Server rules change

[Igiss]

I'm changing official server rules. Full version available here:
http://discoverygc.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=48

I'll just point out the things I'm changing.

1) PvP

I won't include SB/NB point into rules, when 79.4 is released you'll understand why.

Only thing I'm adding is

1.5 During a PvP combat player who was killed 3 times should leave the fight, unless sides specify another limit of deaths before the combat begins. Sides should specify goals of the fight and time when it begins (and ends).

1.6 Self-killing with a Nova-type weapon or any other weapon is counted as a normal PvP death.

2) Factions

Territory no longer exists, if someone missed the news. Accordingly,

2.5 Each faction that affiliated itself with an NPC faction has a right to own a home system. Any system that does not belong to another faction and contains at least one base of appropriate NPC faction can be declared home. Home system must be approved by server administrators.

2.6 Systems that surround home system are considered an influence zone. No borders or exact systems that belong to influence zone may be specified.

In case of war, borders of influence zone may be specified to determine systems where battles will take place. War rules will be specified later.

2.7 Taxation of players below level 40, as well as players from friendly factions, is prohibited. Taxation is allowed only in home system. Factions have no right to restrict access to their home system or surrounding systems, except cases of war.

This might seem doubtful, but I'll try to explain.

For some reason, territory feature caused much trouble. Freelancer is a free game, and systems cannot be private property with restriced access. Therefore, influence zone is now a zone, not list of systems. This zone might be in systems where appropriate NPC faction has bases, or has patrols, or simply in systems that are close to home.

Zone might have some impact on roleplaying, but there are no obligations. You cannot restrict access to anywhere unless there's a war, and you cannot tax anywhere except in home system of your faction.

Only case when zone might be important is a war between factions. For example - by conquering zone systems, one faction might get closer to other faction's home system and finally conquer home; then defeated faction will have a chance to claim a new home and regain previous home. If faction cannot regain previous home after certain time, it loses everything. That's just a suggestion, not included into rules.

3) Cheating. A whole new section.

3.1 Following actions are considered cheating on server:

- Using non-Discovery mods, Speed Mod for example;
- Changing account information and using any kinds of software that changes normal gameplay;
- Using any equipment not included for sale/looting in Discovery mod, cloaks for example;
- Using F1 in any PvP combat;
- Using equipment that exceeds ship specs.

3.2 Server administrators impose sanctions on cheaters depending on consequences.

Punishment for using speed mod (first time) will be no less than ban for 15 days. Punishment for using F1 (first time) will be no less than 80% credit fine or ban for 3 days. Players who have been spotted cheating for 3 and more times will be banned forever.

4) Admininstrators' rights and duties - also a new section.

4.1 Server administrators have a right to impose sanctions on players for violating of server rules and for any actions that harm server gameplay.

Proof of server rules violation include screenshots, evidence of players and administrators themselves. False evidence is prohibited and will be punished with at least 1 month ban.

4.2 Possible sanctions are:

- Warning on forums and in-game;
- Removal of certain equipment from player ship;
- Removal of credits from character;
- Deleting character;
- Banning account;
- Combination of two or more mentioned above.

4.3 Administrators have a right (in addition to stated in 4.1):

- To close server for maintainance without prior warning;
- To interfere in server events and wars in cases of server rules violation;
- To approve or disapprove system claims of factions;
- To make final decisions about terms of wars (taking into account opinions of all sides of conflict);
- To give out certain administrator privileges to other people.

4.4 Administrators are obliged:

- To ensure stable work of Discovery Freelancer server;
- To be fair and treat all players equally, independent of their level and faction alignment;
- Not to mix server roleplaying with server administration in any way;
- Not to ignore any cases of server rules violation that are reported;
- To make decisions about system claims and wars (as stated in 4.3) in reasonable time.

Waiting for your comments on all this. I'm ready to change most things if you can convince me it's needed.