Event Rules

Emergency and Safety

If at any time during the event you are in need of emergency aid, or if you or another attendee have a safety issue, contact staff immediately. We will provide whatever assistance we can.

If you are feeling ill or would like medical assistance please go to the first aid station located on-site. We will have a registered nurse there who can provide advice and direct you to local medical facilities if necessary.

Any safety issues or emergencies that occur outside of Games Done Quick event areas (such as hotel rooms, the lobby, fitness center, etc), need to be directed towards the hotel staff.

Any changes to these rules take effect immediately. However, past behavior may be considered under the rules active at that time.

Photography and Recording

Games Done Quick recognizes that our events are popular among many attendees who are highly active on social media and Twitch. This policy is new as of AGDQ 2024 to help attendees navigate our spaces, capture their favorite moments, and respect one another while doing so.

Full policy and guidelines can be found here.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

There is no alcohol tolerated in any marathon area. Possession and/or use of illegal/illicit drugs will result in immediate removal from the event.

You are responsible for what you do outside of our public areas such as your hotel room.

If you attempt to enter the event under the influence of illicit substances, you may be subject to the following consequences:

  • First Offense: Verbal Warning, badge will be marked.
  • Second Offense: Removed from the event, with the possibility of banishment from future events.

GAMES DONE QUICK, ITS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS IF YOU ARE ARRESTED FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION, UNDERAGE DRINKING, OR ANYTHING ELSE RELATED TO DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE.

REGARDING MEDICAL OR RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA:

Marijuana is a very complicated subject and we understand this. The rules are different in each state. What is legal or licensed in one state is not necessarily allowed in another. Often there is no transfer of licenses or prescriptions between states. And some states flat out do not allow for any kind of marijuana use at all.

However, in keeping with the overall rules of Games Done Quick and Twitch’s Terms of Service, anyone using marijuana at the event must be able to prove they are doing so legally by the laws of the state the event is held in. You are responsible for finding out what the local laws are and making sure you are in compliance. Regardless of the situation, anyone caught using or under the influence of marijuana at the event in violation of the local laws will be disciplined accordingly.

Enforcement Actions

GDQ Staff may institute the following actions against attendees whose behavior is in violation of our policies.

SUBMISSION SUSPENSIONS

Submission suspensions will by default be for two events, but may be extended or reduced at the staff's discretion. You will not be allowed to run at an event during this time. You may attend the event or commentate.

BROADCAST SUSPENSIONS

Broadcast Suspensions will by default be for two mainline events, but may be extended or reduced at the staff's discretion. You will not be allowed on stage, involved with any broadcast work, or to volunteer for the event during this period. You may attend the event and watch in the audience (this does not include the couches or associated seating areas near them).

EVENT SUSPENSIONS

Event suspensions will by default be for two events, but may be extended or reduced at the staff's discretion. You will not be allowed at the event in any capacity.

APPEALING BANS

All ban appeals must be sent to management@gamesdonequick.com. Any ban appeal must contain your account name, a detailed description of the circumstances surrounding your ban, and a detailed description of why you believe your ban should be reduced or dropped.

Check out all our important links here: https://msha.ke/gamesdonequick/

Ways to participate

  1. PRIZE POOL
    • For events participating in prize sweepstakes, donors will be able to win anything in our prize pool by donating for a chance to win. This prize pool is comprised of prizes donated by our sponsors and participants, and anyone can donate a prize to the prize pool. Learn more about donating prizes here.
  2. ATTENDANCE
    • Attend the event in person! Tickets are available for purchase on our website. Tickets are limited, so be sure to get yours early! For more information on attending an event, check out our Attendance Guide.
  3. VOLUNTEERING
    • Volunteer to help out at the event! We are always looking for volunteers to help out with the event. For more information on volunteering, check out our Volunteer Guide.
  4. SPEEDRUNNING
    • Submit a speedrun and/or showcase! For more information on volunteering, check out our Run Submission Guide.

Games Done Quick Event Rules

We aim to provide a safe, clean, and fun environment for everyone who attends our events. If you have issues with an attendee, please do not hesitate to talk to a staff member, or contact our event safety coordinators at this email address: safety@gamesdonequick.com

Attendance

Badges must be worn in a visible location at all times in our public areas.

It is preferred that your badge is worn around your neck via lanyard. If your badge is not immediately visible staff will ask you to display it.

Refusal to keep your badge visible can result in a rules violation and having your badge marked.

If you lose your badge, we will not have any available to replace it.

Persons without a badge will not be allowed in the event areas.

Badges are not to be shared or loaned. Your badge is yours alone, anyone involved with sharing a badge is subject to have their badge revoked. If you lose your badge, report it to staff immediately.

If you did not register within the deadline you will not be permitted in any marathon area. There is no on site or late registration and there are no exceptions to this rule, please do not ask.

Anyone in attendance is not allowed to have full masks and or body suits. Your identity must be easily discerned and your face visible. Cosplay outfits should be approved by staff prior to wear. No handheld props are allowed. Please send photos and your account name to safety@gamesdonequick.com. Exceptions to this clothing policy are made for religious clothing or medical necessity.

Hoverboards, skates, and other mobility gear (except where medically necessary) are not allowed. Baby carriages (and similar) are allowed but must be kept out of any aisles to allow for foot traffic.

Pets are not allowed. Service animals are permitted as defined by the federal and local laws.

Harassment Policy

Games Done Quick will take action in response to harassment of all kinds, including but not limited to:

  • Unwanted physical attention
  • Inappropriate physical touching
  • Assault
  • Battery
  • Stalking
  • Intimidation or Bullying
  • Bathroom Policing
  • Harassing photography or recording
  • General disruption of the event

Hate speech and bigoted behavior towards individuals or groups in regards to their status in any of the following also qualify as harassment:

  • Race
  • National origin or descent
  • Gender identity, or presentation
  • Sexual orientation
  • Age
  • Body size or type
  • Disability
  • Religious affiliation
  • Citizenship
  • Pregnancy

If a person is found engaging in such behavior Games Done Quick staff will take prompt action to rectify the situation at their discretion including removal from the event and possible banishment from attending future Games Done Quick events or using Games Done Quick services. EVERYONE in attendance including staff, press, and partners are expected to follow this policy at all times and they will be held to the same standards as all other attendees.

Please report any forms of harassment to Games Done Quick staff. We want to make our events safe and enjoyable for everyone and if you are the subject of or witness harassment please do not hesitate to ask for our help in resolving any such situation. Staff members can all be identified by their staff event badges. If you need help but wish to talk to staff anonymously or indirectly please contact our event safety coordinators at this email address: safety@gamesdonequick.com

In general GDQ staff does not intercede in interpersonal conflicts unrelated to our safety policies. However if you find yourself unable to resolve a conflict with another attendee or roommate on your own, or you do not feel comfortable resolving the situation alone, please feel free to contact a staff member to assist you.

BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER

Above all else, treat staff, runners, volunteers, attendees and your fellow community members with respect. Insults and attacks, whether explicit or implicit, are not welcome.

Food and Drink

  • Unattended food and/or drink will be thrown out immediately.
    • We will not have cleanup service at this hotel so please throw away any leftover food or containers.
    • Due to hotel regulations, you may not order food to our event areas.
    • Non-alcoholic beverages may be provided by the hotel or our sponsors, these may be enjoyed in our event spaces.

Stream Room

The stream room is the focal point of the event, and therefore has specific rules.

DO NOT DETRACT FROM THE RUNNER'S PRESENCE WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT - Signs, costumes, stuffed animals, grandstanding or similar distractions from the runner should be discussed with the runner and staff beforehand. This ensures that it is in line with the tone the runner wants to set for the run, and that staff is aware of what is going to happen so they can both confirm it is appropriate for the stream and that it is desired by the runner. It is up to the runner to decide the tone of the area during their run, and we expect others to respect that tone. This also includes being generally distracting by talking or having your phone on.

ACCEPTED BEHAVIOR AND APPEARANCE WHILE ON CAMERA IN THE AUDIENCE. - Self advertisement such as holding up social media information, business cards, or other self serving objects is not allowed on camera. Signs and or artwork as long as they are marathon appropriate are acceptable, however blocking the camera with these objects, or yourself, is not. In general, the audience camera is not a "YOU" camera, treat it as such.

DO NOT TOUCH ANY CABLES OR CONSOLES DURING A RUN - You do not want to be the person who ends someone's run by messing up the hardware. If you have equipment being used, wait until the run is over to reclaim it.

THE WORK AREA IS OFF LIMITS TO ANYONE THAT IS NOT WORKING, SCHEDULED OR ON STAFF. - This is not considered a public area. If you are not trained with certain equipment, do not touch it. Photography does NOT exempt you from this rule.

THE RUNNER HAS FINAL SAY ON WHO IS ALLOWED ON STREAM (COUCH AND CHAIRS). - This includes both the couch and the rows immediately behind the couch as well if the runner has extra people they want to have there. Seats that are not designated by the runner are generally considered open. This also includes the 2nd couch area for any event which has one.

NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE STREAM ROOM OR GAMING AREAS. - This includes lights such as red-eye reduction, and any other bright lights that are distracting to people playing games.

REGARDING ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR ON STREAM AS A RUNNER OR COMMENTATOR

As a runner or commentator your time on camera acts as a representation of not only yourself, but of Games Done Quick, the charity itself, as well as our sponsors and partners. As this representation is of great importance here are some guidelines to follow with what is and is not considered acceptable behavior while appearing on stream.

First and foremost, we encourage a fun, entertaining, and casual environment on the stream. GDQs are about great people doing great things for those in need, and we want all our runners and commentators to be able to enjoy that. The more positive and fun you can be, the more that same presence is reflected out to all those watching.

The topic and tone is at the runner's discretion. Every runner at our events is unique and has their own approach to how they showcase their skills for the event. We do not have hard and fast rules on how you choose to commentate during your run. In general giving informative and fun commentary about your game is a great way to go about setting the tone for your run, but we encourage each runner to approach this in whatever way they feel most comfortable with. We also understand that not every runner is comfortable commentating while playing and it is perfectly acceptable to let that responsibility fall to your couch crew.

For reference, here is a list of ideas that have received positive feedback with regards to commentary:

  • Informative explanations about the game and run itself, whether it be explaining the route, the techniques employed during the run, glitches involved, or just the general evolution of the speedrun.
  • Personal anecdotes about runners' experiences with the game or the community behind the game.
  • Input on design choices or factoids about the game and its development.

These are just examples, and if you have questions, always feel free to ask the staff.

REGARDING UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR WHILE ON STREAM

Any speech or behavior that would fall under a violation of the harassment policy outlined in the rules is not permitted on stream. This includes remarks that would be considered "joking" or "tongue in cheek" in nature. There are clear lines we expect not to be crossed in the harassment policy, those lines are to be respected while on stream.

Swearing should be avoided while on stream. An occasional swear is not going to draw any ire from staff, but we expect runners and commentators to keep the content of the run "PG" in nature as Games Done Quick is a family friendly event both in person and on stream. If you cannot control your language while being a representative on our stream then you will be subject to a submission or broadcast suspension in the future.

Avoid topics that are polarizing or controversial in nature. Avoid demonstrations of those topics via speaking, written material, clothing, etc. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Religious demonstrations or proselytizing
  • Political demonstrations, campaign messages, or agendas.
  • Any sort of grandstanding intended to create controversy.

Religious clothing, such as a cross, hijab, or kippah, is not against the rules. To be clear, we are interested only in blocking religious demonstrations or proselytizing, not religious practices.

Remember that both staff members and the current producer on tech have the ability to give instructions through the headsets during your run. If a staff member requests you to stop a topic of discussion, behavior, or action during your run, you are required to follow that request. Refusal or willfully ignoring staff input or warnings during your run will be subject to a submission or broadcast suspension from future events, or the immediate removal from the stream in extreme cases.

The nature of acceptable behavior, speech, and activity on stream is at the discretion of Games Done Quick staff.

REGARDING UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR WHILE OFF STREAM

Runners or volunteers selected for our events are understood to be representing the event and the charity. As such, we have higher standards than those who are only attending. For this reason, runners and volunteers are expected to be respectful of others both on-site and online (including social media). Behavior found to be in violation of the harassment policy may result in any of the aforementioned enforcement actions, depending on severity. While any behavior found in violation of our policies may be acted upon, we will only look beyond 18 months of history in the most serious violations (such as targeted harassment or violence), at staff's discretion.

Miscellaneous

NO SELLING (SCALPING) ATTENDEE REGISTRATIONS, ANY TYPE OF SUBMISSION, OR HOTEL ROOMS. - Any attempt to sell or otherwise profit from the above will result in the registration, submission, or hotel room being immediately cancelled. Furthermore, we reserve the right to ban you from any of the above at future events.

NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED IN EVENT AREAS. - Anyone bringing weapons into event areas will be immediately removed and barred from further GDQ attendance. Weapons are also banned from the hotel per their rules.

DO NOT DEFACE, MARK, OR OTHERWISE MODIFY EQUIPMENT, AND DO NOT DO ANYTHING THAT MAY DAMAGE EQUIPMENT - All of our equipment is shared, and modifications that might benefit you can interfere with other players and/or damage the equipment. If you need a modification for a game or equipment, seek assistance from staff to find an acceptable solution.

KEEP YOURSELF CLEAN BY SHOWERING REGULARLY - If you smell, staff may ask you to leave the marathon area, as it is disruptive to others around you.

NO SMOKING IN OUR EVENT SPACES. - This includes eCigs and vaporizers.

DON'T LITTER - If staff members see items on the floor, they will be thrown out. What may be an important item to you might look like litter to a staff member, and our areas need to stay clean.

DON'T SLEEP IN OUR PUBLIC SPACES - If staff finds you asleep, we will wake you up and ask you to leave the marathon areas. In cases where individuals clearly have intent to sleep in our marathon areas, we may mark or revoke badges at our discretion.

DON'T TOUCH THE PRIZES - Only the staff and volunteers assigned to handle prizes may touch any prizes.

NO CASUAL GAMING ALLOWED IN THE PRACTICE ROOMS - We have a large amount of space designated to casual gaming as well as space designated to competitive gaming not related to speedruns, so please be respectful of runners trying to practice by keeping casual and competitive gaming out of the practice room. - Competitive games need to be kept out of the casual room and should be taken to the tournament room. Examples include, but are not limited to, Smash Bros., Street Fighter, or any other games which may result in very vocal activities.

PEOPLE WITH RUNS IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS HAVE PRIORITY IN THE PRACTICE ROOMS - If you have a run coming up and can't find an open practice station, feel free to ask staff to help you find a space.

KEEP WALKWAYS AND ASSORTED PUBLIC AREAS CLEAR - It's easy to fire up a conversation with someone you pass by in a doorway, but keep others in mind and move your conversation a few feet. It's courteous to others and bunching up in a doorway is a fire hazard. Staff will direct you to move your conversation if hallways are blocked. This goes double for the stream room entryways as it's often a common area for attendees to congregate.

NO ADVERTISEMENT OR VENDING - This includes leaving business cards and fliers around the event space. Promotion of any outside event and any vending (sale of goods) must be approved in writing by Games Done Quick. This also includes any other actions which might be considered in competition with our sponsors.

BE AWARE OF LOCAL LAWS AND HOTEL RULES - Things such as smoking inside the hotel, public intoxication, or use of illegal drugs all fall under this, but keep in mind that being part of the event does not somehow exclude you from them.

STAFF HAS FINAL SAY ON ANY ISSUES THAT MAY ARISE, INCLUDING ISSUES NOT COVERED BY THESE RULES - Make sure to follow staff instructions. The staff reserves the right to mark your badge, revoke your badge, and/or request the hotel remove you from the property for any reason. This is especially true for any situation that threatens the safety and security of the event and any of its attendees.

By attending our events, you are agreeing to abide by the rules as stated as well as follow the direction of staff members at the event. Failure to comply may result in removal from the event and/or a temporary or permanent ban from future events at the discretion of GDQ Staff.

Questions?

Feel free to send any questions or comments to our event safety coordinator at this email address: safety@gamesdonequick.com.