Code of Conduct

Here at Heartland Gaming Con, we’re on a mission to grow and strengthen the gaming community all the while having fun.  After all, isn't that the point of gaming: have fun! Any gamer knows that knowledge of a thorough rulebook is the key to everyone having a good time, so here are the rules for a safe and fun HGC. If you have a question about a certain policy or guideline, be sure to read through all of our policies, but if that still doesn’t answer your question, contact us on our Contact Us page. May the dice roll in your favor! 

Be Safe

• Follow all convention policies, venue rules, and staff directions.

• No running, jumping, throwing, or other unsafe shenanigans.

• Support each other in maintaining a safe environment.

• Report concerns to HGC volunteers at either Registration (where you got your badge at the entrance) or HGC HQ (where you checkout library and and play-to-win games).

Play Nice

• Don’t harass other attendees, staff, or vendors.

• Respect everyone's physical, social boundaries, and their personal property.

• No stealing, cheating, trolling, or griefing.

Have Fun

• Make new friends.

• Play some games-especially games you've never played before.

• Explore everything that the convention offers.

Everyone should observe common sense rules for behavior, personal interaction, courtesy, and respect. Harassing or offensive behavior will not be tolerated. HGC reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the badge of any participant not in compliance with this policy.

Anti-Harassment Policy

Heartland Gaming Con (hereafter referred to HGC) understands that gaming communities have not always been welcoming to all individuals and groups.  With the distinct purpose of developing a stronger, more cohesive gaming community, we have adopted this policy to create a harassment-free and inclusive experience for everyone. Therefore, we do not tolerate harassment of participants in any form. Please familiarize yourself with our definition of harassment, and what we expect of HGC attendees.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, or gender identity; sexual images in public spaces; deliberate intimidation; stalking; following; harassing photography or recording; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If you, as an attendee, feel harassed, you may inform the offender that you would like the harassing behavior to stop immediately. If you are not comfortable doing this, you may contact a HGC staff member who will address the concern. Likewise, if you feel that someone else is being harassed, you may notify a HGC staff member who will address the concern.

To report harassment, go to HGC HQ (same place you checkout library and play-to-win games) or HGC Registration (the same place where you pick up your badge on arrival) and ask for the one of the HGC owners. The owner will come to you and ask you to describe what happened. Both male and female staff members are available and trained to talk with you, in private or in a public space. HGC will listen to your report and will work with you to take appropriate action. We consider your report anonymous and will not share it with anyone without your permission unless we think there is a violation of the law. In many cases, someone who has been harassed will ask only that we are aware and that we take action if a pattern develops. We respect that wish and understand that it is often the best approach. Please do not hesitate to talk with us out of fear that you might be “outed.”

If you, as an attendee, are asked to stop behaving in a way that is interpreted as harassment, you are expected to stop, immediately. Arguing about the situation or trying to convince someone that your behavior is not harassment will not get you anywhere. Just stop. If you disagree that your behavior is harassment, that is fine, but the behavior should stop anyway.  

If anyone engages in harassing behavior, HGC organizers may take any action they, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion with no refund.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all conference venues and conference-related social events.