Anonymous edits have been disabled on the wiki. If you want to contribute please login or create an account.

Difference between revisions of "PCGamingWiki:Editing guide/Wiki policy"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(Added in links to the new Code of conduct and Moderation guidelines.)
(Added in a section to address using copy protection bypassing mechanisms in fixes.)
Line 29: Line 29:
  
 
If a pirated game is experiencing a problem, in most cases the best fix available is buying the game through a legitimate channel.
 
If a pirated game is experiencing a problem, in most cases the best fix available is buying the game through a legitimate channel.
 +
 +
==Bypassing copyright protection and fixes==
 +
Applications and files made to bypass a game's copyright protection (ex. No-CD patches/cracks, keygen programs) are considered related to pirated content and subject to all its restrictions as [[#Piracy|stated above]]. Note that officially developed or supported patches/applications by the developer/publisher that remove copyright protection do not fall under this definition.
 +
 +
However, the only case where such unofficial patches/workarounds are fine is for fixes. There are some restrictions:
 +
 +
# The game has a crash, error, or game-breaking bug which prevents it from running correctly/at all, and there are no other known legitimate fixes available. The only know fix is to bypass the copy protection.
 +
# The fix can only mention that the copy protection needs to be bypassed. '''Do not give a link to the patch/application'''. Also, do not give the name of the exact patch/application that needs to be found.
 +
#* Denoting the copy protection bypass method type is fine (ex. "A No-CD patch is required to run the game").
 +
# Finally, do not give details on how to install/use the patch/application and how to fix any issues that come up while using said patch/application.
 +
 +
If there is confusion in the validity of a fix that requires bypassing copy protection, contact a mod or admin (either through PM or the wiki's IRC channel).
  
 
<div class="editing-guide-pagination">
 
<div class="editing-guide-pagination">

Revision as of 16:34, 8 November 2016

This section of the guide is for the wiki's site policies and guidelines specific to article content.

For general wiki code of conduct, see Code of conduct. For details on bannable offenses and standard moderation protocol, see Moderation guidelines.

What the wiki does not cover

Although the wiki's main goal is to be the go-to source for all PC games, there are some types of games and game-related information it refuses to carry:

  • Information for "alternative" systems (i.e. any desktop-caliber OS not currently covered by the wiki).
    • Examples of such OSes are AmigaOS and OS/2.
  • Information for pirated or cracked versions of games.
  • Games only available through crowdfunding sites (ex. Kickstarter).
    • Once the game can be bought through a store such as Steam or Amazon, this restriction will no longer apply.
  • Games only available for mobile devices (ex. iOS, Android).
    • Mobile versions of desktop games also fall under this category.
  • Internet browser-only games.
    • Linking to browser versions of retail games is OK.
  • Pornographic games.
  • Games blatantly promoting or encouraging hate against a group of individuals or race.

Due to the rather subjective nature of the definitions, it is up to the editor to use common sense to determine if a game falls under any of the above categories.

If there is confusion in determining the validity of a new article, contact a mod or admin (either through PM or the wiki's IRC channel).

Piracy

While PC games are our specialty, pirated versions of them are not. Please do not add in links or information specific to pirated or cracked copies of a game. They will be removed otherwise.

Note that abandonware is considered pirated content and is subject to all of its restrictions as stated above.

If a pirated game is experiencing a problem, in most cases the best fix available is buying the game through a legitimate channel.

Bypassing copyright protection and fixes

Applications and files made to bypass a game's copyright protection (ex. No-CD patches/cracks, keygen programs) are considered related to pirated content and subject to all its restrictions as stated above. Note that officially developed or supported patches/applications by the developer/publisher that remove copyright protection do not fall under this definition.

However, the only case where such unofficial patches/workarounds are fine is for fixes. There are some restrictions:

  1. The game has a crash, error, or game-breaking bug which prevents it from running correctly/at all, and there are no other known legitimate fixes available. The only know fix is to bypass the copy protection.
  2. The fix can only mention that the copy protection needs to be bypassed. Do not give a link to the patch/application. Also, do not give the name of the exact patch/application that needs to be found.
    • Denoting the copy protection bypass method type is fine (ex. "A No-CD patch is required to run the game").
  3. Finally, do not give details on how to install/use the patch/application and how to fix any issues that come up while using said patch/application.

If there is confusion in the validity of a fix that requires bypassing copy protection, contact a mod or admin (either through PM or the wiki's IRC channel).