House Rules Policy
Posted by Kassien
· 2 weeks, 4 days ago
Deep Shadows MUSH will consider all suggested house rules or modifications to existing ones; however, all proposals must be evaluated within the framework of this policy.
As a general principle, Deep Shadows MUSH aims to minimize the use of house rules. This position is guided by two primary considerations. First, house rules often do not effectively resolve the issues they are intended to address and can unintentionally create new imbalances elsewhere in the system. Second, implementing custom rules requires development time and resources, and frequent revisions can lead to unnecessary rework and instability in the game’s systems.
Historically, many house rules are introduced in an effort to “fix” or “balance” specific mechanics. While these changes may address a targeted issue, they frequently disrupt other areas of gameplay or conflict with existing rules. For this reason, such proposals are unlikely to be adopted. In rare cases where they are considered appropriate, implementation will require unanimous agreement from the active staff.
Additionally, incomplete implementation of house rules—particularly when not fully supported by in-game systems or code—can lead to confusion among players. This is especially problematic for new players, who may lack awareness of unofficial or inconsistently applied rules. Frequent changes to house rules further compound this issue and are therefore strongly discouraged.
That said, there are circumstances where house rules are both appropriate and necessary. These typically arise when official rules are unclear, incomplete, or entirely absent. For example, areas such as corporate or criminal organization membership may not be fully defined within the source material. In such cases, staff may review and develop house rules to provide clarity and ensure consistent gameplay.
The executive staff will review house rule proposals periodically. “Periodic” is defined as occurring at set intervals not to exceed once every three (3) years. Adoption of any house rule requires a unanimous vote from all current and active staff members.