Forum Rules
Last update: 28th June 2020
[1] Etiquette and Language
- [1.1] Posts, usernames, and profile information should not include any of the following: profanity, racism/ethnic slurs, pornographic, sexual, or overly sensualised content, drug/alcohol abuse, religious content, political content, and/or violent/gory content.
- [1.2] Respect each other even when you have differing opinions. Insults and personal attacks are strictly forbidden.
- [1.3] Do not harass, bully, or stalk anyone. Treat all members neutrally and respectfully.
- [1.4] Trolling, flaming, flame baiting, accusing, and other nefarious posts are not allowed.
- [1.5] The forum language is English; if you write in a different language, then provide an English translation at all times. This includes profile information/signatures.
- [1.6] Impersonation is strictly prohibited on this forum. This includes but is not limited to using similar profile information and usernames, claiming work that is not yours, and writing posts as if you are someone else.
[2] Using the Forum, Making Threads, Using the Attachment System, and Posting Rules
New users note: The first few posts from new members require moderation. This means that after you press the "submit" button, your post will not be publicly visible until a moderator has approved it. Posts that do not conform to the rules are unlikely to be approved. If you edit your post while in the moderation phase, that post will again enter the moderation queue and will require approval again to be publicly visible. It is suggested that you use the "preview" button to make sure images work before submitting the post to avoid potentially lengthy wait times for approval.
During the moderation phase, the PM system is not available to you; while you can receive PMs, you won't be able to send or reply to them.
- [2.1] Only one forum account per person is allowed. Any duplicates found will lead to moderator/administrator action on both.
- [2.2] Distributing/linking to illicit copyright protected material is strictly forbidden.
- [2.3] Discussions on how to break or circumvent copy protection is strictly forbidden.
- [2.4] No spamming. This includes but is not limited to: Off-topic links, spamming your own sites in multiple threads, and '+1' posts with no content.
- [2.5] Do not double post. If you have made a post already and yours is still the last in that thread then edit your previous post.
(Exemptions of this rule include adding new information to your own mod release threads, your own W.I.P. mod threads, your own media threads, and your own technical/help/bug report topics. However it does not exclude double posts if they are within 2 hours.) - [2.6] Bumping threads is generally not allowed.
- [2.7] Cross posting is not allowed. Do not create more than one topic for the same subject, and do not post the same content on multiple different threads.
- [2.8] Only create new threads (topics) if they haven't been discussed already. If a discussion already exists, then post in that thread. If the thread in question has been locked, then DO NOT create another thread on the subject.
(Use the forum search feature to see if a topic is already under discussion.) - [2.9] Create your thread in the appropriate subforum. Do not create threads in the root forums.
- [2.9.1] Before creating a new thread in a particular subforum, read the guidelines/sticky topics first to get additional details on what you should include in your topic.
- [2.9.2] Before creating a bug report, please read and adhere to the Bug Reporting Process.
- [2.10] The attachment system is not for use in the media, screenshots, and/or mod sections.
- [2.11] Do not abuse the "mentions" feature. Before posting, consider why you are using it; is it necessary? Not everyone wants to be bombarded with notifications every time you reply to a post. Use the feature sparingly.
- [2.12] Do not quote images or videos. If you need to discuss a particular image or video, remove the "[ img][/img]" tags around the image or video URL.
- [2.12.1] Only quote code boxes if your reply directly pertains to the text in the code box.
[3] Image Limitations and Signatures
- [3.1] Images posted in the general forums may be no larger than 1024 pixels wide and 1024 pixels tall. The media sections will allow images no larger than 1600 pixels wide by 1600 pixels tall. Any images that exceed the allowed limit will be deleted without notice.
- [3.2] Signatures (all content) may be no larger than 960 pixels wide and 150 pixels high.
- [3.3] You may include links in your signature to SCS Software related websites/pages including your own mod site, photo collections, and/or project page. (Truck/game related only).
- [3.4] Avoid using flashy/bright content in posts or signatures. Signatures are not there to 'stand out and draw attention'. Be mindful of potential epilepsy triggers when posting GIFs/videos; add trigger notices and use URL links if necessary.
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[4] Mod (Game Modifications) Content
- [4.1] Posting in Mods forum (ATS and ETS2) is restricted to sharing free-to-the-public mods and providing support for mods.
- [4.2] Paid/donate only mods are not allowed. (This is covered in-depth in section [5])
- [4.3] Each mod can only have one topic.
- [4.4] Support should be provided freely and equally to any user of the forum.
- [4.4.1] Links to downloads must be posted publicly on the forum (No PM/private distribution), be completely free, and should preferably be a direct (one click) link. eg: Google Drive, MediaFire, Sharemods, Steam Workshop, etc.
- [4.4.2] However if you must link to your own page for downloading, then the link posted here must be directly to the download page. Donation download links are allowed as long as there is a free version of equal content and support.
- [4.5] Mods may not include content from DLCs or enable Steam Inventory items intended for trade/buying/selling on the Steam Market.
- [4.6] If you are sharing a mod from another author, be sure to include all original permissions, credits, and any other information from the original author. Download links MUST be the same given by the author.*
- [4.7] If you are sharing a mod that includes work from another author, you should provide full credits and a list of permissions from the original author(s). Failing to do so will lead to the removal of the topic.*
*Please be aware that reporting infractions relating to stolen/reuploaded mods (without permission) must come from the mod author(s). We cannot act on reports from anyone other than the original author, although regular users can alert us so we can monitor the topic. - [4.8] If, as a mod/topic author, you have no plans to continue support for your work, you should label the topic as [CLOSED].
- [4.9] As a mod user, you should not keep asking the mod author about schedules of future updates. Keep in mind that it's very annoying and might cause fatigue/lack of desire in the modder.
[5] Advertising, Sales, Money Making Schemes, and Paid Mods
- [5.1] Using the forum for advertising products or pages not related to SCS Software or it's games is strictly forbidden!
- [5.2] Repeated advertising of the same product or page related to SCS Software or it's games is prohibited. Only one thread per website/product per user is allowed.
- [5.3] There is a complete restriction of paid mods and paid mod content on the forum*. See Max's post for full info.
- [5.3.1] This includes linking to pay/donate only mods and their associated websites.
- [5.3.2] No promotion of pay mods at all. (e.g: I think X pay mod is great, you should check it out).
- [5.4] Only one donation link is allowed and must comply with the following conditions:
- [5.4.1] You have already released your work.
- [5.4.2] Donation links are only allowed in the first post of the mod topic; you may not repeatedly post/advertise donation links in other posts/topics/signatures.
- [5.4.3] You don't demand donations or anything else that could be considered "personal gains" to continue your work.
(IE: You don't say things like "Donate or I stop work on this project!" or "You only get new content if you reach X downloads and/or donate/pay.") - [5.4.4] Monetary benefits are not to be used in competitions. That is, you can't ask for (monetary) benefits to create a lottery or random giveaways.
- [5.4.5] Work donations are not monetary donations. For instance... "submit a mod to my site and you may win" isn't a monetary donation and is thusly allowed.
- [5.4.6] Asking for money/donations to release an unreleased mod or give early access to it is not permitted. This is classified as a payment and as such falls under the paid mod rule.
- [5.5] Begging for/Sharing/Swapping/Trading real life or virtual items and services is not allowed.
- [5.6] All work on these forums are done on a voluntary basis; you may ask for help and you may offer help to others as long as you do so free of charge without any obligations from either party involved.
[6] Backseat Moderation and use of the Report Function
- [6.1] We do NOT tolerate backseat moderation. If you have an issue with a user, post, thread, or someone's profile content/signature, then use the report button.
- [6.2] Do NOT reply to spam/advertisement posts/threads. Use the report button.
- [6.3] If you are getting PMs (Private Messages) from other users on these forums that breaks the forum rules, use the report button.
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Limitations
The SCS Software staff, admins and moderators reserve the right to change these rules without advance notice.
We deal with each rule violation on a case by case basis and the nature of our moderation is based on our own judgement.
We cannot guarantee that each rule violation is dealt with equally, nor can we guarantee that all rule violations both past and present will be dealt with. In many cases, we miss some, which is why reporting certain posts really helps us help you keep this forum running smoothly.
The moderating staff and/or SCS Software hold no responsibility for the posted content, required permissions, or displayed credits in regards to mods or any other content. It is the sole responsibility of the topic author to make sure appropriate permissions/credits are given/shown.
We thank you all for your cooperation!
If you'd like more information about what moderators do (and why), feel free to check out Cadde's long (very, very long) post here: [Forum Moderation] What do the moderators do?