It was bound to happen. Until now we’d probably been fairly lucky not to require one. But it was time for Fenland Gamers to produce and issue a code of conduct for members attending club meet ups.

I kind of feel sad that we have had to do this. But on the other hand it had to be done.

Sufferers of this blog will remember a couple of incidents I’ve talked about on a couple of posts recently. But there have been other things (involving other people) that created the need for the code of conduct.

There has been a discussion internally, and also a post getting feedback on the sort of stuff to include on a Facebook group that we trust the opinion of the members (not many online forums you can say that about).

A rough draft was then produced and reviewed, and a final version put up on the clubs Facebook page as a post and a pdf. I’ve included a copy of it at the end of the post for those interested or want to use it as the starting point for such a thing for their gaming group/club.

But I think our code of conduct and many others (including the book The Civilized Guide to Tabletop Gaming: Rules Every Gamer Must Live By Teri Litorco) boil down to one basic all encompassing statement (and semi made popular in board gaming circles by the geek/nerd version of marmite Wil Wheaton) , and also the post title “don’t be a dick”.

For me when you read the code of conduct it all seems common sense. Don’t get me wrong I’m not claiming to be an angel and without blame. My mouth often gets me into trouble. I suppose I never really did learn that lesson Dad used to say to me “engage brain before opening your mouth”. However I do try to not swear or other inappropriate language, out of respect for my fellow gamers, and the public place that we use for our meet ups and the people that are outside of the group using the location we are at. I may not be 100% at that, but I hope I’m close to it. We did stop using a location because of the inappropriate language/views of the some of its staff.

I’m hoping that this is the last time as a club we have to address this issue, that these help us remain a friendly, inclusive gaming group.

At the time of writing, the post about the code of conduct, out of about a 100 members of the Facebook group, only 37 have viewed it. So slightly more than a third of the group. A little disappointing, but then again this is Facebook and it works in mysterious ways when deciding what to show in people’s timelines.

So here it is for your reading pleasure, the…

FENLAND GAMERS CODE OF CONDUCT

Gaming is supposed to be an enjoyable experience for all, so please don’t ruin it for others with your behaviour when gaming with us. There is a lot of overlap on this list, but please read through and if you see yourself in any of the sections, please take them on board. Each section is summed up by five rules:

1. Treat other people’s property with respect.

2. Play to your best ability.

3. Concentrate on the game.

4. Remember your environment and know your fellow gamers.

5. Respect our group rules.

1. TREAT OTHER PEOPLE’S PROPERTY WITH RESPECT

Our hobby is an expensive one. Games cost money; sometimes a lot of money (the average game being about £40 – £50. Please treat other people’s games as if they were your own. However, if you treat your games badly, then don’t treat other people’s games as if they were your own! If you’re spotted mistreating other people’s games, expect to be called out on it. If you damage a game then you should be prepared to pay for a replacement.

A game’s owner sets the rules on how the game is to be handled (i.e. food around the game) and must be respected.

Stop being heavy-handed and bending the cards. This is really frustrating and you can be expected to be called out on it.

If you have a drink on the table (and we encourage you to buy at least a drink from our generous hosts) please be extra careful with it. Where possible, use a side table to stand your drink on.

If you damage another person’s game, you should expect to replace it or pay for a new copy.

Don’t riffle-shuffle game cards; it doesn’t matter how good you think you are at it!

Stop eating those greasy foods while handling any games and be aware that barrier creams and hand lotions are also sometimes grease-based.

2. PLAY TO YOUR BEST ABILITY

Don’t cheat. There are times when we get a rule wrong, or unintentionally ‘cheat’; if this happens during a game and is noticed, either by yourself or other players, it should be called out as soon as it is noticed. The group playing will agree upon an acceptable solution. However, if you’re caught deliberately cheating then you can expect to be removed from Fenland Gamers without warning, and asked not to attend again. We don’t play games with cheats.

Losing is all part of gaming. Be gracious when you lose. Remember we’re supposed to have fun and it’s only a game.

When you begin a game, you are expected to play for the duration of it (unless all players decide to end the game early). Play to your best ability and play to win. Make the best move possible to improve your position in the game, even if you have no chance of winning.

3. CONCENTRATE ON THE GAME

Please listen while the rules are being explained. I know there’s a lot to take in and, if you are unsure of something, clarifications will be given while playing, but it gets tiresome when the rules are being explained and those participating are not giving their undivided attention (especially if they start asking lots of questions once the game begins).

It’s OK to have a phone at the table and the odd text is acceptable, as is taking photos and using a score tracker to record end-game scores, but to be constantly checking your phone while gaming is rude. Even more so when it’s your turn.

4. REMEMBER YOUR ENVIRONMENT AND KNOW YOUR FELLOW GAMERS

Banter around the table can be fun and its kind-of expected when gaming, but once again, know your fellow gamers. If someone asks you to stop, please make sure you do so. What’s acceptable to one person, might not be acceptable to another.

Harassment will not be tolerated. Any misconduct will result in you being removed from Fenland Gamers without warning, and asked not to attend again.

Please make sure you have permission to take photos, especially if they are to be used on social media.

Please bear in mind that we play at a public place, so think before you use those expletive words (you know what they are). I know you can’t help it, but some people find bad language unacceptable when used in a public place.

As we welcome members from the age of 12 (when accompanied by an adult with parental responsibilities), please be extra careful with your expert language skills when under 18s are present.

Know your fellow gamers when planning on attending gaming night. The likelihood of getting that ‘down-the-pub’ game played at gaming night is slim.

If you participate in a game, please offer to help pack the game away when finished.

Please have good personal hygiene.

5. RESPECT OUR GROUP RULES

When gaming with us, we expect you to abide by any rules set down by those hosting the game (i.e. when playing at The Luxe Cinema, the cinema has the right to set rules for its own establishment while we’re gaming there).

Fenland Gamers operate on the ethos of being ‘free at point of use’, therefore we do not charge any subs or fees for our meet-ups. However, we do ask that any food or beverages are purchased from the venue (usually The Luxe Cinema). Do not abuse this by bringing your own food/drink to consume.

In the ‘Events’ section of the Facebook group, you’ll find our planned sessions. Please use this to register for the event itself. It’s not always necessary or possible to do so, but if you can, it helps plan what games to bring along. If we only think that 4 players will be in attendance, it’s often difficult when 5 players turn up, as games are often selected for their player count.

Generally, an open gaming session is for any number of players to attend, but a closed session is by invite only.

Please try and be punctual. However, if you are running late, drop us a message and let us know as soon as possible. If you arrive late and a game has begun, you may not get a game until the current game is finished. We usually will spend about 10 minutes chatting after the advertised start time and before a game begins, to allow for late arrivals, but there is no guarantee of this. We’ll try to be accommodating where possible but if you’re late, you take the risk of not getting a game.

We welcome members between 12 and 112, but please note that to comply with the law and for safeguarding purposes, members under 18 must be accompanied by an adult with parental responsibilities (that is a parent or legal guardian). We do not accept ‘in loco parentis’.

WARNINGS

This Code of Conduct should be pretty easy to follow. If your behaviour is really far from it, though, we might decide to try not to game with you again.

If you break our own personal expectations, we might choose not to play with you.

But if you repeatedly break the Code of Conduct, here’s what we’ll do:

First occasion will be a warning.

Second time you’ll get a warning and a three month ban.

Third time and you’re out! We want to keep Fenland Gamers safe, fun and welcoming.

If your behaviour is deemed as serious (i.e. harassment or deliberate cheating) you’ll be removed from the group without warning.