Community Standards

Effective Date: August 26, 2025
Last Updated: August 26, 2025

1. Our Community Vision

The Forge is built on the principles of collaboration, creativity, and mutual respect. We're a community of modders, players, and enthusiasts who share a passion for Single Player Tarkov. These Community Standards ensure everyone can participate in a welcoming, productive environment.

Our Core Values:

Respect: Treat all community members with dignity and courtesy
Collaboration: Support each other's projects and learning
Quality: Strive for excellence in both content and conduct
Integrity: Be honest, give credit where due, and follow the rules

2. General Community Rules

2.1 Basic Conduct

Be Civil and Respectful:

Treat all users with courtesy and respect
Use appropriate language - no profanity, slurs, or offensive content
Disagree respectfully when you have different opinions
Remember there's a real person behind every username

Be Constructive:

Provide helpful feedback instead of just criticism
Stay on-topic in discussions and threads
Contribute meaningfully to conversations
Help newcomers learn and improve

Be Honest:

Don't misrepresent your work or identity
Give proper credit to original creators
Report issues and violations accurately
Don't spread false information or rumors

2.2 Prohibited Behavior

Harassment and Abuse:

No personal attacks, insults, or targeted harassment
No doxxing or sharing private information without consent
No threats of violence or harm to any person
No discrimination based on race, gender, religion, sexuality, or other personal characteristics

Disruptive Activities:

No trolling, flame baiting, or deliberately provocative behavior
No spam, excessive posting, or off-topic content
No impersonation of other users or staff members
No attempts to circumvent bans or suspensions

Platform Abuse:

No creating multiple accounts to evade restrictions
No vote manipulation or fake reviews/ratings
No exploiting bugs or vulnerabilities for personal gain
No automated posting or bulk content generation without permission

3. Content Standards

3.1 Appropriate Content

What We Welcome:

Original mod creations and improvements
Constructive tutorials and guides
Helpful troubleshooting discussions
Creative showcases and screenshots
Community feedback and suggestions

Language and Communication:

Primary language is English for public discussions
Translation tools are welcome for accessibility
Keep discussions relevant to SPT and modding
Use clear, descriptive titles for posts and files

3.2 Inappropriate Content

Strictly Prohibited:

Adult Content: No nudity, sexual content, or overly suggestive material
Piracy: No sharing or requesting copyrighted game files or software
Illegal Content: Nothing that violates applicable laws
Hate Speech: No content promoting discrimination or violence
Dangerous Content: No instructions for harmful or illegal activities

Restricted Content:

Politics: Keep political discussions off the platform
Religion: Avoid religious debates and proselytizing
Real-World Violence: No graphic depictions of real violence or tragedy
Personal Information: Don't share private details of yourself or others

3.3 Intellectual Property

Respecting Creators:

Only upload content you own or have permission to share
Give proper credit to original authors and contributors
Respect licensing terms and usage restrictions
Don't claim others' work as your own

Using Others' Content:

Always ask permission before modifying or redistributing
Follow the permissions set by original creators
Provide clear attribution in descriptions and documentation
Link to original sources when appropriate

4. Forum and Discussion Guidelines

4.1 Forum Etiquette

Starting Discussions:

Use clear, descriptive thread titles
Post in the appropriate category/section
Search for existing threads before creating duplicates
Provide context and relevant information

Participating in Discussions:

Stay on-topic with the original post
Quote relevant parts when responding to long posts
Don't "bump" old threads without meaningful contribution
Use formatting (bold, italics) sparingly and appropriately

Managing Conflicts:

Address ideas, not individuals
Take heated discussions to private messages when appropriate
Don't continue arguments across multiple threads
Report serious issues rather than engaging in public disputes

4.2 Help and Support

Asking for Help:

Provide detailed information about your issue
Include relevant system specs, mod lists, and error messages
Be patient while waiting for responses
Thank those who help you

Providing Help:

Be patient with users who are learning
Provide step-by-step instructions when possible
Test your suggestions before recommending them
Direct users to appropriate resources and documentation

5.1 Quality Standards

File Requirements:

Files must be functional and tested before upload
Include clear installation instructions
Provide accurate descriptions of features and requirements
Tag files appropriately for easy discovery

Documentation:

Include readme files with installation steps
List mod dependencies and compatibility requirements
Provide changelog for updates
Include contact information for support

5.2 Prohibited Mods and Tools

Cheating and Exploits:

No mods designed for use in live Escape From Tarkov
No tools that could be used for competitive advantage in multiplayer games
No hacks, aimbots, ESP, or similar cheating software
Development and testing tools are allowed if clearly labelled

Malicious Software:

No viruses, malware, or potentially harmful executables
All executable files must be from verified, open-source projects
Provide VirusTotal scans for executable content
No files that secretly collect user data or phone home

Inappropriate Modifications:

No mods that add adult or sexual content
No content promoting real-world violence or illegal activities
No mods that include copyrighted assets without permission
No modifications that permanently alter game files

6. Private Messaging Guidelines

6.1 Appropriate Use

Private Messages Are For:

Discussing mod collaborations and permissions
Providing detailed technical support
Resolving minor disputes privately
Sharing contact information for projects

6.2 Prohibited Use

Don't Use Private Messages For:

Harassment or continued arguments from public threads
Spam or unsolicited promotional content
Sharing inappropriate or prohibited content
Coordinating violations of community standards

Privacy Expectations:

Messages are private between sender and recipient
Staff may review messages for Terms of Service enforcement
Screenshots of private messages should not be shared publicly without consent
Report problematic messages rather than sharing them publicly

7. Reporting and Enforcement

7.1 How to Report

What to Report:

Violations of these Community Standards
Terms of Service breaches
Copyright infringement
Inappropriate or harmful content
User behavior that makes the community unwelcome

How to Report:

Use the "Report" button on posts, comments, and files
Contact staff directly for serious issues: [email protected]
Provide specific details and evidence when possible
Don't report content simply because you don't like it

7.2 What Not to Report

Inappropriate Reports:

Personal disagreements or subjective preferences
Content that doesn't violate rules but you dislike
Technical issues with mods (contact the author instead)
Requests for features or changes to the platform

7.3 Community Self-Moderation

Positive Community Actions:

Help newcomers learn the rules
Encourage quality content and constructive discussions
Redirect off-topic discussions appropriately
Thank and acknowledge helpful community members

What Not to Do:

Don't act as a "vigilante" moderator
Don't publicly call out rule violations
Don't engage in arguments with rule-breakers
Don't create drama around enforcement decisions

8. Consequences and Appeals

8.1 Progressive Enforcement

Typical Progression:

Informal Warning: Staff guidance on rule adherence
Formal Warning: Official notice added to account
Temporary Restrictions: Limited posting, messaging, or upload privileges
Temporary Suspension: Account temporarily disabled
Permanent Ban: Complete removal from the platform

Factors Considered:

Severity of the violation
Intent and context of the behavior
User's history and previous violations
Impact on the community

8.2 Immediate Actions

Serious violations may result in immediate suspension or ban:

Threats of violence or doxxing
Sharing illegal content
Malicious software distribution
Coordinated harassment or abuse

8.3 Appeals Process

If you believe enforcement action was unfair:

Contact staff at [email protected]
Provide specific details about why you believe the action was incorrect
Include relevant evidence or context that wasn't considered
Be respectful in your communication - hostility won't help your case

Appeal Guidelines:

Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of the action
Provide new information or evidence not previously considered
One appeal per enforcement action
Staff decisions after appeal are final

9. Special Guidelines

9.1 Content Creator Guidelines

For Prominent Community Members:

Set a positive example for behavior and content quality
Be responsive to community feedback and bug reports
Collaborate respectfully with other creators
Help mentor newcomers to modding

9.2 External Communities

Representing The Forge Elsewhere:

Be respectful when discussing The Forge on other platforms
Don't use your status here to promote unrelated content
Report issues here rather than complaining on external platforms
Follow other communities' rules when cross-posting content

9.3 Events and Contests

During community events:

Follow event-specific rules in addition to these standards
Be a good sport whether winning or losing
Help promote a fun, inclusive atmosphere
Report any event-related issues to staff promptly

10. Getting Help

Need help or have questions? Visit our Contact page for detailed information on how to reach our staff and community.

10.1 Questions About Standards

If you're unsure about something:

Ask staff for clarification before posting
Review similar content to see how rules apply
When in doubt, err on the side of caution
Contact us through our Discord server or email

10.2 Conflict Resolution

For disputes with other users:

Try to resolve issues through private discussion first
Use respectful communication and assume good faith
Focus on finding solutions rather than being "right"
Involve staff if you cannot reach a resolution

10.3 Improving the Community

Your feedback helps us improve:

Suggest clarifications to these standards
Report gaps in coverage or unclear areas
Share ideas for community improvements
Participate in community discussions about platform changes