Gswiki:Style guide/Images

This style guide on images is intended to offer additional direction to and supplement the requirements of the Gswiki:Policy with regard to images and their copyrights. The Gswiki:Policy has strict requirements for all images uploaded and used on the Gswiki, which is outlined in the Copyrights section.

As requirements vary depending on the image classification type, so does the potential copy/paste code. In some cases, the requirements also differ between the image file description text and the image's caption text on articles featuring it. Refer to each section for each image type's individual requirements.

The copy/paste codes listed are examples of how this required information may be presented on the image file descriptions and on article image captions. Image file descriptions and article image captions are not required to be formatted in exactly this way, however Gswiki:Policy does require that all of the information presented for each type be included. The purpose of the copy/paste codes listed below is to assist editors who may be less familiar with those requirements so that images uploaded do not violate current requirements.

Accessibility

Whenever possible, several steps should be taken to ensure that images uploaded and used on the Gswiki are fully compatible with screen reading software. While not required, failure to do so may create hurdles for users relying on screen readers.

1. Images should include a basic description of what they look like as part of the image file description.
2. Images should be displayed using [[Image:File.png]] instead of [[File:File.png]].
3. Images featured on articles should utilize alt text to include a basic description of what the image looks like.

For more information on how to do any of these steps, see Help:Images.

Image Classifications

The following list describes the classification of image files as designated by Gswiki:Policy. Image files have slightly different Copyright requirements depending on their classification. It is possible for an image file to fall under more than one classification type, such as being both commissioned artwork and AI-generated artwork. In cases where an image file falls under more than one classification type, it should include all the required information for all applicable types.

• Official artwork - Official artwork is artwork that has been produced by a Simutronics staff artist or was previously published on the official play.net website(s). These images may be watermarked or tagged with a copyright or logo from Simutronics, Play.net, and/or Stillfront, though some older images may not.
• Maps - Maps, as defined by wiki policy, are image files that assist players in navigating in game areas utilizing geometric shapes to designate paths and rooms and may include numbered rooms. Maps that are either an artistic or graphical rendering of an area that do not specifically provide room navigational assistance should follow the policy for commissioned or non-commissioned artwork.
• Commissioned artwork - Commissioned artwork is artwork specifically commissioned by a player of their character. Another person has created the artwork on the player's behalf.
• Non-commissioned artwork - Non-commissioned artwork is any artwork and/or photography that was not specifically commissioned by a player for their character.
• AI-generated artwork - AI-generated artwork is any artwork that has been created utilizing prompts into AI software. This includes artwork that has been modified at any point in its creation process by AI imaging software.
• Logo/header images - Logo or header images are images meant to elevate the contents of an article.

Official Artwork

Official artwork is artwork that has been produced by a Simutronics staff artist or was previously published on the official play.net website(s). These images may be watermarked or tagged with a copyright or logo from Simutronics, Play.net, and/or Stillfront, though some older images may not. As Simutronics holds the rights to these images, their upload and usage on pages is freely permissible on the GSWiki and does not have further requirements outside of already defined policy.

Examples

• File:Duskruin 10YearAnniversary 1920x1080.jpg with hover text caption on Category:Duskruin - GM account is the uploader. Due to the nature of this image being Official Artwork, no caption is required on articles featuring it.
• File:EG2021.jpg with no caption on Category:Caligos Isle - Player account is the uploader. Due to the nature of this image being Official Artwork, no caption is required on articles featuring it.
• File:DelindraWiki.jpg with caption on Delindra (prime) - Official character portrait from Play.net, uploaded by the player who purchased it. Due to the nature of this image being Official Artwork, no caption is required on articles featuring it.

Copy/Paste Code

Image File

Unlike other image file types, Official Artwork is not required to include any additional information in the image file description. However, it is recommended to note that it is Official Artwork if the image file does not contain a watermark for Stillfront, Simutronics, and/or Play.net. Failure to do so may result in the image accidentally being flagged for moderator review and removal.

Article Caption

Unlike other image file types, Official Artwork is not required to include a caption on articles featuring it. However, a caption may be included optionally, either in a standard format or via hover text.

Standard caption:

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|(Optional caption of official artwork.)|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Hover text caption:

[[Image:File.png|200px|center|(Optional caption of official artwork.)|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Maps

Maps, as defined by wiki policy, are image files that assist players in navigating in game areas utilizing geometric shapes to designate paths and rooms and may include numbered rooms. Maps that are either an artistic or graphical rendering of an area that do not specifically provide room navigational assistance should follow the policy for commissioned or non-commissioned artwork.

1. Maps should only be uploaded by the original creator or, in certain circumstances, the editor who updated the map to account for new areas.
2. Maps should retain the original creator's name, and if the upload is an update to the map, note in the image itself who updated it and when: Updated by (name) on (date). This information should additionally be noted in the caption of the image on the page it is used. If the image is added to a page by an editor who is not the uploader of the image, the editor must note that the image was used with permission in the caption of the image.
3. Updated maps should be uploaded under a different image file name than the original map file.
4. Maps that have been fully recreated may be treated as an original map file.

Examples

• File:RW2024-042724EK.png with caption on Rumor Woods/shop listing 2024 part 1 - Map of in-game rooms of Rumor Woods. Map is uploaded by the original artist.
• File:Cysaegir (wiki).png with caption on Cysaegir - Map of in-game rooms of Cysaegir, originally created by a different artist. Map is uploaded as a new file by the updating artist. Artist has also included the map update information on the image.

Copy/Paste Code

Image File

Original map:

Map of (location) by (name) on (date)

Updated map:

Map of (location) <br>
Original map by (name) <br>
Updated by (name) on (date)

Updated maps must also include some variation of "Updated by (name) on (date)" visible on the image itself.

Article Caption

Original map:

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|right|Map of (location) by (name) on (date).|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Updated map:

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|right|Map of (location).<br>Original map by (name).<br>Updated by (name) on (date).|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Commissioned Artwork

Commissioned artwork is artwork specifically commissioned by a player for their character.

1. Uploaded artwork that has been commissioned should notate on the file page if the image uploader is copyright holder, and if not, it should note the copyright holder and that permission was granted to upload. This information should additionally be noted in the caption of the image on the page it is used. If the image is added to a page by an editor who is not the uploader of the image, the editor must note that the image was used with permission in the caption of the image.
2. While not a requirement, attribution to artists who were commissioned is highly recommended. This may be done by notating the artist name, and providing an outgoing link to their portfolio. This may be noted in the caption of the image on the page it is used.

See the official artwork section for character portraits purchased through Play.net.

Examples

• File:MYHARL-2023-WIKI-PROFILE-PORTRAIT.JPG with caption on Myharl (prime) - Commissioned character artwork, uploader is not the artist but owns the image copyright. Purchasing the image copyright from the artist means the owner may upload and use the image.
• File:Dirvy by Flimbo.jpg with caption on Dirvy (prime) - Commissioned artwork, uploader is not the artist and does not own the image copyright but has permission to upload and use the image.

Copy/Paste Code

Image File

Uploader owns the image copyright:

Artwork of (character) <br>
Artist: (name) <br>
Website (optional): (optional website link) <br>
Uploader holds copyright.

Uploader does not own the image copyright:

Artwork of (character) <br>
Artist: (name) <br>
Website (optional): (optional website link) <br>
Uploaded with permission.

Article Caption

Uploader owns the image copyright:

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|Artwork of (character) by (optional name).<br>(optional website)<br>Uploader holds copyright.|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Uploader does not own the image copyright:

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|Artwork of (character) by (name).<br>(optional website)<br>Uploaded with permission.|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Non-Commissioned Artwork

Non-commissioned artwork is any artwork and/or photography that was not specifically commissioned by a player for their character.

1. In most cases, non-commissioned artwork is not allowed unless it specifically falls under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike. Exceptions may be considered if the artist whose artwork is uploaded has provided explicit permission for their artwork to be published to the GSWiki.
2. In all cases, attribution must be provided, including links to where the image was originally posted. This information should additionally be noted in the caption of the image on the page it is used. If the image is added to a page by an editor who is not the uploader of the image, the editor must note that the image was used with permission in the caption of the image.

Examples

• File:RaeleeSvala SelfPortrait.jpg with caption on Raelee (prime) - Uploader is the artist.
• File:Turamzyr full color.jpeg with caption on Turamzzyrian Empire - Uploader is the artist. Illustrated map featuring Elanthian geography is classified as artwork due to it depicting the geography of the game world and not representing in-game rooms.

Copy/Paste Code

Image File

The copy/paste code may vary depending on if the uploader is the artist or if the artwork is freely available for use, such as via Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0 Attribution-ShareAlike or BY-SA 4.0 Attribution-ShareAlike licenses.

Uploader is the artist:

Artwork of (character) <br>
Art by uploader.

Uploader is not the artist:

Artwork of (subject) <br>
Artist: (name) <br>
Website: (website link) <br>
Uploaded with permission per (license name and link)

Article Caption

Uploader is the artist:

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|Artwork of (character) by uploader.|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Uploader is not the artist:

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|Artwork of (subject) by (name).<br>Artwork from (website link).<br>Used with permission per (license name and link).|alt=Optional alt text.]]

AI-Generated Artwork

AI-generated artwork is any artwork that has been created utilizing prompts into an AI software program.

1. AI artwork cannot be noted as copyrighted.
2. When uploading, the file page should note that the artwork was AI-generated and which AI program was used. Attribution must also include credit to the person/user who prompted the image creation. This information should additionally be noted in the caption of the image on the page it is used. If the image is added to a page by an editor who is not the uploader of the image, the editor must note that the image was used with permission in the caption of the image.
3. If the image was generated by the prompts of a person who is not the uploader, that information must be included, along with permission to upload the image.
4. In cases where the prompts for image generation are not automatically entered into the image's metadata, it is recommended to enter them on the file page.
5. All AI artwork is required to have the [[Category:AI artwork]] added to the image file page.

Examples

• File:Jaired.png with caption on Jaired (prime) - AI-generated image uploaded by the prompter.
• File:Siduine as created by Alrund using Midjourney.png with caption on Siduine - AI-generated image prompted by another person and uploaded with permission from the prompter.

Copy/Paste Code

Image File

AI-generated image files must include all information for the applicable classification type (commissioned artwork, non-commissioned artwork, or header/logo image), plus the following:

AI software: (software)
[[Category:AI artwork]]

Commissioned artwork with AI software used:

Artwork of (character) <br>
Artist: (name) <br>
Website (optional): (optional website link) <br>
Uploaded with permission <br>
AI software: (AI software name)
[[Category:AI artwork]]

Non-commissioned artwork by the uploader with AI software used:

Artwork of (character) <br>
Art by uploader <br>
AI software: (AI software name)
[[Category:AI artwork]]

Article Caption

AI-generated image files must include all information for the applicable classification type (commissioned artwork, non-commissioned artwork, or header/logo image), plus the name of the AI software used. Unlike the image file description, the article caption should not include [[Category:AI artwork]].

Commissioned artwork with AI software used:

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|Artwork of (character) by (name).<br>Made with (AI software name).<br>(optional website link)<br>Uploaded with permission.|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Non-commissioned artwork by the uploader with AI software used:

[[Image:File.png|200px|thumb|center|Artwork of (character) by uploader.<br>Made with (AI software name).|alt=Optional alt text.]]

Logo or Header Images

Logo or header images are images meant to elevate the contents of an article.

1. Logo/header images should retain the copyright and/or attribution on the image file page, however that is not necessary on any pages where the image is used.

Examples

• File:EV Insignia WIKI.jpg with no caption on Elanthian Vogue - Artist is the uploader. Due to the nature of this image being a logo, no caption is required on articles featuring it.

Copy/Paste Code

Image File

Logo/header image files must include all information for the original file type (commissioned artwork, non-commissioned artwork, and AI-generated artwork). See each of those sections for their respective copy/paste code for image descriptions.

Article Caption

Unlike other image file types, logo/header images are not required to include a caption on articles featuring them. However, a caption may be included optionally with hover text. This is done by omitting the "thumb" parameter for the image file thumbnail code:

[[Image:File.png|200px|right|Logo of (organization) by (name).  (Any additional information.)|alt=Optional alt text.]]

See Also

• Help:Images
• Gswiki:Policy
• Gswiki:Policy#Copyrights
• Content, Article, and Image Removals