Groundwar World Open 2008

The 2008 Groundwar World Open Tournament Command & Conquer Generals: Zero Hour Registration: 5 April 2008 Round 1: Saturday 12 April 2008 Organizer: 1min_GM Tournament website: www.groundwar.blogspot.com 1. Introduction Some of the best players from all over the globe in the Groundwar variant of Command & Conquer Generals: Zero Hour will compete in this event. The tournament is OPEN TO ALL PLAYERS, with registrations accepted on Saturday 5 April 2008, the 1st round beginning on Saturday 12 April, and the last (8th) round on Saturday 31 May. The winning team will be declared The 2008 Groundwar World Open Champions and will earn the right to play in The Prizemoney Match against The 2007 Groundwar Pro Champions, the –DreamTeaM- with the prize of AUS $300 ($300 Australian dollars, approximately equal to US $250, €185, or 125) awarded to the winning team. 1.1 Summary of Changes since The 2007 Groundwar Pro Championships Some important rules have changed since the last tournament, The 2007 Groundwar Pro Championships: • • • • • • •

The tournament is now OPEN TO ALL PLAYERS. Players must still register (see section 7). The tournament format is improved. Generally, teams on the same score play against each other, resulting in more interesting games. All teams play for 8 rounds. No rush until EITHER any player uses an attacking 3-star general promotion (rebel ambush, carpet bomber, artillery barrage or A-10 strike only) OR all oils belong to one team. Unlimited tomahawks. A team may be immediately removed from the tournament if they forfeit 2 games in a row. Under certain circumstances, a team may score a ½-point bye if they notify at least 3 days in advance that they are unable to play a particular round (see section 3.3.2). The registration procedure has improved to minimize the chance of teams entering if they are unable to play at the scheduled playing times.

2. Teams and Players These are the rules regarding all teams and players. It is strongly recommended that you find teammates that will reliably show up at the required playing times (see section 3.2), are good friends, and whom you are happy to play with, as it is very difficult to change teams later. 2.1

Teams must consist of exactly 3 players only. Each player can only play in a single team. Once a player has registered in a team, they cannot play for another team.

2.2

Each member of the team must use only one login for all games. This must be a pro login by which most Groundwar players recognize that player. Other logins or names will not be accepted.

2.3

Only players that have yet to play a single game in the tournament can be substituted (replaced) with another player. The new player cannot be a player who has previously registered in another team in this tournament. For such a substitution to take place, the other two remaining players on the team must both agree to both the substitution of the replaced player and accepting of the new player. The agreement of the player being substituted is not required.

3. Tournament Rules and Format This section covers the tournament rules and format. The rules for the individual games themselves is covered in section 4. 3.1 Tournament Format, Pairings and Prizemoney The pairings of The 2008 Groundwar World Open will be decided using the Swiss pairing system1. This is used in many chess, bridge, Scrabble and squash tournaments around the world, and basically, in each round, pairs teams on the same (or approximately the same) score to play against each other. So as the tournament progresses, the stronger teams will be forced to play each other for the top positions, while weaker teams will still get a chance to play, but against teams of about the same tournament performance. The Swiss pairing program SwissPerfect2 will be used to generate the pairings, with the total number of wins on the logins of each team at registration to be used as the team’s rating (for seeding). However, The 2007 Groundwar Pro Champions (the –DreamTeaM-) will be seeded 1st for pairing purposes. The winning team will be crowned The 2008 Groundwar World Open Champions and have the opportunity to play in The Prizemoney Match against The 2007 Groundwar Pro Champions, the –DreamTeaM- for the prize of AUS $100 per player ($100 Australian dollars, approximately equal to US $85, €62, or 42), directly transferred to the bank account of their choice. This prize will be awarded to the team that first scores 2 wins in this Prizemoney Match. If the –DreamTeaM- wins The 2008 Groundwar World Open, then they will win the prizemoney, and no Prizemoney Match will take place. More details in section 3.2. 3.2 Where and When Games are Played The tournament games can be played at any time once the pairings are known. However, in case your team is unable to meet the opposition team at other times, you MUST be available to play at the scheduled playing time, which will always be on Saturday at exactly 1600 hrs UTC/GMT/Zulu (Coordinated Universal Time, see Table 1). This is when there are the most players playing on Generals Online, and is equivalent to the following times around the world: Table 1: Tournament Game Playing Times country

1 2

city

1600 hrs UTC/GMT/Zulu Saturday

Sydney

2am or 0200 hrs Sunday (not Saturday)

Singapore

12am midnight or 0000 hrs between Saturday and Sunday

Cairo

6pm or 1800 hrs Saturday (7pm or 1900 hrs from round 3)

Berlin

6pm or 1800 hrs Saturday

Amsterdam

6pm or 1800 hrs Saturday

London

5pm or 1700 hrs Saturday

New York

12pm noon or 1200 hrs Saturday

Chicago

11am or 1100 hrs Sunday

Los Angeles

9am or 0900 hrs Saturday

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_pairing http://www.swissperfect.com

If Daylight Saving (Summer) Time (DST) is used where you live, then the required playing time may be different to what is given in Table 1. The exact time that the 1st round will be played in your city3 (including for other cities not shown in table 1) is given at www.timeanddate.com. This website always displays the correct UTC/GMT/Zulu time. At this time, players must meet in the 3v3 lobby with their designated logins (see section 2.2). 1min_GM will always be at Generals Online at exactly this time to adjudicate who is present, forcing the start of games without players who are not present, and awarding forfeits as necessary (see section 3.3.3). It is strongly recommended that all players arrive early for each game, particularly for the 1st round. Approximately 3 days before each round of games is due to be played (when the deadline to notify to receive ½ point byes has passed; see section 3.3.2), all game information will be posted on the tournament website www.groundwar.blogspot.com. It will include, for each team, who they must play against, who starts at the top and bottom of the map of Twilight Flame, and when the game is due to be played. The tournament runs from 12 April 2008 to 31 May (all teams play all 8 rounds), and the Prizemoney Match between the winners of the tournament and the –DreamTeaM- (2007 Groundwar Pro Champions) for the $300 AUS prize (approx $250 US) is scheduled on 7 June. 1min_GM reserves the right to change this date, or possibly replace the –DreamTeaM- with another team of his choice, to ensure that the match takes place. Table 2: Tournament Schedule date

schedule

3 February 2008

Details of The 2008 Groundwar World Open are released

5 April

Registration Period (1500 to 1800 hrs UTC/GMT/Zulu)

7 April

List of all registered teams published

9 April

Round 1 pairings are generated; games can be played immediately

12 April

Round 1 games are due to be played (1600 hrs UTC/GMT/Zulu)

19 April

Round 2 games are due to be played (1600 hrs UTC/GMT/Zulu)

26 April

Round 3 games are due to be played (1600 hrs UTC/GMT/Zulu)

3 May

Round 4 games are due to be played (1600 hrs UTC/GMT/Zulu)

10 May

Round 5 games are due to be played (1600 hrs UTC/GMT/Zulu)

17 May

Round 6 games are due to be played (1600 hrs UTC/GMT/Zulu)

24 May

Round 7 games are due to be played (1600 hrs UTC/GMT/Zulu)

31 May

Round 8 games are due to be played (1600 hrs UTC/GMT/Zulu)

7 June

Tie-Break games (if necessary). Prizemoney Match between The 2008 Groundwar World Open Champions versus –DreamTeaM- (2007 Groundwar Pro Champions); prize of approx. $250 US

The number of rounds in the tournament may be increased or decreased by 1 round depending on the number of teams that enter the tournament. If this occurs, all players will be notified before the 1st round.

3

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?month=4&day=12&year=2008&hour=16&min= 0&sec=0&p1=0

3.3 Tournament Format Rules 3.3.1

All teams must play all games that they are assigned to play, regardless of who the opposition is.

3.3.2

If a team is unable to play on a particular round, then they can receive a ½-point bye. This means that the team will score ½ a point and not be required to play for that round. The team must send an email to [email protected] at least 3 days before the scheduled playing time (1600 hrs UTC/GMT Zulu on Wednesdays) to receive this ½-point bye. A maximum of two ½-point byes can be given to each team. No ½-point byes can be given for the last 3 rounds of the tournament.

3.3.3

If some players do not show up at the scheduled time for their game without prior notification, then their team must play without these players. If no players on a team show up, then that team is forfeited. It is possible that both teams can forfeit the game.

3.3.4

If a team does not play for two consecutive weeks without prior notification, then that team may be immediately removed from the tournament.

3.3.5

If 2 or more members of a team do not show up for a game without prior notification, then that team may be immediately removed from the tournament.

3.4 Scoring System 3.4.1

1 point is scored for a win (including on forfeit), and 0 points for a loss (including breaking game rules; see section 4.2).

3.4.2

If a mismatch occurs, then one or both teams may score -½ points (negative half a point), and/or one team may score 1 point depending on adjudication. Expulsion is likely for teams that mismatch games. If a mismatch occurs at the start of a game (or some players fail to load), the teams should immediately replay the game.

3.4.3

If a serious error occurs for all players, then the game is drawn, and both teams score ½ points (half a point), unless otherwise adjudicated in special circumstances.

3.4.4

If a team, or an individual of a team is found or suspected of serious or blatant cheating (including mismatch), pulling their internet cable in and out, etc., that player or team may be removed from the tournament without any chance for appeal.

3.4.5

If a player disconnects (either deliberately or accidentally, or they are the only player to have a serious error), then the game will continue without that player. If there are no players left on a team due to disconnections, then that team will be considered to have lost the game. Repeated disconnections, whether deliberate or accidental, may result in expulsion from the tournament.

3.4.6

If the pairing system is unable to pair a team with an opponent (for example, there are an odd number of teams that intend to play in a round), then the lowest ranked team that has yet to receive a 1-point bye will receive a 1-point bye. This means that the team will score 1 point and not be required to play for that round.

3.4.7

The team with the highest score at the end of the tournament will be declared The 2008 Groundwar World Open Champions. If more than 2 teams share the highest score, then the cumulative (progressive) tie-break4 will be used. If there are only 2 teams sharing the highest score, or, after applying the tie-break, there are still at least 2 teams tied for 1st place, then these teams will play against each other one week after the last round to break the tie.

4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tie-breaking_in_Swiss_system_tournaments

4. Individual Game Rules 4.1 Game Protocol Each game to be played should follow the following protocol. A player (preferably, one on each team) should place a beacon next to their command center at the start of the game with the tournament game number, which will be assigned to each pairing of teams when it is known. This will prove that the game was a tournament game, and not a practice game or a game played in the past. Immediately after the game is played, a player from the winning team (or from both teams if there is a draw or mismatch) must report the result by sending an email to [email protected] with the replay attached. All of the above is required, otherwise, the result of the game may be set to a double-forfeit. The replays of all games will be saved and posted for public viewing on the tournament website. Summary • •

At the start of each game, place a beacon and write on it the tournament game number After each game, email the replay to [email protected]

4.2 Internal Game Rules Here are the details of the individual game rules with their detailed explanation. A summary of these rules is given in section 4.3. Breaking rules may result in the forfeiture of the game. If a team repeatedly breaks rules, or breaks rules blatantly, they risk being expulsed from the tournament. 4.2.1

The following armies are not allowed: o USA Air Force General o USA Super Weapon General o GLA Demolition General o Random

4.2.2

Instead of the standard rule “10 mins no rush”, which is potentially very ambiguous and impossible to adjudicate, the following rule will be used instead. Players cannot “rush” (defined in section 4.2.3) until EITHER: o A player uses an attacking 3-star general promotion power (GLA rebel ambush, China carpet bomber, China artillery barrage, or USA A-10 strike only, but NOT including pathfinders, cluster mines, or any other 3-star general promotion power) OR o One team owns all the oils remaining on the map OR o All oils are destroyed Once any of the above three points has occurred, “rush time is up” and both sides can attack enemy territory, even if in future neither team no longer controls all remaining oils. In the case of the second point in the above list, it is not sufficient to control the territory around the oil; all the oils must be captured completely. Note that oils do not include the center (oil refinery and reinforcement drop pad). Also note that, by the above definition, any GLA rebel ambush, China carpet bomber, China artillery barrage or USA A-10 strike used on enemy base is always allowed.

4.2.3

A rush is defined to be sending any units (except spy drones) to enemy territory, capturing any building in enemy territory, building in enemy territory, or attacking any units or buildings (including those under construction) in enemy territory before one of the conditions in section 4.2.2 have been met. Enemy territory of a team is defined to be the elevated land where the enemy players begin. The cliff is the boundary of this territory. The only exception is when units standing

on the lower ground attack units on the higher ground over a cliff. For example, a scud launcher can stand next to the oil and fire at the ground on top of the cliff; this will be allowed at any time. Figures 1 and 2 (and Figures 3-6 in section 8.2) illustrate the boundaries at the entrances. For example, in Figure 1, if the team that starts at the top of the map attacks the land to the bottom left of the red line, or sends a unit passed the red line before any of the conditions in section 4.2.2 have been met, then it will be considered as a rush. To be safe, you should not send units near this boundary if “rush time is not up” yet, as units do sometimes automatically fire at the enemy. This rule will be strictly enforced. Breaking this rule, even accidentally, may result in forfeiture of the game if the opposition team submits an appeal (see section 5.1).

Figure 1. The bottom-left entrance.

Figure 2. The bottom-middle entrance 4.2.4

No super weapons. If construction is completed, the game is immediately forfeited. However, China Tank Generals can purchase upgrades and then sell the super weapon without firing it.

4.2.5

No airfields. If construction is completed, the game is immediately forfeited.

4.2.6

No chinook drops. If any unit is released from a chinook, the game is immediately forfeited.

4.2.7

No demo bikes. If a terrorist boards a bike and the demo bike is used, the game is immediately forfeited.

4.2.8

No microwave tanks or angry mobs. These units demand high intensity graphics and therefore lag the game. If any such unit is made, they must be destroyed immediately and cannot be used, or the game is forfeited.

4.2.9

Maximum 2 battle buses, 3 humvees and 2 nuke cannons on the map (including inside tunnels) per player at any time. Battle buses that are turned into bunkers (that is, disabled and can no longer move) do not count in the limit. If extra units are created, they must be destroyed immediately and cannot be used, even if in future, the number of those units falls back to the allowed limit. If a limit is broken because a teammate leaves the game, then the player who now possesses the extra units does not have to destroy them, but is not allowed to rebuild more units over the limit. For example, if a player has 3 nuke cannons on the map at any time (and this has not because a player on the same team has quit), then that team is required to kill one of its own nuke cannons before it is used. Even if another nuke cannon is killed by the opponents first, the team that owns the nuke cannons must still kill one of these units, as otherwise, that team can obtain an unfair advantage by using the unit before it would otherwise be able to if the limit were not broken.

4.2.10

Map hack is allowed. The reason for this rule is that it is basically impossible to prove if a particular player map hacks, and it is too easy to incorrectly judge that a player map hacks. A “no map hack” rule IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ENFORCE. Any play associated with map hacking, such as force-firing on stealth units, attacking stealth units (e.g. toxin bombing stealth hackers), or not buying radar is allowed for similar reasons.

4.2.11

If lag occurs in a game, the game must still continue. Remember that all players must put up with the same lag; there is no advantage or disadvantage to either team. If a team is found to be consistently lagging or doing it deliberately, they may be expulsed from the tournament.

4.2.12

No observers are allowed, with the exception of 1min_GM under special circumstances. All game replays will be posted on the tournament website and can be publicly viewed afterwards.

4.3 Summary of Tournament Rules The specific rules and their reasons are given in section 4.2. This is just a summary of the more important tournament rules. • •

• • • •

No SWG, AFG, demo, or random No rush until EITHER: o Any player uses an attacking 3-star general promotion power (rebel ambush, carpet bomber, artillery barrage or A-10 strike only) OR o All oils belong to one team OR o All oils are killed After ANY of the above three has happened, both sides can attack enemy base No SW or air (tank upgrade is ok) No demo bikes, microwave tanks, angry mobs Max 2 bus, 3 humvee, 2 nuke cannon on map (tomahawks unlimited) Map hack, force-firing, shooting at stealthed units etc. is ok. A “no map hack” rule IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ENFORCE

5. Appeals All appeals should be made as soon as possible. If appeals are lodged too late, then your appeal may be rejected. All appeals may be published on the tournament website (email addresses will never be published). 5.1 Appeals for Cheating Opponents If you catch your opponent cheating during a game, you should appeal immediately after the game is played. You should continue playing the game (without yourself cheating) in case your appeal is unsuccessful. Please use beacons (preferably with text on them) and screenshots to help identify cheating to help the adjudicating process. To appeal, write an email with the following: o o o o o

In the subject, type “GW appeal game” Tournament game number How the opponent cheated (be as specific as possible) When the opponent cheated (be as specific as possible) Preferably, also give me the game replay and screenshot

5.2 Other Appeals If you would like to appeal anything else, such as very offensive behaviour, very bad lag, etc., or protest any other feature of the tournament, write an email with the following: o o o o o

In the subject, type “GW appeal other” Tournament game number (if applicable) Which player/team you would like to protest against What they did (be as specific as possible) Preferably, give me a screenshot

6. Conditions of Entry Although the tournament is open to all players, each entrant is still required to agree to all of the following conditions of entry. 6.1

Teams must register for the event following all the registration instructions (see section 7).

6.2

Players agree to abide by all the rules and conditions of the tournament, and to behave reasonably. All players are responsible for understanding the rules of the tournament. Excuses, such as not reading the rules, forgetting the rules, or having poor understanding of the English language will not be accepted.

6.3

All players must follow any reasonable instructions from 1min_GM, such as providing their email address, responding to emails with requested information, adding 1min_GM on the communicator buddy list, showing evidence of other logins and number of wins, etc.

6.4

It is possible that there are scenarios that are not covered by the rules of the tournament. In any case, players agree that all final decisions will be made by 1min_GM, who will always publish a reason for any decisions made on the tournament website if necessary. Remember that the tournament has free entry, and there is prizemoney being offered by 1min_GM.

7. Registration The 2008 Groundwar World Open is OPEN TO ALL PLAYERS. However, to take part, you and all your team members must follow the registration procedure. For this tournament, the registration procedure requires you to give certain details at the Registration Period. This is to prevent teams that cannot play at the required times from entering the tournament. By registering at the Registration Period, you prove that you and your team can be online at that time of week. To register your team, ALL THE PLAYERS ON YOUR TEAM must log in to Generals Online with the accounts they intend to use in the tournament (see section 2.2) at any time during this 3 hour period: Table 3: Registration Period Saturday 5 April 2008

Registration Period (1500 to 1800 hrs UTC/GMT/Zulu)

The above time is equivalent to 1 hour before, until 2 hours after, the times showed in table 1. During this 3-hour period on Saturday 5 April 2008, 1min_GM will open a game in the 3v3 lobby titled “TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION”. Enter this game with the other players in your team, where 1min_GM will ask you for the following details: o o o o o o

Team name (you will be given one if you cannot think of one) Come in with the login that you will use in the tournament You may be required to add 1min_GM onto your Communicator Buddy List (so that it can be determined if you are online at the required playing time) You may be requested to show your other logins if you have few wins on your main account The country that each player would like to represent Your email addresses (these will never be shared with anyone else)

Remember that once you have registered for a team, you cannot play for another team (see section 2.1). After you have finished your registration, please do not come back in to this game titled “TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION”. Players who are not intending to register for the tournament, or who have already finished their registration, may be kicked from the game to ensure a smooth registration process. If a team fails to register during this registration period, they will be required to register on the day of the 1st round of the tournament. However, this will mean that they will miss out on playing in the 1st round and score 0 points for this round.

8. Appendix 8.1 The Organizer: 1min_GM If you have any questions, please email me with subject “GW question”. Emails directed to me without meaningful subject headers may be deleted as spam. Comments on the tournament website by unknown people, or offensive comments will be deleted. Alternatively, you can talk to me on Generals Online, but you will need to begin by identifying yourself. Because I am in contact with literally more than 100 different people about the tournament, I will ignore people who do not begin by identifying themselves or waste time and do not get to the point. Organizer of tournament: 1min_GM Email: [email protected] Tournament website: www.groundwar.blogspot.com Why I am called 1min_GM: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqLBr6X2RJI

8.2 Rush Boundaries at Entrances See section 4.2.3 for a discussion about the following diagrams.

Figure 3. The bottom-right entrance

Figure 4. The top-left entrance

Figure 5. The top-middle entrance

Figure 6. The top-right entrance