• GAME - One map consisting of two halves where each team plays once as Counter-Terrorist and Terrorist
• HALF - One 15 round map session (2 halves equal a game)
• ROUND - One 1 3/4-minute cycle on a map (a server setting)
• Designated Server - Any server designated by Zion LAN as a tournament server
• HOME Team - Listed on top in the bracket. HOME Team must be the attacking team the first half.
• CAPTAIN - The players listed as captain on the roster or any player who is officially acting as team captain in the absence of their team captain. Teams are required to notify the opposing team during the screenshot round who their captain will be for the duration of the match.

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Players and teams are responsible for ensuring that all of their members know, understand, and follow all rules. Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse for a violation.

Screenshots

All players must take one screenshot showing both a CT and a T skin. Screenshots will be used to verify models/skins and other settings. Players should keep their screenshots for the length of the tournament.

*The scoreboard must be present in your screenshots as verification that the shots were taken in a live game rather than a demo.

Player Models & Skins

All team members must use default models. If any player is found to be using enhanced/colored models/skins/sounds, the match will be overturned, and the player will face possible suspension from the event. This includes hostage/grenade, weapon, and bomb skins as well.

Player Sprays

Players are allowed to use custom sprays in the game. Pornographic, demeaning, and unsportsmanlike sprays are illegal. In addition, sprays with any resemblance to an object of the game such as player models, gun models, bomb/grenade models, etc are illegal.

Client Settings

ZION LAN recognizes the fact that competitors participating in the tournament have varied hardware and software configurations. It is permissible to change most client settings. It is illegal to alter weather commands such as fog_enable and any command that begins with r_rain. Any other setting that gives one player a clear exploitative advantage over others will also be deemed illegal.

Messaging

Only team leaders are allowed to use public in-game messages (say) within a game. This rule also applies when dead. Use of public messaging by any member but the leader may result in an individuals suspension, unless purely accidental. Under extreme cases team forfeit, suspension or removal from the tournament may occur at the discretion of Zion LAN. Non team leaders must only use team messages (say_team) while in the game. This rule is to avoid abuse of other teams via in game messages; not be used as an excuse to overturn matches.

Demos

Participants are required to record first-person demos of all Zion LAN matches. You must record a separate demo for each half of play. If you are playing in 1 server the whole match please remember to start a second demo for the second half. If a formal complaint or dispute is made; Zion LAN administrators will review demos. If a player fails to upload their demo, a match win may be nullified and result in a replay or forfeit as well as suspension or expulsion of players. If a player fails to record a demo, a HLTV demo is NOT accepted as a substitute. Penalties may include probation, suspension or removal from the tournament for repeat offenses. Penalties for not recording demos will result in a 1 game suspension.

While demos are required to be presented to admins in the case of formal disputes, many teams engage in the sharing of their demos in order to enhance trust between teams and to avoid formal disputes. While this is encouraged to increase trust between teams, we will not force any teams to share demos with one another. If a formal dispute is filed, we will request demos from both teams and will view them ourselves, rather than giving them to another team.

Sportsmanship

All participants in Zion LAN will be required to uphold to the highest standards and observe common sportsmanship.

If a player is caught cheating in a Zion LAN match, their team shall forfeit the game, and player will be asked to leave Zion LAN. Any matches played with that player up to that point should have the losses overturned. The computer system that you play from is not the responsibility of the Zion LAN. You are responsible for the system that you play from. If you allow others to use your computer(s) or you borrow/rent systems to play from, you need to ensure that they are cheat free prior to playing. It is impossible to trust a player who has been caught cheating on a pub to withstand the temptation to cheat when a title or prize is up for grabs. Zion LAN will not conduct witch hunts to try and find cheat violations against players.

Any accusations made in a publicly will result in a suspension against the team or individuals making the accusation. All disputes or accusation must be sent to Zion LAN admins in a private manner.

Conduct

Registrant agrees not to maliciously disparage, discredit, slander, libel, or defame the Zion LAN staff or Zion LAN event or Zion LAN Sponsors, in any way or format, including but not limited to, websites, IRC, Usenet/Web discussion systems, chat programs, magazines, newsletters, newspapers, radio, videos, documentaries, television, etc. If the Registrant fails to abide by this requirement, Registrant may be disqualified from the Zion LAN event, forfeit prizes, be barred from future competitions including all events within Zion LAN, and/or be subject to appropriate civil penalties.

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Players

The matches are to be played 5 on 5 play, if one of the two teams do not have the required 5 players within the allowed match time it may choose to play with 4 players (4 on 5). If a team does not have at least 4 eligible players present within 5 minutes after the scheduled match time, the team will be faced with a forfeit.

Player Drops

Zion LAN is not responsible for players who experience connectivity problems (unless the fault is on our side). If a player lags out in the first minute of play, the match should be restarted.

Voice Communication

Team members may communicate either verbally or use in-game voice if they have not been eliminated in the game or if all team members have not been eliminated. When a player has been eliminated, he or she must not speak after his death. This is identified as the point when the screen has gone fully to fade-to-black. Any team who speaks after the screen has faded to black will be issued one warning. A second offense will result in forfeiture of the match.

Game Time

Teams should ensure that they are in the server on time and ready to begin. Teams have 5 minutes after the default time to join the server. After 5 minutes have passed, both teams must have all 5 members in the server. A team failing to comply results in a forfeit and ultimately, loss. This is not an optional rule, and will be strictly enforced. Scheduled matches are in place to allow individuals a chance to schedule other activities around their game time. Forcing a team to wait for player is disrespectful and unsportsmanlike.

Pausing Match:

No pausing is allowed under any circumstances unless a ZION LAN admin is present and requests the pause.

Screenshot Round

Prior to the official match starting, the screenshot rules should be observed.

Bomb Planting:

It is legal to plant in hidden areas or in areas not normally reached through the use of boosting or jumping outside of the normal bomb zone as long as it is possible to defuse the bomb through normal means, including the use of boosting of a player to reach the bomb. If a bomb has been boost planted and the opposing team is unable to reach it due to a lack of players to reach the bomb, then it is still a legal plant.

Bomb Defusal:

It is legal to defuse the bomb through the corner of a box, a railing, or a small wall/ledge. It is NOT legal to defuse the bomb through a major wall.#160; Zion LAN admins will have the final say in regard to this rule.

Boosting:

Player boosting is legal with any number of players. Any area that can be reached on the map is considered a valid position as long as the position is not used to exploit the map by seeing into areas that are not intended. An example is being boosted in Aztec and looking through or over the wall to see where the opposing team is coming from.

Map Exploits:

Any team taking advantage of any map exploits, whether new or known, will result in the forfeit for that match. Places like ledges that are accessible through boosting are valid, unless the location results in clipping or looking "over" the map. Multiple infractions of this rule will result in your team being suspended or removed from the tournament. Such actions as throwing flashes over walls, as done in dust2 and other such maps are perfectly legal. ZION LAN will have the final decision on whether something is an exploit.

Half-Time

After finishing the first half of the game, teams are allowed an optional 5-minute break. If a team fails to show up after the 5 minute break with all 5 members the opposing team will be awarded with the 15 rounds for that half as theirs.

Calling the Match:

First team to 16 rounds wins . Playing the game out isn't allowed.

Post Game

After completion of the game, both team leaders should report the scores to the designated Zion LAN admin immediately.

Ties

In the incident of a tie, two 3-round halves will be played for overtime with start money of $10,000.00. If the score is tied after the first overtime match, a double overtime match ensues with the same rules. In the case of further ties, additional matches of two 3-round halves will be played on new maps that are randomly chosen per each overtime match.

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Roster Changes:

All roster changes must be done before June 11 th 2005. Zion LAN will not unlock the rosters for any reason. Any roster disputes should be addressed within one hour of the tournament commencing.

All players are required to use their surnames as seen on the roster for official matches.

Ringers/Team Jumpers:

Team hopping will not be tolerated. If a team hopper/ringer is suspected, notify Zion LAN officials immediately. Penalties may include suspensions, forfeits or removal from the tournament. No player is allowed to be on two Zion LAN team rosters per tournament. It is legal to participate in separate tournaments simultaneously.

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Unacceptable Team Names:

Team names including, but not limited to, the following will not be tolerated: profanity, hateful to any race, sex, or religious group, condone drug use, or general vulgarity. Teams found to have an offensive name will have 1 of 2 things done either placed inactive until the name is changed, or have Zion LAN select an appropriate name for them. This rule is also applicable to team logos and any team comments.

Team Name Changes:

If a team decides at some point during the season to change their name they must ask a Zion LAN admin for a team name change. Zion LAN will change them as they get to them. Realize that this may take some time so please pick a name you really like.

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Any team winning by forfeit shall receive 16 round wins.

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Anti-Cheat

The Valve/Steam in-game anti-cheat (VAC) will be used in all matches

Server Assignments

HOME Team must be the attacking team (terror on de, CT on cs) the first half. HOME team again will be the attacking team in the event of overtime.

Server Crashes

If a tournament server or network crashes before three rounds of the half have been completed, the server must be restarted and the game's score reset to 0-0. If the server or network crashes after three rounds of the half have completed, the game must be restarted and played with the score as it was before the crash. Furthermore, the rounds of the half are changed to equal the remaining rounds left at the point of the server crash. A network crash will be identified as either no packets being sent to/from the servers or two systems crashing at the same time.

SourceTV

SourceTV may be utilized if both teams agree to its use in advance. Zion LAN will also select some matches for broadcast on SourceTV. (The semi-finals and finals will be broadcasted)

IRC Score Bot

IRC bots may NOT be used.

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Disputes

Disputes are a serious issue and will not be taken lightly.

Dispute Process:

In the case of a dispute, team leaders or designated match leaders must submit a dispute ticket. Any member who is not a designated leader is not allowed to report a dispute. Disputes are not a public matter and should only be handled by an Admin.

1) A formal dispute must be filed within 5 minutes of the match being reported. After the match has been reported, the leader must fill out a Dispute card (located at the Help Desk). Please read the instructions and fill out all the fields that are listed.

2) Submit violation and explain in detail. If you suspect a player of cheating, be prepared to list exactly where you think this occurred in the match and have evidence. All evidence and information must be turned over at the same time. Once a dispute has been filed, you may not bring additional disputes or information up in the future. Teams that choose to dispute must be prepared to give their demos to admins as well before the dispute process continues. You must be prepared to turn over evidence that would substantiate your accusation. If you do not have specifics or do not have evidence, your dispute will be thrown out. The admin you file the dispute with will give you specific information on turning over evidence.

3) The objecting team must contain PROOF in form of game logs, demos, screenshots or any other form contained to a Zion LAN official. Demos and screenshots should be made available immediately. Teams are requested to limit the files they send to admins to only the required evidence that shows the items in dispute. If you suspect cheating during a match, be sure and take a screen shot showing all players IP addresses.

4) If necessary, a Zion LAN admin will request the demos, screen shots from the opposing team. The opposing team will have 10 minutes from the initial request to provide the requested items or risk forfeit or other disciplinary action.

5) All evidence will be reviewed by admins and a ruling issued. In the case of Cheating Disputes, all demos will be reviewed by multiple admins. The Zion LAN officials will make the final decision.

General Dispute Information:

Teams should keep back-ups of their screen shots, demos and all logs for the length of the tournament.

If there is no proof, there is no claim. If proof is sufficient, the player or team could be purged. Any losses by the claimee to the cheating team will be changed to wins.

If a team continues to make false claims against other teams, the disruption may be viewed as grounds for team suspension. Teams crying wolf regarding cheating repetitively will also be purged.

If teams are caught saying that they are relying on disputes to win their matches, teams may be removed or have disputes invalidated.

Evidence Requests:

If a dispute has been filed, Admins will make a request for a variety of evidence; this includes screenshots, demos, server logs. Teams will have a maximum of 5 minutes to present the requested evidence in the case of logs. Screenshots and demos should be made available immediately. Failure to present the requested evidence within the required time may result in overturned matches, forfeits or other disciplinary actions.

Client Requests:

If demos or screenshots are requested, they should be made available immediately. Screenshots must be converted to jpg or gif format prior to zipping and sending to an admin. Demos should be zipped prior to sending them.

Rule Violations:

Teams who violate any rules may be subject to disciplinary action. This includes the specific penalties listed or suspensions, forfeits, and removal from the event. Zion LAN may change penalties as it sees fit.

In the event a team breaks the public messaging rule and degrades, verbally attacks or threatens an opponent that player will suspended until further notice. A second infraction will cost that team a forfeit. Zion LAN will not tolerate such behavior.

Disruptive teams will be purged from the tournament. Any team that is repeatedly disruptive in the form of non-tolerated language, pointless spamming, server crashing, etc. will be removed from the Tournament or Zion LAN .

Grounds for Team Suspensions/Expulsion:

Violation of Rules
Violation of Conduct

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Zion LAN reserves the right to modify the rules as needed. This includes changes due to software updates or releases, competition committee decisions and all other changes deemed necessary to Zion LAN.. Teams must understand that the rules listed are guidelines that Zion LAN will use to try and ensure fair and competitive play and are subject to interpretation by the Zion LAN admins based on the spirit of the rule and game.

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