/r/Overwatch Rules

Welcome to the official rule page of the /r/Overwatch wiki. Herein is contained the code of conduct you should always follow when participating in the subreddit.

1. Content must target the Overwatch audience

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The primordial rule, upon which all others are based. The lifeblood and heartbeat of the subreddit; to ignore this rule is to ignore /r/Overwatch itself.

Enough being melodramatic. All posts should directly feature Overwatch or the associated culture in some way;

Examples of allowed posts:

• "Mei really needs a nerf!"
• "Blizzard and Pixar in talks regarding OW animated feature film."
• "Here's some really awesome Tracer fanart I'd like to share with you!"
• "Check out my last play of the game!"

Examples of disallowed posts:

• "Try this one cool trick to lose 20 pounds!"
• "Here's a buddy doing a drinking challenge!"
• "Let's talk about The Office!"
• "Check out my 24 kill streak on Call of Duty!"
• "These lamps look just like Symmetra turrets!"

Please restrict all discussion about the subreddit to /r/overwatchmeta.

2. Content should be Safe for Work

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All content (video, image, website, etc.) must be SFW: Safe For Work. Content that is NSFW: Not Safe For Work, is banned. This rule applies to all posts and comments.

Examples of NSFW posts:

• Pornographic images- Does it qualify as pornography?
  
• Intense gore- no serious wounds, abuse, torture or general gore.
• Erotic literature- whether stories, poetry or graphic imagery.
• Linking to NSFW subreddits- in exceptional circumstances, only when serious discussion lends requirement to it, this is allowed.

Unsure whether your post breaks this rule? Feel free to submit it to the modteam first for approval.

3. Posting of images to the subreddit

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As well as abiding by the SFW requirement for content posting on the subreddit, there are two specific guidelines we ask users to keep in mind when posting images on the subreddit:

3.1. Post images with context

Images without context are forbidden. It is perfectly acceptable (and encouraged) to include images in textual posts when necessary, or submit fanart to the subreddit. However, images without context will be removed; effectively banning image posts to the subreddit.

Context for a textual post might include (but isn't limited to) a map of the situation, screenshots of a bug or screenshots of a funny scenario. For fanart, context such as the original creator, creative process or themes prevalent in the work may be useful context to add. When you link to their artist page on DeviantArt, ArtStation, etc. that context is automatically included, so those hosts are permitted. If you're just linking to an image on Imgur, the post will be removed automatically as it doesn't establish important context or give appropriate credit and pageviews to the artist.

^{Note: finding a new image hosting website our bot does not already cover will result in manual removal of your post.}

3.2. Concerning image macros

In our experience, memes and reaction gifs, almost never contribute to, or inspire, meaningful discussion. As such, we ask you kindly not to try and post reaction gifs or memes onto the subreddit without relevant context, or at least, context where they may be welcomed.

For instance, it is perfectly reasonable to include gifs in your post to explain abstract concepts or add a touch of humor to a long textwall.

Please reserve the posting of reaction gifs without context for the comments section only.

^{Note: finding a new image hosting website our bot does not already cover will result in manual removal of your post.}

4. Low-effort (shitposting) guidelines

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To keep post standards high and ensure the majority of users enjoy browsing the subreddit, there are a couple of guidelines we ask users to keep in mind:

Titles should be clear

Clearly explain your post in a summative fashion using your title. Users should know what to expect when clicking on your post.

Spoilers

Keep spoilers in the description and not in the title of posts. For example, if your post title reveals the outcome of a competitive match, it will be removed.

Titles should not be clickbait

Clickbait titles are a low-effort way to gain attention. If your post title contains the phrases "You won't believe this!" or "More info within!", chances are it falls under this category of low-effort posting. Due to the trend of misusing the phrase "PSA", PSA posts will be automatically removed under this rule. We believe that content that is important enough will be seen regardless of having "PSA" in the title.

Posts should provide room for meaningful discussion

Every post should be a space for meaningful discussion. While this doesn't mean every post needs to be an discursive essay, posts that don't offer room for meaningful discussion will be removed.

Examples of disallowed posts:

• One line joke/pun threads; whose sole purpose is said joke.
• Post with an empty body (no text) or bodies containing only "title", "see above", "DAE?" or any variation thereof.
• Post bodies containing only "TFW", "MFW", or any post with extremely minimal text description.
• Rant based posts which won't provide room for non-inflammatory discussion. Examples include the common-or-garden salt/hype posts.

Yes/no answerable posts are not permitted outside of designated sticky threads.

Please restrict all discussion about the subreddit to /r/overwatchmeta.

Concerning reposting

Refrain from posting recently submitted information or questions. As a general rule of thumb, specific information or questions should only be posted with a week's separation. More general, widely known information should be postponed for longer.

Please, try to use the search function and FAQ before posting your question.

5. No Cheating Accusations/Hacking/Exploit Posts

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5.1. No Cheating Accusations

We don't allow accusations of cheats/hacks except for confirmed actions taken by Blizzard or eSports entities. Specifics and allowed discussion can be found on the policy page.

5.2. No Linking to Piracy/Hacks

Your post should not feature downloadable files (.exe, .rar, etc.) as the main focus. When sharing images, please upload them an image sharing site and submit them with relevant context.

Users should not enable or promote any form of piracy/hacks- the most pertinent example are piracy/hacking websites. Linking to such websites is not allowed, as it harms the creators of pirated/hacking content and is illegal in many locations around the world.

5.3. Regarding in-game exploits

The discussion of in-game bugs and exploits is allowed, as long as the discussion does not describe how this exploit can be abused by any user. Keep the discussion and description as general as possible to avoid any major problems in online games, since it is not always clear how fast it is possible for Blizzard to find and remove the bug.

6. Polls must use Google Forms

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Anonymous polling sites (such as Strawpoll) are not permitted on the subreddit. Please use Google Forms instead which allows for more elaborate poll design and requires a login.

The reason this rule is in place is due to the ease with which anonymous polls can be influenced and have their results falsified with multiple votes. Forcing sign ins to participate in subreddit polls will increase the accuracy of said polls- a falsified poll is meaningless information, and shouldn't be left on the subreddit.

If you have an idea for an alternative sign-in poll, please suggest it on /r/overwatchmeta or directly to the modteam.

7. Begging, trading, buying, selling B.Net accounts / keys

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This rule applies to begging for oneself or on behalf of others. In addition, it applies to posts and comments, and any material contained within (hidden on artwork, in a video, etc.).

The sharing, buying, selling, trading or borrowing of battle.net accounts is forbidden.

Enabling such activities to occur by linking to exchange sites is also forbidden.

8. Interactions with other users

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Wheaton's Law applies as a general statement.

No personal attacks

During discussion, attack the argument, not the person;

• The implicit or explicit usage of derogatory language and racial, homophobic or sexist slurs is not permitted. Avoid using potential offensive or hurtful language.
• Referral to a user's personal information/life during arguments is not allowed.
• Brigading is forbidden. Users partaking in subreddit raids either from or against the subreddit will be banned from posting on the subreddit.

Report rulebreakers to the modteam, don't respond in kind. Two lefts wrongs don't make a right!

We aren't your personal army

Falling into a similar category as our guideline against brigading, do not incite the masses to action.

Don't try to incite the community into support or disdain for a person, organisation or community. This includes calling for site boycotts, facebook page 'likes', brigading of any form and libel/slander.

Polls are the singular exception to this rule.

Keep personal info private

As per site rules!

Posting or soliciting personal information is forbidden, due to the harm it can cause effected individuals. Sharing, or asking users to share, any details regarding the following is forbidden;

• Full names
• Street or mail addresses
• Phone numbers, email addresses, instant messaging contacts, social media accounts, etc.
• Private photographs and videos
• Financial information

Upvotes should be fair and legitimate

Using alternate accounts to upvote/downvote specific content is against the rules. Suspicious vote activity will result in the admins being notified and a potential ban on suspicious domains, and subreddit bans on users suspected of participating in manipulation.

Asking for upvotes (or demanding others be downvoted) is forbidden. Posts beginning with "upvote if" or any variation thereof will be removed. This rule extends to content within user posts, such as a "upvote me" message on Twitter.

9. Subreddit Language Policy

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Discussion on /r/Overwatch takes place primarily using the English language. All discursive posts, whether spoken or written, should be submitted in English. Non-English language posts in which the primary focus is not discussion are acceptable.

Examples of acceptable foreign submissions:

• Interesting in-game scenes, even if someone's talking a foreign language over it and / or the UI is foreign
• A data-mining article where the focus is highlighting pictures (new character models, new spray paintings, etc.) that can be understood without reading any text
• Fan-art with foreign language

Examples of disallowed foreign submissions:

• A self post where the author writes text only in a foreign language
• A linked clip to a video where an Overwatch player tries to discuss whether a hero is op or not in a foreign language
• Articles where all the information is contained in the text and it's foreign

10. Promotional posting guidelines

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"It's perfectly fine to be a redditor with a website, it's not okay to be a website with a reddit account." - Confucius.

That inspirational and highly relevant quote was ripped straight from reddit's self promotion wiki page. It's well worth a read.

In order keep the subreddit free of advertisement, we enforce a strict 10:1 rule which states;

"For every one promotional post you submit, 10 of your posts should be non-promotional."

But what counts as promotion? Promotion can be self promotion or the promotion of others. It can be in the form of posts or comments. In general, take promotional posts to include (but not be limited to);

• Links to community websites
• Links to community content channels- streams, youtube channels, etc.
• Links to written articles
• Links to artwork and fan literature
• Feedback on content in the form of discussions, polls, etc.
• References to the above list
• Non-promotional comments in promotional threads
• Promotional comments in general

Large proportions of content from the same domain, submitted from a variety of accounts, will be met with suspicion. Do not engage in activities attempting to bypass this rule, it will result in a subreddit ban on your domain and the admins being notified.
Accounts that only submit content from a singular domain will be met with similar suspicion- though we're more lenient with video/streamer promotion than website promotion in this regard.

Giveaways by your site / channel must be approved by the modteam before you post them to the subreddit. Once you have clearance, feel free to submit and share them with everyone!

Links to streams must be submitted in a self post with relevant context.

10.1 Concerning monetary gain on the subreddit

The usage of the subreddit as a means to profiteer by any party is unacceptable. Direct means of profiteering from the subreddit include (but are not limited to):

• Paying users to generate website traction- if users are using the subreddit as a means to generate traction.
• The posting of referral shopping links. Regular listings on eBay, Amazon or other online shopping websites are allowable, but referral links can result in a monetary advantage for the OP, and so, are forbidden.
• Hosting buy-in raffles, giveaways or competitions.
• Hosting, enabling or participating in gambling in any way, shape or form.

This rule does not include independent, unrelated advertisement/donation revenue that youtube channels or streams might gain. It is acceptable for such content to be promoted on the subreddit, as it does not result in a direct monetary gain.

Feedback & Help

If you ever feel lost or don't understand any rules or mod decisions, feel free to contact the moderators at any time. If you also want to open up a rule for discussion with other members of the community, head over to /r/OverwatchMeta. This is the place to discuss existing rules and their interpretation or propose rule changes or even completely new rules. Your opinion can only be heard if you voice it! Obviously, this is also the place for any kind of meta discussions about the main sub. We will also propose new rules ourselves there and open them up for discussion before implementing them in /r/Overwatch's set of rules. On top of that, there's also a weekly activity report about /r/Overwatch that's being posted to /r/OverwatchMeta where you can check out user activity, highest voted comments and other interesting fact about the Overwatch subreddit.

Happy browsing!

^{PHARAH RULES}