Howdy, if you're reading this then you're probably curious about how our new ban system works. I'll try to explain it as simply as I can lol.
(Note: do not put your ban appeal in the comments of this post. You need to make a brand new post in the "appeals" channel on the DF GameJolt Community.)
What are "tiers"?
Bans are separated into "tiers". There are 4 ban tiers:
Tier 1 is for the offenses that get you banned for 1 week.
Tier 2 is for the offenses that get you banned for 1 month.
Tier 3 is for the offenses that get you banned permanently. However, depending on your specific case, you might be able to request an "appeal", and earn a second chance to come back.
Tier 4 is for the offenses that typically cannot be appealed, resulting in a permanent ban that can never be lifted.
How does the system work?
If your ban is not permanent, you will automatically be allowed back into the game once your ban period is over. Wait it out and then check back to see if your login works again.
If you repeatedly get Tier 1 or Tier 2 bans, your ban may end up getting raised to a Tier 3 ban.
Tier 3 bans are permanent bans, but the player is allowed to appeal it in the "appeals" channel on the DF GameJolt Community. Admins will give their judgement based on the player's past and current behavior, the severity of what they did, and if other players were affected by their actions. If they believe that you have changed or learned from your mistake, you might get unbanned.
If the player's appeal is successful and they are allowed back into the game, but then once again break ANY of the rules (no matter which one it is), they will receive a Tier 4 permanent ban, meaning that they can never come back. Please do not abuse our trust in letting you return to the game.
Tier 4 bans are permanent bans, and we typically do not accept ban appeals at this tier. Getting a Tier 4 permanent ban means that you have abused the appeal system, or did something that we simply cannot allow, so getting an appeal is unlikely.
If you have received a Tier 3 or Tier 4 ban, your Multiplayer save file might get completely wiped. This depends on what you did.
Getting banned (regardless of tier) does not remove your ability to play Story Mode or Offline Mode. You will continue to be able to play the rest of the game despite being banned from Multiplayer.
Please note that, as part of the appeal process, if you are trying to appeal for an offense of cheating of any form, then your save file may have to be wiped by us before you are able to play again. We take cheating very seriously, so if you don't want to risk losing your save file, we ask that you respect our rules so that everyone can have fun.
We do not usually accept appeals for temporary bans (Tier 1 or Tier 2), unless you believe the ban was made in error. If it wasn't, then T1 and T2 bans cannot be appealed, and you just need to wait out the ban time.
How are the tiers categorized?
Tier 1 (These will get you banned for 1 week):
Disrespectful/hateful messages (harassment, insults, slurs, etc).
Advertising of any kind if it has nothing to do with the game.
Ignoring admin authority.
Spamming.
Tier 2 (These will get you banned for 1 month):
NSFW roleplaying or incredibly vulgar messages. (Saying a sex joke once or twice is fine within reason, but please remember it might make other players uncomfortable so don't go around repeating it. We can't prove what the intent behind your messages are, so try to avoid saying anything that isn't an obvious joke.)
Speed-hacking.
Using an auto-clicker.
Playing on more than one account at the same time. (In some cases, this can result in having your entire save file wiped.)
"PvP-scumming" by playing against the same person over and over to let you or them win every time. (In some cases, this can result in having your entire save file wiped.)
Knowingly using an exploit that affects gameplay.
Encouraging usage of a bug or exploit that affects gameplay.
Tier 3 (These will get you banned permanently, but might be able to get an appeal in certain cases):
Confirmed stat/game manipulation.
Getting a Tier 1 or Tier 2 ban multiple times.
Breaking multiple rules in succession, and doing it in a way that's obvious you know exactly what you're doing.
Tier 4 (These will get you banned permanently, and they cannot be appealed):
Impersonation of Ricky, an admin, or other important person in the community (you can't change your username after all, so please don't do this). Memey names/parodies are okay within reason; don't try to act like you're someone's alt account or something.
Usage of any outside software on the game that we deem "malicious" in nature. We can't confirm your intent, we can only confirm what you were using. Please don't risk it.
Predatory activity (sharing or trying to obtain personal information of another person).
Malicious activity that negatively affects the game or its players.
Breaking any of the rules again after getting a second chance from a ban appeal.
Using a public/shared account with too many people on it. This could be considered hiding your identity and we unfortunately cannot allow that.
Ban evasion of any kind.
As for ban appeals, once we have processed your ban appeal, your post will be moved to the "appeals_archive" channel. This is to help prevent clutter so that we can see any unanswered appeals easily.
If you have been banned from the game and aren't sure why, then join the DF Discord (the link is in the Community description) and ask someone with the "DF Admin" role for more information.
That should cover our new ban guidelines. If you have any questions, let us know!
