Code of Conduct for Challenges

[Ulisse Wolf 4,399]

Code of Conduct for Challenges

 

The following thread outlines the code of conduct to follow for challenges.

1. Challenges are hosted on Simtropolis and for this you must first of all follow the rules of Simtropolis

In addition to the basic rule of following the rules of simtropolis, the challenges present additional rules to be respected

1. Entries must be original content created expressly for the challenge. No contestant is allowed to use their previously published content posted on Reddit, YouTube, Twitch, Simtropolis, SC4 Devotion, or their respective Discord servers. The spirit of this rule is to level the playing field, by not allowing contestants to gain an unfair advantage by re-using content known to be highly popular in the past. Screenshots obtained from unrecorded streams are allowed, and are subject to the same publication rules as screenshots posted to forum or instant messaging platforms of the community.
    
2. Recorded and publicly available video and stream content (such as YouTube or Twitch) is to be treated as previously published content for the purposes of the content originality rule. If the recorded content's publication pre-dates the challenge entry, it is not valid as contest entry material.
    
3. Certain challenges will go even further, by providing a designated set of files for use in the challenge itself. Rules for file use in this type of challenge will be prepared on a per-challenge basis, indicating which content is required, permitted, restricted or forbidden, as appropriate. Files which may be subject to this kind of treatment include, but are not limited to: maps/regions, BATs, lots, gameplay-altering mods (RCI, cheats, ordinances, slope mods, non-vanilla utilities, among others), cosmetic mods, modding tools, and NAM versions.
    
4. Any user (contestant or otherwise) who believes an entry is non-compliant must message the organizers privately and present proof of the claimed irregularity. Organizers will validate this claim by verifying the post's non-compliance against the rules of the challenge, and against the rules for original content. They are advised to also contact the contestant whose entry is being questioned. We don't want contestants abusing this procedure to try and disqualify front-runners for their gain--this is cheating.
    
5. Upon reaching the closing deadline for entries, a period lasting 1 week will be provided to verify all entries, and an additional 1 week provided for contestants to amend any entries which moderators find to be non-compliant, or alternatively choose to retract their participation. Once the irregularities are resolved, voting will start, no later than 2 weeks since the closing of the submission period.
    
6. After the contest submission date is reached, contestants may publish their challenge content elsewhere without restrictions, but not before.
    
7. Should there be any challenge expressly allowing previously published content, said challenge will specify it as such. Otherwise assume the content originality rule is in place.