With Overwatch League recently seeing a member of Dallas Fuel parting ways with the team, it should come as no surprise that Blizzard has a Code of Conduct for the players to follow when it comes to behavior. What that Code of Conduct specifically says has been a mystery up until now.

Esports broadcaster, Richard Lewis, has now posted a scanned, hard copy of what he calls, “The Overwatch League rulebook.” The document has not been confirmed official, nor has it been confirmed whether or not these rules are still in place, so take this information with a grain of salt. This document is about thirty-five pages long, and goes into great detail about what Blizzard can and cannot do, as well as what the players can and cannot do.

When looking into the Conduct, players can see the streaming policy that the Overwatch League players have to adhere to. The rules state that no more than two League players can be on a stream or video at one time, because having more would consider those players “playing as a team.” The League players also cannot “stream one hour before or one hour after any League events.” Which looks like it might mean any game, not just Blizzard games.

Going even deeper in that streaming policy, Overwatch League players are not allowed to “stream any organized competitive play.” This looks to mean any kind of tournament in any other kind of game or any kind of custom round where modifications, in game or otherwise, are used. League players are also restricted in what games they endorse. If the game isn’t Activision Blizzard, the League players are strictly forbidden to say their opinions on it, as it might seem like they are endorsing it and Blizzard does not want that.

The rulebook also has a lot to say about how players act and behave themselves. As watchers of the League are well aware, players can be fined or banned for saying something Blizzard deems offensive or for violating the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct states a lot about the fact that Blizzard has every right to take down any stream or comment they wish, if deemed inappropriate. It also states that Blizzard can use any previous stream or media for “any purpose,” which one would assume would be advertising.

Rules also clearly state that the League players will not engage in “harassment and discrimination…based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other class or characteristic.” What Blizzard is seemingly trying to say is that the League players have to be upstanding citizens and just be kind to one another. The rulebook also states that the League players cannot partake in any drugs, unless it is prescribed to them, except if that prescription is medical marijuana.

The rulebook also saved the best and most interesting bit for last. Apparently, Blizzard has the right to place “24/7 cameras…in the Team House[s], training facility, competition venues, and other locations frequented by Team Members.” The League players have also given Blizzard permission to use their likenesses and gaming handles, accompanied with their “public persona, gameplay data, statistics, biographical information, backstory, and any public streams” of any Blizzard games.

With all of this being said, there is no backing out of any of these, and many more, terms that Blizzard has set in place for the Overwatch League players. Once players agree to these rules, they have waived any “rights of prior review and/or approval of any of the Licensed Materials, Advertising, and Commercial Materials or Reality Content.” The players are stuck with this Code of Conduct until their contract runs out and there has been no word if and when that does.

Once again, it has not been confirmed by any sources if this rulebook is indeed the real one and if the rules in it are still current. But, if it is, it seems like a doozy for those players involved. Players can take a look for themselves at the document right here and come to their own conclusion about the Code of Conduct's authenticity.

Overwatch is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Source: Kotaku