Why we have a code of conduct

At Go Play, we created this code of conduct that all attendees and staff agree to follow because we believe in making gaming a welcoming space for everyone.

When you are at Go Play, be respectful to each other.

Our statement of intention

• Go Play is a community event run for a wonderful and diverse group of people.
• We endeavour to make this a safe space for everyone, and we embrace people from all ethnic backgrounds, religions, genders, sexualities and abilities.
• We respect individuals’ identities, and we expect our attendees to show this same respect to one another and to take steps to ensure that they are conducting themselves in an appropriate manner.
• At Go Play, we won't tolerate harassment of any kind.

We are here to provide a positive and fun experience for all of our attendees. We want to support you to make the most of your time. So please don't be afraid to ask questions, to share your experiences, or provide feedback about how we might improve the event.

Harrassment

Harassment is a form of discrimination and refers to circumstances when someone is subjected to unwelcome, uninvited behaviour that a reasonable person would find offensive, intimidating, insulting, embarrassing or humiliating.

Harassment takes many forms. 

Go Play does not tolerate behaviour including, but not limited to:

• offensive verbal comments
• inappropriate or unwelcome physical attention or contact
• intimidation
• stalking
• harassing or non-consensual photography or recording
• sustained disruption of games, workshops, or other events
• bathroom policing

…in relation to:

• gender
• race
• gender identity
• colour
• sexual orientation
• national origin
• gender presentation
• age
• body size
• disability
• appearance
• religion
• citizenship, and
• pregnancy.

Hearth Wardens

At Go Play, we have created a support role called the ‘Hearth Warden’. These individuals are at the event to provide support, help resolve disputes, and to advocate for everyone’s best interests.

• Hearth Wardens seek to be aware of how people are interacting and to ensure that attendees feel safe, are happy, and are having a good time.
• Hearth Wardens aren’t super human and can’t be everywhere at once; they may not always know if lines have been crossed or if someone requires assistance. So, if you need anything or have a concern, please seek them out.
• The identities of the Hearth Wardens will be indicated on the day, usually they will wear a gold lanyard.

Remember, Hearth Wardens are there to help.

General convention conduct

• Go Play is a social event offering plenty of opportunities to meet new people and learn new things. We encourage you to engage with the other attendees. Many a gaming group was founded at Go Play!
• Be aware of direct requests and respond to them accordingly e.g. if someone asks “Please don’t do that” then stop the behaviour.
• Not everyone feels comfortable in being assertive, so please exercise self-awareness. Be mindful of how people respond to your behaviours or whether an action you take could reasonably make someone feel uncomfortable.
• Anyone at Go Play can report any kind of behaviour that makes them feel uncomfortable, even if they aren't the target of or directly involved with a situation.

Approach a Hearth Warden if you’d like to report something, raise a concern, or ask a question.

In-game conduct

• In a convention game, you’ll often be running for and playing with people you may not know, or may not know very well.
• Unlike a home game, where you have a fair sense of people's comfort zones and boundaries before you start, convention games don't necessarily give you the time to feel those out.
• Be mindful of your behaviours (yourself and your characters’ - you're responsible for both) and ensure you get buy-in on whatever tone or style you wish to explore. Similarly, choose your game wisely for what you’re comfortable with, and what you'd most enjoy.

Player and GM best practice

As a Player:

• Be clear on your intentions, get buy-in and seek consent, and bring people on the journey with you, e.g "I think it would be great if our characters had a conflict right now, what do you think?".
• When other players in the game identify a hard limit on content that they do not wish to have in the game (either verbally or using an X-Card - read more about X-Cards below), please respect that limit and exclude that content from your part in the game as well.

As a GM:

• Include a clear indication of tone in your game pitch. If you are going for a more MA or R rated game, ensure that you indicate age suitability and include appropriate content warnings in your pitch.
• Consider having a brief chat with your players prior to the session so that people have the option to raise any hard limits they might have on game content.
• If you need any behavioural mediation, please contact a Hearth Warden immediately to assist in resolving the situation.

Note: All attendees have the freedom to excuse themselves from a game or situation at any time without needing to justify themselves.

X-cards

At Go Play Brisbane, we encourage the use X-Cards (created by John Stavropoulos, click here if you'd like to find out more). X-cards help players quickly communicate their request to edit out content that is uncomfortable for them simply by holding up or tapping the card.

Please collect X-cards from the registration desk, where they are available to any attendee who asks for one.

If you see anyone using an X-Card, please respect their action and move the game away from the “X-ed” content. This will help to make Go Play Brisbane the fun, inclusive and safe event it was always meant to be.

Links to some other tools to help:

Breakout Con’s Safety tool summary

Lines and Veils 

Monte Cook's Consent in Gaming form

Warnings and Consequences

Failure to adhere to the community standards may result in:

1. Mediation
2. Verbal warnings
3. Ejection from Go Play Brisbane (for the day or permanently)
4. Contacting the police.

• For minor issues the Hearth Wardens, Organisers or Volunteers may come and talk to you. If appropriate, they may issue you with a warning.
• If you do not take mind of any warning/s and continue the problem behaviour, this may result in your removal from the game or venue.
• We reserve the right to ask you to leave at any time with no prior warnings given if your behaviour is deemed as unacceptable or unsafe.

Conclusion

This code of conduct applies to everyone at the convention: players, GMs, organisers, volunteers, people who have been to every Go Play, and people who are here for the first time. The same standards and consequences apply to all.

Thank you for reading the Go Play Code of Conduct and helping us ensure our event is safe and welcoming for all.