Please make sure that you fully understand the rules of the game before playing. There aren't many but they're all essential and need to be followed in order for the game to work properly.



Outside Communication
Outside communication is strictly forbidden in Labyrinth. From the moment you register your account on the forum, you will be unable to discuss the game with anybody outside of the game. Unless otherwise specified, only discuss the game in threads on the Labyrinth 4 forum. Labyrinth is about isolation, and in order to keep that element intact it's necessary that players remain isolated.

The best way to look at it is to see the game as if it were really happening. If you were trapped in a room with a group of people, you would only be physically able to converse with them in public. Private conversations would typically be impossible. There may be exceptions, but these will be clearly labelled. External Communication of any kind will result in a modkill. I can't quite specify how important this element is. It ruins the game for the hosts and the rest of the players who want to do things honestly.

Please remember that there are no public sign up lists and all players are anonymous. For this reason, anybody you know may be playing. It's best to avoid discussing the game with anybody at all whilst it's running, other than the game hosts themselves. There will be plenty to discuss when the game ends, so don't worry.



Posting Rules
Almost everything goes when it comes to posting. Don't be afraid to speak your thoughts at any time. There are a handful of restrictions though that are necessary to keep the game fair. Each of the below situations will be dealt with on a case by case basis, depending on severity and frequency.

If at any point you're not sure if it's allowed; just ask. It's far better to ask and wait patiently for a response than to risk the integrity of your game and everybody else's.


Direct Quoting
Directly quoting something the game host has given to you in private is problematic. For instance, what better way to prove you're innocent and useful to the group by posting up a screenshot of your role, or a direct quote straight from your journal? It's probably the easiest way and for that reason it's forbidden, because where's the fun in easy?

Do not directly quote anything in public that a host gives you in private. This applies to item descriptions, role descriptions or the result of actions. It even applies to something privately tasked to you by the hosts. You can paraphrase, you can describe in your own words and you can scream until you're blue in the face about these things. But under no circumstances can you re-post it directly. Though it's possible to fake a direct quote, it makes things complicated.

Other Quoting
The only time that a direct quote can be posted is when the post that you're quoting exists in the same forum. This is to avoid players posting quotes from prior phases and from private discussion threads between players. If a player has made a post in the public phase forum during the phase you're in, you can post that quote. If you're not sure, just ask yourself the following question: Does the post I'm quoting exist in the forum I'm posting in? If so, quoting is fine and an integral part of discussion.

This is to avoid players providing insight to others who did not have access to the original quoted post. A quote is harder to fake than merely paraphrasing or describing something, so it can be used to give fairly conclusive evidence about an event that transpired or something a player previously said. Quoting posts from private player discussion threads is also a problem for exactly the same reason.

Images
Similar to above. Do not re-post any image a host gives you in private. Images are much harder to fake in this game because all of the Labyrinth 3 images use filters. This means that posting the image associated with your role is an easy route to clearing your innocence and again, this is precisely why you can't do it. You may still re-post images in your private journal.

Screenshots
Do not post any screenshot of the game publically. Self-explanatory if you've read the above.

Editing posts
Editing posts is forbidden in the game. The software should be set-up so you don't have this ability to begin with. We get a lot of questions regarding this one since people find it a hinderance so it's worth clarifying why it is this way. If you can edit your post, you can remove incriminating material later, or potentially send a quick private message to another player and then edit it out. Generally it causes more trouble than it's worth. If you were really in the situation presented in the game, everything you said would need to stay out there.

Forbidden content
Almost anything goes in your posts but a handful of things are forbidden in order to ensure the forum complies with the hosting terms of service. Though I own the hosting service that runs the game, I still have to ensure these things are prevented in order to satisfy the conditions of my advertisers and hosting company. The following two things cannot be posted anywhere, even privately.

- Pornographic images or links to any
- Links to any sites that contain illegal or copyrighted material

I pay for the service out of my own pocket and currently run it at a loss. Please help out by adhering to these guidelines.



Activity
This aspect is discussed with more depth in the gameplay guide. We understand there are periods when people will be unable to access the game, however we would like to know should a situation like this arise. Post in your journal or contact a host via instant messenger if you're aware of any upcoming periods of major inactivity.



Death
Dying sucks but dead is dead. Once you're dead you have to stay dead unless something happens to revive you. Revivals are a possibility in this game, so it's worth considering that the end hasn't necessarily come.

Remember that this game has a built in score system. It may be possible to earn an honourary win even if you die during the game.

Please still abide by the rules once you die in the game. It's very easy to become emotional, but these backlashes can ruin the game for everybody else. There will be time to argue it out once the game is over.



Alias Exposure
All players in Labyrinth 4 will be posting anonymously as a character. There are no exceptions to this (although some character players may be easier to identify than others). Guessing the true identity of each of the players can be fun, but we ask that people keep this to their private journals only.

In the past we've had threads devolve into public discussions of who an anonymous player is. It detracts from the game and it's not fair for the person who wants to keep their identity intact. Even if it seems obvious who a person really is, just keep it to yourself. It ruins the fun for the person in question and makes things incredibly awkward for them going forward.

At no point during the game can you expose your alias to any other players. If you expose your alias, you will be modkilled with no exceptions.



And Finally...
Remember that anything else goes, and most likely will. The important thing is to enjoy the game. Please read and understand these rules, so that everybody can.

Below are a general set of tips intended for new players to the game. Because the style of game is fairly unique, it can seem a little overwhelming in the first few phases until people get used to it. These tips are based on previous games.



Keep in Character
It's not enforced that you need to stay in character. I understand that not everybody is as keen to play a character and so it's not a mandatory requirement. It does make the game read out better however, and aids in the immersive feel that Labyrinth has become renowned for.

Some good reasons to stay in character:

1.) Posting out of character makes it generally easier for players to guess your identity. If somebody guesses your identity and holds a grudge, it could impact on the game. In the past players have taken this aspect to the extreme, so be wary. It also means that breaking the no communication rule is harder. It's easier if nobody truly knows who anybody else is.

2.) Immersion. Labyrinth is an immersive experience. Players have praised this aspect of the game in the past, in that the events which transpire feel very involved and movie-like. This level of immersion is immediately torn down when a player posts something strikingly out of character.

3.) It makes threads and posts more relevant to the game and the plot. Out of character posts don't gel with the narrative very well.

4.) It makes the game and your involvement in it much more memorable. People will remember the deep and fleshed out characters for a long time after the game is done. Nobody will remember the others so much.

And above all, it spoils the fun that characterisation can bring. Come to nurture and enjoy your character. Every one is a blank canvas and can be tailored to your own interests. Have fun with it.



Don't Meta-game
Meta-gaming is the process of basing your decisions and judgements on the events of previous games. Whether that's a previous game in this series, or any other. Typically all forms of meta-gaming are bad though it largely depends on the game in question. Most games are tailored to be stand-alone and unique, and do not require an encyclopedic knowledge of past games to play.

Labyrinth is no exception. The overarching plot is an ongoing saga but it's made to be as stand-alone as possible. Knowledge of past games won't help you. Roles will change, objectives will change, rooms will change. Don't come to expect anything, because we're always trying to surprise you. It's a game chock full of twists and turns, many of which you hopefully won't see coming.

Because of this aspect, things will be unpredictable. For instance; the first Labyrinth game had a role called the Hacker. This was a good role, with good objectives. The second Labyrinth game recycled this role but with the twist that the hacker eventually became evil and needed to kill the other maze inhabitants. We've had two games with the role "Twin" wherein two players were connected. The second time around, the twins were eventually tasked with killing one another. Will there be twins and a hacker this time? Maybe. You'll see.

Things change, and every attempt has been made to design a game with surprises. Don't rely on your knowledge of past games to assist you. It won't help much and may even lull you into a false sense of security.



Use Your Journals
Journals aren't just for show and so you can submit role actions. Journals are a useful place to collect your thoughts and ideas as you progress through the Labyrinth. Everything that you post in your journal will be invisible to all players until the end of the game, so don't be afraid to use them.

Typically, players who make extensive use of their journals do better than players who don't. You might trust your memory but it's surprisingly helpful to take notes. Keep maps and day to day entries of everything that happens. A little thing somebody says could have enormous consequences later. What seems like nothing, often pans out into something much more critical down the line.

Plus it's a lot of fun for the hosts and the players once the game is over. We like reading what you write, it keeps us entertained. Players who do a good job with their journal will do better in the player rankings when the game is over.



Role Revealing
Players may reveal their role provided it's paraphrased from the host. This could be helpful in allowing the group to reach a common objective, but it's also worth considering that the group may not have a common objective. Sometimes this will hinder you more than it will hurt you, as you could become a target for other players. It may also come to bite you if you later decide to change objectives and try something else. Will you still want others to know your role and intentions? Maybe not.

Sometimes it's best to stay quiet. Other times it's not. It really is up to everybody involved which is the best choice, but reveal information carefully...



Roles and Motives are Separate
Remember that roles in this game do not relate to motives. A role may sound sinister but win conditions and roles are independent. You can't use this as a basis for whether a player is "good" or "evil". Because of the dynamic nature of win conditions, and the fact that players can opt for any available path, "good" and "evil" are really broad terms in this game.

A player could spend most of the journey playing as a hero, only to decide to become a villain at the last hurdle. Similarly, a villain could do an about turn and redeem themselves at the end. Players will choose whichever path they want to take, and roles are merely something to help them along the way.



Flavour Will Not Reveal Intentions
I will never reveal the private intentions of any player through flavour. It's for entertainment purposes only, and not a reflection on anything else. Generally the flavour is created by paraphrasing everything that was already being discussed publically. How I depict a player in the flavour is based on the public posts they made to the group, and nothing more.



Safety in Numbers
Life is more precious than you think. Rarely is it the case that you'll want to traipse around with a known liar or somebody who has acted suspiciously. However there are a multitude of reasons why somebody does something suspect. Being evil is not often the top reason. Attack players via lynch or other means if you feel you must; but all actions have a reaction. What you do in the game matters a lot. Tread carefully.

Remember that this isn't a journey that can be easily completed alone. You may find the promise of that tempting, but around every corner there are a multitude of traps to butcher you and destroy you. Traps might not even be the worst of it either.

There's safety in numbers, and something has to be said for not traveling alone. Every player may have their use. Before you act rashly, make sure you've considered all of the consequences. It could be the very last mistake you ever make.



And most importantly
Trust nobody. I know, I just told you that it's important to stick together. But it's also important to be wary. There's a fine line to walk between the two, and you need to discover that for yourselves. The truth is that you will be travelling with a plethora of liars and players who want nothing more than to destroy you where you stand. Your biggest dangers truly lie within.