Though we have made every effort to anticipate all the possible circumstances we may encounter as caretakers of the persistent world of EVE Online, there issues may arise that we had not foreseen. Our players are free-thinking, creative and sometimes crafty individuals who possess the ability to enter into situations or create scenarios unexpectedly. Therefore, this document should not been seen as all-inclusive, but rather to give our players a general idea of the guidelines we follow in dealing with these or similar cases.
Taking action against one of our players, particularly in regard to banning an account, is something we would like to avoid, but realistically must do in order to protect other players or the quality of service we strive to provide to our subscribers. When making a determination about how best to address a situation, our game masters conduct a thorough investigation of the incident in question, the seriousness of the offense and the user’s previous history. Reprimands will be given at the GM’s discretion and may vary from case to case, based on the aforementioned criteria.
Players are urged to familiarize themselves with the information here as well as all of the other related documents outlining our rules and policies. These documents may be revised from time to time and it is the player’s responsibility to stay abreast of any changes.
Should you receive a warning or ban that you feel was not warranted, you may appeal the decision by contacting Customer Support. Filing an appeal does not guarantee that the action will be reversed.
1. EXPLOITS
An immediate permanent ban of an account may result if:
- a. Investigation shows that a player has employed the use of an exploit tactic despite a public announcement being made to alert players they will be banned for using it.
- b. A player who has been previously warned for exploiting and continues to exploit, whether using the same exploit or another.
- c. An account holder guilty of employing “duping” exploits. Players found to have received the benefits of this exploit may also face reprimand, from removal of the items in question up to, and including, banning of their accounts.
- d. A player has engaged in activity that intentionally causes others to lose connection, suffer latency issues (lag) or to crash to desktop (CTD).
- e. A player renders himself invulnerable through the use of a bug.
- f. A player has created, distributed or advertised an illegal 3rd party program (i.e. macro or cheat program) that disrupts game mechanics, is considered unfriendly or gives an unfair advantage by misusing game features in a way for which they were not intended.
Severe offences may result in an immediate ban without warning; however, warnings may be given for first time offenses, followed by account suspensions of varying degree and ultimately a permanent ban if a player:
- a. Creates a character using a name that is misleading and causes others to believe he is a fair target, such as a non-player pirate or other NPC entity.
- b. Is discovered to be employing the use of a third party program to macro illegally. Funds or goods received from the benefits of macroing are subject to removal from the player’s inventory.
- c. Is aware of an exploitable bug and fails to report it to Game Masters and/or distributes the information to other players.
2. HACKING
An immediate permanent ban of an account may result from attempting to or successfully:
- a. Interfering with the performance of the EVE Online servers or web site.
- b.Defrauding another player of his account through use of misinformation or impersonating an EVE Online official. NOTE: No employee of CCP or one of its authorized representatives will ever ask for your password. Should someone claiming to be a CCP associate request your password, don’t give it. Instead, notify the support team immediately by sending a support ticket. Please retain all related documentation in the event it is needed during a possible investigation.
- c. Deciphering, hacking into or interfering with any transmissions to or from the EVE Online servers or web site.
- d. Engaging in any activity that increases the difficulty and/or expense of CCP in maintaining the EVE Online client, server, web site or other services.
- e. Obtaining unauthorized access to another’s EVE Online account or account information
3. HARASSMENT
An immediate permanent ban of an account may result if a player:
- a. Organizes or participates in a corporation or group that is based on or advocates any anti-ethnic, anti-gay, anti-religious, racist, sexist or other hate-mongering philosophies.
Severe offences may result in an immediate ban without warning; however, warnings may be given for first time offenses, followed by account suspensions of varying degree and ultimately a permanent ban if a player:
- a. Is abusive, obscene, offensive, sexually explicit, ethnically or racially offensive, or threatening to another player or an official EVE Online representative.
- b. Uses role-playing as an excuse for violating the guidelines regarding fair play with others.
- c. Sends excessive e-mails, EVE-mails or support tickets, files support tickets with false information or repeatedly under the wrong category in an effort to circumvent the customer support queue.
4. ILLEGAL TRANSFER OF GAME ITEMS
An immediate permanent ban of an account may result if a player is found to be:
- a. Selling in-game goods or services for real world currency through an online auction site or any other venue.
- b. Advertising the sale of EVE in-game goods or services for real world currency through an online auction site by using the in-game chat channels, through our forums or by any other venue.
Severe offences may result in an immediate ban without warning; however. warnings may be given for first time offenses, followed by account suspensions of varying degree and ultimately a permanent ban if a player:
- a. Buys in-game goods or services for real world currency through an online auction site or any other venue.
5. IMPERSONATING AN OFFICIAL EVE REPRESENTATIVE
Severe offenses may result in an immediate ban without warning; however, warnings may be given for first time offenses, followed by account suspensions of varying degree and ultimately a permanent ban if a player:
- a. Presents himself as a CCP employee, game master or other customer service representative, or a member of the EVE volunteer program.
6. SCAMMING
Severe offenses may result in an immediate ban without warning; however, warnings may be given for first time offenses, followed by account suspensions of varying degree and ultimately a permanent ban if a player:
- a. Illegally obtains items from another through use of an exploit or cheat method.
- b. Intentionally creates contracts that cannot be completed through normal game mechanics or abilities.
- c. Has been told by a GM to discontinue a scam ploy and disregards the instruction.
7. MISCELLANEOUS
An immediate permanent ban of an account may result if a player:
- a. Has had four previous warnings for breaking any rules set forth in the EULA, Terms of Service or other rules or guidelines.
- b. Divulges private and/or personal information about another subscriber or an official EVE Online representative through the EVE Online client or web site.
Severe offenses may result in an immediate ban without warning; however, warnings may be given for first time offenses, followed by account suspensions of varying degree and ultimately a permanent ban if a player:
- a. Fails to follow the instructions of authorized EVE personnel.
- b. Advertises, employs, markets or promotes any form of solicitation – including pyramid schemes and chain letters.
- c. Arranges for the exchange or transfer of any illegal pirated software or other contraband while using the EVE Online client, servers or web site.
- d. Creates or distributes information about or solicits the existence of any server emulator or other site where EVE Online may be played without the authority of CCP.
- e. Publishes private communications from CCP their agents or representatives, including members of the EVE volunteer program, within the game world, official web site, or other venues without authorization.
- f. Transmits or uploads any copyrighted material for which the individual does not own all rights or have permission from the author or copyright holder or arranges to receive such material.
- g. Engages in griefplay tactics which may include, but are not limited to, market/courier exploits.
- h. Creates a character or corporation with a name that violates our EVE Online Naming Policy.
- i. Disregards the instructions or requests of a game master.
- j. Advertises or promotes an online auction or auction site (such as eBay) on our forum or official communication channels, both in or out of game, or any other venue.
- k. Advertises or promotes a site that features content that is defamatory, ethnically or racially offensive, obscene, offensive, depicts graphic violence, is excessively gruesome, sexually explicit or vulgar, or promotes anti-gay sentiments or hate groups.
- l. Spams official communication channels, both in or out of game.