Rules update 2022 - Revision history

Twiggy at 21:31, 4 March 2026

2026-03-04T21:31:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:31, 4 March 2026
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	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Every year we carry out a review of some part of the game looking to see what we improve. Although that process has been slowed this year, we've still been working on some important updates. This page ~~summarizes~~ and explains the changes so that players can identify and understand the changes easily. There were no updates in 2021, due to the pandemic.		Every year we carry out a review of some part of the game looking to see what we improve. Although that process has been slowed this year, we've still been working on some important updates. This page summarises and explains the changes so that players can identify and understand the changes easily. There were no updates in 2021, due to the pandemic.

	We try to include a section after each update to explain the reasoning behind the change, as well as providing a in-character rationale for what has changed.		We try to include a section after each update to explain the reasoning behind the change, as well as providing a in-character rationale for what has changed.

Twiggy: /* Consultation */

2025-07-30T21:57:29Z

Consultation

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	Previously when we have updated part of the game, we have carried out limited consultation with a small number of players before publishing the new rules. On this occasion we have decided to adopt a different approach - rather than consult with a hand picked group - we want to present the new changes for consultation with everyone. As a result the new pages have all been ''stubbed'' indicating that they may be subject to some changes after our consultation period. You are welcome to [mailto:matt@profounddecisions.co.uk email us] and give us your views on them - we are always happy to discuss any part of Empire with anyone who plays our game at any time. However the feedback that will be most useful to us is anything that identifies clear conflicts with established material or which provides fresh insight to the game on the field.		Previously when we have updated part of the game, we have carried out limited consultation with a small number of players before publishing the new rules. On this occasion we have decided to adopt a different approach - rather than consult with a hand picked group - we want to present the new changes for consultation with everyone. As a result the new pages have all been ''stubbed'' indicating that they may be subject to some changes after our consultation period. You are welcome to [mailto:matt@profounddecisions.co.uk email us] and give us your views on them - we are always happy to discuss any part of Empire with anyone who plays our game at any time. However the feedback that will be most useful to us is anything that identifies clear conflicts with established material or which provides fresh insight to the game on the field.

	In a couple of week's time we will review all the feedback we've received and make changes as appropriate. We will ~~then~~ then remove the stubs to indicate that these changes have been finalised.		In a couple of week's time we will review all the feedback we've received and make changes as appropriate. We will then remove the stubs to indicate that these changes have been finalised.

	===Reasoning===		===Reasoning===

Twiggy at 01:23, 18 July 2025

2025-07-18T01:23:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:23, 18 July 2025
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	===IC Explanation===		===IC Explanation===
	These changes are primarily abstract in nature, but if players want to be able to discuss in-character why polyurethane plate counts as heavy now when it didn't then we suggest you put it down to recent improvements in mithril smithing that have made mithril armour almost as good as steel armour. The dreadnought skill represents the small advantage that a character can ~~aquire~~ by becoming strong enough to wear the thickest, heaviest armour.		These changes are primarily abstract in nature, but if players want to be able to discuss in-character why polyurethane plate counts as heavy now when it didn't then we suggest you put it down to recent improvements in mithril smithing that have made mithril armour almost as good as steel armour. The dreadnought skill represents the small advantage that a character can acquire by becoming strong enough to wear the thickest, heaviest armour.

	===Adjustment===		===Adjustment===

Beeswax: /* Reporting */

2023-04-10T18:13:18Z

Reporting

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:13, 10 April 2023
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	====Reporting====		====Reporting====
	'''Response Times''' - previously responses took a varied length of time. During the pandemic in particular, our reduced ~~manpower~~ led to participants waiting much longer to hear back from us than was acceptable. We can't control how long an investigation takes, but we have given commitments for how long a player can expect to wait before hearing back from us at any point in the process. We will aim to do better than these times if we can, but the published times represent what we can guarantee to achieve.		'''Response Times''' - previously responses took a varied length of time. During the pandemic in particular, our reduced staffing led to participants waiting much longer to hear back from us than was acceptable. We can't control how long an investigation takes, but we have given commitments for how long a player can expect to wait before hearing back from us at any point in the process. We will aim to do better than these times if we can, but the published times represent what we can guarantee to achieve.

	'''Confidentiality''' - previously the reporting process described a report as "anonymous" when in fact what was meant was "confidential". The new process uses better language to describe what happens and provides much clearer information to participants on how the process will work and what options they have.		'''Confidentiality''' - previously the reporting process described a report as "anonymous" when in fact what was meant was "confidential". The new process uses better language to describe what happens and provides much clearer information to participants on how the process will work and what options they have.

Matt at 11:57, 20 March 2022

2022-03-20T11:57:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:57, 20 March 2022
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	===Reasoning===		===Reasoning===
	The current conduct rules used for Empire were originally written approximately fifteen years ago. In that time the expectations of what a game should offer and what a game ~~organizer~~ could try to deliver have changed, and our rules failed to reflect those changing values. We had extended the rules and made minor changes over the years, but the principles that underpin them had never been reviewed. To create a set of rules that would serve the Empire community for the next decade, we needed to start again from scratch.		The current conduct rules used for Empire were originally written approximately fifteen years ago. In that time the expectations of what a game should offer and what a game organiser could try to deliver have changed, and our rules failed to reflect those changing values. We had extended the rules and made minor changes over the years, but the principles that underpin them had never been reviewed. To create a set of rules that would serve the Empire community for the next decade, we needed to start again from scratch.

	The review has looked at every part of our conduct rules but there were some key issues that we wanted to address.		The review has looked at every part of our conduct rules but there were some key issues that we wanted to address.
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	Some of the key changes are summarised below.		Some of the key changes are summarised below.
	====Conduct====		====Conduct====
	'''Remit''' - the new rules are ~~applicapable~~ to everyone who attends Empire events in any capacity. We will take action on behaviour that violates our rules and threatens or harms our participants regardless of when or where it happened.		'''Remit''' - the new rules are applicable to everyone who attends Empire events in any capacity. We will take action on behaviour that violates our rules and threatens or harms our participants regardless of when or where it happened.

	'''Consent''' - the new rules adopt a modern approach to matters of consent. We require everyone to ensure that they have consent before engaging in sex and that that consent is enthusiastic, informed, specific, freely given and reversible.		'''Consent''' - the new rules adopt a modern approach to matters of consent. We require everyone to ensure that they have consent before engaging in sex and that that consent is enthusiastic, informed, specific, freely given and reversible.
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	'''Response Times''' - previously responses took a varied length of time. During the pandemic in particular, our reduced manpower led to participants waiting much longer to hear back from us than was acceptable. We can't control how long an investigation takes, but we have given commitments for how long a player can expect to wait before hearing back from us at any point in the process. We will aim to do better than these times if we can, but the published times represent what we can guarantee to achieve.		'''Response Times''' - previously responses took a varied length of time. During the pandemic in particular, our reduced manpower led to participants waiting much longer to hear back from us than was acceptable. We can't control how long an investigation takes, but we have given commitments for how long a player can expect to wait before hearing back from us at any point in the process. We will aim to do better than these times if we can, but the published times represent what we can guarantee to achieve.

	'''~~Confidentality~~''' - previously the reporting process described a report as "anonymous" when in fact what was meant was "confidential". The new process uses better language to describe what happens and provides much clearer information to participants on how the process will work and what options they have.		'''Confidentiality''' - previously the reporting process described a report as "anonymous" when in fact what was meant was "confidential". The new process uses better language to describe what happens and provides much clearer information to participants on how the process will work and what options they have.

	'''Sanctioned Events''' - we are going to implement a new process for Empire sanctioned events after the first event, that will allow us to ensure that banned participants do not attend those events. Details of that system will be published once we overhaul the sanctioned event rules.		'''Sanctioned Events''' - we are going to implement a new process for Empire sanctioned events after the first event, that will allow us to ensure that banned participants do not attend those events. Details of that system will be published once we overhaul the sanctioned event rules.

Matt at 10:53, 20 March 2022

2022-03-20T10:53:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:53, 20 March 2022
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	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Every year we carry out a review of some part of the game looking to see what we improve. Although that process has been slowed this year, we've still been working on some important updates. This page summarizes and explains the changes so that players can identify and understand the changes easily.		Every year we carry out a review of some part of the game looking to see what we improve. Although that process has been slowed this year, we've still been working on some important updates. This page summarizes and explains the changes so that players can identify and understand the changes easily. There were no updates in 2021, due to the pandemic.

	We try to include a section after each update to explain the reasoning behind the change, as well as providing a in-character rationale for what has changed.		We try to include a section after each update to explain the reasoning behind the change, as well as providing a in-character rationale for what has changed.

Matt: Matt moved page Rules update 2021 to Rules update 2022

2022-03-20T10:52:57Z

Matt moved page Rules update 2021 to Rules update 2022

← Older revision	Revision as of 10:52, 20 March 2022
(No difference)

Matt: /* Sanctions */

2022-03-20T10:49:38Z

Sanctions

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:49, 20 March 2022
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	'''Additional Restrictions''' - we have documented a wide range of additional restrictions that we can impose where we feel they are warranted. For example, if a participant has been harassed by someone, then we can impose a "no interaction" ban, that prevents their harasser from approaching them at events. Or if a participant has demonstrated that they do not know how to meet the requirements for grappling at events, then we may ban them from any grappling in the future.		'''Additional Restrictions''' - we have documented a wide range of additional restrictions that we can impose where we feel they are warranted. For example, if a participant has been harassed by someone, then we can impose a "no interaction" ban, that prevents their harasser from approaching them at events. Or if a participant has demonstrated that they do not know how to meet the requirements for grappling at events, then we may ban them from any grappling in the future.


	==Scaling Back the Public Auction==		==Scaling Back the Public Auction==

Matt at 10:49, 20 March 2022

2022-03-20T10:49:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:49, 20 March 2022
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	We try to include a section after each update to explain the reasoning behind the change, as well as providing a in-character rationale for what has changed.		We try to include a section after each update to explain the reasoning behind the change, as well as providing a in-character rationale for what has changed.

			==Conduct Overhaul==
			We have now finished a complete review of our conduct system, and have rewritten the rules accordingly. This has resulted in some fundamental changes to the [[conduct]] rules as well as some additional guidance on how to roleplay conflict and romance at events. To complement this we have updated the [[reporting a conduct problem\|reporting process]] and significantly expanded the range of [[sanctions]] that we can apply if we determine that our rules have been broken. We have also updated the rules for the [[must avoid policy]] to bring them into line with the new rules.

			Conduct cases that have been resolved in the last six months have been dealt with using the new system, but if the new rules outline a potential conduct issue that you are aware of then we encourage you to get in touch with our conduct team to discuss it, no matter how long ago it occurred.

			===Reasoning===
			The current conduct rules used for Empire were originally written approximately fifteen years ago. In that time the expectations of what a game should offer and what a game organizer could try to deliver have changed, and our rules failed to reflect those changing values. We had extended the rules and made minor changes over the years, but the principles that underpin them had never been reviewed. To create a set of rules that would serve the Empire community for the next decade, we needed to start again from scratch.

			The review has looked at every part of our conduct rules but there were some key issues that we wanted to address.

			The first issue was the scope of the conduct rules. The original rules were built to govern behaviour at our events, this was later extended to our online communities. This approach meant that we couldn't take action when presented with obvious examples of egregious behaviour that took place outside our event. The new rules are founded on the principle that our responsibility it to try to ensure the safety of our participants at events. In simple terms, if one of our community acts to threaten or harm another member then we will take action, regardless of when or where it happened.

			The second issue was confidentiality. Our previous framework was designed to maximise the confidentiality of all parties involved. Unfortunately this approach was undermining faith in the conduct process, because people were unaware when action had been taken. The new rules aim to give clear feedback to everyone who makes a report to our conduct team so that they know exactly what steps Profound Decisions have taken to address their concerns.

			The third issue was that we wanted to have more tools to address problematic behaviour. We wanted a way to address incidents that didn't meet the threshold for a formal warning. We also wanted to have steps we could take to provide additional protection for participants. We had been proactively offering a must avoid to both parties in a complaint but this was punitive to both parties. The must avoid process was designed to deal with cases where neither party was at fault. The new framework needed to offer better options than a must avoid.

			===Key Changes===
			It is impossible to detail every change that we have made to our conduct policy - we strongly recommend that everyone read it if they can. The rules are long, but they are all on a single page and we have tried to ensure that the bullet points capture all the major issues. Most players will not need to read the rules for [[reporting a conduct problem]], or those governing what [[sanctions]] might be imposed, unless they need to make a report.

			Some of the key changes are summarised below.
			====Conduct====
			'''Remit''' - the new rules are applicapable to everyone who attends Empire events in any capacity. We will take action on behaviour that violates our rules and threatens or harms our participants regardless of when or where it happened.

			'''Consent''' - the new rules adopt a modern approach to matters of consent. We require everyone to ensure that they have consent before engaging in sex and that that consent is enthusiastic, informed, specific, freely given and reversible.

			'''Grooming''' - we have implemented additional rules to govern relationships with children and younger players. We have been explicit about the position of authority that our crew have and the additional responsibilities this creates, but the rules also include players who are in positions of authority or prominence in our community, either in-character or out-of-character.

			'''Bullying''' - the rules are now explicit that we will not tolerate out-of-character bullying at our events. We have added additional guidance for roleplaying conflict between characters that are intended to reduce the possibility for out-of-character bullying.

			====Reporting====
			'''Response Times''' - previously responses took a varied length of time. During the pandemic in particular, our reduced manpower led to participants waiting much longer to hear back from us than was acceptable. We can't control how long an investigation takes, but we have given commitments for how long a player can expect to wait before hearing back from us at any point in the process. We will aim to do better than these times if we can, but the published times represent what we can guarantee to achieve.

			'''Confidentality''' - previously the reporting process described a report as "anonymous" when in fact what was meant was "confidential". The new process uses better language to describe what happens and provides much clearer information to participants on how the process will work and what options they have.

			'''Sanctioned Events''' - we are going to implement a new process for Empire sanctioned events after the first event, that will allow us to ensure that banned participants do not attend those events. Details of that system will be published once we overhaul the sanctioned event rules.

			====Sanctions====
			'''Caution''' - our conduct system now includes the possibility for a caution, alongside a formal warning and a ban. This means we can take action where we want a player to change their behaviour, but the issue is not serious enough to warrant a formal warning. It will also allow us to better track behaviour over time, if there are repeated minor transgressions.

			'''Additional Restrictions''' - we have documented a wide range of additional restrictions that we can impose where we feel they are warranted. For example, if a participant has been harassed by someone, then we can impose a "no interaction" ban, that prevents their harasser from approaching them at events. Or if a participant has demonstrated that they do not know how to meet the requirements for grappling at events, then we may ban them from any grappling in the future.


	==Scaling Back the Public Auction==		==Scaling Back the Public Auction==

Matt at 13:57, 18 March 2022

2022-03-18T13:57:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:57, 18 March 2022
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	We have taken the decision to drop the public auction of player lots and minor resources for OOC game design reasons. We'll provide a wind of fortune that develops the current political situation regarding the sale of Bourse materials on the public auction, and presents some IC developments for players to consider, but we wanted to cleanly separate the in-character elements from the out of character elements.		We have taken the decision to drop the public auction of player lots and minor resources for OOC game design reasons. We'll provide a wind of fortune that develops the current political situation regarding the sale of Bourse materials on the public auction, and presents some IC developments for players to consider, but we wanted to cleanly separate the in-character elements from the out of character elements.


	==Urizen Culture==		==Urizen Culture==