Code of Conduct

Attendance
Alcohol and Drug Policy
Harassment Policy
Food
Stream room
Miscellaneous

Attendance

Wristband must be worn in a visible location at all times in our public areas.
If your wristband is not immediately visible staff may ask you to display it.
Refusal to keep your wristband visible can result in a rules violation and having your wristband marked.
If you lose your wristband, we will not have any available to replace it.
Persons without a wristband will not be allowed in the event areas.
Wristband are not to be shared or loaned. Your wristband is yours alone, anyone involved with sharing it is subject to have their wristband revoked. If you lose your wristband, report it to staff ediately.
Hoverboards are not allowed.
Pets are not allowed, except for licensed service animals.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

There is no alcohol tolerated in any  marathon area.
Possession and/or use of illegal/illicit drugs will result in immediate removal from the event.
Our events are for all ages and there will be minors in the area. Therefore, alcohol will not be tolerated in any of the areas as long as the event is going on. You are responsible for what you do outside of the venue.
If you attempt to enter the event under the influence of illicit substances, you may be subject to the following consequences:

  • First Offense: Verbal Warning, wristband will be marked.
  • Second Offense: Removed from the event, with the possibility of banishment from future events.         

The Benelux Speedrunner Gathering, its staff and volunteers are not responsible for your actions if you are arrested for public intoxication, underage drinking, or anything else related to drug and alcohol use.

Harassment Policy

The Benelux Speedrunner Gathering events have a ZERO TOLERANCE policy in regards to harassment of all kinds, including but not limited to:

  • Unwanted physical attention.         
  • Inappropriate physical touching.                 
  • Physical assault.         
  • Battery.         
  • Stalking.         
  • Intimidation or Bullying.         
  • Bathroom Policing.         
  • Harassing photography or recording.         
  • General disruption of the event.         

Any of these acts in relation to, but not limited to qualify as harassment:

  • Race         
  • National origin or descent.         
  • Gender         
  • Gender Identity         
  • Gender presentation.         
  • Sexual orientation.         
  • Age         
  • Body size or type         
  • Disability         
  • Religious affiliation.
  • Citizenship         
  • Pregnancy.         

If a person is found engaging in such behavior BSG staff will take prompt action to rectify the situation at their discretion including removal from the event and possible banishment from attending future BSG events. EVERYONE in attendance including staff, press, and partners are expected to follow this policy at all times and they will be held to the same standards as all other attendees.

Please report any forms of harassment to BSG staff. We want to make our events safe and enjoyable for everyone and if you are the subject of or witness harassment please do not hesitate to ask for our help in resolving any such situation. Staff members can all be identified by their staff event badges. If you need help but wish to talk to staff anonymously or indirectly please contact the event safety coordinator at this email address: info@bsgmarathon.com

With regards to less serious conflicts: if there is a minor conflict or issue, then we recommend trying to resolve the problem privately. If you find yourself unable to resolve a problem on your own, or you do not feel comfortable resolving the situation alone, please feel free to contact a staff member to assist you.

Food

  • Food is not allowed in the stream room.         
  • Unattended food and/or drink will be thrown out at staff discretion.         
  • We will not have cleanup service at the venue so please throw away any leftover food or containers.         
  • Due to venue regulations, you may not bring in food or drinks from outside the venue except for breakfast or dinner or when explicitly permitted by a staff member.

Stream Room

The stream room is the focal point of the event, and therefore has specific rules.

Do not detract from the runner's presence without their consent         

Signs, costumes, stuffed animals, grandstanding or similar distractions from the runner should be discussed with the runner and staff beforehand. This ensures that it is in line with the tone the runner wants to set for the run, and that staff is aware of what is going to happen so they can both confirm it is appropriate for the stream and that it is desired by the runner. It is up to the runner to decide the tone of the area during their run, and we expect others to respect that tone. This also includes being generally distracting by talking or having your phone on.         

Accepted behavior and appearance while on camera in the audience.          

Anyone in attendance is not allowed to have full masks and or body suits. Your identity must be easily discerned and your face visible. Self advertisement such as holding up social media information, business cards, or other self serving objects is not allowed on camera. Signs and or artwork as long as they are marathon appropriate are acceptable, however blocking the camera with these objects, or yourself, is not. In general, the audience camera is not a "YOU" camera, treat it as such.         

Do not touch any cables or consoles during a run          

You do not want to be the person who ends a someone's run by messing up the hardware. If you have equipment being used, wait until the run is over to reclaim it.

The work area is off limits to anyone that is not working, scheduled or on staff unless explicitly permitted by a staff member.

This is not considered a public area. If you are not trained with certain equipment, do not touch it. Photography does NOT exempt you from this rule.

The runner has final say on who is allowed on the runner couch.         

This includes both the runner couch and the rows immediately next to the couch as well if the runner has extra people he wants to have there.         

No Flash Photography in the stream room or gaming areas.          

This includes lights such as red-eye reduction, and any other bright lights that are distracting to people playing games.         

Regarding acceptable behavior on stream as a runner or commentator

As a runner or commentator your time on camera acts as a representation of not only yourself, but of the Benelux Speedrunner Gathering, the charity itself, as well as our sponsors and partners. As this representation is of great importance here are some guidelines to follow with what is and is not considered acceptable behavior while appearing on stream.

First and foremost, we encourage a fun, entertaining, and casual environment on the stream. BSGs are about great people doing great things for those in need, and we want all our runners and commentators to be able to enjoy that. The more positive and fun you can be, the more that same presence is reflected out to all those watching.

The topic and tone is at the runner’s discretion. Every runner at our events is unique and has their own approach to how they showcase their skills for the event. We do not have hard and fast rules on what you choose to commentate during your run. In general giving informative and fun commentary about your game is a great way to go about setting the tone for your run, but we encourage each runner to approach this in whatever way they feel most comfortable with. We also understand that not every runner is comfortable commentating while playing and it is perfectly acceptable to let that responsibility fall to your couch crew.

For reference, here is a list of ideas that have received positive feedback with regards to commentary:

  • Informative explanations about the game and run itself, whether it be explaining the route, the techniques employed during the run, glitches involved, or just the general evolution of the speedrun.         
  • Personal anecdotes about runners' experiences with the game or the community behind the game.                 
  • Input on design choices or factoids about the game and it’s development.         

These are just examples, and if you have questions, always feel free to ask the staff.

Regarding unacceptable behavior while on stream

Any speech or behavior that would fall under a violation of the harassment policy outlined in the rules is not permitted on stream. This includes remarks that would be considered "joking" or "tongue in cheek" in nature. There are clear lines we expect not to be crossed in the harassment policy, those lines are to be respected while on stream.

Swearing should be avoided while on stream. An occasional swear is not going to draw any ire from staff, but we expect runners and commentators to keep the content of the run "PG" in nature as the Benelux Speedrunner Gathering is a family friendly event both in person and on stream. If you cannot control your language while being a representative on our stream then you will be subject to not being allowed to perform again as a runner or commentator in the future.

Avoid topics of conversation that are polarizing or controversial in nature. This includes but is not limited to things such as politics, religion, or other “hot button” topics that are innately divisive.

If a staff member requests you to stop a topic of discussion, behavior, or action during your run, you are expected to follow that request. Refusal or willfully ignoring staff input or warnings during your run will be subject to losing the privilege to perform runs/commentary at future events, or the immediate removal from the stream in extreme cases.

The nature of acceptable behavior, speech, and activity on stream is always at BSG staff discretion.

Miscellaneous

No weapons of any kind are allowed in marathon areas.         

Anyone bringing weapons into marathon areas will be immediately removed and barred from further BSG attendance. Weapons are also banned from the venue per their rules.         

Do not deface, mark, or otherwise modify equipment, and do not do anything that may damage equipment         

All of our equipment is shared, and modifications that might benefit you can interfere with other players and/or damage the equipment. If you need a modification for a game or equipment, seek assistance from staff to find an acceptable solution.

No smoking in our event spaces.          

This includes eCigs and vaporizers.         

Don't litter         

If staff members see items on the floor, they will be thrown out. What may be an important item to you might look like litter to a staff member, and our areas need to stay clean.         

Keep yourself clean

If your personal hygiene can be considered bothersome, staff may ask you to leave the marathon area, as it is disruptive to others around you.         

Don't sleep at the venue         

If staff finds you asleep, we will wake you up and ask you to leave the venue. In cases where individuals clearly have intent to sleep at the venue, we may mark or revoke wristbands at our discretion.         

People with runs in the next 6 hours have priority in the practice rooms         

If you have a run coming up and can't find an open practice station, feel free to ask staff to help you find a space.         

Keep walkways and assorted public areas clear         

It’s easy to fire up a conversation with someone you pass by in a doorway, but keep others in mind and move your conversation a few feet. It’s courteous to others and bunching up in a doorway is a fire hazard. Staff will direct you to move your conversation if hallways are blocked. This goes double for the stream room entry ways as it’s often a common area for attendees to congregate.         

No advertisement or vending         

This includes leaving business cards and fliers around the event space. Promotion of any outside event and any vending (sale of goods) must be approved in writing by the Benelux Speedrunner Gathering. This also includes any other actions which might be considered in competition with our sponsors.         

Be aware of local laws and venue rules         

Things such as smoking inside the venue, public intoxication, or use of illegal drugs all fall under this, but keep in mind that being part of the event does not somehow exclude you from them.         

Be on time

If you’re running at the event, be sure to be on site at least 1 hour and 30 minutes in advance.

Staff has final say on any issues that may arise, including issues not covered by these rules

Make sure to follow staff instructions. The staff reserves the right to mark your wristband, revoke your wristband, and/or request the venue to remove you from the property for any reason. This is especially true for any situation that threatens the safety and security of the event and any of its attendees.

By attending our events, you are agreeing to abide by the rules as stated as well as follow the direction of staff members at the event. Failure to comply may result in removal from the event and/or a temporary or permanent ban from future events at the discretion of BSG Staff.         

Questions?

Feel free to send any questions or comments to our event safety coordinator at this email address: info@bsgmarathon.com

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