This English text is provided for information. Only the German version is legally binding.
PESTBOUND is a tough survival game – fights, raids and betrayal are part of it on PvP servers. But playing hard does not mean attacking the people behind the characters or playing with unfair means. These rules apply in the Game, in voice and text chat, in server, player and character names, in reports and on all channels we operate. They form part of the EULA.
1. Respect for people
Not allowed:
- insults, threats, intimidation and targeted harassment, including across several sessions or platforms;
- hate speech and discrimination based on origin, colour, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or age;
- glorifying violence against real people, calls for violence or crimes, glorifying terrorism;
- unconstitutional and extremist symbols, signs and slogans, including as buildings, names or banners;
- sexual harassment, sexual or pornographic content, any sexualisation of minors;
- publishing other people's personal data (doxxing), stalking, extortion and threats of attacks on connections or accounts;
- recording or publishing other people's conversations without consent.
2. Play fair
Not allowed:
- cheats, hacks, macros, bots, modified game files and any manipulation of the Game, the network or servers;
- deliberately exploiting bugs – report them via “Report bug” instead;
- evading bans, for example with additional accounts;
- trading accounts, items, bases or services for real money or other value;
- griefing outside the game rules, e.g. making spawn points or paths impassable through building bugs, building in places the Game only allows through bugs, attacking other players on PvE servers through bugs or workarounds, deliberately following the same person across servers;
- posing as staff of HACKLWORKS, a server operator or moderator.
Whatever the game mechanics allow on the respective server – on PvP servers for example fights, ambushes, raids on bases and looting – is not a breach.
3. Names, chat and voice
- Player, character and server names, descriptions and banners must not violate these rules, misuse third-party trademarks or names or create the impression of an official server.
- No spam, no advertising for cheats, real-money trading or other offers, no links to malware or phishing.
- In voice chat: no constant music or noise, no loud noises to harass others.
- Do not share personal data – neither your own nor anyone else's.
4. Community and rented servers
Operators may set and enforce their own, even stricter rules, but may not allow anything these rules, the EULA or the law prohibit. They must not charge for gameplay advantages, send false information to the server list or misuse players' data. Operators decide on bans on their server themselves; contact them about it.
5. Reporting breaches
- In the Game: select the player › Report. The report reaches the server's administrators – on official servers our team – with the information described in the Privacy Policy.
- By e-mail: to info [at] hacklworks [dot] de. Say what it is about, where and when it happened (server, time, player name) and why you consider the content illegal or against the rules. Evidence such as screenshots helps. For notices under Art. 16 DSA we also ask for your name and e-mail address – except for notices concerning offences against the sexual self-determination of children – and for a statement that your information is accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge.
- We confirm receipt of an e-mail notice, review it promptly, diligently and objectively and tell you our decision. Knowingly false or abusive reports are themselves a breach.
- If there is an immediate threat to someone's life or safety, contact the police immediately (emergency number 110 in Germany, 112 in the EU).
6. Consequences of breaches
We respond in a graduated and proportionate way (§ 10 EULA). Typical measures are:
| Breach | Typical measure |
|---|---|
| Inadmissible name, minor insult, spam | Notice or warning, renaming, muting |
| Repeated harassment, hate speech, griefing outside the rules | Disconnection, ban for hours to weeks |
| Exploiting bugs | Removal of the advantages gained, warning, ban if repeated |
| Cheats, bots, manipulation, attacks on servers, real-money trading, ban evasion, criminal offences | Permanent exclusion from the official servers and online services |
The servers' automatic checks may disconnect players for 10 minutes after implausible actions; longer bans are only imposed by a human. We may report criminal offences to the authorities; where there are indications of a threat to life or safety we are obliged to (Art. 18 DSA).
7. Statement of reasons and appeals
We inform you of a measure with a statement of reasons as far as we can reach you. You can appeal within six months by e-mail to info [at] hacklworks [dot] de (state your Steam ID or PESTBOUND ID). A human reviews the appeal; if the measure was unjustified, we lift it. Details: § 10 of the EULA.