use any language used which is offensive, racist or
obscene.
More
information
The key word here is 'discretion'!
For the purpose of this guideline, we have limited the amount
of
examples. We have done this partly for the sake of civility, but also
because this rule is very much reliant on your discretion as a Player
Moderator. We ask that you honestly consider the situation
when coming up against offensive language.
Offensive language is a very difficult rule to judge and we
ask that
you take care when tackling it. When reporting players for offensive
language it is imperative that you consider the context before you
submit the report, especially with a mute.
For example
- Friends may well use what seems offensive language to
others
amongst themselves. As long as this is not affecting players around
them you should not report them for this.
- Some players may use offensive language on certain
occasions out of
frustration, though not directed at another player. If these are
isolated cases you should not report these players.
- Likewise, if players are using isolated abbreviations such
as 'fu' or 'omfg' you should not report them.
Only if abuse is persistent and personally directed
will it be
necessary to report with a mute. The mute should only be used if these
words are used more than 3 or 4 times.
Language of a sexual nature - It is
imperative to remove this
from the game. However, remember to be sure of context! Bear in mind
that sexually abusive language can take place without any actual swear
words being used.
- Do not report:
Mild sexual language being used amongst friends - Player1:
Hey sexy, how you doing today?
- Report without mute:
Mild sexual language being used to offend or belittle a player;
Includes language that is used in a solicitation context - Player1:
Hey babe. You're really sexy, want some fun!
- Report with mute:
Language of an explicit sexual nature, used for offense, threat or
solicitation.
The Chat Filter - Do not report language
that has already
been caught by the chat filter unless the abuse is still made obvious
or is extensive.
- Do not report:
- Player1: You **** !! *****
is the ******!!!
- Report without mute:
- Player1: You're a ****ing piece of
sh**!
- Report with mute:
- Player1: I will F***ing kill
you!
- Player1: Player1: You
****king sh*t! you're f****ng dead!
Racial Abuse - This is simply not tolerated
in the game and
must always be reported with a mute if the language is intended to be
insulting and derogatory.
- Report all racial abuse with mute
Player Moderator Abuse -Unfortunately,
Player Moderators are
sometimes the subject of abuse from other players due to their
prominence and their status. On most occasions this abuse is nothing
more than personal heckling and we ask our player mods to be patient in
such cases. More often that not, adding the offending player to your
ignore list will solve the problem. If they are bordering on actual
offensive language, firstly warn the player about the abuse. If the
player is being very offensive towards you and using violent,
threatening or extremely vulgar language, you should report them with a
mute.
Spamming the chat box - Rule 1 reports can
also be used to
help reduce the level of spamming in the game. The mute button should
only be used against spamming in extreme cases, but should you see a
player spamming the chat screen to the point of disrupting the game of
others, then please do report this under abusive language.
Roundup - Quick Reference
Do submit an abuse report without
mute if a player is:
- Using vulgar language more than twice.
- Using number and letter combinations to get around the chat
filter to say something obviously offensive.
- Is being threatening.
- You come across an offensive name in game.
Do submit an abuse report with a
mute when:
- Verbal abuse is extreme and persistent.
- Sexually abusive.
- Violent and threatening.
- Extremely vulgar.
- Racist.
Don't submit an abuse report when
- Players are joking amongst themselves.
- There are only a few isolated minor swear words in all of
the chat.
- When players say words like 'noob' 'choob'.
- When players use isolated abbreviations like 'stfu'.
Rule 2. Item Scamming
You must not scam or deceive other players.
More
information
With this rule, your mute should be used if you feel that you
can
prevent further scamming by using it. Most item scam cases will require
a mute.
An item scam must include:
Deliberate lying to scam
- Report with mute:
- Player1: Selling rare
Spinach roll
- Player1: This leaf will
raise your attack by 20!
Deliberate tricks to get a player to give away an item (e.g.
pretending to be a staff member, refer to rule 5).
- Report with mute:
- Player1: I'm Jagex staff -
please give me your best item for a free upgrade.
- Player1: Apparently, if you
drop that item near the fountain, it will duplicate.
An offer to duplicate or modify items.
- Report with mute:
- Player1: If you give me your
sword, I can duplicate it for you.
- Player1: I'll trim your
armour for free
Trust tests or trust games where a player does not return an
item.
- Report with mute:
- Player1: Give me your best
items - whoever gives the best wins 1mil
- Player1: Do you trust me?
Give me your best item and I'll give it back.
What is not an item scam?
- An unbalanced trade.
- Someone getting a bad deal on an agreed trade.
- Someone offering to sell items relatively cheaply.
- A trade followed by a player logging out, this doesn't mean
that they are attempting to scam.
Be aware of some scammers quickly switching the values offered
within the trade screen.
A common example of this type of scam is a player offering to
sell
1000 coal and then changing the value on offer to 100 very quickly
before the other player realises.
If a player attempts this scam on you and you have not
accepted the
trade - please send in a Player Moderator support query along with the
report. (See Player Moderator support query below).
Roundup - Quick Reference
Do submit an abuse report if:
- A player is attempting to gain another player's items (this
may extend to Bank Pin theft).
- A player is attempting to scam via a trust test etc...
Don't submit an abuse report when:
- A player makes an unbalanced trade.
- Someone is offering to sell items relatively cheaply.
Rule 3. Password Scamming
Asking for another players password for any reason will not be
tolerated.
More
information
One of the easiest rules to catch, Password scamming includes
any attempt to gain another player's password by any means.
If a player is trying to scam a password, you should always
submit an abuse report. Because of the serious nature of password
scamming a Mute should always be given to any
player trying to scam passwords.
Password scamming examples
- Report with mute:
- Player1: Jagex finally wont
let you type your pass - ******
- Player1: The new jagex
filter doesn't let you say your password see test:*****
- Player1: Selling code to
make easy money
- Player1: The code is that u
have to change ur pass to 063572
- Player1: Change your pass to
money log out and then back in and look in bank
- Player1: Do you want to be a
member? I make you one if you give me your pass.
- Player1: I can level up your
combat if you let me on your acc. Wats the pass?
Roundup - Quick Reference
Do send an abuse report and mute
a player when:
- A player is attempting to gain another player's password.
Don't send an abuse report when:
- A player is discussing how to keep passwords safe.
Rule 4. Cheating/Bug Abuse
Any bugs found within the game must be reported to Jagex immedaitely.
More
information
Bug abuse is very difficult to detect in abuse reports.
Generally,
you will only be able to report a player for bug abuse if you see them
verbally admitting to it. This should be reported under verbal
abuse.
Should you see evidence of a bug abuser, but see no admission,
you
may send in a Player Moderator query detailing your suspicions. This
will allow us to investigate the character.
Bug abuse should never require a mute
unless the player in question is encouraging others
to also abuse the bug.
Roundup - Quick Reference
Do send an abuse report without
mute when:
- A player is admitting to bug abuse - use verbal abuse
option.
Do send in an abuse report with
mute when:
- A player is advertising a game bug and encouraging its use.
Don't send in an abuse report or mute
players when:
- A player or players are discussing a bug. Players will
discuss bugs; it doesn't mean that they intend to exploit them.
Rule 5. Jagex Staff Impersonation
You should not attempt to impersonate Jagex staff in any way.
More
information
Staff impersonation will generally fall into one of three
categories:
Usernames - Players with a username that could be easily
mistaken as official.
- Report with mute:
- modd_james
- passchecker
- iamstaff
- jagxstaf
Impersonation with intent to scam - Claiming to be staff in
order to scam items or a password.
- Report with mute:
- Player1: I'm staff. We are
running checks on accounts and need your pass
- Player1: Please give me your
best item for inspection. I am staff
- Player1: I work for Jagex
and we need your pass to make you a Player Moderator
Impersonation with no malicious intent - Some players will
simply
claim that they are staff to win an argument or to feel special.
- Report without mute:
- Player1: Well, my dad works
for Jagex
- Player1: I work for Jagex,
it's the best job in the world!
- Player1: You can't kill
me...I work for Jagex.
Roundup - Quick Reference
Do send an abuse report without
mute when:
- A player is simply claiming to be staff, but not with an
aim to scam.
Do send an abuse report with
mute when:
- A player claims to be Jagex staff with an aim to scam.
- A player has a name that resembles our staff names.
Rule 6. Account Sharing/Trading
Each account should only be used by ONE person.
More
information
There are two distinct categories within this rule: account
sharing and account trading.
Account sharing
This can be tricky to catch. You are most likely to be able
to send
us a report only if a player admits to the act. Should you see a player
admitting this, please send a report without mute.
- Report without mute:
- Player1: This isn't my
account - it's my sister's
- Player1: I play my brother's
account sometimes
- Player1: I'm not player1,
I'm his mate
If on the other hand you should see a player actively
attempting to
share an account with someone, you may then use a mute as it could well
prevent the sharing from happening.
- Report with mute:
- Player1: Does anyone want to
share accounts?
- Player1: Can I go on your
account and you go on mine?
Account trading
Roundup - Quick Reference
Do send an abuse report without
mute when:
- A player is admitting to sharing an account.
Do send an abuse report with
mute when:
- A player is trying to buy an account.
- A player is trying to sell an account.
- A player is attempting to persuade another to share an
account.
Don't send an abuse report when:
- You suspect a player is sharing an account (We must have
proof first).
Rule 7. Macroing
You must not use other programs to gain an unfair advantage at the
game.
More
information
Macroing falls into two main categories:
- Autotyping - This can be reported under abusive
language
as it is clear to see in a snapshot when an autotyper is being used.
Autotypers can be recognised by large quantities of complicated text
being repeated in fast succession. These reports will be dealt with as
normal. Such examples can be muted in order to
avoid further disruption. Please see the examples in rule 1 -
spamming the chat box for a guide on the levels of text you
should be looking for.
- Repeated task Macroing - Should you see
a player you suspect
to be using a Macro to perform a repetitive task, you can send a report
using the Macro option. This will not require a mute
and you will not receive confirmation
for this report. Instead, your report will be sent directly to our
Macro detection system in order for the player in question to be
investigated.
Should you see a player verbally admit to using a Macro
however, you will still be better to use the verbal abuse
option.
Macroing examples
- Report without mute:
- Player1: I don't do my own
fishing; I have a bot that does it
- Player1: My autoer is great,
I don't have to train manually
Roundup - Quick Reference
Do send an abuse report under verbal abuse without
mute when:
- A player is admitting that they use macro software.
Do send an abuse report under verbal abuse with
mute when:
- A player is using an autotyper to spam the chat box.
- A player is advertising macro software (see rule 12).
Do send in a Macro report when:
- You have any suspicion that a player may be using a Macro.
Rule 8. Multiple Logging-In
If you create more than one RuneScape account, they must not interact.
More
information
Multiple Login reports will never require a mute.
As with Bug Abuse and Acc Sharing, you are unlikely to be able to send
in a report unless a player admits to the act.
Multiple Login examples
- Report without mute:
- Player1: If I give you this
helm, can you trade it to me on my other acc?
- Player1: I don't keep my
best items on this acc, I drop trade them all to my noob
- Player1: I have a mule
account
- Player1: I need to get some
more money off my other account first
Roundup - Quick Reference
Do send an abuse report without
mute when:
- A player is admitting to multiple login.
Don't send an abuse report when:
- You merely suspect that someone is logging in multiple
characters.
Rule 9. Encouraging Others to Break
Rules
You must not encourage others to break any of the RuneScape rules.
More
information
This is a fairly generic category and can be used in any
instance
where you feel that one player is encouraging another to break any
rule. Do be aware that in some contexts a player may only be joking. Be
sure that what you are witnessing is truly encouraging others before
applying a mute.
Encouraging others to break the rules examples
- Report with mute:
- Player1: have you ever
scammed? I can teach you how
- Player1: You wanna know how
to hack?
- Player1: You should buy an
acc from ebay
- Player1: Let's cuss out the
mod
- Player1: Jagex won't do
anything if you break the rules, scam him!
Roundup - Quick Reference
Do send an abuse report with
mute if:
- A player is in any way attempting to encourage others to
break rules.
- A player is telling others how to break rules.
- A player is advertising a website that contains information
about rule breaking (see rule 11).
- A player is actively promoting a bug in the game.
Don't submit a report and mute a player if:
- The player casually refers to a rule breaking offense (e.g.
"hehe
scam the noob") this is usually just done in a joking way. However you
must use your judgment in these cases
Rule 10. False Representations
This service must be used appropriately and treated with respect at all
times.
More
information
This rule applies to all instances of providing false
information to
Jagex. For the most part, you will only be running into breaches of
this rule relating to misuse of Customer Support.
Reporting of this rule will rely on verbal admission. As a
general rule, you will never need to mute for this
rule; only send in reports without mute.
Misuse of Customer Support examples
- Report without mute:
- Player1: Everyone report
this player! Hahahaha
- Player1: I'm going to report
you until you get banned
- Player1: If you report me,
I'll report you back
- Player1: I sent a pass form
for your acc to Jagex!
Roundup - Quick Reference
Only submit an abuse report without
mute where:
- A player is clearly seen admitting that they have misused
customer support.
- A player admits to deceiving customer support in an attempt
to gain another players details.
Rule 11. Advertising Websites
You are not allowed to actively advertise in the RuneScape game or
RuneScape forums.
More
information
As with many of the rules in these guidelines, context will
play a
large part in reporting for advertising websites. Try to limit your
mutes to those times that you actually see what looks like a link to a
hack, cheating or autoing site, rather than muting players who may
simply need a reminder. Our aim here is to get any players advertising
cheat sites that could well be keylogged out of the game as soon as
possible.
In any persistent cases, you can of course consider a mute for
spamming the chat box.
Advertising websites examples
- Do not report:
- Player1: You can get help
from [fansite name] if you need it
- Report without mute:
- Player1: Do you want to join
my clan? It's at [link]
- Report with mute:
- Player1: Free miners at
[link] go to [link] for free bots and hacks
- Player1: Wanna type as fast
as me? Web: [link]
- Player1: Free RS2 items at
web: [link]
Roundup - Quick Reference
Do submit an abuse report without
mute where:
- A player is advertising a website you do not know. We can
then give you feedback on this website, so you know for future.
- Player is advertising a website that you feel may have
offensive content, but is not dangerous.
Do submit an abuse report with
mute where:
- The player is advertising any cheat site, hack site, auto
miner
site or any other website designed to give players and unfair advantage.
- The player is advertising a chat program name/handle or
email address.
- The player is advertising any software.
- The player is advertising a duplication service (see rule 2).
- The player is advertising the same link repeatedly.
Rule 12. Real World Item Trading
RuneScape items must only be exchanged for other items/services within
the game.
More
information
It is of course not possible to see real world trades in abuse
reports. However, if a player is admitting that they have bought or
sold items or characters for real money then you should submit an abuse
report without mute to alert us to the fact.
Real world item trading examples
- Report without mute:
- Player1: I once bought an
account off ebay
- Player1: I'm going to buy
some gp with real money at a site I know
- Player1: Selling full rune
for real $$$
- Player1: You get me ess and
I'll pay you in real $$$ each week
Roundup - Quick Reference
Do submit an abuse report without
mute where:
- A player is admitting that they have bought or sold items
for real money.
- A player is advertising the sale or is offering to buy
items with real money.
Don't send a report where:
- You only suspect that a player might have real world traded
Rule 13. Asking for Personal Details
To protect players' saftey and privacy, you must not ask for personal
details.
More
information
The aim behind this rule is to prevent any player from asking
for
details that could be used to track another player in real life. As
always, do consider context. Sometimes, players may well ask how old
each other are or what their first names are. This information is not
dangerous and is not considered reportable in most situations.
However, asking for details such as full name, parents' names,
address, email address or phone number could well have a more sinister
undertone.
Asking for personal details examples
- Do not report:
- Player1: what's your name?
- Player1: Have you got any
pets?
- Report without mute:
- Player1: What's your email
address?
- Player1: What's your
address? And what school do you go to?
- Player1: Do you have a
mobile phone? Tell me the number so I can call u
Roundup - Quick Reference
Do submit an abuse report with
mute where:
- A player is admitting asking for any personal details that
could be used to track another player in real life.
- A player is seen asking the age of another player with
sexual reference.
Don't send a report where:
- Players are innocently chatting as friends about their ages
and names.
Rule 14. Misuse of Official Forums
Forums must be used respectfully at all times.
More
information
It is highly unlikely that you should ever come across
anything
relating to this rule whilst in-game. However, it's useful to know that
the rule exists to safeguard the RuneScape forum users and keep the
forums a fun place to be. Should you see evidence of a player breaking
the forum rules, please be sure to post on the 'Forum Emergencies'
thread in the General forums using the template given.
Rule 15. Advert Blocking
Please do not block the Adverts in free-to-play RuneScape.
More
information
Similar to Rule 14,
it is very unlikely that
you will ever meet a player breaking this rule. However, if a player
openly admits to using advert blocking software you should report them without
a mute.
You should report any players selling advert blocking software under
the
Real World Item Trading
category.
Security
Please remember that as a Player Moderator your account
security is
vital. Account security is one of the first basic requirements of being
a Player Moderator. As such, should a Player Moderator account be found
to have any security breaches - whether the Player Moderator's fault or
not - then that account will be regretfully demodded.
Please therefore take care to safeguard your account. Your
modship does depend on this.
For helpful links, please visit our Security
Tips.
Confidentiality
As a Player Moderator, you will often find yourself privy to
certain
information that other players will not. We expect you to at all times
remain discrete about the content of the Player Moderator Centre; this
extends from the Guidelines all the way down to topics discussed in the
Player Moderator Forum lounge.
Other players will be aware of the existence of the Player
Moderator
centre - there is a link to the area on the main site. They will not
however, be able to gain access to it.
You are entitled to inform them that this area provides
reference
and guidance material to help you with your role. You can even mention
that there is a Player Moderator forum where you can discuss your role
with other Player Moderators. However, they must never
know of the content discussed within.
Failure to keep this content secret will result in your
demodding.