Server Operator Rules

<cat>Play.Hosting</cat>
<title>Server Operator Rules</title>

This page describes rules that all server owners/operators must abide to.

Violating these rules will get your server blacklisted.

# The rules

Last updated: **09 October 2023**.

Recent changes:
* More malicious actions examples
* Nazism rules

For majority of the time common sense applies. Do not try to look for loopholes in the rules.

If you are unsure if something is allowed or not (it probably isn't if you have to ask), feel free to write to the email <page text="below">Server_Operator_Rules#myserverwasblacklistedwhatdoido</page>.

### Facepunch server guidelines

Your server must not violate the general [Community Server and Hosting Guidelines](https://facepunch.com/legal/servers).

### Sexual violence
Any form of sexual violence on Garry's Mod servers is disallowed.

This includes but is not limited to:
* 'Rape' SWEPs or other sexual violence gameplay/roleplay jobs
* Audiovisual content of minors which is illegal
* Audiovisual content (including in-game models/props) displaying any form of sexual violence

Any other form of NSFW/18+ content should be behind a consent warning **before the content in question can be seen**, akin to those on websites with such content. A message on loading screen is not enough, the player has to be able to press the "Yes I am ok with seeing such content" button or disconnect, not on a timer implied by a loading screen.

### Nazism
Display of swastikas, the nazi salute or other glorification of nazism is prohibited, even for "roleplay" purposes.

### Server information
Do not fake server information. This mostly means player count, but **other data also applies**.

If you are using any sort of "DDoS mitigation" that affects server info such as ping, first of all you should fix it to display correct information, but at the very least make sure you set **correct** `sv_location` for your server. You can find more information about this console variable <page text="here">Downloading_a_Dedicated_Server#locationflag</page>. The location flag **must not be different** for a single server visible in different regions.

### Malicious actions
Malicious actions towards server's players are not allowed **for any reason**.

This includes but is not limited to:
* Wiping/corrupting players' `data/` folder, or the clientside SQL database
* Altering players' customizable spawnlists or <page>presets</page> in any way
	* **Safely** hiding customizable content and displaying custom content instead is permitted
* Forcibly changing user configuration/settings/options without their consent
* Filling players' `data/` folder with useless files or illegal content
* Forcibly showing illegal or inappropriate content
* Crashing players' game on purpose
* Preventing players from leaving the server via custom "main menus"
* Releasing private information about a player to the public (IP addresses, real names, pictures, etc)
* Asking players to install 3rd party software (a security risk for the player)

# I am a player and I disagree with actions of administration on a server I play on

If you do not agree with a kick/ban reason, you can play on a different server.

All Garry's Mod servers are hosted by the community. Your access to community server(s) is at the discretion of their administration.

# My server was blacklisted, what do I do?

Do not try to circumvent the blacklist. This just makes you look more guilty.

Look through each rule and see which one your server violates.

You can write to [robotboy655@facepunchstudios.com](mailto:robotboy655@facepunchstudios.com) to appeal a server blacklist or to simply ask for more information regarding this topic.

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