Policies

Breakout Convention Policies

Attendees, vendors, guests, volunteers, and staff are expected to abide by a set of policies which are in compliance with Canadian law and the general policies of the Sheraton Centre - Downtown Toronto

Rules and etiquette of the Convention

  1. Passes must be worn at all times when in any of the convention areas. Passes include the attendee's preferred name. Please register for the event with the name that matches your photo ID (health cards, drivers licenses, passports etc.). We appreciate that your name may not match your legal name and thank you for understanding we require ID for picking up your pass.
  2. Proof of identity must be shown when claiming a lost badge. Any lost passes or tickets should be reported immediately to the Registration Desk. If you have lost your badge, please bring ID to the Registration Desk during operating hours in order to be issued a replacement. The cost for a replacement badge is $10.
  3. Breakout does not provide any daycare-like service and any child, 12 or under, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times including participating in any games the child is involved in. Parents and guardians are responsible for the well-being and behaviour of all children in their care.
  4. Ask Permission for Photos and Videos – If you wish to take a photo or video of a guest, or other attendee of the convention, please ask permission first.
  5. Drugs, theft, and vandalism are illegal and will be dealt with accordingly.
  6. Sales are a matter between attendees and any on-site merchant(s) in question. It is highly recommended you get a receipt for each transaction.
  7. All sales material can only be sold at vendor booths and not at gaming tables or in other areas of the venue without the express permission of the convention organisers.
  8. We ask that all attendees of Breakout operate with the assumption of good intentions on the part of other gamers.

Harassment

Breakout has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, which is defined as a form of discrimination that includes unwanted physical or verbal behaviour that offends, intimidates, or humiliates another person. It includes annoying comments or conduct that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome. No attendee shall harass, embarrass, or otherwise harm another attendee, guest, staff member, volunteer, vendor, or any individual in the convention space with their words or actions. Any such behaviour may lead to expulsion from the convention, the revocation of convention badge (without refund), and a permanent ban from Breakout.

The convention management reserves the right to remove any person or signage, material, product, images, or items that we, in our sole discretion, deem offensive or in violation of our policies or philosophy including, but not limited to: hate speech, religious/anti-religious proselytization, unauthorized solicitation, unwanted sexual advances, misogyny, anti-feminism, anti-2SLGBTQ+ rhetoric (e.g. homophobia, transphobia, etc.), bullying, racism, sexism, or ageism.

If you experience negative behaviour, or unwanted attention of any kind, feel unsafe, or wish to report a violation of our rules, please immediately alert our table volunteers in the Dominion Board Game Hall, the Provincial Open RPG Room, or at the Registration desk.

Should you wish to report your concerns anonymously, you may do so using this google form.

To the best of our ability, we will keep your information private. Breakout is committed to confidentiality and we will limit the amount of people to whom your information is voluntarily disclosed. We will share your information with only those who need to know it, such as the specific executive team member who is most effectively placed to address your concerns, hotel security, or law enforcement. Finally, the information you share will not be disclosed by us in full; any specific disclosures we make will include only that information which necessary for decision making.

Violence

Physical violence or threats of physical violence are grounds for immediate expulsion and permanent ban from Breakout.

There will be no appeal and no second chances.

Inclusivity

Breakout strives to create a safe and inclusive space that welcomes gamers from all walks of life. We hope to build a community space that includes all gamers.

We celebrate all races, ethnicities, body-types, the full spectrum of genders, all sexual identities, and persons with a range of abilities and ability challenges. While this list of identities is not complete or perfect, we function with a spirit of inclusiveness.

We believe that a diverse range of experiences and perspectives is absolutely necessary in building a thriving and healthy gaming community. We welcome you to share your perspective and experiences with us at Breakout.

We endeavour to remove as many barriers as possible and provide all the tools we can to create a safe and inclusive space for all within the gaming community.

Above all else, Breakout Gaming Convention strives to be safe haven to roll dice, move meeples, and enjoy great times with fellow gamers in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.

X-Card

All roleplaying games at Breakout Gaming Convention feature an X-card. An X-card is a tool that helps maintain a safe environment at the gaming table. Roleplaying games can be very improvisational and adventures can vary widely in content. It can be impossible to predict when uncomfortable content might come up.

An X-card is a tool to keep the content at the table safe for everyone. It is a card in the middle of the table with an X on it. Should someone feel uncomfortable at anytime, they can tap the X-card. The GM and other players will change the content, dial it back, or skip the scene.

Breakout endorses and uses the X-Card as part of our plan to create a safe and inclusive environment for gamers.

The X-Card was designed by John Stavropoulos and more information about it can be found at http://tinyurl.com/x-card-rpg

Breakout Scheduled Event Sign-up and Waitlist Policy

Many scheduled events at Breakouts have limited seats available. The number of available seats varies and is listed on each event’s page in the Breakout schedule. If you sign up for an event after all free seats are taken, you will be placed on a waitlist for that event.

If you have been placed on a waitlist, please arrive 15 minutes before the start of your events and check in with the Admin Desk. The Role-playing Admin Desk is in Civic Hall. The Boardgame Admin Desk is in Dominion Hall. The Breakout Admins will be wearing clothing identifying them as Breakout staff.

The Breakout Admins will let you know if a seat in the event is available for you, and if not, will do our best to find you an open seat in an event starting at the same time. Being on a waitlist does not guarantee an attendee a seat at any given event. The Breakout Admins reserve the right to limit and adjust event capacity based on the needs of the convention.

Attendees will often adjust their schedules throughout the convention; the latest versions of event sign up sheets are kept at the Admin desks. If your plans change and you no longer wish to be registered for an event, please come to the Admin Table and remove your name.

Refund Policy

Passes for Breakout 2024 will be eligible for a full refund up until 11:59 PM EST Thursday, March 7th, 2024. Refunds are not available beyond that date.

Hotel Rules - Common Areas and Rooms

  1. No attendee may sleep in the hallways or convention space. This includes the hall being provided for all-night gaming.
  2. No alcohol may be consumed in the convention space. No food and drink other than that which is purchased from the hotel may be consumed in the convention space.
  3. Action will be taken in the case of attendees who violate hotel rules for use of guest rooms. Violations include, but are not limited to:
    • Exceeding the maximum occupancy per hotel room. Hotel management has the right to evict from guest rooms anyone who is not registered with them as a guest.
    • Charging admission to a room party.
    • Serving alcohol without a liquor license.
    • Serving alcohol to minors. If this is found to have happened, legal action will be taken.
    • Selling merchandise out of private hotel rooms.
    • Engaging in any other behaviour that is illegal or disruptive. This will result in loss of convention membership and possible legal action by the hotel.

Lost or Stolen Items

Breakout is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Costumes, Weapons and Large Props

Breakout has a strict policy about weapons, real or costume, and large props carried as part of costumes. All attendees are required to read and follow the rules if they wish to carry weapons or props at Breakout. Failure to do so will result in warnings, removal from the convention, and further action where appropriate.

All weapons or large props must be checked and authorized by the Registration Desk Manager prior to wrist band pick up. Upon approval, your wrist band will be marked accordingly.

Live firearms, weapons prohibited by Canadian law, replicas of contemporary firearms, props made of metal and yaoi paddles are all banned at Breakout.

All weapons must be holstered, sheathed, or slung except while posing for photos. All props must be carried safely and under your control at all times when at the Con.

Horseplay, careless or unsafe use of props, drawing of weapons, or the use of props to threaten persons or disrupt the peace of the convention will not be tolerated and could result in removal from the convention and further legal action.

Breakout Staff have the right to inspect any wrist band, prop or weapon on request and take action where necessary. Breakout assumes no liability for personal injury or property damage.

A Final Word

Please remember, we try to be nice about the rules. All it takes to ruin the fun for everyone is one person abusing the rules. We will have no other option than to enforce stronger rules if people break them. We’re here for your safety and enjoyment!