2023-2024 Max League: Champions Series Season Official Rules

2023-2024 Max League: Champions Series Season Official Rules 2024 Max League Rules v1.02 Page 1 11/09/2024 Introduction and Purpose The Max League: Champions Series(MLCS) Season is an annual competition between recognised MLCS Counter-Strike teams. These Official Rules (“Rules”) apply to each of the teams who have entered the 2024 MLCS Season, including their players, team managers, staff members (collectively “Team Members”), and other employees. These rules are designed to ensure fair play and a level playing field for all competitors. A standardized rule set benefits all players, coaches, organizers, and fans of the game. These rules apply only to official MLCS Season play and not to other competitions, tournaments, or organised Counter-Strike play. For questions, comments, or feedback around these rules, you may contact the Max League at maxleagueoffical@gmail.com. 2024 Max League Rules v1.02 Page 2 11/09/2024 1. Competition Eligibility Requirements for teams, players, and staff to participate in the season 2. Team Management and Roster Rules Requirements for putting together a team and making changes 3. Competition Format Rules that outline the format and schedule for the season 4. Match Process Rules that affect full-match decisions, such as reschedules, lateness, and side choice 5. Game Rules Rules that affect individual games within a match, such as restarts, break time, and results of forfeits 6. Team Member Conduct List of prohibited behavior and actions, and potential responses to any such action 7. Spirit of the Rules Philosophy of rules and enforcement 2024 Max League Rules v1.02 Page 3 11/09/2024 1. Competition Eligibility 1.1. Max Association All MLCS Season teams and players must be associated with the Max league and its owner. 1.1.1. Player transfers Teams and their players are not permitted to play for other teams while the Season is underway. Only during the transfer window are changes allowed to be made to teams 1.2. Player Eligibility Rules 1.2.1. Age. In order to be eligible to compete in the College Season, players must be at least 17 years old at the time of competition. Players who turn 17 during the season are allowed to compete once they turn 17. 1.2.2. Max League Disciplinary Status. Players may not have any current disciplinary suspension from Max League-affiliated competitions. Suspensions from MLCS will be upheld by the Max League Officials. 1.2.3. One Team Per Player. Players are only allowed to compete for one team during the course of a single season(between transfer windows). 2024 Max League Rules v1.02 Page 4 11/09/2024 2. Team Management and Roster Rules 2.1. Roster Size Teams will be required to have at least 2 and no more than 3 eligible players on their rosters(during tournament play). There are no restrictions on the designation of a starter or substitute. These players are collectively referred to as Active Roster. 2.2. Roster Listing The Active Roster will be displayed on an official competition website, this is the official hub for all MLCS known as ibbipedia.fandom.com. The Active Roster on that website will be updated upon proper filing of documentation. Once an acquisition is confirmed, the acquisition will be placed on the website. The active roster on ibbipedia will be considered the most up to date roster that could be applied during a reasonable time. Roster eligibility is still at the discretion of the Max League officials. 2.3. Team Positions All teams must be composed of at least 2 eligible players. A team may have between 0-1 team manager depending on the team. A team may Additionally include 1-2 additional staff members. Players, manager, and staff are collectively referred to as team members 2.4. Team Manager Each team may designate a Team Manager, who may be but does not need to be a player on the Active Roster. The Manager will be the primary point of Contact for all Max League Officials(if the manager exists). They must have clear communication channels to the Max League Officials (e.g. Discord). The Team Manager(if they exist) will have to inform Max League Officials on changes to the Active Roster, as outlined in section 2.7 and 2.8. The manager must be fully eligible in accordance with Sections 1.1(Max Association), 1.22 (Max League Disciplinary Status). But does not need to meet other eligibility criteria. 2.5. Additional Staff Teams are allowed to have any number of additional staff members serving any role without restriction. Additional staff members do not need to be declared to 2024 Max League Rules v1.02 Page 5 11/09/2024 Max League officials and do not need to meet any eligibility requirements to work with the team in any role or function. 2.6. Manager Overrule At the sole discretion of the Max League officials, Team Managers may be overruled or replaced due to negligence, malice, or other reasonable suspicion of malfeasance. In the event of a conflict between team management and players in a team, Max League officials will allow for team members to replace their manager at their sole discretion. 2.7. Substitutions Teams may freely field any 2 players from their active roster for the start of the match. Teams may freely substitute players between maps, but their opponents must be allowed at least 5 minutes between notification of substitution and start of the next map. For avoidance of doubt, 5 minutes start from when the substituting team notifies their opponent of the change. 2.8 Roster Changes Teams may not make roster changes after the end of the transfer windows, which occur during any break between tournaments, or when declared by Max League officials. Teams are free to make as many changes as they see fit during the transfer window. Roster lock as the end of registration for each tournament. 2.9. Name Restrictions User Names and Team Names may not contain: any slurs or vulgarities that could offend the Max League officials. These restrictions will be applied solely at the discretion of the Max League officials. 2.10. Name Approval Max League officials reserve the right to modify Team Tags or Team Names, if they do not reflect the standards sought by the Max League officials. A team will be notified by a Max League official if their name must be changed and be permitted to change to an acceptable name. 2024 Max League Rules v1.02 Page 6 11/09/2024 3. Competition Format 3.1. Server Designation Competitions of the Max League are held primarily on the Counter-Strike Syndey Severs and thus will only allow teams that are within that physical location of Australia. 3.2. Tournament Format 3.2.1. Invitational Showdown This tournament will be a single elimination bracket containing 16 players that are eligible according to Sections 1.1, 1.2.1, 1.2.2. 3.2.1.1. Seeding. The Seeding of the tournament will be based on Max League officials opinions along with the results of MLCS Season 5 Player Rankings. This will be from 1-16. 3.2.1.2. Games. Each match will be a best of 3 with the maps being chosen by an appointed Max League official. A score of 2-X in any match as will be an automatic placement in the next round (e.g. 2-1, 2-0). 3.2.1.3. Maps. Maps will be appointed by an appointed Max League official. 3.2.2. MLCS Season 6 Finals 3.2.2.1. Group Stage. The group stage is two groups of 4 in a round-robin format, without elimination. 3.2.2.2. Play-Offs. The playoffs will consist of a double-elimination bracket containing 8 teams that are seeded via the results of the group stage. 3.2.2.3. Bracket Reset. In the event of the lower bracket team winning the first grand final series, a secondary final match of best of 3 shall be played, which will determine the winner. This does not apply to the upper-bracket contender. 3.2.2.4. Games. Each match will be a best of 3 with the maps being 2024 Max League Rules v1.02 Page 7 11/09/2024 chosen by an appointed by a pick-ban system using the teams picks. A score of 2-X in any match as will be an automatic placement in the next round (e.g. 2-1, 2-0). 3.2.2.5. Maps. Maps will be appointed by an appointed Max League official prior to the tournament and can not be changed, unless it is under the full discretion of a Max League official. 3.4. Schedule 3.4.1 Defult Match Time All matches unless scheduled by an appointed Max League official will take place at 8pm AEST, with room for flexibility in the times to cater for unforeseen events. 2024 Max League Rules v1.02 Page 8 11/09/2024 4. Match Process 4.1. Overtime. In the event that a Map goes into overtime. Teams will have to win a best of 7 in rounds, with the possibility of infinite overtime if the teams are in a state of constant stalemate. An over time score will be 8-8. 4.2 Setup & Player Responsibilities for Online Matchs. All players will be expected to be ready to join the game lobby at the time that is specified by the Max League official appointed. Readiness includes. But is not limited to, 2 rostered players having joined the game lobby, and completed client patching. 4.3. Match Reschedules. Match reschedules will take place in the event that an unforeseen event occurs that disallows a particular team from fielding a full roster, and can only be approved by an appointed Max League official. 4.4. Lateness Penalties A team will automatically forfeit their match if they are not ready to play within a reasonable time decided by the appointed Max League official, they are to be given at least 15 minutes of leeway minimum from their appointed and agreed-upon match time. 4.5. 1v2 Play Teams are required to field a full team of 2 players to be considered ready to start any match. If a player disconnects the team will be no-longer considered ready to play and will forfeit the Map as a result. 4.6. Spectators Spectators are permitted in official matches via lobby spectating only for the purpose of watching the match or recording. Spectators may not actively communicate with players on either team while the game is in play. 4.7. Lobby Settings 2024 Max League Rules v1.02 Page 9 11/09/2024 4.7.1. Mode: Wingman 4.7.2 Options in Lobby. 4.7.2.1. tv\_enable 1 4.7.2.2. sv\_competitive\_official\_5v5 1 4.7.3 Options in game. 4.7.3.1. mp\_autokick 0 4.7.3.2. tv\_record 4.7.3.3. mp\_overtime\_enable 1 4.7.4 Demo format name. 4.7.4.1. \_\_\_\_ 4.8. Score Reporting After each match an appointed Max League official will update ibbipedia with the score and will provide a screenshot of the post-match scoreboard with the report. 4.9. Definition of Game Terms 4.9.1 “Round” A Round is an instance of a competition on a Map that is played until a winner is determined by one of the following methods, whichever occurs first: 4.9.1.1. Bomb detonation 4.9.1.2. Bomb defusal 4.9.1.3. Team eliminated before planting or defusing the bomb. 4.9.1.4. Round timer expired 4.9.1.5. Team forfeit 4.9.2. “Map” A map means a set of Rounds that is played until one team wins 9 rounds, provided that a Map will continue past the 9-Round limit until a Team wins the overtime discussed in section 4.1. 4.9.3. “Series/Match” 2024 Max League Rules v1.03 Page 11 12/09/2023 A series/match means a set of Maps that are played until one Team wins a majority of the total maps (e.g. winning two maps our of three in a best of 3) 4.10. Map selection process Once both teams are in the lobby and confirm they are ready to begin play, the map selection process will begin. Under no circumstances may a map be played twice in one Match unless all other available maps have been played. 4.10.1. Map selection process for Best-of-Three Matchs The better-seeded team will get the privilege to ban the first map (Team A). If the tournament in question has no predetermined seeding, the “better-seeded team” for the purposes of this Section will be determined at random. When instructed in the Map Selection Process, the Team must ban a map and cannot choose to skip the map ban. The process begins according to the following procedure: 4.10.1.1. Team A bans one map 4.10.1.2. Team B bans one map 4.10.1.3. Team A picks map 1 4.10.1.4. Team B picks map 2 4.10.1.5. Team A bans one Map 4.10.1.6. Team B bans one map 4.10.1.7. Map 3 is only Map remaining 4.10.1.8. The following procedure may be changed if deemed required by an appointed Max League official. 2024 Max League Rules v1.03 Page 12 12/09/2023 5. Game Rules 5.1. Directed Pause Max League officials may order the pause of a match or execute a pause command at any time for any reason, at their sole discretion. 5.2. Game Restart If a game experiences a critical bug at any point during the match that significantly alters game stats or gameplay mechanics, or the external Environmental conditions at a live event become untenable, then a restart may occur. Certain circumstances must be met before a restart may occur. Max League officials must determine that the bug is critical and verifiable. For the bug to be considered critical, the bug must significantly damage a player’s ability to compete in the game situation. The determination of whether the bug has damaged a player’s ability to compete is up to the sole discretion of the Max League officials. In order for a bug to be considered verifiable, the bug must be conclusively present and not possibly attributable to player error. The spectator must then be able to replay the instance in question and verify the bug. If a player believes they have experienced a critical bug, they must pause the game and alert an appointed Max League official to the situation in a timely fashion. If it is believed that a player is attempting to delay the reporting of a bug to wait for a possible restart at a more advantageous time, then a restart will no longer be granted. If Max League officials determine that the bug is critical and verifiable and that the player followed the pause protocol then the disadvantaged team will be presented with the option for a restart. If the team accepts, the Map will immediately be restarted. If a team is offered a restart and declines, then the team will be ineligible to request a restart on the bug that caused the potential restart for the remainder of the match. However, Max League officials reserve the right at all times to force a Map restart if the game environment reaches a level of instability that compromises the competitive integrity of the game. This section is applicable if the pause is directed as per Section 5.1, and does not limit the ability of a Max League official to institute a restart. 5.2.1 Controlled Environment. Side selection will be preserved in the event of a 2024 Max League Rules v1.03 Page 13 12/09/2023 restart of a map. 5.3. Awarded Game Victory In the event of a technical difficulty which would lead to a partial or full restart, but there are significant constraints that make it impossible to restart the game in the sole discretion of the Max League officials, officials may instead award a Map victory to a team. 5.4. Mid-Match Break If a team requests they have the right to call for a 10 minute break between Maps or series. Teams are subject to lateness penalties per Section 4.4 if they are not ready to begin after break time ends. 5.5. Results of Forfeiture Matches won by forfeit will be reported by the minimum score it world take for one team to win the match (e.g. 1-0, 2-0). No other statistics will be recorded for forfeited matches. 2024 Max League Rules v1.03 Page 14 12/09/2023 6. Team Member Conduct 6.1. Reporting Violations Conduct violations of any kind may be reported to any Max League official by Discord or email. 6.2. Competition Conduct 6.2.1 Unfair Play. The following actions will be considered unfair play and will be subject to penalties at the discretion of Max League officials. 6.3.1.1 Collusion. Collusion is defined as any agreement among two (2) or more players and/or confederates to disadvantage opposing players. Collusion includes, but is not limited to, acts such as: 6.3.1.1.1. Soft play, which is defined as any agreement among two (2) or more players to not damage, impede or otherwise play to a reasonable standard or competition in a game. 6.3.1.1.2. Pre-arranging to split prize money and/or any other form of compensation. 6.3.1.1.3. Send or receiving signals, electronic or otherwise, from a confederate to/from a player. 6.3.1.1.4. Deliberately losing a game for compensation, or for any other reason, or attempting to induce another player to do so. 6.3.1.2 Hacking. Hacking is defined as any modification of the Counter-Strike game client by any player, team or person acting on behalf of a player or a team. 6.3.1.3 Exploiting. Exploiting is defined as intentionally using any in-game bug or any feature not working as intended, at the sole discretion of Max League officials, to seek advantage. 6.3.1.4 Ringing. Playing under another player’s account or soliciting Inducing, encouraging or directing someone else to play under another player’s account. 2024 Max League Rules v1.03 Page 15 12/09/2023 6.3.1.5 Cheating Device. The use of any kind of cheating device and/or cheat program (e.g. scripting). 6.3.1.6 Official Discretion. Any other further act, failure to act, or behavior which, in the sole judgment of Max League officials, violates these Rules and/or standards of integrity established by the MLCS Season for competitive game play. 6.3.2 Hate Speech. A Team Member may not use language that is to promote hatred or discriminatory conduct towards one group or more, in or near the match area, at any time. 6.4. Penalties Upon the discovery of any Team Member committing any violations of the rules listed above, the MLCS Season may, without limitation of its authority under Section 6.3, issue the following penalties: 6.4.1. Verbal Warning 6.4.2. Loss of Map Ban(s) for Current or Future Match 6.4.3. Prize Forfeiture 6.4.4. Map Forfeiture 6.4.5. Match Forfeiture 6.4.6. Player Suspension 6.4.7. Team Disqualification Repeated Infractions are subject to escalating penalties, up to, and including, disqualification from future participation in the MLCS Season. It should be noted that penalties may not always be imposed in a successive manner. Max League officials, in its sole discretion, for example, can disqualify a player for a first offence if the action of said player is deemed egregious enough to be worthy of disqualification by Max League officials. Penalties that state a listed amount of time for discipline will only apply to competition months. Competition months are defined as the months in which professional MLCS competitions are taking place. 6.5. Right to Publish Max League officials shall have the right to publish a declaration stating that Team Member has been penalized. Any Team Members are/or team which may be referenced in such declaration hereby waive any right of legal action against The MLCS, Max League, and/or any of their parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, agents, or contractors. 2024 Max League Rules v1.03 Page 16 12/09/2023 7. Spirit of the Rules 7.1. Finality of Decisions All decisions regarding interpretation of these rules, player eligibility, scheduling and staging of the MLCS Season, and penalties for misconduct, lie solely with MLCS Season officials, the decisions of which are final. MLCS Season decisions with respect to these Rules cannot be appealed and shall not give rise to any claim for monetary damages or any other legal equitable remedy. 7.2. Rule Changes These Rules may be amended, modified or supplemented by MLCS Season officials, from time to time, in order to ensure fair play and the integrity of the MLCS Season. 7.3. Best Interests of the MLCS Season MLCS Season officials at all times may act with the necessary authority to preserve the best interests of the MLCS Season. This power is not constrained by any lack of specific language in this document. MLCS Season officials may use any form of punitive actions at their disposal against any entity whose conduct is not within the confines of the best interests of the MLCS Season.