Code of Conduct
and EDI Policy
Introduction
We at Orion Games Ltd are dedicated to cultivating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone who participates in our live action role playing events. It is important to our company that our ethics and values are reflected at every level in our work, and we recognise that the good conduct of our staff and our participants is vital to upholding the standards of our company. Our Code of Conduct enables us to put these values into practice and provides an accessible outline of behaviour for our staff and participants to adhere to.
We believe that providing clear information detailing our ethical commitments and expectations allows us to create a secure and nurturing space for everyone to enjoy our events in safety. We encourage staff and participants to help us in fostering an open and supportive culture of communication at our events by coming forward with any concerns they may have relating to upholding our Code of Conduct.
Who does our Code of Conduct apply to?
This Code of Conduct applies to all attendees to our event and outlines as participants in our Terms and Conditions. All participants are expected to know and follow our Code of Conduct. In purchasing a ticket from our company, participants agree to our Terms and Conditions which detail our expectation for participants to adhere to our Code of Conduct and Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) Policy. Failure to follow our Code of Conduct or EDI policy can result in immediate termination of access to our events as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
How does our Code of Conduct relate to Live Action Role Playing (LARP)?
Orion Games Ltd. designs, organises and hosts live action role playing (LARP) events during which our participants have the opportunity to play a character in a fictional world. We provide separate, detailed information to participants of our events on how they should interact with the themes and content of each individual event. This information is available to participants before they begin the process of creating a character and we expect all participants to follow the role playing guidance and mechanics specific to the event they are attending.
Some of the events created by Orion Games Ltd. are written in historical settings which may include challenging themes touching on historical, discriminatory attitudes towards race, gender, sexuality, disability, religion, age and other protected characteristics. Our company does not believe that erasing historical events and attitudes from fictional settings is in the best interest of promoting a better understanding of equality, diversity and inclusivity, particularly in the case of racial erasure. Participants are instead educated in how to engage safely with the themes of our events through bespoke briefings, content warnings and consent mechanics prior to the start of any ‘in-character’ interactions.
We are dedicated to prioritising the comfort and safety of our participants and believe that the best way to enable choice and consent in LARP is through total design transparency rather than through the restriction of themes and content that may be interacted with. As such, all details in our Code of Conduct apply solely to ‘out-of-character’ behaviour and conduct and do not limit the behaviour or conduct of the ‘in-character’ roleplay - provided that participants are engaging with others within the roleplaying and safety rules outlined at each event.
Through our commitment to creating an equal and inclusive culture at our events, we endeavour to provide participants with a safe space to explore sensitive themes in a consensual and informed environment. We acknowledge that despite our best efforts to encourage exemplary ‘out-of-character’ behaviour in line with our Code of Conduct, separate issues with how a participant engages with ‘in-character’ themes, content and roleplay mechanics may arise.
Briefings, Workshops and Mechanics
We expect all participants to attend pre-game briefings and consent workshops that are indicated as mandatory. All participants must read and comply with any event material marked as mandatory including mandatory briefs on any event website.
We therefore expect all participants to engage in event themes and content in line with the bespoke rules, consent mechanics and role play mechanics written and work-shopped at each Orion Games Ltd. event. Failure to abide by the roleplay rules and mechanics of an event goes against upholding the ethics and values of Orion Games Ltd. and is a breach of the Code of Conduct, and as such can result in immediate termination of access to our events as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
Where do I direct concerns relating to the Code of Conduct?
We support and encourage all participants and staff members to come forward with any concerns they may have regarding violations of our Code of Conduct. All questions and concerns can be directed to inquiries@thechildrenofthesun.com. In the case that the concern arises during an event hosted by Orion Games Ltd any named organiser of the event can be approached in person to address potential violations of the Code of Conduct. Organisers will be identified to all participants at the start of any event hosted by Orion Games Ltd.
Company Ethics and Values
Orion Games Ltd. was founded with the intent of improving design transparency and accessibility in LARP without compromising on the diversity or immersion of roleplaying themes and events. Our founding members intersect a variety of identities representing racial, gender, sexual identity and disabled minorities, and we strive to uphold the values of equality, diversity and inclusivity in our company’s work.
We are dedicated to creating safer spaces and making reasonable adjustments within the remit of our small company for staff and participants with lived experiences of disadvantage, inequality and prejudice as a result of a minority identity. We aim to improve LARP spaces where accessibility and inclusivity are concerned and we aim to design our events so that they are welcoming to as many participants as possible within the restrictions of event design and planning.
We are committed to creating spaces that leave no room for bullying, harassment or discrimination as we believe that these issues are the biggest barriers to creating a safe and inclusive environment for our participants. We are dedicated to enabling our participants to feel protected and confident in coming forward with any concerns that they may have regarding violations of our Code of Conduct, Terms and Conditions
Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Policy (EDI Policy)
Orion Games Ltd. is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion and eliminating unlawful discrimination. Our company was founded by individuals who’s identities intersect a variety of protected characteristics representing racial, gender, sexual identity and disabled minorities, and we strive to uphold the values of equality, diversity and inclusivity in our company’s work.
Our aim is to be truly representative of all sections of society and for participants to feel respected, safe and empowered.
Orion Games Ltd. is also committed against unlawful discrimination of participants.
Our EDI policy’s purpose is to:
Provide equality, fairness and respect for all in our employment and all participants in our events
Not unlawfully discriminate because of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of age, disability status, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation
Orion Games Ltd. commits to:
Encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion in all that we do
Creating an inclusive environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the contributions of all staff and participants are recognised and valued.
Championing the autonomy and empowerment of participants who identify as a member of a minority with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010
All participants of our events should understand that they can be held liable for acts of bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination against fellow participants and the public.
Failure to follow our EDI policy is a breach of the Code of Conduct and can result in immediate termination of employment and a termination of access to our events as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
Harassment and Bullying
Harassment, bullying and personal attacks are forbidden at events by Orion Games Ltd. Participants who engage in these attacks, or are noticeably and publicly doing so in other online or real world spaces are subject to disciplinary actions and warnings including termination of access to our events as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
Harassment and bullying includes but is not limited to:
Threats and intimidation
Relational aggression, e.g. whispering campaigns, rumour mongering, shaming tactics, clique culture, slander and other attempts to discredit or damage the social status or relationships of other participants
Repeatedly violating personal space, inappropriate touching or giving any unwanted levels of attention to another participant
Sexual harassment, including sexual comments directed at others, unwanted sexual advances, repeated attempts to start an unwanted relationship, demands for sexual favours and sexual slurs
Discriminatory statements or slurs aimed at any group of people identifying as members of a minority with protected characteristics which include age, disability status, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation
Using incorrect or inappropriate forms of address (names, nicknames, pronouns) repeatedly and deliberately
Excessive or repeated unwanted contact or communications with a participant
Slanderous statements meant to damage or undermine another participant
Coordinating or calling for shaming and shunning
Photography and Recording
Orion Games Ltd. does not allow participants to take photographs or film footage during the ‘game hours’ of any of our LARP events. Participants will be informed of the game hours for each event before that time period begins. These limitations also apply to audio recordings during game hours.
Outside of game hours, photography and video footage is permitted but participants must have the consent of other participants and individuals to record any photographic or video footage that they may be identified in.
It is good conduct to ask if photograph, video footage or audio recordings are permitted in any circumstance if you are unsure of the rules. Our full policy on recording footage at our events can be access at https://thechildrenofthesun.com/brief#photos
Social Media
We expect participants to abide by the community guidelines and standards of any third party social media platforms that Orion Games Ltd. may use to communicate and engage with any and all participants of our events.
The social media platforms that we use include but are not limited to our official event pages, servers and groups on Facebook , Discord and Instagram. Any participants who violate the community guidelines and standards of third party social media platforms may be in violation of our Code of Conduct and this can result in immediate termination of access to our events as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
We cannot be held responsible for the behaviour of participants who breach the community guidelines or standards of third party social media platforms and any concerns or complaints should be escalated through the third party’s reporting systems.
We reserve the right to terminate a participants’ access to our events if their behaviour on our social media pages, groups or servers violates our code of conduct. We encourage participants to report any concerning statements, behaviour, harassment or bullying from other participants through the appropriate third party channels and to inform Orion Games Ltd. if they believe that another participant’s conduct on social media is in violation with our Code of Conduct.
Concerns may be communicated through inquires@thechildrenofthesun.com
Drugs and Alcohol
Orion Games Ltd. does not prohibit the consumption of alcohol at our events but we expect participants to know their own limits and to take personal responsibility for ensuring that they do not drink in a manner that would render them unsafe to participate in our events. This includes but is not limited to becoming intoxicated to an extent that;
Impairs judgement
Results in inappropriate behaviour
Endangers the safety of others
Violates the law
Results in drunk and disorderly behaviour
Please also see the “Alcohol” subheading in our Terms and Conditions. Participants who do not follow our Code of Conduct or Terms and Conditions in relation to the consumption of alcohol will be immediately suspended or removed from our events at the discretion of the staff of Orion Games Ltd. Serious violations of this policy can result in termination of access to future events by Orion Games Ltd.
We strictly prohibit all illegal drugs and substances at all of our events. We expect our participants to be familiar with UK law on classified drugs and substances and we cannot be held responsible for any participants who break the law.
Participants who are found to be in possession or under the influence of illegal drugs at any of our events will be removed from the event and have their access to our future events terminated immediately.
We reserve the right to inform the police if any violations of our Code of Conduct on Drugs and Alcohol are in violation of UK law.
Smoking or vaporising e-cigarettes is not permitted in any of our indoor spaces. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for our complete rules on smoking and vaporising.
Rules and Compliance
We expect all participants to read and follow our Terms and Conditions, EDI Policy and Code of Conduct. Our Terms and Conditions detail ‘Expected Behaviour’ which contains information on our expectations for how our participants should engage and comply with the rules and guidelines of our events.
We expect our participants to attend our events with an open and cooperative attitude in keeping with our culture of collaboration and transparency. We commit to making our expectations and rules clear and accessible and we expect our participants to abide by our rules in return.
Gratitude
We believe that encouraging a culture of understanding, empathy and gratitude helps us to uphold our ethics and values as a company and contributes to the cultivation of a safe and inclusive environment.
We encourage all participants to express gratitude to each other when they have enjoyed an interaction. Genuine expression of gratitude for pleasant behaviour and conduct encourages all of us to be good to each other and to nurture the welcoming environment we hope to create.
As such we would like to express our sincere thanks to all participants for reading and following our Code of Conduct and Terms and Conditions. We appreciate and value your commitment to our values and we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your interest in our company and events.