Digital - Moderation Policy

Blood on the Clocktower Digital - Moderation Policy

The Pandemonium Institute (TPI) offers the digital Blood on the Clocktower platform to our users for online gameplay.

While TPI creates and maintains the platform, it is our philosophy that in order to retain Storyteller and player independence, and in light of each group’s unique interaction style, the majority of in-game moderation should fall to the users.

TPI’s Moderation Stance

Our approach to moderation is “hands-off but vigilant,” allowing users to manage their experiences while we stand ready to intervene when necessary.

  • Although we refrain from active game room oversight, we retain the right to assess player behavior and impose additional penalties, including platform-wide exclusions, at our discretion.
  • Behaviors that might trigger our intervention include, but aren’t limited to:
    • Unlawful activities
    • Severe or persistent offenses following user-led moderation
    • Behaviour that breaches of Terms of Use http://thepandemoniuminstitute.com/termsofuse.
    • Technical assaults on the platform or attempts to bypass moderation measures
  • For less severe infractions, we may issue cautions or temporary restrictions before considering a permanent ban.
  • If exclusion becomes necessary, we’ll implement it as comprehensively as our technology allows, potentially including email, browser, or IP-based restrictions.

With that in mind, these guidelines outline our moderation philosophy and the roles of both users and us in moderating the Blood on the Clocktower platform.

Storyteller-Led Moderation

Storytellers are the primary controllers of their game rooms and the content within, empowered to create and maintain their ideal gaming environments.

  • Storytellers bear the primary duty of maintaining order in their game rooms. TPI empowers Storytellers to address player conduct and resolve conflicts arising from social gameplay.
  • We equip Storytellers with tools to remove, temporarily restrict, or permanently exclude disruptive players from their game rooms. We trust Storytellers to employ these measures judiciously to foster an engaging player experience.
  • We encourage all users to resolve interpersonal disagreements amicably. Remember, TPI does not actively oversee or curate the platform's social interactions.

Flagging Concerns

While we trust that Storytellers can address things properly as they see fit, our reporting system serves as a safety net for situations that may require TPI’s attention.

  • If a user encounters a policy violation that a Storyteller hasn't adequately addressed, they may alert TPI via our designated feedback channels.
  • While we’ll examine reported incidents and may take further action as deemed necessary, we can’t promise to respond to or resolve every report.

Challenging Moderation Decisions

We’ve implemented an appeals process to address situations where users feel moderation decisions have been unfair.

  • Users who feel unfairly moderated by a Storyteller or TPI may contest the decision through our designated channels.
  • TPI will consider these challenges individually but cannot guarantee a response or reversal of moderation actions.

To appeal or contest a moderation decision, you can contact our COO at chris@thepandemoniuminstitute.com.

Data Handling and Privacy

We handle all moderation-related data with the utmost care and discretion to protect our users’ privacy.

  • TPI manages moderation-related user data in line with our Privacy Policy, located at http://thepandemoniuminstitute.com/privacy-policy.
  • We safeguard the details of moderation actions against specific users, disclosing them only when legally required.

Cooperation with Authorities

We strive to balance user privacy with our legal obligations when assisting in lawful investigations. TPI will assist law enforcement inquiries into illegal platform activities, which may involve sharing relevant user data as per our Privacy Policy and applicable laws.

Content Oversight

Blood on the Clocktower involves roleplaying elements that may not be suitable for all audiences, and we trust our users to engage with this content responsibly.

Our platform facilitates roleplaying using Blood on the Clocktower’s built-in characters and elements, some of which may be sensitive or triggering to some users (e.g., references to intoxication or the occult). Using this official game content generally won’t invoke TPI moderation, unless other factors are at play.

However, as a live, user-run game, TPI lacks editorial control over player communications and creative choices. We assume no responsibility for user-generated content or conduct.

Liability Limitations

Users should understand that online interactions come with inherent risks that TPI cannot fully mitigate.

By using this platform, users acknowledge the inherent social risks of online multiplayer interactions that TPI cannot fully control. While we aim to provide effective moderation tools, TPI bears no liability for any shortcomings in the user-led moderation approach outlined here.

Updates and Inquiries

We’re committed to keeping our users informed of any changes to our moderation guidelines as our platform evolves.

  • We may revise these Moderation Guidelines at any time. We’ll do our best to communicate significant changes via the platform or related channels.
  • For questions about these guidelines or TPI’s moderation practices, please reach out to us at butler@thepandemoniuminstitute.com.