1. General Information

1.1 Introduction

This competition is an opportunity for teams to compete in a fair, sportsmanlike and enjoyable way. All of the following rules are designed to ensure those ideals. These rules are specific to the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 ("BC2") single elimination competition. All competitors must abide by the GameArena Terms and Conditions.

1.2 Outline of Competition

The GameArena BC2 single elimination competition will be run over a period of three to six weeks.

The duration of the competition may be extended to allow for any stoppages, or for other reasons as may be required. Up to 8 players per team will compete on one map per match. There is no limit on the amount of members a team may have.

1.3 Match Format

The GameArena BC2 competition will be run in "Conquest" mode. Each match-half will continue until there is a winner. Each team will play each side once.

Teams will be assigned on the Competition Standings page either Red or Blue in each round. The Blue team will play the U.S. Forces in the first half of the match, and then swap to the Russian Forces in the second half.

Example: Team "Rock" is scheduled to play team "Roll". Both teams check the standings page and see that "Rock" is Blue and "Roll" is Red. When players from Rock join the server, they join the U.S. Forces, and play as U.S. Forces for the first half of the match. Once the first half has been completed, Rock then change to the Russian Forces, and Roll change to the U.S. Forces for the second half of the match.

1.4 Punkbuster

The most current version of punkbuster will be enabled on the server. Players must have the same version of punkbuster running on their computers to play in the competition. Players should ensure they have nothing installed that will cause a punkbuster violation. We recommend that players ensure that they can connect to one of GameArena's public servers before the match commences to ensure there are no compatibility issues.

1.5 Communication with GameArena

All teams are required to ensure that their contact email address listed on their team information and GameArena profile is up to date and checked regularly, and that their team captain's email address in their GameArena profile is also up to date and checked regularly. This is the primary means of contact, and all rules changes, important announcements and other information will be made through these email addresses.

All players, especially team captains, are encouraged to check the GameArena Battlefield: Bad Company 2 forums regularly, as the Competition Managers will announce upcoming changes for discussion here, and check them regularly for informal feedback on the progress of the competition.

All competitors are also strongly encouraged to use GameArena's 'The Arena' software and join the Bad Company 2 Arena channel. This will act as an immediate way of contacting the Competition Managers for assistance, as well as interacting with fellow competitors.

1.6 Competitor Nicknames

All players must use their GameArena nickname in all competition matches, or a name that matches as closely as possible to their GameArena nickname if the in-game name is unavailable, to avoid confusion. Both teams should check that their player names match names listed on the competition pages. Teams that do not have in-game names matching their nicknames on the competition roster may be forfeited.

2. Challenge and Defence

2.1 Team Allocation

In each round, teams will either be assigned to either Blue or Red. This will be displayed on the Competition Standings page.

2.2 Map Allocation

One map will be selected each round for all matches to be played on.
Some maps may be used in more than one round over the duration of the competition.

2.3 Time and Date Allocation

Teams will be emailed the date and time of their initial match before the start of the competition, then as each round is completed the next match details will be emailed to teams who have qualified for the next round. Times and dates of matches will also be displayed on the schedule page.

3. Playing the Match

In this section, we describe what should happen while a match is being played. If there are any problems (server crashes, players spawning on the wrong side) please see Section 4.

3.1 Time Limit

All matches will be allocated 2.5 hours to be completed. This should be more than adequate to allow for an entire match. If the server time runs out before a match is completed, the match will be decided by the rules in the scoring section (see section 3.7).

If a team can prove that their opponents have deliberately wasted time, the time wasting team may suffer a forfeit. Time wasting can include demanding extra time to have players connect, demanding map restarts due to players spawning on the wrong side etc.

3.2 Joining the Server

The match server will appear at the match time in the "Server Bookings" tab in The Arena. The details of how to join the match server will be emailed to all competitors before the first round of the competition. Players should not attempt to join the server before the booking time, whether or not the server appears to be available.

At any time during the match, a Referee, GameOp or GameArena Admin may join the game for admin purposes.

Any team that has less than 5 of their players on their side 10 minutes after the scheduled match starting time forfeits. There is no requirement to have an equal number of players on both teams; both teams are entitled to have 8 players in the server, whether or not the other team fields fewer players.

At no time may a team have more than 8 players connected to the server. If a team intends to have substitutes at some point, the players being substituted out must leave the server before the new players join. This includes during the two minute breaks between halves.

The Blue team will play as the U.S. Forces first, and should join that side when they join the server. The Red team will play as the Russian Forces first, and should join that side when they join the server.

3.3 Preparing for the Match during Pre-Game

Each team must nominate one of their players to be a "spokesperson" for the team - the person that will speak on behalf of the team during the match. If a Referee is present, they will ask questions of the team spokesperson, who will announce that their team is ready, etc. It is expected (but not required) that this person be a captain of the team.

If a Referee has not joined within 10 minutes of the scheduled match starting time, the teams should decide (through their spokespeople) which team will handle the administration of the server for the match. If this cannot be decided, the Red team will handle the server administration. Each team should have at least one member in every match that is familiar with the software needed to administer a match. The match administration software details will be provided to team captains in an email before the first round of the competition.

3.4 Starting the Match

The match must start no earlier than 10 minutes and no later than 15 minutes after the scheduled match starting time.

Once both spokespeople announce that their team is ready, the person administering the match (Referee or otherwise) will issue the map restart command, and then play will begin. It is recommended that both spokespeople (or the Referee if present) will announce "First Half - LIVE" so that both teams are clear that the first half is starting.

3.5 Swapping Sides

After the first half is completed (either due to ticket loss, or time) there will be a break. This will be two minutes unless both teams agree otherwise. The teams MUST swap sides during this time. If a player intends to be away from their computer during the break, they should swap before they leave. The next half of the match must not be started until all players are on the correct side. If it is clear that a player is not swapping sides and the next round is due to begin, that player is to be kicked from the server by the match administrator.

Once both teams have completely swapped sides, the person administering the match will issue the map restart command and the second half of the match commences. It is recommended that both spokespeople (or the Referee if present) will announce "Second Half - LIVE" so that both teams are clear that the second half is starting.

3.6 Match Flow

Each team plays each side once, swapping at the break. Thus, the Blue team will play as (for example)
First Half: U.S. Forces
Second Half: Russian Forces

3.7 Scoring

Each team must take a screenshot at the end of each half, showing the tickets remaining. At the end of the match, each team totals its remaining tickets from each half. The team with the higher total remaining tickets is the winner. In the event of a draw, refer to section 3.9. It is recommended that the spokespeople for each team agree on the result after the match to prevent mathematical errors in the score entry.

If the match is ended for any reason (excluding those matches that are affected by disruptive and untoward behaviour by a team - see section 3.1) before two halves are complete, the match will be cancelled. Both teams should enter a dispute with the words "Match Incomplete, less than two halves played because of X" (where X is the reason) and the Competition Manager will cancel the match.

3.8 Post Match - Completing the match and entering scores

Each team must enter a result and upload their end-game screen shots within an hour of the match completion or they may be forfeited. The result will either be the score, or a forfeit. Each team is strongly advised to check the score they enter carefully and if possible to verify it with the other team (see 3.7 above). If the scores entered by both teams are the same, then the match will be complete. If the scores differ, or either team enters a forfeit, both teams will be marked as involved in a dispute and a Competition Manager will be required to resolve the issue. Screen shots must be uploaded with every score or forfeit entry. Teams that are deemed to have entered a frivolous dispute may be forfeited.
If a team fails to enter a score within the allotted time they may forfeited, or the results of the team that did submit their results used.

If neither team submits a score for their match within the allotted time they will both be forfeited.
In the event of a tie, the match will be replayed at a time the Competition Manager decides.

4. Resolving Common Problems

4.1 Server Crashes

If the server crashes, both teams should attempt to contact a BC2 Competition Manager or GameOp in The Arena chat, and wait for 10 minutes, or as long as required by a Competition Manager, for the server to restart. If the server has not restarted after 10 minutes, and no Competition Manager indicates that the teams should continue waiting, then the match is over.

If the server is restarted, the half that was in progress when the server crashed will be replayed. All scores for halves completed before the server crash will be counted. If the server crashes when a team has one ticket remaining, that half will be deemed to be completed, and the score for that half will be X - 0 (as if the team with 1 ticket remaining had lost their last ticket).

4.2 Players failing to switch sides, or spawning on the wrong side.

If a player fails to switch sides after a reasonable time in the break after the first half of the match (60 seconds is a reasonable time, unless otherwise agreed) the person (Referee or player) responsible for administration of the match should kick the player from the server.

If a player connects or spawns on the wrong side takes any action before they leave the server or change to the correct side, it is likely that player's team will forfeit the match. The first 30 seconds of any half of a BC2 match are critical, and this will be taken into account when deciding how much effect the player on the wrong side had on that half.

4.3 Server fails to start.

If the server fails to start within 15 minutes of the booking time and no Competition Manager can be contacted, the match will be considered cancelled. Both teams should enter a dispute noting that the server failed to start and no Competition Manager could be contacted, and the Competition Manager will cancel the match and reschedule it.

4.4 Gentlemen's Agreements - In the Game

Occasionally teams will want to allow the other team a little more time to field a full team, perhaps give everyone a longer break between halves, or restart a half if there was some internet problem that caused a few players to disconnect. This is something we encourage in the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play. However, we cannot monitor these agreements, and cannot enforce them.

A team should not allow the other team an extra 20 minutes to field teams, be behind at half time, have the server run out of time, then dispute that the other team did not have enough players by the 10 minute mark and that they should have won the game. The correct, fair behaviour is to either give the other team more time, or to take screenshots to record the state after 10 minutes and then leave the server and file the score as a forfeit.

5 Behaviour, Sportsmanship, Disputes and Rulings

As has already been noted, this competition will be run in a spirit of fair play. All teams are expected to act in a sportsmanlike way. There is sometimes a tendency by people using the internet to behave in a way that they would not normally outside of computer games. We strongly encourage all people to treat all people involved in this competition as they would like to be treated - with respect and understanding.

5.1 Player Behaviour

All players must behave in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. While we understand that emotions may run high as players can be passionate about the competition, please treat everyone involved in the competition with respect.

All players in a match must use their in game account name that matches or closely resembles their GameArena registered nickname as it appears on their team list.

Some general chat is acceptable, but should be limited and appropriate. If the other team requests silence on the general chat, their request should be honoured.

All players must accept the Referee's decisions as final during the match. If a team disagrees, they are welcome to either dispute the match (if they believe that the result would be different if not for the incorrect ruling) or bring the issue up with a Competition Manager after the game.

Some examples of unacceptable behaviour:
- Abusing any Competition Manager or Referee
- Abusing any competitor in the competition
- Accusing any competitor in the competition of cheating without clear proof
- Excessive foul language
- Intentionally spawning on the wrong side
- Attempting to gain any unfair advantage over other players through cheating or exploiting bugs in the game.

All players should note that the GameArena Terms and Conditions apply to all games played as part of this competition, and beyond any consequences to their team, any player that breaches the Terms and Conditions during a competition match will suffer the consequences of that breach as if it had happened on a GameArena public server.

5.2 Team Behaviour - Bug Exploits / Cheating

Teams must not profit from any player cheating or exploiting a bug in the game. It is the team captains' responsibility to ensure that their players follow the rules. While it may be unfair to punish a whole for the actions of the one player that did break the rules, it is sometimes even less fair to the opposition team to allow the result to stand. Please see Section 5.4 for more information about this.

Teams must not use any player who is not listed in the registered player list show on the Competitors page of the competition site.

Teams must not use any player who is currently banned from playing on the GameArena Battlefield: Bad Company 2 servers, or from the GameArena service generally. (This does not include a ban that only applies to The Arena chat channels).

Teams must not have more than 8 players connected to the server at any time.

If the team captains have any doubt whatsoever about whether something that the team or a player in the team is going to do may be considered to be a bug exploit or cheating, they should clear it with a Competition Manager before it is used. Failure to do this is no excuse and use anything deemed to be exploiting may result in a forfeit.

5.3 "Smurfing"

No competitor may be a member or play for more than one team in the competition at any time.

If a player is found to be a member of more than one team, or to have played for a team when their name was not on the allowed players list for that game, they will automatically be banned from the GameArena service (including all games, The Arena chat, etc) for at least two weeks. Repeat breaches of this rule will result in permanent removal from the GameArena service.

Player GUIDs, IPs and any other resources at their disposal may be used by competition administrators to determine whether competitors may have been smurfing.

5.4 Disputes and Rulings.

If a team believes that the result of the game was affected by the other team breaching the rules, then they should file a dispute at the end of the match by entering the other team's score as forfeit, as well as politely highlighting the rule breach at the time in the match comments section on the score entry page. They should collect as many screenshots as evidence as is practical while playing the game, as well as downloading the Battlefield Recording at the end of the match if the software allows for this, and a recording made.

When resolving disputes, the Competition Managers will pay the highest regard to what is the fairest outcome and what is best for the competition. The Competition Managers will examine the evidence to determine as closely as possible what the outcome of the match would have been had the breach not occurred. Sometimes it may take up to 72 hours to resolve a dispute. Teams are asked to be patient. Please note that until the dispute is resolved, the behaviour of the teams will be considered to be part of the match, so abuse of the other team, Competition Managers or Referees either through the dispute system or anywhere else will be taken into account when deciding the result.

It may sometimes be necessary for the Competition Managers to punish a team in a dispute. It may be that the rules breach did not affect the outcome of the match, but the Competition Managers believe that the team as a whole must be held responsible (for example, where more than one member of a team was being abusive, including captains).

Punishment against a team will take the form of a forfeit. In extreme circumstances, the team members may be banned from ever being involved in another GameArena competition or ladder.

5.5 Cheating and "Exploiting"

Any attempt to gain an unfair advantage is cheating. This includes modifying the game files, running memory resident cheats, or anything else beyond the normal scope of the game.

'Exploiting' refers to exploiting a bug in the game itself to gain an advantage. This may take the forum of setting a variable to a value that gives an un-expected result, using a 'hole' in the map to gain access to an area that was not expected etc. Anything beyond what the programmers intended is considered a bug, and using a bug to gain an advantage is considered an exploit.

Because of the difficulty of defining what is a bug that is being exploited, what is just a 'little odd' or something that has been accepted by the community as part of the game (such as bunny-hopping in the Quake series of games, or swimming with your head pointed down in Battlefield 1942) any team that intends to use anything that MAY be considered an exploit must verify that it is acceptable with a Competition Manager at least 24 hours BEFORE their scheduled match commences.

Programs/hardware running that provide an in game advantage that has an impact in the person's play during a match are cheating, this includes but is not limited to: movement, spotting, aiming, weapon swapping, reloading, shooting/dropping items, commander functions and changing spots in vehicles.

Programs that merely modify config files are permitted. Manual tweaking of config files and binds is permitted as long as they do not breach bind issues below or are used to perform illegal exploits.

Programs that run external to the in game play are acceptable such as Teamspeak or Ventrilo.

Note punkbuster does consider many macro programs as illegal and you may be kicked by PB for using them.

Control binds that allow 1 key to perform different functions in different situation are fine, eg. foot, jeep, chopper, jet, commander.

If you are unsure if any program, macro, device etc. will be considered cheating then check with a Competition Manager prior to use.

5.6 Changes and Interpretations

GameArena reserves the right to modify these rules as needed to improve the competition without prior notice. Any changes will be communicated to the teams through their registered emails, and normally also through the BC2 forums. Teams should check the rules on a regular basis and prior to every match to ensure they are fully aware of changes. Teams that do not agree to be bound by the modified rules should discuss their concerns with the Competition Managers. If they are unable to resolve the issue, they will be required to leave the competition. Any rule changes made will also be emailed to competitors.

6. Server Settings

Friendly fire - on
Hardcore mode - off
Ranked mode - off
Punkbuster - on
Unlocks - on
Team balance - off

7. Match Administration

7.1 Server Administration

BC2 has no client console, so match administration must be done with 3rd party tools. Full details of this including the software to use, settings required and a guide to use will be emailed to team captains before the first round commences.

7.2 Notes for match administrators

Please be very careful with match administration. Only take an action with clear agreement from the other team's spokesperson, and only when it is necessary for the proper flow of the match. Pausing of the game or restarting a match half when both teams believe that it is live is unacceptable behaviour and misuse of administration privileges which may result in a forfeit.

8. Notes

8.1 Match Checklist

This is an example of the flow of a match:
- 15 minutes of pre-match:
- All players join within 10 minutes of the match time.
- The Blue team joins the U.S. Forces,
- The Red team joins the Russian Forces.
- Each side identifies their spokesperson.
- If the match referee has not joined after 10 minutes, the spokespeople decide which team will handle server administration.
- When both teams are ready, the person handling server administration gives the map restart command, and both spokespeople confirm 'First Half - LIVE' etc.
- The first half is then played.
- 2 minute break between halves:
- All players should take a screenshot of the scoreboard at the end of the first half, showing the tickets remaining for both teams.
- All players must change sides, and are strongly encouraged to do this as quickly as possible. If a player intends to take a very quick break during this time, they should change sides before leaving their computer. If they are still on the wrong side with 10 seconds left to go, they must be kicked by the Referee or agreed match administrator and the second half restarted.
- When both teams are ready, or when a reasonable time has passed, the person handling server administration gives the map restart command, and both spokespeople confirm 'Second Half - LIVE'.
- The second half of the match is then played.

Post match:
- Both team spokespeople are encouraged to confirm the result they are going to enter with the other team's spokesperson.
- Both teams must enter the result or a dispute within 1 hour of the match completion

8.2 Some Definitions:

Competition Manager:
Includes GameOps that have been designated as Competition Managers as well as any GameArena Admin.
Referee: Includes GameOps that have been designated Referees or GameArena administrators.

8.3 Approved Commentators and Match Recordings

GameArena may approve official commentators from time to time. These commentators may enter a competition server for the purposes of broadcasting (e.g. through shoutcast software) the game. All teams that compete in the GameArena BC2 Competition are taken to consent to these broadcasts. The Competition Managers will advise the community of any approved commentators through the GameArena BC2 forums. GameArena community members are encouraged to approach the Competition Managers if they wish to become approved commentators and gain access to the GameArena resources for commentating on competition matches.

GameArena will record all competition matches through the Battlefield Recorder system if it is available in the server software, and will make these recordings available for the community to download for a period of time after the completion of each match in our files section. By playing in this competition, you agree to have your matches recorded and distributed in this way.

BF:BC2 TV or a similar program is not currently available for BC2. By playing in this competition you agree to have your match broadcast in this way if this type of software becomes available.

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