1.1) General Overview

The Call of Duty 4 ladder will run for 12 weeks. The maximum team size in any match will be 5 players, with teams being allowed to participate in a match with a minimum of 4 players.

After 11 weeks have passed, a roster lock will be enforced, where no players added to a team roster will be eligible to participate in the finals. At the close of the 12 week period, the ladder will be locked and the top 8 teams will participate in the finals.
Finals will be run by the Ladder Managers in a format decided by them at the close of the ladder and special finals rules may be presented which must be adhered to by every team participating in the finals.

Upon conclusion of the conclusion of the finals, the winning team will be declared the seasons' champion and the ladder will be switched to freeplay. During this break, ladder managers may use the time to revise rules and implement changes in preparation for the next season.

Ladder managers will notify all players when the new season is ready to begin, and as a preclude, every team will receive activation emails. All teams wishing to participate in the new season must follow the instructions in the email to re-activate their team.

1.2) Following Rules

All participants in the GameArena Call of Duty 4 ladder are expected to read and follow the player and team rules. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse for violations. GameArena Call of Duty 4 GameOps and ladder officials will punish any player or team that violates these rules. Please note that a rule breach by a single player may result in disciplinary action against the entire team, depending on the nature and severity of the breach.

It is essential that all teams regularly check their registered email addresses and especially the important announcements thread on the Call of Duty message board as the GameArena Call of Duty 4 GameOps will regularly use these mediums to relay important information. Ignorance of any important announcement will potenitally lead to teams forfeiting in the result of a dispute.

In the same respect all players are expected to read and follow the GameArena Terms and Conditions and GameArena code of conduct. Again, ignorance of these is no excuse for violations.

If the GameArena Call of Duty 4 GameOps encounter a rare situation that is not covered by a specific ladder rule and punishment of a player or team is required, the punishment is not up for debate. It is likely that the rules will be updated to include the situation in case of future occurrences.

1.3) Match Format

The GameArena Call of Duty 4 Ladder will be run in the ‘Search & Destroy’ game mode. Friendly fire will be on for all ladder matches. The following match settings will be used:

Round limit: 20 (10 rounds per half)
Round length: 2:00
Strat Time: 10 seconds
Bomb plant timer: 5 seconds
Bomb timer: 60 seconds
Bomb defuse timer: 10 seconds
Weapon limits: 1 grenade per players
Weapon limits: 1 special (smoke/flash/stun) grenade per player
Weapon limits: No grenade launcher attatchment
Weapon limits: No mounted MGs (turrets)
Maximum 1 sniper class per team
Maximum 1 demolitions class per team
Maximum 1 heavy gunner class per team
No limit on spec-ops or assault classes
UAV - Enabled with 3 kills streak
Airstrike - Disabled
Hellicopter - Disabled

Perk 1
C4 - Disabled
Special Grenades x 3 - Disabled
RPG - Disabled
Claymores - Disabled
Frag x 3 - Disabled
Bandolier
Bomb Squad - Disabled

Perk 2
Stopping Power
Juggernaught - Disabled
Slight of Hand
Double Tap - Disabled
UAV Jammer
Overkill - Disabled
Sonic Boom - Disabled

Perk 3
Extreme Conditioning
Steady Aim
Last Stand
Martyrdom
Deep Impact
Ironlungs
Dead Silence
Eavesdrop - Disabled

Snipers do not drop sniper rifles upon death

'Hitblips' enabled but only if enemy is visible.

Fog enabled.

One bomb in briefcase for attacking team.

To avoid arguments, in all matches the DEFENDING team will start the match as Marines/SAS.

GameArena runs the PAM4 mod which automatically runs a match. Players are expected to follow the instructions that appear on screen at all times. Players do not need to change teams manually after they initially join a side. The PAM4 mod will automatically switch the sides once the halfway point of 10 rounds is reached.

1.4) Team and Player Rules

A team may field a maximum of 5 players in any match. At least 4 players are required on each team before play is allowed to begin. Any teams with less than 4 players after 10 minutes have passed since the server first came online, are deemed to have forfeited the match. However, if a team starts a match with 4 players and a player drops out during it, the team is allowed to continue for one round with only 3 players if they wish. If a substitute cannot be found within this time period the team is then deemed to have forfeited the match.

Only players registered on a team roster are eligible to participate in a match, players listed as 'Invited to join' are not allowed to participate in any matches until they accept their invitation. Teams should check the list of eligible players in a challenge email against the roster reflected on the GameArena Call of Duty 4 ladder rankings page. If a player that is listed in the email is no longer listed on their teams' ranking page, that player is ineligible to play that match.

All players are expected to keep their player names up to date on the GameArena website at all times. Too many disputes arise as a result of players changing in-game names without updating their name on the GameArena website. This causes unnecessary, time consuming disputes that do not impress either team or the GameOps and as a result, any player who does not keep their player name up to date, resulting in an unnecessary dispute, will cause their team to forfeit the match. This is not negotiable as there is no excuse for failing to keep your player name up to date on the GameArena website.

It is mandatory for all players who participate in a match record a demo, which must start before the first round commences and run at least until the completion of the match (See the useful commands section for demo recording commands). To be clear, the demo must be started no later than during the warm-up time before the first round. If a player disconnects, crashes etc, they must start a demo on rejoining the server. We also highly recommend teams take a screenshot of the scoreboard at half time and full time.

In the event of a dispute, or any other irregularity with the match, the Ladder Managers may request a demo from any player in the match. Failing to supply a requested demo in a timely manner may result in the forfeit of that player’s team. Demos must be kept for a minimum of 14 days.

Also note both teams are expected to play all of the 20 rounds in the current match, even after the required 11 rounds to win the match have been met. Failure to do so can forfeit your team.

1.5) Substitution Rules

During a match, substitutions are allowed without notification provided the substitute is eligible to play as per section 1.4 Team and Player Rules.

If a player times out during a game (999 ping or disconnection), the game must go on and the player is to rejoin play as soon as is possible. If the player fails to return or continues to time out, it is at the discretion of the player's captain to continue the game or forfeit. Captains may also request a referee kick the player to allow a substitute player to enter the match. In the event the captain has timed out, a team member should request the captain’s zombie be kicked by the referee.

1.6) Smurfing

nA player may only be registered and play for 1 team in the ladder. If a player is found to have played for another team in a match, the following penalties apply:
Penalties to the individual:
On a first offence:
- A 2 match ban from all ladder games
On a second offence:
- A 10 match ban from all ladder games

In severe cases the teams that recruited the player may be punished.

It is the responsibility of team captains to ensure they check the roster of the other team and to cross-check the player list against their registered roster and the list on the challenge email.

If a discrepancy is found, and smurfing is suspected, it is highly recommended you take a screenshot of the punkbuster playerlist and forward it to the Call of Duty 4 GameOps as soon as possible (see the useful commands section for information on taking punkbuster player list screenshots).

It is the team captains’ responsibility to ensure their roster is kept up-to-date.

1.7) The PAM4 Mod

GameArena runs the server side PAM4 mod which automatically runs a match. Players are expected to follow the instructions that appear on screen at all times. The PAM4 mod makes very clear and understandable announcements, ignorance of these announcements is no excuse to halt or restart a match.

When players initially join the ladder server, the mod will announce they need to ‘Ready Up’. Players must press their ‘Use’ key (the default key for ‘Use’ is F) to ready up, but should not do this until their entire team is ready or the 10 minute pre-match time is complete. This will prevent the match starting while their team has members that have not yet connected. Any player that has not readied up within 10 minutes of the server starting must be kicked so the match can go ahead.

Once all players are ready, the mod will count down to Round 1. Once this countdown is complete, the match is live.

Once the first 10 rounds have passed, the mod will make an announcement stating that all players must ready up again. All players must ready up within 3 minutes. The Ref or Team Captain running the match must kick any player not ready after 3 minutes. Once all players are ready the sides will be swapped. Players must NOT switch teams manually, this will lead to them starting the second half on the wrong team. If a player does switch teams manually, this is no excuse to have the match or the second half restarted. If the player deliberately kills team mates whilst on the wrong team, their team will forfeit the match.

1.8) Referees and Match Officials

Whilst we encourage teams to organize their matches on their own, teams may request a GameArena GameOp or referee to be present (but not participating) during the game.

You must abide by all GameArena GameOp or referee instructions at all times during the game. The GameArena GameOp or referee’s word is final. However, a referee or GameOp participating as a player in a team is not to be recognized as a match official for that match.

Should your team be disruptive during the game after request of a GameArena GameOp or referee to stop, you will forfeit the game. Should you continue to do this outside of the server your team may be removed from the ladder.\r

If a referee isn’t available to run a match, there is no excuse to cancel the match or delay its start. The match must go on. If a team behaves in this manner, their opponents may submit evidence and the offending team will receive a forfeit.

1.9) Other General Match Rules

During the match global chat will be allowed provided it is limited and specific to the game. People using global chat to abuse others, make inappropriate comments or accusations will be kicked and repeated infringements may lead to a team forfeit.

There are to be no spectators from either team during a match. This is not negotiable. Players should move to a team as soon as they join the server. If a player does not move out of spectator mode once they have entered the server they will be kicked. If a player moves to spectator during a match they will be kicked regardless of the reason. If the player rejoins and continues to enter spectator mode, their team risks receiving a forfeit.

1.10) Kicking players from a matches

There may be occasions when a player must be kicked from a match when a referee isn't present. This may be due to the player failing to ready up within a reasonable amount of time or becoming a zombie during a match.

In this situation, team captains must decide on one captain who will use the rcon password provided in the challenge email to login and manually kick the player from the server (see the useful commands section for rcon commands).

Under no other circumstances should the rcon password be needed, nor should any team member need to login via rcon. If a team changes the rcon password or tampers with server settings during a match, the server logs will be investigated, the offending team forfeited and the offending player will face suspension from future matches.

1.11) Personal Conduct During a Matches

All players are expected to act in a mature and courteous manner towards match officials and their opponents. There is no room for hostility and unsportsmanlike behaviour in ladder matches.

A referees request must be followed. Abuse and hostility towards a match referee will not be tolerated. Offending players will be instantly kicked from the match. If they return their team faces a forfeit and the matter may be taken further depending on the severity of the situation. GameOps and referees volunteer their time; please show them some respect and appreciation for it. If players have a complaint about the conduct of a referee they should take it up with a GameArena Call of Duty 4 GameOp once the match is complete. In cases where a referee is found to be at fault, the match may be rescheduled.

Abuse or accusations towards an opposing team is absolutely unacceptable. Teams are expected to treat each other with respect at all times. Any player who behaves in this manner will be most certainly kicked and if they return their team will risk forfeiting the match.

If any team or player is asked to cease talking or bad behaviour by a referee or official, they are expected to do so immediately. If this does not happen, or is met with irrelevant replies such as 'Why?' or 'What for?’ the team faces an instant forfeit.

1.12) Default Files

The following ‘Search & Destroy’ maps are supported by the GameArena Call of Duty 4 Ladder.

These maps are:

mp_backlot
mp_bloc
mp_bog
mp_cargoship
mp_citystreets
mp_convoy
mp_countdown
mp_crash
mp_crossfire
mp_farm
mp_overgrown
mp_pipeline
mp_showdown
mp_strike
mp_vacant

1.13) Match Shoutcasting

GameArena approve official commentators to shoutcast ladder matches. These commentators may enter a Ladder server for the purposes of broadcasting the game (e.g. through shoutcast software). All teams that compete on the GameArena Call of Duty 4 Ladder are taken to consent to these broadcasts. The community of any upcoming shoutcasts through the GameArena Call of Duty 4 forums. GameArena community members are encouraged to approach GameOps if they wish to become approved commentators and gain access to the GameArena resources for commentating on Ladder games.

1.14) Communication with GameArena

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

All players, especially team captains, are encouraged to check the GameArena Call of Duty 4 forums regularly, as the GameOps will make important ladder announcements and post upcoming changes for discussion here, checking them regularly for informal feedback on the progress of the ladder.

2.) Servers

Owing to a compatibility issue between Call of Duty 4 and the GameCreate service, teams may find their match server does not come up on the IP and Port specified. Usually a server for a different match is on the assigned IP and Port and players will get the incorrect password error as this server is and old booking which has failed to close. The real match booking will come up on a different port number as the old server is still using the automatically assigned IP and Port. To help overcome this issue we have set up a special booking locator service, users can access this service using this thread on the Call of Duty message board.

2.1) Time Limits

All matches will be allocated 1.5 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 declared a draw. Both teams will be required to enter a score of 1 in the match results to reflect this.

You should be aware of the server booking time and make sure you and your team turns up on time. Teams are allowed 10 minutes to connect to the server. Any team that has under 4 players after this 10 minute period will instantly forfeit.

If a team can prove (by means of the compulsory recorded demo) that their opponents are deliberately wasting time, the aforesaid team may have a forfeit issued against them. Time wasting can include but is not limited to: a team demanding the match be halted or restarted or a team waiting over the 10 minute time limit for extra players.

2.2) Server Crashes

In the event a server crashes before 3 rounds are completed, teams must try to contact a GameOp or an admin straight away to get the server restarted. If the server is restarted successfully the scores must be reset to 0 – 0 and the match should be restarted.

If the server crashes after 3 rounds are completed, teams must try to contact a GameOp or an Admin straight away to get the server restarted. If the server is restarted successfully the match must be resumed with the scores that were evident before the crash.

If the server cannot be restarted within a reasonable time, the match will be cancelled outright by ladder officials and will not affect the rankings of either team. Both teams will be free to re-challenge each other or different opponents.

2.3) Server Lag

If teams experience lag issues during a match, they are expected to play on. Leaving during a match due to lag will only lead to the team forfeiting.
If both teams agree the match was severely compromised by lag issues, they should lodge a dispute stating this so Ladder Managers can look into it properly. Leaving mid-match and complaining in The Arena chat and the Call of Duty 4 messageboard will only lead to the team still forfeiting the match, all matches must be attempted, no matter what the lag situation is.

3.) Disputes, Forfeits, Cheating, Punishments and other issues

3.1) Disputes

In the event that one team may believe the other team guilty of rule violations (including cheating), they may file a dispute with GameArena officials. Teams are requested to decide if a dispute is absolutely necessary.

If a match server comes up on the incorrect IP address and Port and one team fails to utilise the missing server location tool to find the server while their opponents join the server sucessfully, the opponents can submit a screenshot as evidence of their successful joining of the server and will be awarded the match. Ignorance of the server location tool will not be accepted as a valid dispute if one team successfully finds and joins the server.

If a team wishes to make a complaint or a dispute against a player or team in the GameArena Call of Duty 4 ladder, they MUST supply relevant evidence. This is very important, as without evidence no action can be taken.

Evidence can include, but is not limited to:\r\n- Screenshots
- Console Logs
- Demos
- Punkbuster player lists

Clearly, as all players are required to record demos, any complaint or dispute MUST include a demo of the incident and clear information on which round(s) the incident occurs in.

A screenshot can be taken by pushing the F12 button on the keyboard if you are using the default key settings. Screenshots are saved to "Call of Duty 4\Main\screenshots\".

Screenshots are useful for highlighting the exact incident to make it simple for the Ladder Managers to find the correct part of the submitted demo.

False accusations are completely unacceptable and annoying for GameArena officials to deal with. Thus, repeat false-accusers will be punished.

3.2) Forfeits

Any team winning by forfeit should submit a 1-0 victory with "Forfeit Win" as the match comment.

3.3) Cheating

Cheating consists of but is not limited to:

- Wallhacking
- Non-default skin/model changing

Deliberately using or exploiting a bug in the game or a bug in a map also constitutes cheating. Such bugs include but are not limited to:

- Going beyond the map clippings to an area beneath a map

- Going to areas where a player can attack others but cannot be attacked themselves

If a player is found to have cheated they will be removed from the ladder immediately, the players' team will be dropped to the bottom of the ladder. The player in question will also be banned from all GameArena public servers.

Boosting may not be used in any way during a ladder match.

If you are unsure if a certain type of play is illegal, please contact a GameArena ladder official prior to your match.
Finally, the GameArena Call of Duty 4 GameOps' definition of cheating is not up for debate, and their ruling is final.

3.4) Suspension and Expulsion

Grounds for suspension or expulsion of players and/or their team include, but are not limited to:

- Violation of the GameArena Call of Duty 4 ladder rules.
- Violation of the GameArena Terms & Conditions.
- Abusive or any unprofessional conduct against a team competing in the ladder or a GameArena official.

4.) Miscellaneous

4.1) External Software

Voice communication software like Ventrilo and TeamSpeak are permitted, however games will not be paused or stopped to allow members to re-connect to voice communications if they should go down during a game.

4.2) Finals

All finals matches will be monitored by ladder officials. The top 8 teams at the end of the season will participate in the finals.
Any new recruits added less than 1 week prior to the end of the ladder will not be allowed to participate in the finals.
Ladder officials will decide on the finals format at the end of the season. When a format is decided on, the ladder will be switched to freeplay mode, all top 8 teams will then be contacted via email to organise challenge times. These emails should be replied to promptly so as not to disrupt the finals process

Once the finals are complete, ladder officials will change the rankings to represent the final results.

Finals formats are not up for debate, any team disagreeing with the finals format risks removal from the finals and will be replaced by the next highest ranked team.

4.3) Changes and interpretations

GameArena officials reserve the right to modify the rules as needed. This includes changes due to software updates or releases, ladder officials meetings and all other changes deemed necessary to the GameArena Call of Duty 4 ladder. Teams should check the rules on a regular basis to ensure they are fully aware of changes.

Call of Duty 4 GameOps may encounter situations that are not covered by any ladder rules but still require punishment of a player or a team. In these situations we will take appropriate action and modify the rules to cover the situation in case of future occurences.

Any major changes will be announced via the GameArena Call of Duty messageboard.

5.) Useful Commands

5.1) Demo and screenshot commands

To record a demo:

/record

We strongly recommend you use a unique demo name, such as clanvclanDDMMYY, so that there is no chance of overwriting another demo, and to make the demo easy to find if it is requested. If this is the second part of the demo, make sure that it is given a different name from the first part, or the first part will be overwritten.

To stop recording:

/stoprecord

At the end of the match, we recommend that the demo be moved to a separate folder on the player’s computer to ensure that it is not lost or overwritten.

To take a screenshot simply press F12 if you are using the default keymap, otherwise open the console (~ button) and type:

/screenshotjpeg

This will automatically create a screenshot which will be stored in the 'Call of Duty 4\main\screenshots\' folder

If you suspect a player of smurfing, or encounter a player who is not listed on the team roster of the team you are challenging, you should take a player list screenshot, as this will allow the GameOp team to investigate the incident quickly.

Open your console and type:

/pb_plist

When the punkbuster player list comes up, type:

/screenshotjpeg

This screenshot will display all the players in the server and their unique GUID, which will enable GameOps to cross-check players easily.

5.2) To manually kick a player

If a player needs to be kicked (because they are not ready 10 minutes after the server booking time or 3 minutes after halftime, or need to be kicked due to connection problems etc) then the nominated team captain should enter the rcon password (from the challenge email) using this command:

/rcon login xxx (where xxx is the password from the challenge email)

The nominated captain then needs to find the players client number by entering the command:

/rcon status

The players client number is the number in the column to the left of the name of the player to be kicked. The nominated captain then need only enter one final command to manually kick the player:

/rcon clientkick x (where x is the players clientnumber)