NBA 2K21 (PS4) 1on1 Halloween Cup 2021 #3 North America
The NBA 2K21 Halloween Cup ("NBA2K21HC" or "Competition") is operated by ESL Gaming (alternatively "ESL" or "Tournament Organiser").
The NBA2K21HC is a video game competition conducted using 2K Games NBA 2K21 ("NBA2K21") for the PlayStation®4 console ("PS4"). This competition is not available for PlayStation®5 console ("PS5").
NBA2K21HC is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with 2K Games.
If you have any questions about this competition, its registration process and how to participate, please visit the ESL NBA Discord server.
2. Player Eligibility
2.1 Eligibility requirements
Own or have access to NBA 2K21 on the PS4
Own or have access to a PS4 system and compatible controller
Have a valid account for PlayStation Network ("Account for PSN") and an associated PSN ID
Have a valid subscription to an active PlayStationⓇPlus membership
Be residents of an applicable jurisdiction as outlined in Appendix B
2.2 How to register
Participants must sign up for NBA2K21HC using the integrated tournament app on the PS4 ("Tournament App") through compete.playstation.com or the ESL Play landing page to be considered for eligibility.
Players must link their Account for PSN to their ESL account on the Tournament App or on the ESL Play tournament hub page. Players must read the NBA2K21HC ruleset and relevant privacy policies, including the ESL privacy policy, and agree to these rules before entering the tournament. Once a Player has registered, they are considered for eligibility for the entire NBA2K21HC, as outlined in Section 3. Competition Structure.
2.3 Age
Players must be eligible to play NBA 2K21 according to their local age restrictions, at the point of tournament registration, as outlined in Appendix B: Countries & Age.
Players who are minors (under 18 years old), must obtain consent from their parents or legal guardians to enter the Competition. If minor Players have entered Competition, it shall be deemed that they have obtained the required prior consent from their parents or legal guardians. The player may be disqualified in case of lack of parental consent if requested by the Tournament Organiser.
2.4 Employees & Conflicts of Interests
Employees of ESL, Sony Interactive Entertainment ("PlayStation"), 2K Games (alternatively "Publisher") and its respective affiliates, subsidiaries, representatives, advertising, promotion and publicity agencies, and the immediate family members or persons living in the same household of such employee are not eligible to participate in the competition.
3. Competition Structure
The NBA2K21HC will be run in the following regions:
The full list of countries per region is available in Appendix B: Countries & Age.
3.1 Halloween Cups
All eligible players can enter/take part/participate in the Halloween Cups.
Tournament Format Details
Swiss system
Random player seeding
1on1 matches
Bo1 matches
Elimination after 2 losses
Maximum 8 rounds. The number of rounds to be played can vary based on the amount of participants and results
Ranking and tiebreaker system
Final position in the ranking will be determined by the number of wins, or if equal than determined - by tiebreakers. Tiebreaker system takes three values into account which are described below.
Tiebreaker 1 (Buchholz system): represents the sum of the opponents wins.
Tiebreaker 2 (W/L Sum): represents the performance of opponents that a player played during the tournament. Players who played against stronger opponents will be ranked higher within the standings of the tournament. To calculate this value, sum the number of points each opponent contributes. Opponents contribute +1 for each win they accumulate throughout the tournament and -1 for each loss they accumulate throughout the tournament. Each single opponent may never contribute less than -3 points to a player's first tiebreaker. Default wins contribute 0 points to the player's W/L Sum tiebreaker.
Tiebreaker 3 (First Tiebreaker Sum): represents the performance of the opponents that all of a player's opponents played. Players who played against opponents who consistently played against stronger opponents throughout the Tournament will be ranked higher within the standings of the tournament. To calculate this value, total the sum of W/L Sum for all opponents that the player played. Default wins contribute 0 points to the players Second Tiebreaker Sum tiebreaker.
3.2 Match Rules
Match start time
All matches are played on the scheduled match time. To see the match schedule, access the match event page on your PS4™ console by going to My Events.
Joining your game lobby
Access the match event page (you will be able to see it in the "My Events" tab)
Click "Join Now" option
The result will be automatically submitted at the end of the match
Game Mode: Core
Game style: Pro
Quarter Length: 5 minutes
Fatigue: On
Controls: All
Game speed: Normal
Teams: Only Current Teams are allowed
Each player has 10 minutes to show up to a match. (scheduled match start time +10 minutes). Not showing up within 10 minutes results in a default loss. The player that is waiting must enter "Opponent did not show up" in the results tab.
Results are automatically submitted by the system at the end of the match.
Disconnection
In the event of a common "Game Session has ended" disconnect, both players need to restart the match.
In the event of a player disconnecting, that player will forfeit the entire game, not just a round. It will be the responsibility of the player that got disconnected to connect his opponent within 5 minutes.
Match Disputes
If any issues are encountered in a match, it's the players responsibility to create a dispute and reach out to the admin team.
In order to create a dispute, go to the match page on your PS4™ console and select the option "Go to Support Page". You can also create a dispute using the ESL Play App or directly on the ESL Play website.
Players are responsible for providing proof of match results in case of disputes. This can be done with screenshots of each victory or video replays uploaded to websites such as Youtube or Twitch.
3.3 Match Media
The following match media are acceptable forms of proof during match reporting and protests:
Livestream VODs with clear naming of the players, selected teams, date, tournament round.
Screenshots or photographs showing both players and the result/issue.
4. Prizing
Players can participate in this competition against Players from across their tournament Region (as defined in Appendix B). As a result, prize winners are not guaranteed to be participants from a particular country except where stated otherwise. The following prizes will be distributed to the players based on their finishing position/point of exit from the tournament series as stated below.
Prize distribution for Halloween Cups
1st Place: $100
Cash prizes are always before taxes. For this competition, ESL uses PayPal to deliver prize money. To claim the cash prizes, winners must provide an active PayPal account by opening a support ticket.
4.1 Prizing Terms and Conditions
Prizes are not transferable. No substitution of prizes for other goods and services is permitted, except ESL reserves the right to provide a substitute prize of approximately equal value if the advertised prize is unavailable. Unless prohibited by law, winners are solely responsible for the payment of any taxes required.
Receiving a prize is contingent upon compliance with these Official Rules; all prizes claimed in accordance with these Official Rules will be awarded. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified, or the prize is forfeited for any reason, including but not limited to, violation of any part of these Official Rules (see Penalties section) ESL will award the applicable prize, time permitting given the nature of the prize, to the next eligible runner-up. If the alternate runner-up winners cannot be contacted, the Tournament Organiser will contact up to two other alternate runner-up winners. Where the Tournament Organiser cannot contact any of the three alternate runner-up winners, the Tournament Organiser retains the discretion to donate the applicable prize to a charity of the Tournament Organiser's choosing. Winners may be required to provide a shipping address to claim the prize. Allow up to 3 months for delivery of prizes from the Closing Date.
5. Game Coverage
Personal broadcasting is allowed if ESL and/or its affiliates are not broadcasting the same match. If ESL and/or its affiliates are broadcasting a match, personal rebroadcasting is not allowed unless the administration allows it. Personal retransmission of a game broadcasted on ESL and/or its affiliates broadcast channels, without the permission of an ESL administrator, may result in disqualification of the player or prohibition of retransmission of the participant during the tournament.
Participants' personal information will be subject to ESL's Privacy and Cookie Policy, available at for the purposes listed therein. Furthermore, Participants' personal information will be processed for the purpose of organizing, running and monitoring the Competition and prize fulfilment, including, if Participant wins a prize, publishing (i) their name on the Winner(s) List and (ii) their name and country of residence online (including but not limited to Social Media, ESL Website) in connection with the Competition.
Players can remove their name from the Winner(s) List by unlinking their PSN and ESL account and deleting their ESL account.
Personal information will be processed in the United Kingdom or any other country in which ESL, its subsidiaries, or third party agents operate. By entering the Competition, you consent that your personal information may be transferred to recipients in the United States and other countries that may not offer the same level of privacy protection as the laws in your country of residence or citizenship.
Participants have the right to access, withdraw, and correct their personal information on their account page.
Sign in into your account
Edit your personal information
By participating in this Competition, each Participant further agrees:
(a) That the tournament organiser's decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Competition;
(b) The Competition is governed by the laws of the State of California and all claims must be resolved in the United States. Nothing in these Official Rules shall have the effect to deprive you of the consumer protection rights granted to you by the laws of your country of residence that cannot be derogated from by agreement.
(c) The Tournament Organiser reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Competition, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Competition, as determined by Tournament Organiser in its sole discretion. If terminated, Tournament Organiser may, in its sole discretion, determine the winners from among all non-suspect, eligible entries received up to time of such action using the judging procedure outlined above. Tournament Organizer, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Competition or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or those of any other Competition, or the PlayStation Network Terms of Service and Users Agreement, or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner and void all associated entries. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Competition may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Tournament Organiser reserves the right to seek damages and other remedies (including attorneys' fees) from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Tournament Organizer's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
(d) By accepting any of the prizes, you acknowledge and agree that the Tournament Organiser and its designees have the right to use the below information and any other information provided in the administration, marketing, and promotion of the NBA2K21HC, without further consent or compensation to you, unless otherwise noted below:
Background info: Full name, country of residency, age, platform, persona (including PSN ID), likeness
Social Media info: Twitter handle and Twitch account (if applicable)
(e) THE PLAYERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GIVING AND TAKING BRIBES ARE ILLEGAL. THE TOURNAMENT ORGANISER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY, AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION, ANY PARTICIPANT THAT IS INVOLVED WITH ANY ILLEGAL ACTIONS.
Nothing in these Official Rules shall be deemed to exclude or restrict any of the Winner's or the Player statutory rights as a consumer.
All commercial rights (including without limitation any and all marketing and media rights) relating to the NBA2K21HC belong to Tournament Organiser and its licensors.
Participant shall not associate themselves with the NBA2K21HC, ESL, 2K, or PlayStation in any commercial manner, nor use any intellectual property rights of those parties, nor shall they permit any third parties to do so, without the prior written consent of Tournament Organiser or the applicable rights holders, which consent may be granted or withheld in each of their sole discretion.
Any Participant or Participant ad sponsor wishing to carry out or facilitate any promotional or marketing activities with respect to the NBA2K21HC, will need prior written consent from Tournament Organiser or from the respective rights holders, which may be granted or withheld in each of their sole discretion.
The recording and dissemination of images or footage of the NBA2K21HC for commercial purposes by or on behalf of participants is strictly prohibited.
"PlayStation" and "PS4" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
Appendix A: Code of Conduct
The below Code of Conduct applies to all Players in the NBA2K21HC at all levels of the competition unless otherwise specified. The tournament organiser reserves the right to levy penalties, sanction or disqualify any player at its discretion.
PLAYER BEHAVIOR
Competitors must conduct themselves in a reasonable manner, maintaining an appropriate demeanour to spectators, members of the press, tournament administrators, and to other Players. These requirements apply to both offline and online, including with respect to social media conduct and activity on live streams. All Players are expected to adhere to these standards of sportsmanship.
DURING THE TOURNAMENT:
Players must conduct themselves in a reasonable manner, maintaining an appropriate demeanour to spectators, members of the press, tournament administrators, and to other Players. These requirements apply to both offline and online, including with respect to social media conduct. All players are expected to adhere to the standards of good sportsmanship at all times.
Players will refrain from using vulgar or offensive language.
Abusive behaviour, including harassment and threats is prohibited.
Physical abuse, fighting or any threatening action or threatening language, directed at any Player, spectator, official or any other person is prohibited.
Any action that interferes with play of a game, including but not limited to purposely breaking a game station, interfering with power, and abuse of in-game pausing, is prohibited and can result in match forfeiture and/or disqualification from the competition.
Gambling, including betting on the outcome of games, is prohibited.
All Players must not disclose any confidential information provided by the tournament organiser or any of its affiliates to any other people or groups of people, including via social media.
COLLUSION POLICY
Collusion is defined as any agreement among two or more Players to disadvantage other Players in the Competition. Collusion between Players is strictly prohibited. Any Players determined by the tournament organiser at any phase of the NBA2K21HC to be engaging in Collusion will be removed from the competition, be forced to return any compensation and prizes they've received from Live Events.
Examples of collusion include, but are not limited to:
Intentionally losing a match for any reason.
Playing on behalf of another competitor, including using a secondary account, to aid them.
Any form of match-fixing.
Agreeing to split prize money.
Violation of any part of these Official Rules will, at the Tournament organiser's election, result in (a) sanction(s) and/or (b) loss of winner status. All Players must follow the tournament organiser's directions. All decisions and rulings of the tournament organiser are final and binding. The Tournament organiser reserves the right to sanction any Player in competition at any level, at any time for any reason. Sanctions may include, in no particular order, the following:
Forfeiture of single match
Forfeiture of all matches
Loss of awards (including prize money and other paid expenses)
Disqualification from the NBA2K21HC
The tournament organiser also has the right to publicly announce penalties that have been levied on Players. Players who have been penalized by the tournament organiser hereby waive any right of legal action against the NBA2K21HC and PlayStation, and/or any of its affiliates.
Players in the NBA2K21HC have the ability to acquire ad sponsors. Ad sponsorship acquisition is limited, however, to exclude certain categories and industries. If the ad sponsor falls under the below limited categories, then the ad sponsorship may not be displayed by the Player in conjunction with or during the NBA2K21HC. Tournament Organiser and its designees reserve the right to update the below list at any time. The following is a nonexclusive list of prohibited ad sponsors:
Gambling or gambling websites
Alcohol, Tobacco, and/or Non-"over-the-counter" Drugs
Firearms or any type of weapons
Pornographic or adult material
Products or services from direct competitors of PlayStation, its partners, and its other subsidiary brands
Direct competitors of PlayStation
Tournament Organiser reserve the right to prohibit any third party at their sole discretion.
Appendix B: Countries & Age
Below is a comprehensive list of all eligible countries, their respective tournament region and minimum age required to participate in NBA2K21HC:
System rules
1. ESL Swiss tournaments
1.1. Concept
The ESL Swiss tournaments are intended to resolve the best players or teams during a multiple round one-versus-one pairing system. Our system calculates pairings based on your amount of wins in the previous rounds and potentially your initial seeding value if they're being utilized in the tournament. The player with the highest amount of wins overall will be ranked highest. You can read more from our Swiss FAQ.
1.2. No show
If your opponent does not show up after 10 minutes, you must enter the result as your opponent did not appear in time. Do not enter a default win for yourself. Please refer to the specific tournament rules for further details.
1. Global Rules
The league administration has the right to decide outside or even against the rulebook in special cases to guarantee fairplay.
1.2. Code of Conduct
Every participant has to behave with respect towards the representatives of the ESL, press, viewers, partners and other players. The participants are requested to represent esports, the ESL, and their Sponsors honorably. This applies to behavior in-game and also in chats, messengers, comments and other media. We expect players to conduct themselves according to the following values:
Compassion: treat others as you would be treated.
Integrity: be honest, be committed, play fair.
Respect: show respect all other humans, including teammates, competitors, and event staff.
Courage: be courageous in competition and in standing up for what is right.
Participants must not engage in harassment or hate speech in any form. This includes, but is not limited to:
Hate speech, offensive behavior, or verbal abuse related to sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, physical appearance, body size, age, or religion.
Stalking or intimidation (physically or online).
Spamming, raiding, hijacking, or inciting disruption of streams or social media.
Posting or threatening to post other people's personally identifying information ("doxing").
Unwelcome sexual attention. This includes, unwelcome sexualized comments, jokes, and sexual advances.
Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Please refer to the AnyKey Keystone Code to learn more about good sporting behavior. Refer to the ESIC Code of Conduct for detailed conduct rules and penalties
Violation of this Code of Conduct will result in penalty points. In the case of repeat or extreme violations, penalties may include disqualification, or banning from future ESL events.
1.2.1. Insults and offensive behaviour
All insults that happen during an ESL-Match or on the ESL platform, may be punished. This includes but is not limited to ingame chat of the corresponding game, guestbooks, forums, Match- or News-Comments, ESL Messages, Match-Chat, game IDs. Insults that happen on external messengers are not taken into account.
Penalties are no longer limited to Penalty Points and barrages, but may also contain the following depending on the incident, location and frequency of the insult:
Penalty Points & barrages are given for incidents within ESL-Matches
Insults or inappropriate behaviour within Comments or other options for contacting a player, will result in a Forum- & Comment ban
Severe incidents including, but not limited to the following points, may be punished in other ways:
Extremist statements
Threat of violence
severe insults
pornographic linkings
The right to appeal is only with the injured.
The excessive posting of futile, annoying or offensive contributions within the ESL is considered as spamming. Spamming on the website (forums, match comments, player comments, support- and protest pages, etc) is penalized as follows:
1 penalty point + 1 week comment ban for the second spamming incident.
2 penalty points + 2 week comment ban for the third spamming incident.
3 penalty points + 3 week comment ban for the fourth and any further spamming incidents.
1.2.3. Public behaviour
All participants shall abstain, at all times, from poor, undesirable, or negative behaviour towards anybody involved with the tournament in any way.
All participants shall abstain, at all times, from any action or inaction that brings anybody involved with the tournament in any way into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule or reduces the public relations or commercial value of any involved party. This includes derogatory comments aimed at ESL, its partners or products in interviews, statements and/or social media channels.
1.3. Matches, competitions, meetings
In all competitions there should be a fair playing field for all players.
Every encounter, whether a ladder match or other competition must be played according to the rules until it is complete and the result on the ESL page entered, or at events the result sheet is completed. Any encounter that did not take place, should be deleted. Matches will be opened only by admins to delete exceptions. Matches that did not take place will be considered fake matches and will be punished.
It is not allowed for participants to bet on matches in their own competition. Betting against yourself (in team leagues: against your own team) will get you (in team leagues: your team) disqualified and the betting player(s) banned.
Players and teams that are already qualified for or participating in an event (e.g. Pro League or any offline event) or the later stages of a tournament (e.g. Open/Challenger League, but not Sony Open Series) are not allowed to participate in any of its ongoing or upcoming qualifiers. In the case of a player or team breaching this rule, they will be disqualified from the current qualifier and may face further punishment, up to and including disqualification from the event.
1.4. Game / client
In general, all programs which are not part of the original game, including custom-data and modifications, are not allowed in any ESL game. All external voice programs are allowed (e.g. Teamspeak, Ventrilo etc.). Scripts and changes to the game's configuration are allowed, unless they are partly or completely forbidden by the league specific rules. Programs that provide an advantage during game play (e.g. drivers that allow the removing of walls) are forbidden. Any programs that change the game itself are forbidden.
The ESL reserves exclusive right to the coverage of ESL matches. This includes all forms of transmission, including IRC Bots, Shoutcast-streams, HLTV and ESL-TV Broadcasts. The ESL can assign the coverage rights of a match or of several matches to a third party or to the actual players themselves. In this case, terms and conditions would have to be arranged with the ESL management before the match.
All texts written in either protest or support tickets, or written by the administrators to members of a certain league or tournament, cannot be published without the permission of the ESL.
1.7. Language
The official language of this national section is English. All players should be able to communicate in English and to do so.
2. Fraud/deception
ESL is a member of ESIC, the Esports Integrity Commission. The Esports Integrity Commission is a not for profit members' association established in 2015 by key esports stakeholders to deal with issues of common interest – in particular the threat that match manipulation and betting fraud and other integrity challenges pose to esports.
Membership of ESIC centres around key Principles that the members have agreed and they have also agreed to be bound by a Code of Ethics to govern their behaviour amongst themselves. ESIC is a historic Commission of businesses that are usually in competition with each other, but recognise that they are all threatened by attacks on the integrity of esports.
2.1. Deception
The attempt to deceive admins or other players with wrong or fake statements, information or data will not be tolerated.
2.2. Other unauthorized offences
Including but not limited to the abusing of bugs in the website.
These penalties are at the discretion of the responsible admin and are penalized according to severity.
All forms of cheating in ESL matches are forbidden and will be penalized by the ESL. Players found cheating outside of the ESL may be barraged on the ESL depending on the evidence available. Note, we do not accept publicly submitted demo or screenshot evidence in these cases. Should it become known to the ESL administrators that any form of cheating was used to the advantage of a player or a team during an ESL match, the ESL reserves the right to punish them to the full extent of the rules available. By breaking any rule a player risks being barred or completely excluded from a specific league or from all leagues. This also includes their team.
The use of programs (or "hacks") or other methods to circumvent, modify or in any way manipulate ESL Anticheat is forbidden. Any use of such programs or methods will be punished as cheating. Even testing of such programs or methods in a match not happening within the ESL will be punished.
2.3.1. Distribution of cheats
Contributing to the distribution of cheats in any way is not allowed on ESL. This includes but is not limited to referring to the name, website or logo of cheats anywhere on ESL, such as player profiles, team profiles, forums, comments, guest book entries, etc.
Violating this rule will be punished from a warning up to exclusion from ESL.
2.3.2. Cheating Sanctions
Disqualification from the tournament, results voided, forfeiture of prize money, ban between 2 years and lifetime depending on age and level of player and nature/size of tournament and how the player cheated. Cheating at a professional level (i.e. where qualification for a professional event is at stake) should normally result in a 5 year ban, but, in aggravating circumstances, can result in a lifetime ban.
2.3.3. Rehabilitation
Nevertheless first offenders willing to intensively deal with their situation can get a second chance. More information about the cheater rehabilitation can be found here.
2.4. Match-Fixing/betting fraud
Engaging in any action that improperly influences the outcome of a game or match by any means.
2.4.1. Match-Fixing Sanctions
Results voided, 5 year ban unless significant mitigating factors in line with the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code or, in the presence of aggravating circumstances, a longer ban, forfeiture of prize money and monetary fine (if discovered before the end of a tournament, disqualification).
2.5. Doping
Any kind of doping is forbidden.
2.5.1. Prescribed medication
If players have an active prescription for a substance on the WADA list, they have to send proof to the tournament administration before the first day of the tournament (deadline in local time). They may still be subject to a doping test, but a positive result for the prescribed substance will be disregarded.
2.5.2. Doping Sanctions
Mild cases of doping will be punished with a warning and possibly minor penalty points for the participant. Severe cases (i.e. use of drugs containing performance enhancing substances, like Adderall) will be punished as follows: Results voided, ban of between 1 and 2 years, forfeiture of prize money (if discovered before the end of a tournament, disqualification).
2.6. Competition manipulation and bribery
Bribing or attempting to bribe a referee or organizer or trying to manipulate the competition.
2.6.1. Competition manipulation and bribery Sanctions
Results voided, ban of between 1 and 2 years, forfeiture of prize money and monetary fine (if discovered before the end of a tournament, disqualification)
2.7. Second and subsequent offences
For second and subsequent offences, participants should expect far harsher sanctions and in all likelihood a lifetime ban from esports.
3. Accounts
3.1. Player
An ESL Account can only be created if the user is at least six years old. When registering, each player must provide an up-to-date and correct email address and it is the player's responsibility to keep this up-to-date. To play in a ladder, a method of contact must be available and visible to all users in your player profile.
Also, the permanent residence must be chosen according to the country he/she is currently living in. Should the country differ from his/her nationality, the player can add an additional flag in the settings.
3.1.1. Multiaccounts
Each player in the ESL must only have one account! If a player can not access his account and then creates a new one, then he/she must write a support ticket explaining in detail the reason for not being able to access the account.
3.1.2. Nicknames, Team Names and URL Aliases
We reserve the right to edit Nicknames and/or URL aliases, if they fail to comply with the following requirements.
are protected by third-party rights and the user has no written permission
resemble or if they are identical to a brand or trademark, no matter whether it has been
resemble or if they are identical to a real person other than themselves
use names of ESL Gaming products
resemble or if they are identical to the names of ESL Gaming employees
are nonsense
In addition to the above, any nicknames/team names/aliases that are purely commercial (e.g. product names), defamatory, pejorative, offensive, vulgar, obscene, anti-Semitic, inciting hatred, or offending against good manners are forbidden. Using alternative spelling, gibberish or wrong spelling in order to avoid the requirements mentioned above is illegal. We reserve the right to extend, change, exchange or delete these rules if necessary.
3.1.3. Photo
It would be nice if a player's photo clearly shows the face of the player, for adding anything else (graphics, other people, other parts of body, etc.) please use the logo function. For anything else please use the gallery. Photos with weapons are not allowed!
3.1.4. Country
A player's country must be set to their country of residence. Deliberately faking the country of residence is punishable.
If a player's country of residence is changed in order to avoid any country restrictions or if the player is trying to fake or abuse they will be punished with 2 penalty points. If the player does so and plays in a team match, the team will get 3 penalty points and the match is deleted.
3.1.5. Nationality
A player's nationality must be set to their nationality that is proven by a current passport. Deliberately faking nationality is punishable.
3.1.6. Account sharing
Each ESL account is strictly personal and cannot be shared with other ESL users and / or other players that don't have an ESL account. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a ban of up to 6 months.
The original registrant must always be the final user of the account, which cannot be lent or transferred in any case. This will be considered as account sharing or multi account and pursued according to the ESL rules.
A team's name does not have to be unique, but the ESL reserves the right to refuse clans with the same or similar names as a well-known clan (e.g. If you named your team "Schroet Kommando" or "Schroet Commando" etc, that would not be allowed).
Names which are restricted by law will not be accepted and will be deleted and punished with penalty points if found. Also, names which go against all forms of etiquette and good manners will not be accepted.
The logo must represent the team and have some reference to the team's name or to the team's short handle. Copyrighted logos, or logos which go against etiquette and good manors will not be accepted.
A team can change its name at any time. This also applies when a team is restructured.
Changing a team's name in order to fool other teams is forbidden. Extremely long names, or consistent changing of team names is prohibited and can be punished with penalty points.
3.2.2. Team nationality
In general, during matches of ESL national sections, at all times in-game a team must have more than 50% of its players that are residing in or have the nationality of the country or countries that the national section represents.
3.2.3. Players in team
A player may only play for one team in a tournament or league. Participants in an EPS may not also play in the EAS underneath it.
In tournaments or leagues that require Premium or Trusted then only players with this status are eligible to play. In general players that are marked inactive or honorary on a team page are not eligible to play.
If a homepage is required for a tournament or league then a every player that is on the team account must also be on the homepage.
3.2.4. Sponsors/partnerships
The ESL administration reserves the right to prohibit or remove teams with sponsors or partners that are solely or widely known for pornographic, drug use or other adult/mature themes and products from partaking in ESL Play events at any time.
4. Penalty points
If a player or team disregards or violates one or more of the rules of the league, this can have various consequences depending on the severity of the offence.
1-2 penalty points: 2 months
7 penalty points: 6 months
12 penalty points: 2 years
After obtaining 4 penalty points: 1 week barrage
After obtaining 8 penalty points: 2 weeks barrage
After obtaining 10 penalty points: 1 month barrage
5. Participation in prize tournaments & pro qualifiers
Unless otherwise explicitly permitted, it is not allowed for employees of ESL Gaming GmbH, its subsidiaries or partners, volunteer or contractor staff or employees that are in some way connected to a respective tournament including sponsors, publishers or game developers, to participate in prize winning tournaments, qualification for prize winning tournaments or pro qualifiers.
Prize winning means any tournaments with physical (e.g. hardware) or money prizes. Those prizes will be offered under the raffle conditions, which regulates claiming and receiving prizes. Tournaments with only virtual ESL awards, such as ESL Premium or awards are exempt.
In case you win prize money, depending on the payment method you choose, there might be fees. ESL will cover the fees on the sender end and recipient will cover the fees on the recipient's end.
If in doubt, please contact support.
6. Penalty Point Catalogue
In general, a player and the team can receive up to 6 penalty points per match, unless a single violation has a higher punishment. A team is only punished once per violation, regardless of how many players. Where a player or team receives penalty points for multiple violations, the penalty points are added together.
Rule violation
Number of penalty points
No show Team: 3; Player: 2
Reject compulsory challenge Normal: 1
Intense (top 10): 2
Abort match Player / Team: 2
Use of ineligible player
Inactive barrage Player / Team: 3
Barraged Player / Team: 6
Unregistered player Player / Team: 3
Missing Premium (where required) Player / Team: 3
Missing Trusted (where required) Player / Team: 3
Ringer/Faker Player / Team: 6
Playing with wrong gameaccount Player / Team: 3
Playing without a registered gameaccount Player / Team: 3
Unsportsmanlike behaviour
Multiple/Fake accounts Warning / 1-4 penalty points
Deception Player / Team: 1 - 4
Fake result Player / Team: 4
Fake match media Player / Team: 6
Fake match Player / Team: 6
Cheating Player: 12 / Team: 6
* In cup and league matches default wins are given instead of a match deletion and penalty points.
Matches get only deleted if the team/player violating the rules won the match.
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