Equality, Inclusion & The Social Contract

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TankLARP aims to provide a supportive and accessible culture in which the game world can be enjoyed without any player experiencing or fearing discrimination or harassment.

 

This policy was derived from the Snakepit Games Model Equality, Diversity, and Acceptable Behaviour Policy v 0.5.2 by Doug McGregor. The document was released under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license, under which this document is also released.

 

The Short Version

You must not:

• Discriminate against others or use derogatory or bigoted language outside of ‘in-character’ (IC) interactions

• Sexually harass other participants

• Become so drunk that you are unable to roleplay safely

• Smoke or vape in an inconsiderate manner

• Use illegal substances

• Film or photograph others without their consent

• Interfere with another participant’s personal belongings or mobility aids

• Attempt to shrug off responsibility for your actions

• Engage in unacceptable behaviour in TankLARP’s online and/or offline spaces

 

If you break this policy, we can:

• Offer you a warning and/or discuss the situation with you

• Ban you from attending future events

• Ask you to leave the event

• Take legal action, if the situation is sufficiently serious

 

We will:

• Take all complaints seriously

• Keep your information confidential, especially around complaints

• Aim to provide any reasonable adjustment needed to improve accessibility

 

Mission Statement

TankLARP is inspired by a number of sources, including online games such as Valkyria Chronicles and the periods of world history from medieval to the beginning of World War I.  We are aiming to create the living, breathing, immersive world of Centra as seamlessly as possible. We use deliberate contrivances such as our referees dressed as characters and the rules have been specifically designed to facilitate and encourage role-playing over player-managed numerical mechanics.  

 

Purpose

By participating in our events and/or related activities, such as participation in online spaces that we curate you automatically agree to abide by this policy under the TankLARP Terms & Conditions. The ultimate aim of this policy is to ensure that all players and crew participating in LRPs or attending events run by TankLARP or events related to TankLARP are treated fairly, with dignity and respect, and do not suffer out-of-character discrimination or harassment. This policy applies equally to events that we run and to all online spaces that we curate.

 

By booking a place at TankLARP, or using any online space curated by TankLARP, you are agreeing to abide by the following policy for all of your interactions with players, crew, and all staff from TankLARP, in line with the organisers’ interpretation and implementation of it. If you are not willing to abide by this policy of shared respect and dignity, we at TankLARP ask that you do not book for any of our events; we welcome all comments, feedback, queries, and requests for clarification on this policy, which should be directed to the organiser as indicated above..

 

Whilst we at TankLARP have attempted to create as complete a policy as possible, we unfortunately cannot plan for every eventuality for every individual, however much we might like to. We consider this equality and diversity policy to be a ‘living document’: we will continue to update it as we consider new challenges to inclusivity and accessibility, and how we can best meet these issues to provide our players and crew with the best possible experiences at our Events. Where and when this policy is updated over its lifetime, our players and crew will be informed in advance of any events.

 

It is the responsibility of all participants (i.e. players, crew and organisers) at TankLARP to adhere to this policy’s guidelines, and the aims and spirit for which they stand. Following this policy is a condition of attending any event run by TankLARP, or using any online space that we curate. Individuals should always act as if this policy is in full effect. It should be noted that we consider the spirit of the guidelines to be as important, if not more so, than the specific wording of any part of the policy. Any attempt to defend unacceptable behaviour by attempting to twist the wording of this policy will not be tolerated.

 

‘Mature’ Themes

The source material TankLARP is drawn from, as well as subsequently written by our dedicated team, include themes that some may find distressing or uncomfortable to roleplay, i.e. ‘mature’ themes, including elements of ‘horror’. This means that stories or scenes may arise in the game that may include (but are not limited to) madness, murder, cannibalism, physical abuse, torture, self-harm, war injuries and blood. It is the responsibility of each player and member of crew to:

• Notify the TankLARP team well in advance of the event if you wish to be generally excluded from plot which is specifically written to include ‘mature’ themes;

• Notify us of specific ‘mature’ themes you wish to avoid if you would prefer to engage with some themes and not others.

• At the event, use the ‘safe words’ and ‘check-ins’ (described below) if you are OC uncomfortable in any IC situation that you are presented with or have OC concerns for another participant’s well-being or safety.

 

Safe words and Check-ins

TankLARP largely embraces the social mores of our elaborate and wholly fictitious world of Centra (see our ‘Mission Statement’), therefore we understand that the ‘Social PvP’ aspect of roleplayed (i.e. ‘in-character’ or ‘IC’) interactions may sometimes become misunderstood as non-roleplayed (i.e. ‘out-of-character’ or ‘OC’) behaviours that contradict our expectations from players and crew. This can be simplified and more commonly described as “IC/OC Bleed.” Because of this, and because of the potential for ‘mature’ or ‘horror’ themes at TankLARP events, we use a system of ‘safe words’ and ‘check-ins’ to maintain a pro-active culture of mutual respect and understanding.

 

Safe Words To Halt Roleplay and Withdraw: ‘Stop the Game’

If a participant is OC-uncomfortable with an IC situation or interaction and wishes to immediately withdraw from roleplay, they may use the safe words ‘Stop the Game’. If there are concerns regarding one or more participants’ physical safety, then this should be shouted loudly enough for all nearby to hear.

• Other participants involved in the IC interaction or situation must allow the individual who spoke the safe words to immediately withdraw from roleplay.

• The player who used the safe words may wish to notify a Referee of their concerns about the interaction or situation at their own discretion.

 

Safe Words to ‘Deescalate’ Roleplay: ‘Hey Soldier, This Ain’t Right. ’

If a participant has OC concerns about the potential for an IC situation or interaction to escalate beyond their own limits of OC comfort and wish to indicate they would prefer others involved in the scene to ‘deescalate’ or otherwise change their roleplay without breaking other’s immersion, they may use the safe words, ‘Hey Trooper, This Ain’t Right.’.

• You may elaborate in an IC fashion if you wish to indicate your preferences for roleplay, but you must clearly begin with the words ‘Hey Trooper, This Ain’t Right.’.

• Other participants involved in the situation or interaction may choose, if they wish, to change how they continue to roleplay during the situation or interaction. Please note that if the situation continues to escalate beyond OC comfort levels for any participant, they have the right to use the safe words, ‘Stop the Game’.

 

Check-ins

Players and crew may react to perceived or potential concerns about another individual’s OC well-being without breaking ‘immersion’ by speaking the words, ‘Are you in good temper?’ This may be spoken for all to hear or whispered as the situation demands. If you are asked this question you must respond either:

• ‘No’ if you wish not to continue roleplay in this interaction or scene (you may elaborate in an IC fashion if you wish, but your response must clearly begin with the word ‘No’).

• ‘Yes’ if you wish to continue to roleplay in this interaction or scene (you may elaborate in an IC fashion if you wish, but your response must clearly begin with the word ‘Yes’).

 

Please note that ‘check-ins’ may be used at any time, by any participant, whether due to concerns regarding an imminent IC situation or interaction, an immediate concern or to ‘check in’ with another participant afterwards.

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Social Contract
In addition to the above Equality and Inclusion policy, any player or crew in attendance is also to adhere to TankLARP's own Social Contract:

Social Contract : Exclusions:
 

There is a licensed bar on site and you are also welcome to bring your own alcohol but we would ask
that all players please don’t go too far in consuming it onsite. If you believe you are unfit to drive,
you are probably unfit to fight or drive a tank. Drugs are illegal and banned from site. If you are
found in possession of, or found to be under the influence of any narcotic you will be banned from
TankLARP and the incident reported to the police. The decision to exclude any player will only be
made by a Senior Crew Member of TankLARP. There is no appeal and there will be no refund for this
exclusion.
TankLARP and Armourgeddon have a contractual obligation with each other. In plain English, if you
are found to be breaking the terms and conditions of the Armourgeddon Tank Experience, are found
to be unsafe or under the influence of drink or drugs and the Armourgeddon Owner requests you
are removed from site, TankLARP will abide by that decision and you will be asked to leave
immediately. There will be no appeal and there will be no refund. If TankLARP also decide that
you are being unsafe or under the influence as above, you may also be asked to leave immediately.

Any decision to exclude a player from our event will not be an easy one. We will take all factors into
consideration. However, if the decision is made to exclude the player involved they will be asked to
leave immediately and there will be no refund. If you feel that this is something you wish to
complain about after the event, we will be happy to treat that complaint with respect and look into
the decision again. Sometimes it is easier to look at a situation once the heat has been removed.

Finally: We all like a good time. If you are worse for wear and/or drunk, we won’t give you too
much of a hard time about it (other than poking fun!) but this may mean that for the Skirmish, Battle
or Tank Battle, you would be temporarily excluded. We won’t stop you enjoying the event (unless
you are being unsafe to yourself and others) but we may ask you to take a walk for a while and step
out of this encounter. Your Safety Comes First. Please respect the decision if we have to make it. If
later you are up to it we will try to get you back in to the action. This is on a case by case basis. If
you turn up plastered to your skirmish don’t expect us to let you on to the field, OK?
 

Social Contract : Adult Themes, Quiet Zones, First Aid:

This is an Adult Game and there are Adult Themes of Death, War and possibly Horror. If this is not
for you then please be mindful of coming to the event. We want it to be enjoyable for all involved
and don’t want to have your experience tarnished because you were not expecting this sort of game.
If while at the event you do suffer from panic, anxiety or are feeling unwell either physically or
mentally, please seek help from the TankLARP crew at GOD. We have an area for you to come and
relax in, away from the noise of the IC Area. We will give you as much support as you feel you need

at that time. When you are ready to return to the IC area is entirely up to you. We can also get you
first aid should it be required.

Social Contract : Adult Themes, Unwanted or Unwarranted Sexual Advances:

Our world of Centra is imaginary and the core of the TankLARP universe. In Centra the worth of the
individual is more important than their gender, religious belief, sexual orientation, skin colour or
physical or mental disability. This is also true while attending any TankLARP event. Any report of a
breach of this ethic will be treated very seriously and may lead, in the worse case, to exclusion of
those involved. Unwarranted sexual advances in any manner will not be tolerated. Any player who
raises this issue with us will be given the choice of calling and reporting the incident to the police
and any offending player if found to be in breach of this code of conduct will be permanently banned
from all future TankLARP events. No refunds.

Social Contract : Complaints:

As already mentioned if you wish to bring up anything that you feel is unacceptable and would like
to raise a complaint, please bring up your concern with a member of the Senior TankLARP Team at
your earliest convenience. We will take your complaint and hope to deal with it in as sensitive a
manner as possible, with the strictest confidence, respect and if you so choose, anonymously. Your
complaint will be taken into consideration and investigated with a direct response made to you as
soon as is humanly possible. While we are not always able to deal with everything, please don’t feel
that you cannot raise any concern – big or small – with the Senior TankLARP Team.

For any of these issues within the Social Contract, the current people to report to are:
Ian Bland, Game Organiser; Luke Jones, Senior Plot Ref; Brett Strutt, Senior Plot Ref