Space Law
Know your Space Rights
On official Frontier Station servers, we follow and enforce rules in-character known as Space Law. These rules are not against server or player policy, but rather it outlines the role-playing expectations with regards to conflict and actions intended to be “illegal” as designed. Such activities could be smuggling illicit cargo, possessing illegal weaponry, all the way up to murder, grand theft, and more. If you feel your rights have been violated, you may even seek in-game counsel and representation within the guidelines of Space Law.
Space law vs server rules
It is important to understand the difference between our Server Rules, and Space Law. Server rules (outlined here) are requirements of players themselves, and their behavior. They outline acceptable and not-acceptable activities in order to play on any officially hosted Frontier Station. Breaking those rules will likely result in disciplinary action by our administration, up to and including permanent removal from our servers and being prohibited from connecting to official Frontier Stations.
Space Law, on the other hand, are considered “In Character” rules for a player’s character to follow if they wish to be a “law abiding” citizen. Frontier Station has a Sheriff’s department that is in charge of enforcing these in-character laws, and breaking them could mean you are on the receiving end of some Frontier justice! Its important to also remember the role-playing sandbox nature of Frontier. While breaking these space laws is allowed, and not against our “Server Rules” for playing on official servers, it must be done so with a valid character or role-playing reason.
Playing the “Psycho Killer” who goes on needless killing rampages will quickly have you running afoul of our Server Rules as well, along with blatant disregard for Escalation guidelines as shown below.
Escalation
Frontier Station has very minimal in the way of “Antagonist” forces. While the Pirate faction and countering NFSD faction do exist to form a sort of “Cops and Robbers” game loop, we encourage more natural and dynamic conflicts happening between players. Instead of having very strict definitions on what antagonistic actions, or “illegal” things players are allowed to perform, we approach conflict from a purer RolePlaying view. Petty theft, disagreements and arguments, fighting over territory and resources, gang and faction wars, are all possible and permitted within our confines of Space Law for every player. Our intention is to allow more natural types of storytelling and situations to arise, and to allow players to express their conflicts in their stories more naturally.
Escalation guidelines and rules can be very difficult to write out, particularly when every story situation is often unique and impossible to predict (a good thing). Likewise, they can be difficult to enforce, and we among the Frontier Staff are always willing to observe, investigate, and hear any reports of abused escalation guidelines.
In simple terms, its always words before weapons. Always role-play, before the violence. We are absolutely not intended as a “PvP” experience, but rather a “Story Generating” experience, and the unique stories that arise from interesting conflicts are always the best stories. It is our goal as staff, admins, and moderators to ensure and guide these conflicts and escalation scenarios for every participant’s enjoyment.