This Code of Conduct establishes that all participants in MegaCon events have the right to a healthy and safe environment. This Code of Conduct covers both participation at MegaCon events, and communications between participants outside MegaCon events. It applies to all participants, including players, Control, Game Control, MegaCon Organisers, MegaCon Assistants, volunteers, observers and anyone else involved in any MegaCon event or communication.

By participating in a MegaCon event or communicating with other participants outside events, you:

  • agree to abide by the Code of Conduct
  • acknowledge that a representative of MegaCon may take disciplinary action against a participant if there is a breach of the code of conduct or any other directives of the Control Team

Foundations of the Code of Conduct

Respect and Inclusivity: Participants will be treated fairly and with respect, regardless of their gender/identity, race, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, religion or absence thereof. Be aware of the specialised needs of others. Understand that other players may be at different levels from you. Respect the effort that has gone into the event from an organisational and a design perspective.

No Harassment: Participants deserve an environment free from physical, verbal, emotional or sexual harassment. Demeaning, discriminatory, abusive, or harassing behaviour will not be tolerated. Individuals have the right to set boundaries for behaviour and to ask for problematic behaviour to immediately stop.

Sensitive Topics: If an event or communication has to involve sensitive or uncomfortable topics, this should be clear to all participants at the earliest opportunity. Individuals have the right to express discomfort or sensitivity to topics and to request that the topics no longer be presented to them.

Integrity: We seek to foster a creative and authentic experience for our players. Participants should adhere to the rules of the game and not seek to gain advantage through illegitimate means. Personal biases and grievances should be left at the door. If in doubt, prioritise good sportsmanship over personal gain.

Unacceptable Behaviour

Unacceptable behaviour can include, but is not limited to, engaging in, advocating for, or encouraging any of the following:

  • Violating Respect and Inclusivity
    • Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language
    • Arriving to the game poorly prepared or late
  • Violating No Harassment
    • Violence, threats of violence or violent language, including bullying or cyberbullying
    • Unwelcome sexual attention, including sexualized comments or jokes, or unwelcomed flirting or sexual advances
    • Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following (online or in person)
    • Posting or threatening to post other people’s personally identifying information (“doxing”)
    • Inappropriate streaming or recording, including streaming or recording participants who have indicated that they don’t wish to be recorded
  • Violating Sensitive Topics
    • Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material
    • Creating game content or communications that is offensive or otherwise violates the Code of Conduct
  • Violating Integrity
    • Cheating, breaking or purposefully misunderstanding the rules of the game
    • “Control-farming”, or asking multiple Control the same question to get the preferred response
    • Offering gifts, compensation, advancement, or opportunities for unethical reasons

Reporting Incidents

Witnessing Problematic Behaviour

All participants are responsible for reporting any violation of this Code of Conduct that they witness, regardless of whether the improper conduct was directed at them. When a violation is witnessed, the following process should be followed*:

  1. SPEAK UP against the behaviour as it’s happening, if you feel comfortable doing so – especially if it is directed at someone else. Ask the person(s) to cease the problematic behaviour and remind them of the Code of Conduct. Remain calm and reasonable.
  2. DOCUMENT what took place with screen captures and first-hand accounts when possible. Note the date and time when it took place, the perpetrator, anyone else present, what was said, and whether this is an ongoing or repeat situation.
  3. REPORT what took place to a MegaCon Organiser, Game Control, a MegaCon Assistant or another member of the Control Team. Game Control should also inform the MegaCon Organisers if they haven’t been informed. 

* If the situation includes a threat to someone’s physical safety, consider notifying law enforcement in accordance with local laws. These guidelines are never a substitute in such situations.

The Control Team/MegaCon Organisers/MegaCon Assistants are expected to listen to and trust the person reporting the problematic behaviour and the person(s) affected. The MegaCon Organisers, Game Control, Control Team and MegaCon Assistants will respect those reporting a violation and those reporting a violation are never to be punished or harassed for reporting.

Receiving Feedback that your Behaviour is Problematic

If a MegaCon Organiser, a member of the Control Team or a MegaCon Assistants says you violated the Code of Conduct:

  1. STOP the behaviour. If necessary, take a break to think clearly.
  2. LISTEN to the person reporting the issue.
  3. BE SELF-CRITICAL. Take the time to analyse your behaviour and how it could have been problematic. Try to understand the perspective of the person reporting the problem.
  4. ACCEPT your actions. Take responsibility for what took place, even if it was not your intent. Apologize unconditionally and propose solutions.
  5. DO NOT ARGUE your actions with the Organiser/Control Team/MegaCon Assistant or attempt to garner support for your actions. Do not retaliate in any way against the victim or any other team members.
  6. UNDERSTAND that for severe or repeated problems, the MegaCon Organisers, MegaCon Assistant or Game Control has the right to remove you from the event, and the MegaCon Organisers also have the right to ban you from future participation.

If Game Control violates the Code of Conduct, participants may report this to any of the MegaCon Organisers.

Disciplinary Action

Either the MegaCon Orgnaisers, Game Control and the MegaCon Assistants may be responsible for taking disciplinary action, based on the severity of the incident and the event when it took place. If possible, Game Control and MegaCon Assistants should coordinate disciplinary action with the MegaCon Organisers.

Examples of disciplinary action may include:

  • A reprimand or warning of violating the code of conduct.
  • A request for an apology, private or public.
  • Temporary or permanent suspension of your ability to attend MegaCon events.
  • Your removal from the event.
  • A report to law enforcement or other appropriate authorities.

Game Control, a MegaCon Assistant or a MegaCon Organiser will follow up with all involved parties and communicate the disciplinary action. Disciplinary action should address and fully resolve the situation. At a minimum, the problematic behaviour or situation should cease, and all participants should be reminded of the Code of Conduct.

Game Control and the MegaCon Assistants should pass all reports of the incident and the disciplinary action to the MegaCon Organisers, who will retain the records for two years. If participants require an additional sanction during their two-year period, then existing records will be retained until the latest record is expunged.

Appeals/ Complaints

Appeals/Complaints should be made directly to the MegaCon Organisers, who will consider the information.

Participants may ask for an appeal call and may nominate a friend to accompany them. The MegaCon Organisers will decide if a successful appeal warrants expunging a record.

Additional Notes

We will respect confidentiality requests for the purpose of protecting victims of abuse as much as reasonably possible.

All determinations of appropriate or inappropriate behaviour are at the MegaCon Organiser’s sole discretion. The decisions of the MegaCon Organisers in this regard will be final.

The above policies may be revised at any time by MegaCon and are non-negotiable.

Contact

For any communications with the MegaCon Organisers, contact: info@megacon.org.uk.

Credits

Code of Conduct for RPG Projects, by Alphastream

Melbourne Megagames Code of Conduct

Pennine Megagames Code of Conduct (draft)