Community Guidelines

Last updated: April 12, 2026

Joining DustBowl.Games

DustBowl.Games is a whitelisted gaming community. Access to our servers is not open to the public — every member goes through an application process before they can play. This helps us maintain the quality of our community and ensures that every player on our servers is someone who wants to be here.

What the Application Asks

When you apply, you will be asked to provide:

  • Your Steam profile link
  • Your Discord username
  • The games you are interested in playing on our servers
  • Your play style and what you enjoy in multiplayer games
  • A brief explanation of why you are applying to DustBowl.Games
  • Acknowledgment of our Code of Conduct

What We Look For

  • Genuine interest in the community and the games we host
  • Sufficient game knowledge to contribute positively to our servers
  • A clean history free of recent bans or suspicious activity
  • Articulate communication — we want to see that you put thought into your application

Ready to apply? Head over to join.dustbowl.games to get started.

Disqualifying Factors

Applications may be automatically denied or flagged for additional review if any of the following apply:

  • A VAC ban within the last 12 months
  • A game ban on a title hosted by DustBowl.Games
  • An existing ban from DustBowl.Games
  • A blank or low-effort application
  • A suspicious account (new account, no game history, etc.)
  • A private Steam profile that cannot be reviewed

What Happens When You're Approved

Once your application is approved, you will receive:

  • The Discord member role, granting access to member-only channels
  • Server whitelist access, allowing you to join our game servers
  • A welcome message with everything you need to get started

We aim to review all applications in under 24 hours.

Membership Terms

DustBowl.Games membership operates on a subscription-based billing model.

What's Included

  • Access to all whitelisted game servers
  • The Discord member role
  • Access to member-only channels in Discord

Cancellation

If you choose to cancel your membership, billing stops at the end of your current billing cycle. Your access to servers and member-only channels will be removed at the end of that cycle. Your data is retained in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Rejoining

Former members who left in good standing are welcome to reapply at any time.

Enforcement Ladder

We use a progressive enforcement system. The severity of the action taken depends on the nature and frequency of the violation. Enforcement may skip steps for severe violations.

In-Game

  1. Verbal warning
  2. Kick from the server
  3. Temporary ban (24 hours to 30 days, depending on severity)
  4. Permanent ban and whitelist removal

Discord

  1. Verbal warning
  2. Timeout (1 hour to 7 days, depending on severity)
  3. Temporary ban
  4. Permanent ban

Staff may escalate directly to a higher step when the situation warrants it. Not every violation will start at the bottom of the ladder.

No-Appeal Offenses

The following offenses result in an immediate permanent ban with no option to appeal:

  • Cheating or use of unauthorized software (hacks, exploits, aimbots, etc.)
  • Sharing whitelist access with unauthorized individuals
  • Doxxing — sharing another person's private information without consent
  • Coordinated harassment campaigns against any individual or group
  • Threatening physical harm to any member or staff

Appeals

Who Can Appeal

Any member who has received a ban that is not classified as a no-appeal offense may submit an appeal.

How to Appeal

  1. Log in at dustbowl.games
  2. Navigate to Member Portal then Appeals
  3. Submit your appeal with a clear explanation of why you believe the action should be reconsidered

Deadline

Appeals must be submitted within 7 days of the ban being issued.

Review Process

All appeals are reviewed within 48 hours of submission. Possible outcomes include:

  • Overturned — the ban is lifted and access is restored
  • Reduced — the ban duration or severity is lowered
  • Upheld — the original ban stands

Final Authority

The Owner holds final authority on all appeal decisions. Their ruling is final and not subject to further review.