Why Community Guidelines Matter: Building Safe and Engaged Gaming Spaces
Blogs
•
February 3, 2025
A game’s success isn’t just about its mechanics, visuals, or story, it’s about the community behind it. The best games don’t just have players, they have loyal, engaged communities that support and grow with them. But thriving communities don’t happen by accident. They require structure, clear expectations, and, most importantly, community guidelines.
The Power of Community in Gaming
Tomorrow, I’ll be releasing a podcast episode featuring Catherine Litvaitis, an experienced community manager who’s worked with Moldbreaker Games, Armor Games, and Paradox. We dive deep into what it takes to build, maintain, and protect an online gaming community. But before we get there, let’s talk about why community guidelines are so essential and how they shape the player experience.
What Are Community Guidelines & Why Do They Matter?
Community guidelines are the foundation of any online gaming space. They set expectations for player behavior, create a safer environment, and help moderators enforce rules fairly. Without them, toxicity can spiral out of control, leading to an unwelcoming (and ultimately unsustainable) player base.
Well-crafted community guidelines do three key things:
Foster a Positive and Inclusive Environment – Gaming should be for everyone. Strong guidelines ensure that all players, regardless of background, feel welcome and safe.
Protect Players from Harassment & Scams – With the rise of Discord scams and in-game fraud, guidelines help players recognize and avoid malicious activity.
Encourage Meaningful Engagement – When expectations are clear, players are more likely to contribute positively, share feedback, and help others.
Best Practices for Creating Community Guidelines
Whether you're launching a new game or managing an existing community, here are some best practices for writing and enforcing effective community guidelines:
1. Make Them Clear and Accessible
Your guidelines should be easy to find and written in plain language. Players shouldn't have to decipher legal jargon to understand the rules. Keep it simple and direct.
2. Tailor Guidelines to Your Game and Audience
Not all communities are the same. A competitive esports title will need different rules than a casual farming sim. Define what behaviors align with your game's values and goals.
3. Enforce Rules Consistently
Guidelines mean nothing if they aren’t enforced fairly. Make sure your moderation team is trained to uphold the rules with consistency and transparency.
4. Regularly Update Guidelines Based on Player Behavior
The gaming landscape evolves, and so do its challenges. Keep an eye on emerging trends (like new scam tactics) and update your guidelines to keep your community safe and engaged.
The Role of Community Managers
Community managers are the unsung heroes of gaming. They bridge the gap between developers and players, ensuring that feedback flows in both directions. As Catherine and I discussed in our podcast, good community management isn’t just about moderating, it's about fostering relationships, understanding player needs, and creating spaces where gamers feel valued.
Tune in Tomorrow: The Deep Dive into Community Guidelines
Tomorrow, I’ll be dropping the full podcast episode with Catherine Litvaitis, where we explore:
How to structure community guidelines effectively
Why clear moderation policies matter
The best tools for enforcing rules and managing Discord servers
How to build a community that lasts
If you’re a game developer, community manager, or just someone passionate about gaming spaces, you won’t want to miss it. Stay tuned and subscribe to Player Driven so you don’t miss the episode!
📢 What do you think makes a great gaming community? Drop a comment below and let’s discuss!
The Power of Community in Gaming
Tomorrow, I’ll be releasing a podcast episode featuring Catherine Litvaitis, an experienced community manager who’s worked with Moldbreaker Games, Armor Games, and Paradox. We dive deep into what it takes to build, maintain, and protect an online gaming community. But before we get there, let’s talk about why community guidelines are so essential and how they shape the player experience.
What Are Community Guidelines & Why Do They Matter?
Community guidelines are the foundation of any online gaming space. They set expectations for player behavior, create a safer environment, and help moderators enforce rules fairly. Without them, toxicity can spiral out of control, leading to an unwelcoming (and ultimately unsustainable) player base.
Well-crafted community guidelines do three key things:
Foster a Positive and Inclusive Environment – Gaming should be for everyone. Strong guidelines ensure that all players, regardless of background, feel welcome and safe.
Protect Players from Harassment & Scams – With the rise of Discord scams and in-game fraud, guidelines help players recognize and avoid malicious activity.
Encourage Meaningful Engagement – When expectations are clear, players are more likely to contribute positively, share feedback, and help others.
Best Practices for Creating Community Guidelines
Whether you're launching a new game or managing an existing community, here are some best practices for writing and enforcing effective community guidelines:
1. Make Them Clear and Accessible
Your guidelines should be easy to find and written in plain language. Players shouldn't have to decipher legal jargon to understand the rules. Keep it simple and direct.
2. Tailor Guidelines to Your Game and Audience
Not all communities are the same. A competitive esports title will need different rules than a casual farming sim. Define what behaviors align with your game's values and goals.
3. Enforce Rules Consistently
Guidelines mean nothing if they aren’t enforced fairly. Make sure your moderation team is trained to uphold the rules with consistency and transparency.
4. Regularly Update Guidelines Based on Player Behavior
The gaming landscape evolves, and so do its challenges. Keep an eye on emerging trends (like new scam tactics) and update your guidelines to keep your community safe and engaged.
The Role of Community Managers
Community managers are the unsung heroes of gaming. They bridge the gap between developers and players, ensuring that feedback flows in both directions. As Catherine and I discussed in our podcast, good community management isn’t just about moderating, it's about fostering relationships, understanding player needs, and creating spaces where gamers feel valued.
Tune in Tomorrow: The Deep Dive into Community Guidelines
Tomorrow, I’ll be dropping the full podcast episode with Catherine Litvaitis, where we explore:
How to structure community guidelines effectively
Why clear moderation policies matter
The best tools for enforcing rules and managing Discord servers
How to build a community that lasts
If you’re a game developer, community manager, or just someone passionate about gaming spaces, you won’t want to miss it. Stay tuned and subscribe to Player Driven so you don’t miss the episode!
📢 What do you think makes a great gaming community? Drop a comment below and let’s discuss!
The Power of Community in Gaming
Tomorrow, I’ll be releasing a podcast episode featuring Catherine Litvaitis, an experienced community manager who’s worked with Moldbreaker Games, Armor Games, and Paradox. We dive deep into what it takes to build, maintain, and protect an online gaming community. But before we get there, let’s talk about why community guidelines are so essential and how they shape the player experience.
What Are Community Guidelines & Why Do They Matter?
Community guidelines are the foundation of any online gaming space. They set expectations for player behavior, create a safer environment, and help moderators enforce rules fairly. Without them, toxicity can spiral out of control, leading to an unwelcoming (and ultimately unsustainable) player base.
Well-crafted community guidelines do three key things:
Foster a Positive and Inclusive Environment – Gaming should be for everyone. Strong guidelines ensure that all players, regardless of background, feel welcome and safe.
Protect Players from Harassment & Scams – With the rise of Discord scams and in-game fraud, guidelines help players recognize and avoid malicious activity.
Encourage Meaningful Engagement – When expectations are clear, players are more likely to contribute positively, share feedback, and help others.
Best Practices for Creating Community Guidelines
Whether you're launching a new game or managing an existing community, here are some best practices for writing and enforcing effective community guidelines:
1. Make Them Clear and Accessible
Your guidelines should be easy to find and written in plain language. Players shouldn't have to decipher legal jargon to understand the rules. Keep it simple and direct.
2. Tailor Guidelines to Your Game and Audience
Not all communities are the same. A competitive esports title will need different rules than a casual farming sim. Define what behaviors align with your game's values and goals.
3. Enforce Rules Consistently
Guidelines mean nothing if they aren’t enforced fairly. Make sure your moderation team is trained to uphold the rules with consistency and transparency.
4. Regularly Update Guidelines Based on Player Behavior
The gaming landscape evolves, and so do its challenges. Keep an eye on emerging trends (like new scam tactics) and update your guidelines to keep your community safe and engaged.
The Role of Community Managers
Community managers are the unsung heroes of gaming. They bridge the gap between developers and players, ensuring that feedback flows in both directions. As Catherine and I discussed in our podcast, good community management isn’t just about moderating, it's about fostering relationships, understanding player needs, and creating spaces where gamers feel valued.
Tune in Tomorrow: The Deep Dive into Community Guidelines
Tomorrow, I’ll be dropping the full podcast episode with Catherine Litvaitis, where we explore:
How to structure community guidelines effectively
Why clear moderation policies matter
The best tools for enforcing rules and managing Discord servers
How to build a community that lasts
If you’re a game developer, community manager, or just someone passionate about gaming spaces, you won’t want to miss it. Stay tuned and subscribe to Player Driven so you don’t miss the episode!
📢 What do you think makes a great gaming community? Drop a comment below and let’s discuss!
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