A formal keynote on the etiquette of shared screens, presented in the spirit of measured play.
THE MULTIPLAYER SYMPOSIUM • 1997
One does not permit the eyes to drift across the divide. The opposing half of the screen exists as sovereign territory. Any glance, however brief, constitutes an act of espionage.
Requests for pause must be granted within two seconds of utterance. The pause button is not a weapon of delay, nor a tool for tactical advantage. It is a mutual courtesy.
One never reaches for another’s controller, even in jest. The cord between hand and machine is inviolable. Commentary on grip or technique is permitted only after the match concludes.
These rules are not suggestions. They form the minimum standard required for any civilised split-screen encounter. Adherence preserves both friendship and dignity. Violation warrants immediate forfeiture of the next round, without debate.
Further clauses address the proper handling of shared snacks, the prohibition of mid-match coaching from spectators, and the correct procedure for resolving disputes over screen division lines.
Sign below to affirm your commitment to the Codex. Your signature will be recorded in the 1997 register.