GameInformer

Welcome to the new Game Informer forums. If you’re new to our community, hello. If you’re a returning member, welcome back. Whatever your situation, you’ll notice that we’re starting fresh. This is your chance to help build the most engaging, vibrant online gaming community around. This isn’t an opportunity for you to create new forum drama, dredge up old nonsense or act like a jackass. We might have more than one rule, but all of them are branches of the same, simple to understand guideline: Don’t be a jerk. If you can do that, you’ll be fine.

Here are some guidelines to help clarify things:
(NOTE: This should be common sense, but these guidelines also apply to news comments on the main website, blog posts, group posts, profile comments, and basically anywhere else on the website where users can submit thoughts and opinions.)

Noob Bashing - Please refrain from insulting any new users that join after you. Not everyone will understand how the forums work on their first day. Excessive and extreme examples of this behavior will be subject to punishment.

Spam - Pointless messages or threads meant to annoy others is referred to as spam, and is ban-worthy. Don't do it.

Flaming - Otherwise known as insulting other members of the boards or their opinions. This is not encouraged, if you do so with malicious intent you will face ban time, please keep any disputes to a PM (Private messages).

Trolling - Posting in a manner that intentionally provokes others into arguments. This is a ban-worthy offense.

[SNIP] - Mods will sometimes type [SNIP] (as in, *snip* of scissors) to delete a certain section of a post they felt inappropriate. If your post was edited, do not repost the deleted section. Doing so may result in a ban.

Tagging - Tagging is a term used for reporting inappropriate behavior/ redundant threads to a moderator. To tag a thread or post, click on "Report Abuse." Then add a brief comment on why you feel the tag was necessary, and click Submit. A moderator will review the tag, and act accordingly. Not all tags will result in locks/bans. Moderators will exercise discretion in responding to tags, and generally will explain their decision to the person that made the tag.

Locking - If a thread is redundant, a violation of forum rules, or the subject of off-topic trolling or flaming, moderators will mark the thread "Read Only," which effectively "locks" it from further posts. Unless you receive permission from a moderator first, do not repost the thread. Reposted threads will immediately be locked and the poster may be punished.

Banning - Inappropriate behavior on the forums will result in your account being banned from accessing the website. If you are banned you will get a message saying you are banned whenever you try to enter the forums. Log out and check your last few posts, usually the mods will post why and how much time you will be banned for. Do not try to circumvent a ban by creating an alternate account. If you are found doing so, your IP address will be permanently banned.

Private Messages - When you wish to talk solo with a member of the boards, just PM them. PMs, though private, are still a part of the Game Informer web site, and are subject to the same rules as the forums themselves. Threats issued via PM will be taken seriously. You have been warned.

Grammar - Many members of the forums pride themselves on correct use of spelling and punctuation. Besides having a smart appearance, it makes your posts more enticing for everyone to read. 1337, or "leet speak", is not prohibited from use on the forums, but it is generally frowned upon. If you wish to be taken seriously by other members, please refrain from using it.

Walls of Text -

Hit enter once in a while and use paragraphs.

Language - The forums make use of a filter that removes most curses. The moderator staff does not appreciate phonetic curses or curses formed from 1337. It's a no-no, please don't do it. If you break this rule expect some ban time.

Double posting - Making consecutive posts to append a previous comment is generally frowned upon. Please use the edit button inside of the options menu on your post to change anything or to add anything. Also, please refrain from making multiple posts in the same thread in short order to garner attention. If someone has a relevant point to add to a thread, they will make it. Repeating a message or hounding others for replies can and will result in post deletions and (if necessary) ban time.

Commenting (a.k.a. Hijacking) - Typically, a post that changes the subject in a humorous nature. Hijacking a thread is alright in good fun, but try not to completely derail the original topic of conversation with your hijack. Mods will edit threads at their discretion if the hijacking is inappropriate, or a general nuisance to the topic/posters at hand.

Duplicate threads - Multiple threads on the same subject are not allowed and any found will be locked, in an effort to keep the boards clean. If you are uncertain whether or not a thread already exists on the subject you wish to discuss, use the search button located near the GI insignia.

Reviving Old Threads (a.k.a. Thread Necromancy)- Thread necromancy, the act of reviving an old thread that has been inactive for a period of months or years, is preferred over making duplicate threads for the same subject. However, it is strongly encouraged that you make the post insightful, and an actual contribution to the thread. Reviving a thread to make inane comments, such as "bump" or "Yeah I agree," is frowned upon, and may result in a lock of the thread.

Be nice. Be appropriate. No advertising, hacks talk, harassment, sexism, racism, or anything that makes you sound like a jerk.

Be careful, the mods are trigger happy...