POSTING GUIDELINES

1. Please do not discuss other game consoles at the site
   
   We do not have offtopic forums for a reason. We try to encourage members to get involved with the 3 game consoles we cover. Everything at the DC site should be about the Dreamcast, and so on for the GameCube and Playstation 2 sites.
   
   Note: The Wii, Playstation 3, or XBOX 360 may not be discussed on this website. Also, discussing "emulated games" on future-generation console platforms is not permitted. Which means if downloadable Dreamcast games are offered on another platform, they cannot be discussed at this website.
   
   
   
2. Please stop asking "How many people play this online?"
   
   You first need to realize every online game we cover has "zero" players online. If you try to randomly hop onto servers, you probably are not going to find anyone. There simply aren't enough players online to populate every game on a consistant basis. That is why we have the OnlineConsoles website. In order to locate players you need to post in our Game Organization area to setup game sessions. It works, trust me. You just need to be persistent and patient!
   
   
   
3. Simply telling people you bought or intend to buy something.
   
   "I just bought this! ... Should I buy this? ... I am thinking of getting this... Has anyone played this before?"
   This may seem like a strange rule, but this type of posting clogs up discussions turning them into "purchasing decision" threads instead of discussion threads about the games. We actually want to generate discussions about "playing" video games. So please try to restrain yourself from simply jumping into a thread to say "I just got this" or "I think I might buy this." Instead, buy it, put it in your game console, play it, and then then come onto the forums and to talk about it.
   
   If you don't own the game yet, but still want to participate in the discussion, maybe ask a specific question about the game such as: "How is this game's framerate?" or "Are the bosses really cool?"
   
   Note: We will have a purchasing advice thread stickied in the Lounge forums to facilicate aiding players in locating games and making buying decisions.
   
   
   
4. Avoid vague shorthand topic titles:
   
   Do not create titles that just say, "Help..." or "I have a question..." or "You need to see this". These tell the reader nothing about the ongoing discussion. Please include information related to the body text of your thread. For example do not post a topic with the following text: "A question about controllers...". Instead, use your actual question about controllers for the topic title.
   
   
   
5. No threads about getting terminated games back online
   
   The OnlineConsoles community areas exist specifically to help generate activity for existing online games, as well as celebrate the legacy of past online games. Threads relating to server restoration are not permitted on these forums. For information and FAQ's on getting games back online please see the OC Restoration & Preservation Project.
   
   
   
6. Pirated Software
   
   Asking for, or posting links to download pirated software is not permitted. This also goes for game soundtracks. Please support the musicians and purchase the Original Soundtrack for your favorite games.
   
   
   
7. Selling Video Games on the Site
   
   Do not advertise items you are trying to sell. If you wish to post this information, you can include it in your signiture as long as you are not a business.
   
   
   
8. Use JP or JPN please:
   
   Some posters use the term "JAP" to refer to a Japanese game release. During World War II the term JAP was a racial slur heavily used by Americans toward the Japanese. Japanese-American citizens were even put into concentration camps by the United States Government. The term "JAP" is a reflection of ignorance and hatred. Because of this, please use the abbreviations JP or JPN instead.
   
   
   
9. Phantasy Star Online can only be discussed in our Private PSO Area
   
   For the moment PSO is not permitted for discusison in neither Public Forums nor the Support area. This is because we run an internal PSO gaming community.
   
   
   
10. Make your posts legible for others to read
    
    Threads on the forum should be at a minimum of legibility so other members can comphrehend the post enough to formulate a reply.
    
    
    • Use proper punctuation by ending sentances with periods, question marks, and excalamation points.
    • Do not end every sentance with an excalamation point [!], otherwise it seems like you are yelling constantly.
    • Do not post entire titles or messages in all capital letters.
    
    
    
11. Obvious Forum Rules:
    
    
    • No Flaming - Insulting members, their interests, or games by name calling (ie. you suck, this game sucks)
      
    • No Trolling - Posting with intent to frustrate other members and de-rail discussions.
      
    • No URL SPAM - Use your signature area if you wish to promote a URL. Links to scams are not allowed anywhere on the website. This means no "WIN a FREE MP3 Player" or Play-Asia referral links.
    
    

OFFTOPIC EXCEPTIONS

1. Linked CONSOLE-to-HANDHELD
   
   
   • Topics on the NeoGeo Pocket Color are permitted, only in relation to Linking with the Dreamcast.
   • Topics on the GameBoy Advance are permitted, only in relation to Linking with the GameCube.
   • Topics on the Playstation Portable are permitted, only in relation to Linking with the Playstation 2.
   
   
   
2. Emulation
   
   
   • Discussing the emulation of classic games on the Dreamcast, GameCube or Playstation 2 is permitted, as long as the discussions focus on emulation performance and technical information. This topic shouldn't be used as a loophole to discuss every game ever made just because it can be emulated on these platforms.
     
     
   • It is okay to discuss the emulation of Dreamcast, GameCube or Playstation 2 games on the PC platform, via community coded software.
   
   
   
3. Leaked Games, Prototypes, etc
   
   There are some exceptions to the piracy rule - Discussing and Linking to downloads for homebrew applications, dreamcast web browsers, and unreleased dreamcast games such as Half-Life, Propeller Arena, Flintstones: Viva Rock Vegas, and PBA Bowling are permitted. You may link to any download location as long as the thread discussion does not deviate from the above subject matter.