This policy outlines how Darkheart’s Playground (“DHPG”, “the Service”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) aims to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all users of our online virtual world, Darkheart’s Playground ("the Service") by restricting the creation, distribution, and display of illegal or harmful content.
This policy applies to all users, creators, and administrators within DHPG. It encompasses any virtual objects, images, textures, animations, or other forms of content that are generated, transferred or uploaded into your account, or displayed in-world.
Inevitably, there will be differences of opinion about the classification of certain images; people are all different, and their judgements will vary. We ask our users to be sensitive to this, and err on the side of caution where doubt exists.
Context also matters. There will be situations and locations in which a particular image may be acceptable, but not when displayed in a different situation. A section later in this document discusses the contextual considerations of where images are displayed.
We have tried to give a few examples of situations where certain content is allowed and where it is not. It is, however, impossible to be prescriptive in every possible situation. We will look up to update this advice in line with feedback and questions received.
Completely prohibited in any format, context or location anywhere in DHPG are depictions of:
Photographic images refer to content produced directly from real-life subjects, either directly through a digital camera or scanned from another source, regardless of if or how it has been post-processed.
A photographic image is prohibited if it depicts:
For avoidance of doubt, photographic content depicting adult nudity is permissible in an appropriate context (see the Contextual/Situational Restrictions section below).
Images generated by Artificial Intelligence have very quickly become ubiquitous on the internet and elsewhere, and the quality and realism has been improving exponentially. It is now at the stage where good AI-generated images are sometimes indistinguishable from real-life photography.
Because the AI producing these images may have been wholly or partially trained on real-life content, we need to differentiate between AI images and less photorealistic content, e.g. older 3D model-based computer-generated images (“CGI”) or illustrations.
Content in this category refers to any material that looks real, or was generated with the intent of making it look as real as possible. It also covers AI-generated images that attempt to imitate a particular style, for example, oil painting, pop art, or other stylistic rendering.
An AI / Photorealistic image is prohibited if it depicts:
Strictly General-rated images of children are generally permissible, for example for use in a user’s profile or for display in a family home setting (but also see the Contextual/Situational Restrictions section below).
This category refers to content that is clearly identifiable as computer generated, or hand-drawn illustrations. It covers such material as obviously 3d-modelled CGI, anime/manga style images, or images that are clearly hand-produced, either in digital or traditional media.
Even though this content is not based on real-life material, it can be considered illegal material in certain cases. Prohibited subject matter includes:
Under US case law, there can be exceptions for work of ‘serious literary or artistic merit’. If you feel you have a piece of content that falls under this category, the Admin team will adjudicate, but we will apply a high threshold for allowing the content. It is also very important to consider the Contextual/Situational Restrictions described below.
In DHPG, we apply maturity ratings to each region. This limits the content that can be displayed, as well as avatar activity:
| General Regions |
Avatars must maintain an appearance and behaviour consistent with material rated PG (‘parental guidance’) by external rating agencies, and all content on the region must be consistent with the same standards. Avatars must be fully-clothed, appropriate to the avatar’s age and non-sexual in nature. Conversation in the local channel should be limited to topics unlikely to be interpreted as lewd or inappropriate. |
|---|---|
| Moderate Regions |
Avatar nudity is allowed in non-sexual contexts. Avatar sexual activity is not permitted. Content is governed by the restrictions described above. |
| Adult Regions |
Avatar nudity and sexual contact is allowed. Content is governed by the restrictions described above. |
Within Moderate- and Adult-Rated regions, there will probably be a range of different locations within the region: clubs and other venues, shops, residential homes, etc. We urge users to consider the context in which imagery is displayed.
This is necessarily a subjective issue, so we ask for the help of all users to exercise judgement when choosing where to place potentially inappropriate images.
For example: tasteful photographic or AI nudes of adults might be expected or appropriate in some locations: a strip club, erotic art gallery, etc. However, those same images would not be acceptable if placed in (for example) a school, or displayed in a family home, even in the same Adult-rated region.
Similarly, an AI-generated image of a child in a bikini would be acceptable if placed on a wall in a family home with other family-style snaps. That same image would not be permitted in the lobby of a porn studio, or many other contexts, where it would be interpreted in a very different way.
Some considerations:
It is impossible to generate a comprehensive list of acceptable/not acceptable situations for all images, so we will not attempt to do so. We just ask users to consider the situation and context when selecting imagery, to use your judgement and err on the side of caution if there is doubt.
If a member of the Admin team asks you to remove or alter some content, please comply. We are trying to preserve as much freedom of expression as we can, within the limits of protecting all users and DHPG itself. The alternative is a much more specific and restrictive set of hard limits, something we hope to avoid.
Content in a user’s profile is visible to all users, both DHPG account holders and Hypergrid visitors, including those in General regions, so profiles must maintain General-rated standards at all times.
| Text Profile |
Content on the ‘2nd Life’ and ‘1st Life’ tabs must be non-offensive and non-sexual in nature. Stating a sexual orientation is fine, as this is not considered sexual content. However, references to specific sexual acts, or strongly suggestive language is not permitted. Users are expected to exercise judgement and err on the side of caution where doubt exists. Additionally, profile text should not include any reference to the Tox instant messaging service, especially Tox ID strings. |
|---|---|
| Profile Images |
Images used in user profiles (the ‘2nd Life’ tab, the ‘1st Life’ tab and ‘Picks’ sections), must all comply with the content restrictions stated above, and be strictly General-rated in nature. AI-generated images are acceptable, provided they meet these requirements. |
| Groups |
Any group that has a sexually explicit name or profile description should be hidden in your user profile. Groups can be hidden by opening the group profile inworld, and unticking the “Show in profile” checkbox, and clicking “Save”. It is the user’s responsibility to be aware of the groups you are subscribed to, and manage your own profile accordingly. It is not the responsbility of the group owner to do this. |
Users should always observe the applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdiction in which they reside if they are more restrictive than the requirements stated in this document. It is the user’s responsibility to be aware of these restrictions and comply with them; DHPG is not in a position to provide a legal opinion or advice in any jurisdiction.
All reported violations of the above policy will be fully investigated by administrators. Users can report incidents by raising a ticket on Discord or by speaking to a member of the Community Management team.
This policy may be modified for any reason, without prior notice (unless prior notice is required by law), by posting the revised policy here. Continued use of the Service after such changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.