Ladder & Playoff Bracket Rules

Schedule

1.   Registration Opens - March 16th

2.   Ladder Begins - March 30th, 5:00 PM ET

3.   Roster Lock Date - April 12th, 11:59 PM ET

4.   Ladder Ends - April 26th, 8:59 PM ET

5.   Playoff Bracket Begins - April 28th

6.   Playoff Bracket Ends - May 28th

7.   Pro Circuit Competition #1 (Columbus) - June 5th - June 7th

General

1.   The Entry Fee is 10 Credits per Player.

2.   The top 32 Teams at the end of the Ladder will advance to the Playoff Bracket.

3.   The top 64 Teams will receive Pro Circuit Online Qualifier Rank Points at the end of the Playoff Bracket and earn the opportunity to purchase a Reserved Team Pass for Pro Circuit Competition #2 (Columbus).

4.   Team Leaders will have from April 28th until 5 PM ET on May 4th to purchase the Team Pass that has been reserved for them.  Reserved Team Passes that are not purchased will be sold to the public at a later date.

5.   Pro Circuit Online Qualifier Rank Points are not tied to the Teams.  The Rank Points are given to Players and stay with those Players for the entire 2009 Pro Circuit.  Players will have a Pro Circuit Online Qualifier Rank Points total, calculated by adding up the Pro Circuit Online Qualifier Rank Points they’ve earned in each of the Pro Circuit Online Qualifiers for a given Video Game. 

6.   Pro Circuit Online Qualifier Rank Points will be used to determine Seeds at Pro Circuit Competitions.

7.   Players are encouraged to use the same Username on their Pro Circuit Online Qualifier Team that they plan to use at upcoming Pro Circuit Competitions.  Players may request that their Pro Circuit Online Qualifier Rank Points be transferred to another Username.  However, if it can't be proven that both Usernames are managed by the same person, the Pro Circuit Online Qualifier Rank Points won't be transferred.  Players looking to transfer their Pro Circuit Online Qualifier Rank Points should send a private message on MLGpro.com to the Username Anakin.

8.   By creating or accepting a Challenge, Players acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to abide by all of the rules. 

9.   Breaking any rule may result in a Forfeit of a Game, Match, or ban from MLG/GameBattles and/or the 2009 Pro Circuit.

10. The rules are subject to change at any time, so check them often.

11. The rules were last updated at 5:00 PM ET on March 27th, 2009.  Sections updated since the Ladder began: None

Teams

1.   Players must register and use their own MLG/GameBattles Username in order to compete in an Online Qualifier.  The registered Username must contain the Player’s correct Name, Mailing Address, and Email Address. 

2.   Players must not share the information stored on their MLG/GameBattles Username with another person.  This includes, but is not limited to the following: Passwords, Gamertags, and Email Addresses. 

3.   If a Player accesses or uses another Player’s MLG/GameBattles Username or provides an incorrect Name, Mailing Address, or Email Address, they may be disqualified, lose their Online Qualifier Rank Points, lose their Reserved Team Pass, and/or be banned from MLG/GameBattles. 

4.   Teams may not have more than 4 Players (1 Leader, 3 Co-Leader/Members).

5.   Leaders can give Co-Leader status to their teammates.

6.   Leaders and Co-Leaders are able to send invitations to the Team, remove Members, use the Match Finder, report Match results, and update the Team page.  Only the Leader may delete the Team.

7.   Players may not be on more than one Team, in the same Online Qualifier. 

8.   Players may not create or manage more than one Team, from the same household, in the same Online Qualifier.  Players found breaking Team Rules #7 or #8 may be disqualified, lose their Online Qualifier Rank Points, lose their Reserved Team Pass, and/or be banned from MLG/GameBattles.  

9.   Players are limited to one XBL Gamertag, per Online Qualifier.

10. Individuals may not recover another Player’s XBL Gamertag and use it in an Online Qualifier Match.  Violators of this rule may be banned from MLG/GameBattles and/or the 2009 Pro Circuit.

11. Players must be on their Team for at least 12 hours before participating in a Match. 

12. If a Player changes their XBL Gamertag, they must wait 12 hours before participating in a Match.

13. Teams should be checked, before the start of a Match, to verify all Players’ eligibility.  If a Player is found to be ineligible, a Ticket should be submitted immediately and a Premium Admin should be contacted.  If a Premium Admin isn’t immediately available, the Match should be played in its entirety.  If an ineligible Player is used and sufficient proof is provided, the Match will result in a Forfeit, when the Ticket is processed.

14. Use of an incorrect XBL Gamertag will result in a Forfeit of the Match.  Spelling and spaces of XBL Gamertags must be exact, but correct capitalization is not necessary.

15. Players are not allowed to compete in the Online Qualifier from outside of North America.

16. Usernames and Team Names may not contain inappropriate language.  Violators of this rule will be required to change their Username/Team Name immediately.

17. Players are not able to change their Team’s name.  Leaders must submit a Ticket requesting that their Team name be changed.  Teams will not be allowed to change their name more than once.

Player Movement

1.   Players are allowed to join and leave a Team at any time before the Roster Lock Date.

2.   Leaders are allowed to add and remove Players at any time before the Roster Lock Date.

3.   Players may not switch Teams after the Roster Lock Date.  Players may leave a Team after the Roster Lock Date if they no longer want to participate or are unable to participate.  Such Players must submit a Ticket requesting that they be removed from the Team and include the Username and XBL Gamertag of the Player that will be replacing them.  A Premium Admin will review the request and decide whether or not to allow the change.  If a Player chooses to leave a Team after the Roster Lock Date, they may not join another GoW2 Online Qualifier #2 Team.

4.   No Player Movement or XBL Gamertag changes will be allowed during the Playoff Bracket.

5.   Players can’t change their XBL Gamertags after the Roster Lock Date.  Players may submit a Ticket requesting that their XBL Gamertag be changed after the Roster Lock Date.  A Premium Admin will review the request and decide whether or not to allow the change.

6.   Teams must have 4 Players on the Roster Lock Date.  Teams with fewer than 4 Players, at that time, will be ineligible for the Playoff Bracket (See Player Movement Rule #9).

7.   Players may request a Credit refund prior to the Roster Lock Date if their Team has yet to play a Match.  After the Roster Lock Date, all Credits will be considered used and nonrefundable.

8.   The Roster Lock Date is 11:59 PM ET on April 12th.

9.   If a Team is left with fewer than 4 Players, as result of a Player(s) leaving the Team on April 12th, a Premium Admin will help the Team add a Player(s) so that they can continue to compete and remain eligible for the Playoff Bracket.

10. Teams may change their Leader at any time.  The Leader may relinquish the role, by submitting a Ticket requesting a new Leader, and remain on or leave the Team.  Teams can request a Leader change if the other 3 Team members submit Tickets requesting that the same Player be named the new Leader.

11. Pro Circuit Online Qualifier #2 teammates are not required to play with each other at Pro Circuit Competitions.

Gameplay

1.   No leaving the normal boundaries of a Map.

2.   No use of the Standby Button, or other device, to lag opponents or perform glitches.

3.   No shooting while Roadie Running.

4.   No use of the Kung-Fu flip.

5.   No use of any weapon other than the Snub Pistol or Boltok Pistol while using a Meat Shield.

6.   No removing Players on the opposing Team from the Multiplayer Party Lobby once a Game has started.

7.   Breaking any of Gameplay rules #1-6 will result in a Forfeit of the Game.

8.   If a Team is found taunting in-Game twice during a Match, they will Forfeit the Match.  In-Game taunting is defined as pausing or performing unnecessary actions that are directed toward a downed Player who will inevitably be killed.

For Screen Shots of all illegal locations/maneuvers follow this link:

http://www.mlgpro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218853

All Matches

1.   Players must be signed in to Xbox Live for all Matches.

2.   Players must appear offline for the entire Match.  Breaking this rule may result in a Forfeit of a Game, Match, or ban from MLG/GameBattles and/or the 2009 Pro Circuit.

3.   The Team that doesn’t Host must choose to play as the COG or Locust team for each Game.

4.   Each Game must be played until one Team wins 4 Rounds.

5.   No warm-up or practice Games are permitted once the Match’s first Game has begun.

6.   Starting a Game with the wrong Game Type Settings may result in a Forfeit of the Game, determined by a Premium Admin.  If a Team quits out of a Game and claims that the wrong Game Type Settings were used, but that Team is unable to provide proof to back up their claim, they will Forfeit the Game.

7.   Teams must have at least 3 members present in order to start a Game. 

8.   If by 15 minutes past the scheduled Match time, a Team doesn’t have enough Players to play all of the Games, the incomplete Team Forfeits the Games they can’t play.

9.   Teams may delay the Match between Games for up to five minutes.  Teams can request that a Premium Admin enforce this five minute time limit.  After five minutes, if the delaying Team’s full Roster isn’t present, they must play the next Game shorthanded or Forfeit the Match.

10. If the Hosting Player wrongly ends a Game, their Team will Forfeit the Game.

11. Before a Match starts, Players should ensure that they don’t have any outstanding invitations to the Multiplayer Party. 

12. If an outside Player joins a Round while it is in progress and stays for more than 10 seconds, picks up or uses a weapon, or is injured, the Game must be reset with the appropriate Round Score.  Teams should also attempt to reset the Game so that Teams start the effected Round from the correct side of the Map.  If the outside Player stays for less than 10 seconds, doesn’t pick up or use a weapon, and isn’t injured, the Round must continue.  The Team responsible for inviting the outside Player could be penalized with a Game or Match Forfeit or ban from MLG/GameBattles and/or the 2009 Pro Circuit.

Ladder Matches

1.   Teams must use the Match Finder in order to schedule a Match.

2.   Game Types for each Match will be determined by the Map Randomizer.

3.   A Match will consist of 3 Games.  Once one Team wins 2 Games, the Match is over.

4.   Teams are not able to accept Challenges made by Teams that are more than 3 Levels above or below them, unless they are separated by 25 or fewer Rank spots.  For example, a Level 5 Team ranked 100th will be able to accept a Challenge made by a Level 10 Team ranked 80th.  Teams ranked 1st-51st will be able to accept Challenges made by other Teams ranked 1st-51st no matter what Level they are. 

5.   Teams may not play each other more than once in a 24 hour period.

6.   A Team may cancel a scheduled Match by submitting a Ticket at least 24 hours prior to the Match’s scheduled start time.  Scheduled Matches can also be removed at any time if both Teams submit a Ticket.

7.   Matches must be played in their entirety, unless both Teams agree to postpone or cancel the Match.  In order to postpone or cancel a Match that has already begun, both Teams must submit a Ticket.

8.   In order to get a Forfeit Win, a Team must submit a Ticket within 1 hour of the scheduled Match time.  The Ticket must include two Screenshots.  The first Screenshot must show at least 3 Team members in a Multiplayer Party Lobby featuring the first scheduled Map and the second Screenshot must show a XBL time stamp within 15 minutes of the scheduled Match time.

9.   The lower ranked Team must choose the Game they want to Host and Host that Game first.  Then, the higher ranked Team must choose the Game they want to Host and Host that Game.  If a 3rd Game is necessary, the Team that won the most combined Rounds, from the first two Games, must Host.  If a 3rd Game is necessary and the Teams have won an equal number of Rounds, the lower ranked Team must Host.  Games do not have to be played in the order that they are presented.

10. If Teams have the same Rank, the Team with the higher Team ID must assume the privileges of the higher ranked Team.

11. At the end of Ladder play, ties will be broken using the following tiebreakers in this order: Winning Percentage, Match Wins, and Team ID.

Playoff Bracket Matches

1.   The Playoff Bracket will be a Best of 5 Game Match, Double Elimination Bracket.

2.   Once one Team wins 3 Games, the Match is over.

3.   Game Types will be set for each Round of the Playoff Bracket.

4.   After losing a Match, Teams will fall into the Losers Bracket.

5.   A Match loss in the Losers Bracket will result in elimination from the Playoff Bracket.

6.   A Team’s Playoff Bracket Seed will be equivalent to their Rank at the end of the Ladder.

7.   The higher seeded Team must choose 1 Game to Host.  Then, the lower seeded Team must choose 2 Games to Host.  The higher seeded Team must Host the Games that weren’t chosen.  The Games must be played in order.

8.   If Teams meet for a 2nd time in the Playoff Bracket, their Match will expand to a Best of 11, include the previous Match, and pick up where that Match left off.  For example, if Team A beat Team B 3 Games to 0 in the Winners Bracket, the Best of 11 will resume with Game 4 and Team A leading 3 Games to 0.  If Games 4 and/or 5 of the Winners Bracket Match were not played, they must be played first with Host for each Game going to the Team that would’ve hosted in the Winners Bracket.  The Team that won the first Match must choose to Host Game 6 or Game 7.  The Team that lost the first Match must Host the Game that wasn’t chosen.  The Team that won the first Match must Host the 11th Game, if necessary.  The lower seeded Team must choose 1 Game to Host.  Then, the higher seeded Team must choose 2 Games to Host.  The lower seeded Team must Host the Games that weren’t chosen.

9.   Four Game Types will be chosen to be the Game Types that are repeated during a Best of 11 Game Match.

10. The 6th and 7th Game, of a Best of 11 Game Match, must be played on the Maps that the Teams have yet to play against each other.

11. If the Teams meeting in the Finals have not yet faced each other in the Playoff Bracket and the Team coming from the Losers Bracket wins a Match, the Winners Bracket Finals Game Types must be played, in order to break the tie, since both Teams would only have one Match loss.  Before the start of the Finals, the Team without a Match loss must choose to have higher Seed hosting privileges for the Finals or Winners Bracket Finals set of Game Types (See Playoff Bracket Rule #7).

12. Teams eliminated in the same Round of the Losers Bracket will be ranked against each other, for Pro Circuit Online Qualifier Rank Points purposes, using their Playoff Bracket Seed.

13. The Playoff Bracket will run on a Tuesday/Thursday schedule with all Matches originally scheduled for 9 PM ET.

14. If a proposed rescheduling of the Match time has not been agreed upon, the Match is required to be played at the scheduled Match time.

15. Leaders and Co-Leaders, from opposing Teams, can reschedule a Match.  In order for the Match to be officially rescheduled, a Challenge must be accepted for a different Match time.

16. Matches originally scheduled for Tuesday at 9 PM ET must be played by 9 AM ET on Thursday.  Matches originally scheduled for Thursday at 9 PM ET must be played by 9 AM ET on Tuesday.

17. Each Match will be assigned a Premium Admin.  Teams should contact their Premium Admin if they encounter any problems scheduling or playing their Match.  In order to get a Forfeit win, Teams should contact their Premium Admin and invite them into their Multiplayer Party Lobby, so they can confirm that the Team was online at the scheduled time.  In order to get a Forfeit win, in the absence of a Premium Admin, a Team must submit a Ticket within 1 hour of the scheduled Match time.  The Ticket must include two Screenshots.  The first Screenshot must show at least 3 Team members in a Multiplayer Party Lobby featuring the first scheduled Map and the second Screenshot must show a XBL time stamp within 15 minutes of the scheduled Match time.

18. If a Match isn’t played, and neither Team submits a Ticket requesting the Forfeit win, the Match win will be awarded to the higher seeded Team.

19. If a Match isn’t played and both Teams submit a Ticket requesting the Forfeit win, but neither can prove that they were signed into XBL at the scheduled Match time, the Match win will be awarded to the higher seeded Team.

Host

1.   Hosting Players must create the Multiplayer Party Lobby to ensure that they are given Host.  As the hosting Team changes over the course of a Match, the new hosting Player should leave the Multiplayer Party Lobby and create a new one to ensure that they are given Host for that Game.

2.   Teams should play a test Game, for roughly 30 seconds, before a new Host is going to be used, in order to determine if the Host is reasonable.  Test Games should be played using a Game Type the Teams are not scheduled to play against each other so that Players aren’t confused about whether the Match has officially begun/resumed or not. 

3.   All Players must agree that the Host is reasonable (all Players with green dots) before the start of a Game.  If a reasonable Host can’t be found, the hosting Team’s best Host must be used.

4.   If the Host isn't given to the Player that was designated to be the Game’s Host, the Game must still be played.

5.   If a Player’s connection to the Host becomes unreasonable during a Game, the Game must still be played.  After each Game, either Team may request that a new Host be tested, if the previous Host was unreasonable.

6.   If a Player loses their connection to the Host when the Game launches, the Game must be restarted.

7.   If a Player loses their connection to the Host, the Round must continue.  Players losing their connection to the Host may be invited back to the Multiplayer Party Lobby.

8.   If a Game is ended because the Host drops from the Game, the Team that hosted will Forfeit the Game.

9.   Premium Admins may refuse specific Players the ability to Host a Game if sufficient evidence is provided that the Player’s Host is unstable.

Premium Admins

1.   Premium Admins can be contacted by way of the GB Live Support system in order to answer any questions or solve any problems your Team may have during a Match.  Live Support: http://gamebattles.com/xbox360/gears-of-war-2/ladder/qualifier-meadowlands/support

2.   If a Premium Admin is called into a Multiplayer Party Lobby, Players must keep them un-muted at all times.

3.   Verbal abuse of a Premium Admin may result in a ban from MLG/GameBattles.  Team Leaders are responsible for the conduct of their teammates.

Reporting

1.   The winning Team must report the Match results within 30 minutes of its completion. 

2.   To report the Match results, Teams must report the Match Score (2-0, 2-1, 3-0, 3-1, or 3-2).  Reporting the individual Game Scores, during the Ladder, is optional.  Instead of reporting the individual Game Scores for Playoff Bracket Matches, Teams must report a number 1 for each Game in order to indicate which Team Hosted each Game, including any Games that weren’t played.

3.   At least one member of each Team should take a Screenshot(s) of each Game’s results.  Screenshots should contain the Game Score, Players on each Team, and a time stamp.

4.   In order to dispute Match results, Tickets must be submitted within 3 hours of the scheduled Match time. 

5.   If a Screenshot(s) is needed in order to resolve a dispute, it should be transferred to the user’s computer and uploaded to a free image-hosting site such as the GB Game Room.  The URL for the image(s) should be attached to the dispute Ticket(s).

6.   For all cheating claims, the burden of proof is on the accuser. 

7.   Any form of cheating or unsportsmanlike behavior may result in a Forfeit of a Game, Match, or ban from MLG/GameBattles and/or the 2009 Pro Circuit.

8.   Unsportsmanlike behavior and verbal abuse will not be tolerated.  Punishable behavior includes, but is not limited to, excessive use of foul or degrading language.  

Tickets

1.   To submit a Ticket, click “New Support Ticket,” found within “My GB,” on the console navigation bar.  Select a category that best describes your problem, the Arena in which it occurred, and a detailed description of the issue.

2.   When submitting a Ticket, fill out all applicable fields.  Incomplete or incorrect Tickets will be closed without being processed.

3.   Once submitted, the status of your Ticket can be viewed through “My Support Tickets,” also found within the “My GB” menu.

4.   All decisions made by Premium Admins are final.  After a decision has been made, regarding a Ticket, additional Tickets may only be submitted if they contain new information.

5.   Tickets are handled in the order that they are received.  Premium Admins should not be contacted regarding the status of Tickets that have not been closed.

Game Type Settings

1.   All of the Settings and weapon changes that were made to the default Game Mode Execution as well as each Map’s weapon pick-ups are listed below.  Settings and weapon changes, not listed below, shouldn’t be changed from their default state.

All Games

1. Starting Weapon = Hammer Burst

2. Game Type = Execution

3. Total Rounds = 4

4. Round Time Limit = 5

5. Bleed-Out Time = 15

6. Friendly Fire = On

7. Weapon Spawning = Customize

Blood Drive

1. Replace Boltok Pistol with Disabled

2. Replace Frag Grenade with Ink Grenade

3. Replace Scorcher Flamethrower with Torque Bow

Jacinto

1. Replace Mortar with Disabled

2. Replace Frag Grenade with Ink Grenade

Pavilion

1. Replace Mulcher with Torque Bow

2. Replace Mortar with Disabled

3. Replace Boomshield with Ink Grenade

4. Replace Frag Grenade with Ink Grenade

River

1. Replace Mortar with Torque Bow

Ruins

1. Replace Torque Bow with Longshot

2. Replace Boomshield with Ink Grenade

3. Replace Scorcher Flamethrower with Torque Bow

4. Replace Gorgon Pistol with Disabled

Security

1. Replace Mulcher with Boltok Pistol

2. Replace Scorcher Flamethrower with Ink Grenade

3. Replace Boltok Pistol with Torque Bow

4. Replace Frag Grenade with Disabled

Stasis

1. Replace Longshot with Boomshot

3. Replace Mulcher with Longshot

4. Replace Gorgon Pistol with Boltok Pistol

Game Types

Execution - Blood Drive

Execution - Jacinto

Execution - Pavilion

Execution - River

Execution - Ruins

Execution - Security

Execution - Stasis

Playoff Bracket Game Types

Winners Bracket

Round 1 - (4/28)

Game 1 - Execution - Jacinto

Game 2 - Execution - Stasis

Game 3 - Execution - Ruins

Game 4 - Execution - River

Game 5 - Execution - Security

Round 2 - (4/30)

Game 1 - Execution - Security

Game 2 - Execution - Jacinto

Game 3 - Execution - River

Game 4 - Execution - Pavilion

Game 5 - Execution - Blood Drive

Round 3 - (5/7)

Game 1 - Execution - River

Game 2 - Execution - Security

Game 3 - Execution - Stasis

Game 4 - Execution - Blood Drive

Game 5 - Execution - Ruins

Round 4 - (5/14)

Game 1 - Execution - Jacinto

Game 2 - Execution - Ruins

Game 3 - Execution - Pavilion

Game 4 - Execution - Security

Game 5 - Execution - River

Round 5 - Winners Finals - (5/21)

Game 1 - Execution - Blood Drive

Game 2 - Execution - River

Game 3 - Execution - Jacinto

Game 4 - Execution - Ruins

Game 5 - Execution - Stasis

Round 6 - Finals - (5/28)

Game 1 - Execution - Stasis

Game 2 - Execution - Pavilion

Game 3 - Execution - Security

Game 4 - Execution - Jacinto

Game 5 - Execution - Blood Drive

Losers Bracket

Round 1 - (4/30)

Game 1 - Execution - Security

Game 2 - Execution - Jacinto

Game 3 - Execution - River

Game 4 - Execution - Pavilion

Game 5 - Execution - Blood Drive

Round 2 - (5/5)

Game 1 - Execution - Ruins

Game 2 - Execution - Blood Drive

Game 3 - Execution - Pavilion

Game 4 - Execution - Jacinto

Game 5 - Execution - Stasis

Round 3 - (5/7)

Game 1 - Execution - River

Game 2 - Execution - Security

Game 3 - Execution - Stasis

Game 4 - Execution - Blood Drive

Game 5 - Execution - Ruins

Round 4 - (5/12)

Game 1 - Execution - Pavilion

Game 2 - Execution - Ruins

Game 3 - Execution - Blood Drive

Game 4 - Execution - Stasis

Game 5 - Execution - Jacinto

Round 5 - (5/14)

Game 1 - Execution - Jacinto

Game 2 - Execution - Ruins

Game 3 - Execution - Pavilion

Game 4 - Execution - Security

Game 5 - Execution - River

Round 6 - (5/19)

Game 1 - Execution - Pavilion

Game 2 - Execution - Stasis

Game 3 - Execution - River

Game 4 - Execution - Security

Game 5 - Execution - Jacinto

Round 7 - (5/21)

Game 1 - Execution - Blood Drive

Game 2 - Execution - River

Game 3 - Execution - Jacinto

Game 4 - Execution - Ruins

Game 5 - Execution - Stasis

Round 8 - Losers Finals - (5/26)

Game 1 - Execution - Security

Game 2 - Execution - Blood Drive

Game 3 - Execution - Ruins

Game 4 - Execution - River

Game 5 - Execution - Pavilion

Tiebreaker Games

Game 8 - Execution - Ruins

Game 9 - Execution - Security

Game 10 - Execution - Stasis

Game 11 - Execution - River