The Ridge Rules of Server Engagement


Players must respect this basic Rule of Conduct:

Courtesy and Fair Play:
Please treat each other with a modicum of respect. This means no racial, anti-semitic slurs or derogatory comments towards others. Be courteous to others and use fair play, it makes for a much better playing experience!

Any rule breakers will be dealt with accordingly. Regular players, who should be more familiar with server rules and procedures, will receive harsher penalties. Regs are players that the community recognizes for embodying and promoting the ideals of The Heartbreak Ridge gamers. They exhibit good character, good values, a positive attitude, are helpful, sociable and go beyond playing regularly to becoming a part of the community.

Becoming A Corps Member
Enlistee's who become a regular (25 constructive posts) through our forum, may be considered for membership in the Corps. See our Enlistment page for more details on our membership process and criteria!

Those players who exhibit a positive attitude, play according to the rules, who get involved in the community through the forums and Teamspeak may also, eventually, be considered for the honorable title of The Heartbreak Ridge Corps Member and wear that badge with distinction. Regulars may also be recognized by current Heartbreak Ridge Admin’s and Corps Members who will endorse them as a new member. It takes a nomination from a member in good standing and a second from another, in this case and then the new candidates will be voted on among the general membership.

Anyone who persistently asks to be a member will automatically be disqualified.

Patriots and/or Passwords:
We have paid slots for our BF2 servers and expect to eventually have functioning reserved slots that players can pay a monthly fee for as well. In the meantime, please don't forget that your enjoyment is coming out of someone else's pocket. The Heartbreak Ridge gamers are open to all but is not free to maintain and operate. If you are a regular player and enjoy what our community has to offer, please contribute with what you can and you will earn the title of Patriot.

Last Spawn Points and Uncaps:

Artillery or Base Rapping by any type of aircraft on a last spawn point will not be tolerated. A last spawn point is defined as having no where else to go to avoid being massacred. If the opponent has no uncap, ground forces only may attack the last spawn point to end the round. Where an opponent has more then one flag all bases are fair game. This excludes uncaps! While rapping may be entertaining to some it is never very humorous to those on the receiving end. Furthermore, we here considered this Stat Padding at its cruellest, so don’t!

Spec Ops: On our server Spec Ops are the only ones allowed in an "uncap" for a specific purpose, "To Blow Up Commander Toys" only! This is a hit and run mission. If caught you can defend on the run once outside the uncap to escape. Hanging around, advancing on, charging or otherwise partaking in combat is considered attacking, camping and/or engagement in the uncap. This is not part of the mission or acceptable on this server.

 

In the real world Special forces are military units formed and trained to conduct missions of unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, reconnaissance, direct action, and foreign internal defense. Special Forces typically are armed and supplied with specialized equipment, and operate upon the principles of self-sufficiency, stealth, speed and close teamwork. Special operations forces have played an important role when the aim has been to achieve disruption by "hit and run" and sabotage, rather than more traditional face to face combat.

Far to often Spec Ops will take advantage of this stealth mission to camp or engage with the excuse of "I was only doing my job!" or "He shot first"! We don't buy this for a second and Admin's closely monitor these actions.

 

Aircraft: Another point to be made about uncaps is the use of aircraft over uncap air space. It seems to be an easy excuse to say you were chasing the enemy aircraft or you were fired on. We don't buy this either. The uncap air space is a no fly zone period. If you are toned by an uncap AA you are to close and stinger bait. If an aircraft is running and they make it to the uncap they are "Home Safe" and you must break off. Also, firing missiles close to an uncap with the knowledge that it will strike the aircraft over the uncap is unacceptable, and will be viewed as attacking in the uncap.  If you didn't get them before, then better luck next time!

 

I have seen (and been the recipient) of enemy aircraft breaking off a dog fight over the uncap to attack the easier target on the ground, defending their aircraft and base. This is considered aggression and engagement in the uncap. So don't be surprised if you are banned or kicked.

 

While this may seem difficult, it is and your flying skills will require more of a challenge and a higher test of your pilot expertise. Just like real life!

C4 Restrictions

Using C4 explosives on fast-moving vehicles to destroy other vehicles, (C4-ramming), whether the result includes your own demise or that of a team mate, is prohibited. Suicide bombing, using any type of explosive, will result in an immediate kick or ban. Booby trapping vehicles to eliminate potential victims will be allowed providing the vehicle is not in motion and neither yourself or friendlies are injured.

Unbalanced Teams:
If you force a team switch at the end/beginning of a round you may be kicked for stacking or unbalancing teams.

Team Killing:
We will kick or ban, up to a permanent ban for people who TK excessively or on purpose, pending an evaluation by Senior Admin’s to decide if it should stay or be commuted. It doesn't matter that someone did it to you 50 times. We only act on what we witness and if you are caught TK'ing someone on purpose you will be dealt with accordingly.

DO NOT TK for vehicles! DO NOT FORCE TK's on others! Final!

Cheating/Hacking:
If a player is caught cheating or hacking by Punkbuster or other hack detection means, that player is immediately banned. Also, stat padding will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form. The ban will be permanent, pending an evaluation by Senior Admin’s to decide if it should stay or be commuted. In addition, anyone caught doing this will be screenshot and the screenshot will be passed along to the appropriate people who will deal with it as they see fit. This may result in any accumulated stats being wiped.

Any Reg or Admin found cheating will immediately lose all privileges of said title and still face penalties up to and including a permanent ban.

Mostly English:
The Heartbreak Ridge is happy to host players from all over the world; but since we are located in USA we ask our players to speak mostly English. Brief conversations in other languages are fine to greet each other and say Hello, but otherwise please use English as a courtesy to all players.

Names:
No advertising names please (i.e., political statements, web site urls, etc.). Racist or offensive names will not be tolerated.

Racism:
First offence is a one month ban and the second is a permanent one.

Advertising:
We do not allow advertising on The Heartbreak Ridge servers unless it has been authorized expressly and in writing by the Joint Chief of Staff. This includes but is not limited to clan, website, business, political or personal opinion advertising. This applies to the in game screen names, and the signatures in the forums. Don't use public chat to communicate another server to meet or exchange any website addresses: create a squad and use the squad chat, if you must. No advertising means any advertising.

External Clan Recruiting/Solicitation:
Not allowed. Period!

Idling:
Idlers are given a short amount of time to step away from the game; we understand that is necessary from time to time. However, players who idle for 15 minutes or more are at risk of being kicked from the game in order to free that slot for an active player. If you are having supper or running to the store please disconnect. If you are in the washroom this long see your doctor!

Bunny Hopping

Normal jumping when surprised or used within the content of game play is often reactionary and acceptable. However, excessive jumping or "bunny hopping" to avoid, evade or otherwise distract and disadvantage players is prohibited. Players exhibiting such unnatural and disrupt able behaviour are subject to a kick or ban.

Vehicle Whoring:
This means that if you like one piece of equipment and one piece of equipment alone and are unwilling to share, this is not the server for you. Staying in vehicles continuously round after round deprives other players of the use of the vehicle and of the enjoyment of the server to its fullest. Learn to share or take a hike. This means that you are allowed AT THE MOST 1 round on and 1 off. ALL VEHICLES are subject to this rule and any and all cases that come to an admin's attention through observation or a complaint from other players will be continually monitored.

Commander Whoring:
Just like for vehicles, monopolizing the commander position will also not be tolerated. Please use a MAXIMUM of 1 round on and 1 off to give other players a chance at the position as well. This does not mean you may command USMC, then wait out MEC, then command USMC again...at that point you would be monopolizing the USMC command position. This also MAY apply to Junior Admins during regular play.

Commander Restriction:

Commanders required to command and to be available for their team. DO NOT tie up vehicle or aircraft resource and tearing around the maps. You receive no extra points and only deprive team members of their points. You receive your points by their successful effort and double for the win so be happy with that. During special play ONLY Admins may command in order to control the play and coach players on how the game is being run. Non members must resign if asked to by an Admin or risk being kicked/banned! If this is all to difficult for you to understand DO NOT apply or resign. If you cannot handle this, leave!

Radio Spam:

My personal favorite! Refers to repeating commands (Roger that! Roger that! Roger that!) or spamming several commands at once. Use the radio sparingly. The commander is allowed to perform "light" radio communication to spot units on the map. This constant chatter prevent players, especially snipers and stationary defences from hear the enemy approaching.

Chat Spam:
This is defined as monopolizing the in-game chat with redundant questions or comments. This is a game, not a chatting channel. It is the wrong place to debate polemic topics or to contest admin decisions (we will listen and assess any concerns or complaints but only to a certain point and then the conversation must move to Teamspeak or forums). Get Xfire, use forums or Teamspeak if you have a lot to talk about. Drawn out conversations will be viewed as disruptive to the game. You will be warned and kicked or banned, if you don't comply with admin requests to moderate your excessive use of chat.

Admin Impersonation and Tags:
Easy....don't. Impersonating an admin, whether saying you are in jest, or in any other way, will get you kicked without question. Don't joke around with this one. Gamers who have built-in Admin's tags from other servers will need to create a new account to play here.

The =HR= tag is a published copyright of the Heartbreak Ridge Corps. Anyone having an identical or similar tag, wishing to play on our servers, must remove the tag before entering. Anyone displaying an identical or similar tag, and not a registered member of Heartbreak Ridge, will be deemed as impersonating a member or admin. Such conduct will be treated as an infringement and dealt with accordingly.

All photographs, logos, emblems or reproductions remain the property of their author. Reproduction in whole or in part without the express written permission of the Heartbreak Ridge or the author is strictly prohibited.

Teamspeak Rules

1. Show respect for the players that are in the game. Many times, they are also in Teamspeak and you may not realize it before it is too late.
    

2. If you have been drinking alcoholic beverages and are under the influence of said beverage (drunk), you should not get into Teamspeak.
    

3. While in Teamspeak, the amount of obscene language or references must stop. Reminding players that cursing after every death is not necessary.  We may be getting younger family members in on the channels and although they probably already know the words we don't want to be blamed for encouraging there use or teaching them new ones. I would suggest the "push to talk" option if your excitement or frustrations have a habit of overriding your vernacular.
    

4. As much fun as it is to brag, refrain from talking about your sexual exploits. Graphic or otherwise just makes some people feel very uncomfortable.
    

5. There is to be no talk or discussion of illegal contraband (drugs), their usage, where to buy, what is the best...nothing of the sort.
    

6. There is to be no talk of software piracy, how to, where can I get.., etc. The Ridge does not support the usage of cracked software in any format.
    

7. Teamspeak will now be reserved for players age 14 and over. Any exception to that rule must be verified by the child's parent or guardian via email and Teamspeak confirmation, preferably by a Senior Corps Member. Until such time as confirmation is made, the player may not stay in Teamspeak.
    

Let's follow the guidelines as given. When we as players violate one of the aforementioned guidelines, a kick will be issued from Teamspeak. If the violation continues, or a player just doesn't conform to what is expected of them, they will find themselves banned from Teamspeak altogether.

Useful information:

Actions taken:
- We will try to warn whenever possible and give the offending party the opportunity to correct their actions. We consider a warning to be given at any time: on the way into the game, in scrolling green text, or to you in the current or a prior game. We will not necessarily warn for each and every infraction.
- If corrective action is not taken by the player, the offending player will be kicked and/or banned.
- We do reserve the right to kick/ban without warning when we feel it is appropriate.

Recourse/Contact with the community or Admin’s:
As mentioned previously, we welcome your feedback in game (up to a point), but much prefer that you join us in Teamspeak and sign onto our forums. If you have some feedback (opinion, comment, complaint, grievance, or whatever form it may take) we want to hear it. Please use Teamspeak if the matter requires immediate attention or the forums if you wish to ask any questions or talk about a subject more in depth. ALWAYS be polite and respectful or you may give others the wrong impression and get off on the wrong foot, which may hurt your position, even though you may be right. Yes, we make mistakes but are ready and willing to fix them and apologize for them.

Bans:
We don't kick or ban without a reason and have a specific area of the forums where you may appeal a ban or find out more details about your ban. Please DO NOT post your unban request anywhere else. Also keep in mind that putting the server or the admin's down or lying about the actual facts of a situation will not help your case.

The Heartbreak Ridge Corps reserves the right to change or adapt these rules at any time and changes may be put into effect even before this web page is updated. Please ALWAYS follow the admins' recommendations and corrections of your actions to continue enjoying our server. Use Forums, Email, Teamspeak or Xfire if you have any issues or feedback.