Content Guidelines
Last updated: February 17, 2026
Lexicon Lair is a community-driven marketplace for text adventure games. These guidelines exist to keep the platform welcoming, safe, and enjoyable for players and creators of all ages. All published games are expected to follow these standards.
The short version
Be respectful. Don't publish content that is hateful, sexually explicit, deliberately deceptive, or stolen from someone else. Games that violate these guidelines may be removed and repeat offenders may be banned.
Inappropriate Content
Games must not contain content that is harmful, dangerous, or unsuitable for a general audience.
Not allowed
- Sexually explicit or pornographic content
- Graphic depictions of real-world violence against specific individuals or groups
- Content that sexualizes minors in any way
- Detailed instructions for illegal activities, self-harm, or causing harm to others
- Promotion of drug use, eating disorders, or other dangerous behaviors
- Content designed to shock, disturb, or traumatize without narrative purpose
Allowed with content warnings
- Mature themes handled thoughtfully (war, grief, addiction, mental health)
- Fantasy violence appropriate to the adventure genre (combat, monsters, peril)
- Dark or horror-themed narratives with genuine storytelling intent
- Mild profanity used naturally in dialogue or narration
Tip: If your game explores mature themes, use the content warning tags available in the game builder. This helps players make informed choices and keeps your game accessible to the right audience.
Copyright Violation
Respect intellectual property. Only publish content you have the right to share.
Not allowed
- Republishing someone else's game without permission
- Using copyrighted characters, settings, or storylines without authorization (e.g., publishing a "Harry Potter" or "Star Wars" game)
- Copying substantial text, descriptions, or game mechanics from another creator's published work
- Using AI-generated content trained on copyrighted works and presented as original
Allowed
- Original games inspired by a genre or style (e.g., "a space opera adventure" is fine)
- Games based on public domain works (e.g., mythology, classic literature)
- Parody and satire where the transformative nature is clear
- Fan works where the IP holder has an explicit open policy for fan content
Offensive Language
Language in games should not target, demean, or dehumanize real people or groups.
Not allowed
- Slurs targeting race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or religion
- Hate speech or content that promotes discrimination against any group
- Harassment, bullying, or threats directed at real individuals
- Content designed primarily to provoke or offend rather than tell a story
Allowed with context
- Fictional villains or antagonists who express prejudiced views as part of the narrative, provided the game doesn't endorse those views
- Historical settings that acknowledge the language and attitudes of the period in a respectful, educational way
- Conflict and tension between characters that serves the story
Spam & Low Quality
The marketplace is for genuine games that provide a real experience for players.
Not allowed
- Empty or placeholder games with no real content
- Duplicate submissions of the same game under different names
- Games created solely to promote external products, services, or websites
- Mass-generated games with no meaningful variation between them
- Games containing malicious links or attempts to collect personal information
- Test games or developer experiments that aren't intended for public play
What we look for
- At least one complete, playable path through the game
- A description that accurately reflects the game content
- Basic functional quality — commands work, rooms connect, the game can be completed or meaningfully explored
Misleading Descriptions
Players rely on game listings to decide what to play. Be honest about what your game contains.
Not allowed
- Descriptions that significantly misrepresent the game's content, length, or features
- Claiming features that don't exist (e.g., "multiplayer" when the game is single-player)
- Omitting content warnings for themes that players would reasonably want to know about in advance
- Fake ratings, reviews, or play counts
- Bait-and-switch tactics — advertising one type of game and delivering another
Tip: A good listing accurately describes the experience. It's fine to build excitement without spoiling the story — just don't promise something the game doesn't deliver.
Enforcement
What happens when a game is reported or found to violate these guidelines.
When a game is reported, our moderation team reviews the report and the game content. We aim to review all reports promptly and fairly.
If you believe your game was removed in error, you can reach out to us to request a review. We take context into account and are happy to work with creators to bring games into compliance.
Reporting a Game
If you encounter a game that you believe violates these guidelines, you can report it.
On any game's page, click the Report button in the action bar. Select the category that best describes the issue and optionally provide additional details.
Reports are confidential — the game author will not be told who submitted the report. Please only submit reports in good faith. Abusing the report system to target specific creators is itself a violation of these guidelines.
These guidelines may be updated as the community grows. We'll notify creators of significant changes. Questions or concerns? Reach out through the feedback button at the bottom of any page.