While we understand that of course it is important that people be able to replace out of games in emergency circumstances, we have noticed a recent update in replacements that are either not emergency circumstances or strategic in nature. As such, we are updating our policy on replacements. Note that we may make changes, either major or minor, if this policy is failing to achieve our goals.
The calendar year will be divided into six two-month periods: January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December. In each two month period, all players get one “free” replacement, which they may use at any time, without needing to provide a reason. (Strategic replacements are still against the rules.) If they replace out again in that two-month period, this will by default result in a two-month signups ban effective from the date of the second replacement.
In the event that the player has a valid and unforeseeable justification for both replacements, they may appeal to a forum mod (preferentially @Arete, who will be tracking replacements) to get the sign-up blacklist waived.
Repeated and pervasive instances of replacing out may result in longer blacklists at the discretion of the moderation team.
Replacing out in a game played on an alt should be reported to Arete after the conclusion of the game, and will be handled as if they had replaced out on their main account. We ask that people who will have earned themself a temporary blacklist on the conclusion of a game which they replaced out of on an alt refrain from signing up for new games during the intermediate time period.
This policy is effective in all Forum Mafia and Forum of Lies games that start on or after its date of implementation.