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Building a Better Gaming Community

Match & Play is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where all gamers can connect, play, and have fun together. These guidelines help ensure everyone has a positive experience.

Our Core Values

  • Respect - Treat all gamers with dignity - Inclusion - Welcome players of all backgrounds - Fair Play - Compete with integrity - Safety - Protect our community members - Fun - Remember why we game!

Expected Behavior

Be a Great Community Member

Show Respect - Accept different skill levels - Respect gaming preferences - Honor communication choices - Value diverse perspectives Inclusive Gaming - Welcome new players - Be patient with beginners - Offer help when asked - Celebrate others’ achievements

Prohibited Behavior

Zero Tolerance Policies

The following behaviors will result in immediate action, potentially including permanent bans:

Harassment & Hate

  • Hate speech of any kind - Discrimination (race, gender, religion, etc.) - Targeted harassment or bullying - Doxxing or sharing private info - Sexual harassment - Threats or intimidation

Cheating & Fraud

  • Using hacks or cheats - Account sharing/selling - Impersonation - Scamming other players - False reporting - Exploiting platform bugs

Other Prohibited Actions

Spam & Misuse
  • Mass messaging
  • Advertising/promotions
  • Pyramid schemes
  • Off-topic content
  • Bot accounts
Inappropriate Content
  • Adult/NSFW material
  • Graphic violence
  • Illegal content
  • Piracy promotion
  • Malware/viruses

Age-Appropriate Gaming

Protecting Young Gamers

Match & Play is for players 13 and older. We take extra steps to protect younger members:
1

Age Verification

  • Required birthdate on signup - Age-appropriate matching - Restricted features for minors
2

Minor Protections

  • No adult content exposure - Limited personal info sharing - Parental controls available - Extra moderation for young users
3

Adult Responsibilities

  • Be mindful of younger players - Keep content age-appropriate - Model good behavior - Report concerning interactions
Parents: Visit our Parental Controls page to manage your child’s experience

Reporting System

How to Report Issues

Quick Report 1. Click the three dots on any message 2. Select “Report Message” 3. Choose the violation type 4. Add details (optional) 5. Submit report Reports are anonymous to the reported user

What Happens After Reporting

1

Immediate Review

AI systems check for obvious violations and take instant action if needed
2

Human Review

Our moderation team reviews all reports within 24 hours
3

Investigation

We may request additional information or review chat history
4

Action Taken

Appropriate consequences applied based on severity and history
5

Follow-up

You’ll receive confirmation that action was taken (specifics remain confidential)

Enforcement Actions

Consequence System

Our moderation team uses a progressive discipline system:

Violation Consequences

Minor Violations - Warning message - Temporary chat restriction - Feature limitations Moderate Violations - 24-72 hour suspension - Matchmaking restrictions - Public profile hiding Severe Violations - 7-30 day suspension - Permanent feature bans - Account termination

Appeals Process

Believe a decision was made in error?
  1. Submit Appeal: Through your account settings
  2. Provide Context: Explain your side clearly
  3. Wait for Review: Appeals reviewed within 72 hours
  4. Final Decision: Appeals team decision is final
Only one appeal per action is allowed. Be thorough in your explanation.

Creating Positive Experiences

Be a Community Leader

Welcome Newbies

  • Offer tips and guidance - Be patient with questions - Share helpful resources - Make them feel included

Spread Positivity

  • Compliment good plays - Encourage teammates - Defuse tense situations - Share the fun moments

Lead by Example

  • Model good behavior - Call out poor conduct - Support community events - Mentor other players

Competitive Gaming Ethics

Healthy Competition
  • Respect opponents
  • Win with humility
  • Lose with grace
  • Learn from defeats
Team Dynamics
  • Support all teammates
  • Communicate constructively
  • Share credit for wins
  • Take responsibility for mistakes

Platform-Specific Rules

Streaming & Content

If you stream or create content:
  • Follow platform ToS
  • Respect others’ privacy
  • Get consent before featuring others
  • No stream sniping

Tournament Play

Official Match & Play tournaments have additional rules:
  • Anti-cheat required
  • Referee decisions final
  • Professional conduct expected
  • Prize distribution rules

Community Resources

Get Involved

Ambassador Program - Help moderate communities - Organize events - Welcome new players - Earn special badges Mentorship Program - Teach new players - Share your expertise - Build the community - Get recognition

Updates to Guidelines

These guidelines may be updated periodically:
  • Changes announced 30 days in advance
  • Email notifications to all users
  • Grace period for adjustment
  • Grandfather clauses when appropriate
Last updated: January 1, 2024

Questions?

Need clarification on our guidelines?

Final Thoughts

Remember Why We're Here

Gaming brings us together. Whether you’re here for competitive matches, casual fun, or making friends, we all share a love for gaming. Let’s keep Match & Play a place where everyone can enjoy that passion safely and respectfully. Game on, and be excellent to each other! 🎮