The Atlas Framework
A shared set of principles by which behaviour and interaction in EVE Online is judged for corporations enrolled in the Atlas program. The framework exists to encourage content within the game in a sustainable way that respects all parties, and to establish clear boundaries where, although EVE's ToS may allow it, participating corporations have an obligation to report and act on harmful conduct to protect the broader community.
Guiding principles
Play that respects other players, including the ones still learning.
Protect new players
Exploitation of new players is expressly forbidden. Participating corporations have an obligation to identify and report it, even where the EVE Online ToS would otherwise allow the behaviour.
Fair and proportionate engagements
Combat is a part of EVE, but engagements should be proportionate and offered in the spirit of fun for all parties. Repeated, disproportionate force against smaller groups discourages community formation and is treated as harmful.
Encourage sportsmanship
The framework sets guidelines conducive to play that respects players who may be learning, and rewards conduct that grows the broader EVE community.
Sustainable content
Atlas exists to encourage content within the game in a way that respects all parties and remains sustainable over time, not in short, extractive bursts.
Forbidden under the framework
Where exploitation begins, participation ends.
Financial services requiring repayment
Any service offered to new players that requires repayment of any kind is forbidden. Repayment-based products on new players are inherently exploitative under this framework.
Non-competitive sale contracts
Selling contracts, for example fits, at prices that far exceed Jita split pricing is treated as exploitative and is not permitted.
Help-for-profit recruitment
Corporations purporting to help new players must not collect significant portions of their members' income as revenue. Corporation tax rates above 5% on new-player-facing corps are considered exploitative.
Disproportionate escalation
Consistent, repeated use of large fleets to gank small or solo players is treated as harmful escalation. One-off engagements are normal gameplay; a pattern is not.
Consequences
Players, corporations and alliances that disregard these principles can receive sanctions from Atlas-appointed partner corporations.
Participating corporations routinely monitor player corporations found in breach of these rules. Sanctions include:
Recruit notifications
EVE mail is sent to newly recruited members of corporations found in breach, explaining that they have joined a corporation that may exploit new players.
Poor standings
Players, corporations and alliances in breach receive poor standings with all Atlas member corporations.
Restricted platform access
Sanctioned entities have limited access to tools on the Atlas platform and difficulty accessing corporations that use Atlas for recruitment.
Seen something that breaks the framework?
Participating corporations have an obligation to report it. Reach out to an Atlas-appointed partner corporation to begin the sanctions process.