Help:Contents/Rules & Guidelines

Please read these guidelines before you start editing.

Add This Stuff

 * 1) Unused content still present in the game.
 * 2) * Example: Unused characters, levels, items, objects, cutscenes, audio, text, textures, functions, and code.
 * 3) Debug functions.
 * 4) * Example: Debug menus, audio debuggers, and level selects.
 * 5) Differences between released versions.
 * 6) * Example: Documenting the differences between the Japanese and American releases of a game.
 * 7) Leaked prototype games.
 * 8) * Example: The Half-Life 2 Prototype and the Ocarina of Time Debug ROM.

Don't Add This Stuff

 * 1) Prerelease screenshots & videos. (Unless you're making a Prerelease page, in which case, you're looking at the wrong set of rules.)
 * 2) * Exceptions:
 * 3) * A prerelease screenshot or video that shows how something that can still be found in the game's code was originally going to be used.
 * 4) Unreleased games and prototypes for which no publicly-available ROM or disc image exists.
 * 5) Glitches. (Unless you're making a Bug page, in which case, you're looking at the wrong set of rules.)
 * 6) * Exceptions:
 * 7) * A glitch that has been fixed or introduced in a different version of a game.
 * 8) * A glitch that grants players access to unused or debug content.
 * 9) Cheat codes.
 * 10) * Exceptions:
 * 11) * A code that grants players access to unused or debug content.
 * 12) * Level select or sound test codes.
 * 13) * Other cheat codes which are newly discovered and not published anywhere else.
 * 14) Publisher, logo, and copyright/licensing changes between regions.
 * 15) * Games are frequently published by different companies in different regions, and company logos often vary between regions. Copyright and licensing information usually varies between regions as well. These changes do not need to be documented here.
 * 16) Common SDK and compiler strings.
 * 17) * Exceptions:
 * 18) * Strings that contain unique comments, developer credits, or other noteworthy information.
 * 19) * However, if the information you want to add can be found in many other games on the same platform, it likely doesn't need to be documented here.
 * 20) CD checks.
 * 21) * Although they are a form of anti-piracy, there are way too many games with these, and documenting all of them would just clutter up the wiki.
 * 22) ** Exceptions:
 * 23) ** A game that checks for an authentic CD and modifies gameplay if the check fails.
 * 24) "Unused" alternate language settings/files for games that saw an official release in those languages.
 * 25) * Exceptions:
 * 26) * Languages that never saw an official release.
 * 27) * Significant differences between used and unused versions of the same translation.
 * 28) Fan games and hacks.
 * 29) * Please don't add information about amateur games and hacks created by you or others. If you're not sure, ask an admin.
 * 30) User-generated content.
 * 31) * TCRF is not a place to advertise your own content. This includes videos and sites not directly related to the material covered here.
 * 32) Content that was later made available as DLC.
 * 33) * Exceptions:
 * 34) * Content that was modified or updated before being released as DLC.

Who owns the information?
All content taken directly from video games is copyright its original or current owners and included here under the fair use clause of US copyright law, for the purposes of scholarship and research.

Information contributed to the wiki by its users is published under the Creative Commons Attribution Unported 3.0 (cc-by) license. This means that TCRF's contributors continue to own the copyright on their work, but have offered others the opportunity to share and adapt their content for any purpose. In return, the authors must be attributed for their work.

It is important to note that TCRF is a community-based wiki. Anyone can write, fix, change, or contribute to articles. Don't be surprised when other users edit an article you've written to improve its accuracy and clarity, fix grammar, spelling, or formatting issues, or add more information.

If you want to start work on an article, but you aren't ready for other people to edit it, you can put it on a sub-page. Visit User Sub-Pages for more information.

Grammar/Spelling
Endeavor to use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation at all times. Some mistakes are forgivable, especially if English is not your first language, but please do your best to check over your writing before you save the page!

If you're terrible at spelling and grammar, try pasting the text you write into a word processor or an online spellchecker like SpellCheckPlus before submitting it to TCRF. It will help you fix it up!

Speculation
Avoid speculation in the articles. Ensure that there is evidence for your assertions.

Editorializing
Don't harshly criticize a game just because you don't like it. Other readers might disagree.

Humor
You are welcome to use a bit of humor in your writing. However...


 * Don't edit an article, intro, or image caption just to add humor.
 * Don't overdo it. The focus of TCRF is information, not wit.
 * Don't be offensive. Do be politically correct.
 * That being said, our editors are mature and we expect as much from our readers. Some articles may contain humor or language that is not suitable for all ages; please do not change our editors' word choices for the sake of censorship. If you feel an article is overly offensive or politically incorrect, feel free to notify an administrator.
 * Please note that your attempts to be funny by referencing genitalia or sex are not witty or funny and are not welcome here, ever.

"Alpha" & "Beta"
The terms "alpha" and "beta" are often misused, so we discourage their use on the wiki. Use "early", "prototype", or "unused" instead.


 * The only exception to this rule is when a game is specifically labeled an "alpha" or "beta" by the developer/publisher. For example, a public beta test of a PC game like Minecraft. If the game is actually an alpha or beta version, please add a note on the game's Talk page and in the Edit Summary box so your edits are not mistakenly corrected.

Sandbox
The sandbox is to be used for testing things (templates, wiki functionality, etc.), and not for pointless "jokes".

Vandalism
Vandalizing any part of the wiki (e.g. replacing valid information with gibberish/irrelevant text, spamming useless pages) will result in an immediate and permanent ban. If you have a problem with something, talk to an administrator; don't take out your aggression on our articles!

Edit Wars
Please don't undo other people's edits unless you feel that they have made a clear mistake. This includes edits that make the text of a page ambiguous or misleading or remove technical details. If you encounter this situation...


 * 1) Undo the edit.
 * 2) * ...But never undo changes made by an admin.
 * 3) Write your reason for undoing the edit in the article's Edit Summary box.
 * 4) * This box can be found underneath the main Edit box.
 * 5) * Be polite in your explanation.

Handling Disputes
If you have continuing problems with another user, or you want to discuss an edit, write a civil message on an admin's Talk page explaining the issue. If you don't understand how Talk pages work, visit User Talk Pages for more information.

Getting Banned
If you break the rules, make too many irrelevant edits, or have a nasty attitude, you may find yourself facing a ban. Remember, this wiki is privately run, and it's a privilege to be here, not a right.

Temporary Bans
Sometimes, bans are temporary. That means that they will expire after a set time, and you will be able to edit the wiki again. Think of the ban as a warning, try to understand what you did wrong, and change your behavior, or you may not be so lucky next time.

Permanent Bans
If your ban is permanent, that means you've done something very wrong, or you've been warned in the past but haven't changed your behavior. It's unlikely that a permanent ban will be overturned, but you can try waiting a few months and request a second chance if you can prove that you understand what you did wrong and that you will not make the same mistakes again.

Ban Evasion
Creating new accounts to circumvent a ban is prohibited. This will often result in your IP getting banned. That means you will never be welcome to participate at TCRF again. Don't do this.