Below is the list of rules you are expected to know and follow as a member of this site. Any violation of these rules will result in disciplinary action enforced by our staff. This will help ensure that this community remains a pleasent and family-friendly environment for everyone.

This list covers content and actions that are not allowed on this site. By default, you only are shown a short topic of what is not allowed. However, you will be held responsible for the details under each topic. You can expand the details by clicking each topic, or by using the links below.

Please note that while this list gives you an idea of what is expected and what will happen if these rules are broken, the staff has the final say on rule violations and disciplinary actions. As a member of this site, you will be expected to accept their decisions.

Views: Simple | With Descriptions | With Violations

NOTE: Whenever these rules are updated, you will be notified and asked to accept the updated rules before continuing to participate on the site.

Explanation of Violations

The violations listed below each rule description break down the different specific violations that are related to each rule. Note that each violation has a number in front of it that represents the severity of the violation. Here is a simple explanation of each severity number:

0 Very minor violation that will only go against your record if multiple violations of the same offense is repeated. 1 Minor violation where you are typically allowed 2 warnings before receiving a ban for the same violation. 2 Moderate violation where you are typically allowed only 1 warning before receiving a ban for the same violation. 3 Major violation that typically results in a short temporary ban without any warning. 4 Major violation that typically results in a long temporary ban without any warning. 5 Major violation that typically results in a permanent ban without any warning.

1 - General Rules

1.1 Offensive Language

Do not use offensive language on ACC. Many offensive words are blocked using the Language Filter in order to keep ACC a family-friendly community. Do not attempt to get around the language filter in any way - this includes "fake" swearing such as using random punctuation or asterisks (*) to represent common curse words. You are also not allowed to use offensive words/expressions that may not be blocked by the language filter. Should someone post offensive language that has not been caught by the filter, the ACC moderators will assess the severity and application of the rule on a case by case basis.

1 Posting mildly offensive language 3 Posting moderately offensive language 5 Posting strong or vulgar language

1.2 Offensive Content

Posting offensive content or images will not be tolerated anywhere on the site, whether it be in text or in images/patterns. Offensive content is anything that is ethnically, racially, religiously, or sexually offensive. Also included is discussions of suicide, anything that is insulting, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of any law. Although different people have different ideas of what is offensive, the Moderators and Administrators at ACC will have the final say as to what is allowed on the site.

1 Posting mildy offensive content 3 Posting moderately offensive content 5 Posting highly offensive content

1.3 Posting Other Sites with Offensive Content

Similar to the previous rule, we also will not tolerate mention of other websites that violate the above conditions. This includes both links and discussion about such websites. This also includes links to "social networking" websites such as Myspace and Xanga which can occasionally link to inappropriate material that is against the site rules. Additionally, do not post links to or mention chat rooms or poorly moderated forums.

0 Posting links to sites with offensive or explicit advertising. 1 Posting links to or naming sites or pages within sites that are known to occasionally contain content considered inappropriate for ACC, i.e. social networking/profile sites, poorly moderated forum & chat sites 2 Posting links directly to pages or sites containing mildly inappropriate content 3 Posting links directly to pages or sites containing moderately inappropriate content 5 Posting links directly to pages or sites containing extremely inappropriate or adult content

1.4 Personal Insults & Attacks (Flaming)

Do not make insulting or attacking comments about other people. This is known as 'flaming' and will not be tolerated. If someone is insulting you or another user, or saying things that you find offensive or that make you uncomfortable, do not respond by 'retaliating' and returning insults. Instead, report the user to the Moderators using the "Report a Problem" button and the Mods will take care of the situation. Any user participating in 'flaming' may have their access to the site blocked, regardless of who started it.

0 Direct personal comments that can be taken as insulting/attacking, but may not have been intended to be insulting/attacking 1 Direct personal comments that are mildly insulting/attacking 2 Direct personal comments that are moderately insulting/attacking 3 Direct personal comments that are extremely insulting/attacking

1.5 Trolling & Generalized Insults

Trolling is posting anything that is designed to attract personal attacks or cause arguments. It is also considered trolling to announce on a thread that you are reporting someone. ACC moderators reserve the right to decide whether the reported content was meant to upset or anger other members. Similarly, any posts that are offensive to a general group of people are not allowed. Also, bragging (commenting) about vandalizing another user's town is strictly prohibited. Some examples of vandalism include, but are not limited to, seeding, chopping down trees, running over flowers, and intentionally picking up patterns. Any users admitting to or bragging about such behavior are subject to disciplinary action that may result in a permanent ban of their account.

0 Comments that can be taken as trolling or generalized insults, but may not have been meant as trolling/insulting 1 Mildly offensive trolling or generalized insults 2 Moderately offensive trolling or generalized insults 3 Extremely offensive trolling or generalized insults 5 Bragging about seeding or vandalizing another member's town.

1.6 Spamming

Spamming is when someone posts content unrelated to the board or thread. This is especially inappropriate when posting on announcement or sticky threads. Also, general nonsense threads, posts, replies to nonsense threads, as well as other content are considered spam, as well as content that stretches the page with repeated characters. Posting links to your personal site, for business or recreation, and advertising other websites is considered spam. Please use your signature line or profile for your website link.

1 Minor spamming 2 Moderate spamming 3 Extreme spamming

1.7 Romantic Content

While we want everyone to make friends on ACC, it is not to be used as a forum to play out romances online -- in public OR private forums, including fictional stories. This includes expressions of kissing and any other expressions the staff considers inappropriate, even if you know the other member and are romantically involved in real life. ACC is also not the place to discuss or seek advice about issues of a romantic nature. Many members of ACC are very young, and this will be taken seriously and dealt with aggressively. If anyone sends such inappropriate comments to you through PT, report it immediately using the Report a Problem button in that PT.

1 Mild expressions of a romantic or physical nature 3 Moderate expressions of a romantic or physical nature 5 Extreme expressions of a romantic or physical nature 5 Any expressions that are sexual in nature 5 Any form of romantic or physical expressions found to be between a minor (below 18 years of age) and a non-minor (18 years of age or older)

1.8 Multiple Accounts per User

The first account you create on Animal Crossing Community is the only account you will be allowed to use for the entire time you are on this site. Any additional accounts will be blocked from use. If you are repeatedly found to be creating multiple accounts, all your accounts will be permanently blocked from the site. If you haven't been to ACC in a while and have forgotten your user name, email Site Support and we can assist you. If you no longer have access to the email address you used when signing up, email Site Support and we can assist you.

0 User creates duplicate account due to forgotten user name/password or changed email address 1 User creates duplicate account while still having access to their primary account 2 User creates duplicate account under false pretenses of other family member/friend 5 User creates duplicate account while primary account was banned (for any length) 5 User creates duplicate account to intentionally break other rules

1.9 Sharing Accounts

Remember that you are responsible for any activity that takes place on your account, whether it was actually you or not. So don't share your account or give out your password to another person, because that other person may get your account banned from the site. This is especially true for other banned members. Any member found to be sharing their account with a banned user will also be banned from this site permanently.

0 Sharing accounts with unbanned members 3 Sharing accounts with temporarily banned members 5 Sharing accounts with permanently banned members

1.10 Impersonating Other Members

Never pretend to be someone you are not, especially do not pretend to be a staff member. Do not make statements that would imply that you are staff member. This includes overusing red text markup. Red text is used by the Administrators and Moderators to showcase post edits and corrections. Be sure not to use red text in a way that can be interpreted as you being an Administrator or Moderator.

1 Impersonating non-staff members 1 Posting content that can be interpreted as coming from a staff member 3 Impersonating staff members

1.11 Exploiting Site Loopholes or Glitches

If you run across, hear about, or are otherwise made known of a loophole or glitch on ACC, you are required to immediately let the staff know either through a PT or the Report a Problem button. If you are aware of a loophole or glitch, and continue to take advantage of the loophole/glitch, or let others know about it, you may lose your privileges on the site. Never report or post about loopholes/glitches on public boards -- always report them to the staff privately.

1 Exploiting a harmless loophole or glitch, or revealing it to others on a public forum or PT 3 Exploiting a potentially harmful loophole or glitch, or revealing it to others on a public forum or PT 5 Exploiting a loophole or glitch that gives you access to staff areas, or revealing it to others on a public forum or PT

1.12 Harassing Others

The staff of ACC will not tolerate harassment of our members. Do not contact others who have asked you specifically not to contact them. This includes sending them PTs, Friend Code requests, trades, as well as speaking directly to them on public boards. Also, do not send members multiple PTs or multiple posts to a single PT just because they haven't responded to you. The staff reserves the right to determine if a post or behaviour is harassing in nature and will take action to stop such harassment from occurring.

0 Contacting members that are a part of the DNC lists 1 Contacting a member after being asked not to. 1 Contacting a member multiple times due to no response. 1 Other behaviour that is harassing in nature as determined by ACC Staff

1.13 Distribution of copyright infringed material.

Distribution of illegal pirated/pirating software, in particular ROM's and file sharing programs is not permitted. Such software is illegal and potentially harmful.

0 Discussing ROMs 1 Providing information that could enable someone to obtain copyright infringed material.

1.14 Topics Not Allowed

Some topics are not allowed on ACC due to their controversial nature. Such topics often lead to arguments. Controversial subjects not allowed can be anything related to politics, religion or anything else commonly considered controversial. Other topics simply clutter the boards and do not promote active discussion. These topics include but are not limited to RPGs (Role Playing Games), newspaper and magazine threads, clubs, PC Pets, chat-threads, truth-or-dare threads, poll threads, petition threads, threads offering general help ("ask me anything" threads) and non-AC related fanfics. These types of threads are only permitted in Private Threads. Please remember that all other site rules still apply to these threads. Chain letters are paragraphs that promise something will happen if you pass it along to others. Some promise good things, but they usually promise something bad will happen. Chain letters are not allowed anywhere at ACC.

1 Posting RPGs, clubs, polls, petitions, chat-threads, truth-or-dare threads, general help threads or non-AC related fanfics etc. on public boards 1 Posting chain letters 1 Posting controversial topics on public boards 1 Posting controversial topics in signatures

1.15 Posting in Non-English Languages

Animal Crossing Community is an English-only website and is moderated by mostly native English speakers. For this reason, we ask you not post in any other languages. We also ask you not excessively post in nonsense languages like l33t, chat-speak, pig-latin, or any other made up language or abbreviated form of English. An exception is allowed for words or short phrases in another language if a translation is included in the same post, but abuse of this can lead to a violation.

0 Posting in a language other than English or a nonsense language 1 Posting in another language, or nonsense language, with the intent of breaking another rule (language filter, trolling)

1.16 Posting Personal Information

Please do not post personal information on the public boards such as email addresses, IMs, gamertags, phone numbers, personal photos or street addresses. If you want to let others know your IM or email, please direct them to view your profile. Do not discuss your account status or someone else's anywhere on ACC. This includes but is not limited to bans, point totals, User Tickets, User Logs and violations. Repeatedly discussing notifications or private staff warnings with others can result in anything from a temporary ban up to and including a permanent ban depending on the severity.

0 Posting personal information 0 Discussing account status in PTs, on the boards or signatures and profiles

1.17 Posting Friend Codes

Do not post friend codes anywhere on ACC other than the FC Trading Tool. If a game is not included in the tool, you can request adding it by posting in the sticky thread on the Site Suggestions Board. If a game is released that is not in the FC Tool, then you are allowed to swap codes in PT's only, until the game is added. Please make sure to include the name of the game in your post in that PT to avoid confusion of what game you mean.

1 Posting Friend Codes in public or private threads 1 Posting Friend Code in signature or profile

2 - Forum Rules

2.1 Posting on the Wrong Board

Please post messages on the appropriate message board. For instance, post messages about Animal Crossing on the AC Game board, but post messages about other things on the Off-topic board.

0 Posting on the wrong board

2.2 Cross-Posting

Cross-posting means posting the same topic on more than one board. We don't have that many boards, so if you put the topic on one board, it will probably be seen.

0 Cross-posting on two or more boards

2.3 Not Using Stickies and Official Threads

Before you post a new thread about a topic, check the boards to see if there is already a stickied thread or other official thread about that specific topic. If there is, please post in the appropriate sticky or official thread instead of creating your own thread; it will help keep the boards more organized and make things easier to find. Any new topics created that are covered under existing stickies will be locked.

0 Posting a new topic for which there is already a sticky/official thread

2.4 Mass Advertisement PTs

Do not send Private Threads to large groups for the sole purpose of advertising. Such threads will be considered spam.

1 Sending an advertisement mass PT

2.5 Bumping Threads

Posting in a thread without adding any useful content to the topic is considered 'spam' and is not permitted.

0 Bumping with a meaningful post, but one that probably will not encourage further discussion 1 Bumping with a meaningless post (spam)

2.6 Drawing Excessive Attention

Do not post threads with misleading titles. Do not use punctuation or special characters to decorate your thread titles. Such threads are designed to draw excessive attention. Also, do not post a thread on public boards just to get attention. Examples of such threads include "goodbye" and "permanently ban my account" threads, as well as any threads about personal life events. These are topics for private threads. Instead, please see the ACC FAQ for account termination information. To communicate your active status on ACC, please use private threads and/or your profile.

0 Creating threads that draw excessive or unnecessary attention 0 Using multiple special characters/punctuation/inappropriate capitalization in thread titles 1 Creating threads with deliberately misleading titles

2.7 Universal Codes

We do not allow members to post Universal Codes, or links to sites that offer UCs, anywhere on ACC. Any UC found (or reported) will be deleted and a warning will be issued to the poster. Similarly, if a thread is offering or requesting a non-tradable item then it will be assumed that the user is offering or requesting a Universal Code and that thread will be locked. The only exception to this are the codes for exclusive or non-tradeable items posted by the staff in the Official UC Thread stickied at the top of the AC Game Board.

1 Posting Universal Codes on forums or Trading Post 2 Deliberately misleading someone into entering a UC into their game

2.8 Posting Item Codes

Do not post item codes, whether they be for a specific individual or a 'Universal Code' (UC), anywhere on ACC. Item codes are only permitted to be exchanged in Trading Post trades.

1 Posting item codes on forums

2.9 Overuse of Markup

There are certain special markup tags that you can use in your message board posts to make text bold or italic, or to change the color of your text. These are intended to be used for emphasis or to make one particular part of your post stand out from the rest of it. They are not for making every word of every post a different style text. So please use markup tags only when needed for emphasis, or in the special cases of making a link with the [link=][/link] tags or posting a spoiler with the [spoiler][/spoiler] tags. The staff reserve the right to determine whether markup has been overused.

0 Overusing markup in posts

2.10 Backseat Moderating

While we appreciate all the people who try to keep our boards within the rules, please let the staff perform their roles. If you see a rule violation, you should report it to the staff anonymously using the "report a problem" button or the red exclamation mark. The staff will honor your privacy in any report, and we expect you to guard yours as well. If you feel that a member is correcting another member's behavior, please report it. The staff will assess whether the rule has been breached based on severity and circumstance.

1 Non-staff correcting member behavior.

2.11 Hacking Device/Software Codes

We do not allow members to post any hacking device/program codes or links to sites that offer codes anywhere on ACC. Any code or link to codes will be deleted. Furthermore, do not explain how to use these software devices or link to sites that do this. Examples of these devices/programs include but are not limited to Action Replay, Gameshark and Homebrew.

1 Posting Action Replay / Gameshark Codes on forums including PT 1 Discussing "how to" hack or use a hacking device or program. 1 Posting links to sites containing hacking device/software codes. 1 Posting links to sites describing "how to" hack or use a hacking device or program.

2.12 Discussing/Exchanging Items Not Available through Normal Game play

Do not exchange, sell or giveaway anything that can not be obtained or traded through normal game play--this includes fish and bugs in the Animal Crossing games. These items are NOT a regular part of game play and can only be originally obtained by "hacking" or modifying of the game save file. These items also have the potential to be very dangerous to a person's game. While we will allow some discussion of these items, we will NOT allow discussions regarding how to create or obtain these items. As with all other site rules, this applies to discussions in PTs and on the public boards. If you are unsure whether an item is considered to be part of this rule, please PT a site moderator for clarification. This rule applies to ALL games that may be discussed on ACC and is not limited to just the Animal Crossing games.

1 Exchanging hacked seeds, modified items or other normally unavailable items in public forums or private threads 1 Discussing how to create or obtain hacked seeds, modified items or other normally unavailable items in public forums or private threads 1 Posting links to websites that contain information on how to create or obtain hacked seeds, modified items or other normally unavailable items in public forums or private threads

2.13 Duplicate Threads/Posts

From time to time, threads are accidentally posted twice. Other times, they are intentionally double posted. For accidental cases we will remove the duplicate thread and keep the one with the most replies if applicable. Purposefully posting multiple duplicate threads will be marked as spam. The same can be said of double posting within a thread. If it is the result of an accident then the later of the two posts will be removed under this rule. If it is done intentionally then it will be removed as spam.

0 Accidental double post either from lag or double click. 1 Intentionally posting the same content more than once

3 - Trading Rules

3.1 Posting Inventory/Wish List

The Trading Post system contains every item available in the game, as well as all the e-cards that are available for Animal Crossing. Do not post your entire inventory or wish list on a message board. If you are looking for a specific one or two items, you may post on the Trading board or the e-Reader Cards board as appropriate, but for more than a few items at a time, please use the search feature of the Trading Post to find people to trade with.

1 Posting inventory or wish list on forums

3.2 Posting Comments on Traders

Any time a two-way trade occurs on the ACC Trading Post (that is when both users give and receive items or e-cards), both users will leave feedback for the person they traded with. This feedback can be Positive, Neutral, or Negative depending on how the trade went. You can also leave comments with your Feedback. You should not post messages on the Trading board or any other board to complain about or praise other traders; feedback should only appear in the Feedback system.

0 Posting positive comments about traders outside of the TP 1 Posting negative comments about traders outside of the TP

3.3 Trading on Forums

Once you have decided with whom you want to trade with, create a trade with the person on the Trading Post. Discuss any information regarding the trade with the other person there, not in a thread. This means do not post codes on the trading board and do not negotiate trades in a thread or via e-mail. The exception to this are games that are not yet set up on the ACC Trading Post.

1 Carrying out trades on the forums

3.4 Faking Trades or Feedback

The Feedback system in the Trading Post is an important feature to protect users from being cheated in their trades. You must respect the importance of the Feedback in the Trading Post. Do not participate in the creation of 'fake' trades to artificially boost feedback ratings for yourself or any other user.

1 Single occurrence of fake trading 3 Multiple occurrences of fake trading

3.5 Buying/Selling Items

ACC has an excellent Trading Post to allow users to exchange items and e-cards that are listed on ACC. ACC is not the place to sell or buy property. If you offer to give someone something in exchange for money or for anything not listed in the ACC inventory system, that will be considered "selling". The only exception is that you may trade non-AC e-Reader cards for AC e-Reader cards or AC items. You are also permitted to request a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) for e-Reader card trades.

3 Buying or selling items in exchange for physical items or currency

3.6 Exchanging Off-Site Items

In addition to the above rule, do not trade any items that are not Animal Crossing items. For example, trying to trade Runescape items or accounts is not allowed. The AC e-Reader card exception listed above applies here as well. Do not trade items that have a real monetary value. This includes Nintendo's VC games. Seeking out people for the Nintendo Connection Ambassador scheme is also not permitted on ACC.

1 Exchanging real world items (excludes E-Reader cards). 3 Exchanging AC items for off-site, non-physical items

3.7 Universal Codes in Trades

As noted on the Forum Rules above, Universal Codes are not allowed anywhere on the site. This includes being used in trades. We have a filter in place within the Trading Post that should block these codes from being accepted. If you think that you have received a UC in a trade, please hit the Report A Problem button and report it to a Moderator for investigation.

1 Posting Universal Codes on Trading Post

4 - Pattern Rules

4.1 Copying Others' Patterns

If you use someone else's picture or pattern to create a pattern on ACC, make sure you give them appropriate credit for the original. The easiest way to do that is to mention them in the pattern title. Don't take credit for other people's hard work. Also, don't directly copy other patterns from ACC.

1 Copying patterns/images from other sites without giving credit 1 Copying patterns from ACC

4.2 Publishing Junk Patterns

Published patterns that truly waste everyone's time, like randomly placed dots or a poorly drawn circle, will be deleted without notification. If you really have a blast making those, don't publish them. A good rule of thumb, if the pattern took you less than a few minutes to make, it will probably be considered a junk pattern.

0 Publishing junk patterns

5 - Friend Code Rules

5.1 Posting Feedback on Others

If you have a bad WiFi session with someone do not post about it on the boards (public and private), in the profile or signature. That is considered trolling and will not be tolerated. Use the Wifi Rating System instead. Leave them a poor rating and negative comments. Also, do not use the forums (public or private), profile or signature to post positive feedback about users.

0 Posting positive comments about others outside of the Friend Code feedback 1 Posting negative comments about others outside of the Friend Code feedback

5.2 Abusing the Wifi Rating System

Feedback should only be left after a WiFi session has taken place. Please be honest in your rating of other people. Do not leave feedback just for trolling purposes. Furthermore, do not leave negative feedback without good reason, such as in response to negative feedback left for you even though the other user did nothing wrong to you or your town. Also exchanging FCs just to boost your ratings is underhanded and will not be tolerated.

1 Leaving a rating without a valid reason 1 Leaving a rating without WiFi play 1 Leaving a revenge rating

5.3 Sending Multiple Friend Code Requests

Do not send multiple requests to someone once they say no to your original request. If they reject your offer, kindly accept that and move on. Sending multiple friend codes requests after being declined will be considered harassment and this will not be tolerated.

1 Sending multiple Friend Code requests to the same user