Please read this entire post.
Settings were ignored:
2 or possibly 3 games ignored the tournament settings and were either Team Random or pre discussed / decided. This could have warranted some games being replayed from the point in the series where the rules started to be ignored. This issue was completely superseded by the events of game 4.
Where we stand:
Hand on heart I don't think that anyone can in all honesty agree that Game 4 was played properly, add in the previous games choices, add in the fact they are both on the same voice channel and what is being said.
As admins, the responsibility falls on us to make decisions in cases where there are also shades of grey. If all issues were black and white, you wouldn't even need an admin, because there would be no decisions to make, just resolution of something that is obviously right to everyone. Rules & Settings would be 10 pages long. Every tournament automatically expects players to play in the correct spirit of the game and with respect to opponents and the event itself.
Our starting point is that it is beyond reasonable doubt that game 4 was a fake game, which calls into question any other games between the 2 players as well. Of course, we don't have physical evidence, like fingerprints from a crime scene, meaning that this is ultimately subjective, but all admins are convinced beyond reasonable doubt. The question is whether we choose to act from a position of being beyond reasonable doubt or not.
The dilemma:
As much as anyone else, we wanted and were ultimately hoping for explanations which would have given us the confidence to think that the match in question was played genuinely.
I firmly believe it was not done maliciously or with real forethought into how disrespectful it could be seen as.
The issue for us is that every single course of action is problematic and would have negative consequences, including just doing nothing. This puts us in an extremely difficult position that we take no satisfaction from being in. We cannot make a single decision that will not have strong opposition to it from one section or another.
The possibilities and their consequences:
We discussed all of these possibilities at great length.
(1) Do nothing - ignore all of the facts that were brought to us, we didn't actively go seeking any of it. Then ignore our convictions of being beyond reasonable doubt. Brush it all off as some fun or a joke, potentially disrespect all other players in the event and the event itself, send a message for the future that playing fake games in prize money tournaments is absolutely fine. Potentially have other players in the event withdraw due to feeling like the event is a joke.
(2) Award points for games 1,2 and 3 only - 'We caught you robbing the bank, but it's okay, you can keep half of it' or another potential example " he smurfed for me in Game 4 & 5 but I played Games 1,2 & 3 myself so I earned those points"
(3) 1 penalty point each - same as above
(4) Negate game 4 - which ultimately negates game 5 as well, why allow a 2-2 score for Game 4 if you then risk it all on Game 5.
(5) Replay entire series - 'We caught you doing wrong but it's okay, just have another go', placing trust in the second set of games
(6) Disqualify both - many actually asked for this, was not on the table as far as admins were concerned, no evidence to warrant actual disqualification and permanent tarring of players as 'cheaters'
(7) Remove all points from the games - players do not benefit from wrongdoing in the games between them, but all other matches will be played in good faith, keeps respect for other players and the tournament itself, still offers the players the chance to go through if they perform well enough, admittedly from a handicap - fully aware that this may lead to player resignation and/or demotivation as well as greatly reducing chances of going through
What we did:
Removed all points (basically option 7) in the interim whilst continuing to investigate and consider all possibilities. The players had a chance to explain and were aware that we were taking some form of action.
A personal note:
One of the most exciting parts of this tournament for me personally was the potential of Tim meeting Viper in the next stage. A game that would have been brilliant for AOC. So for anyone to think this was some form of targeting against Tim or any Chinese could not be more mistaken. -
How we will proceed from here:
The above is an attempt to explain the logic that informed our actions and our consideration of the different potential resolutions. We took what we considered the best course of action in the interim without making any official public decision. Again, every single possibility was a negative one. No-one wins here and nobody is happy with any of the outcomes.
Taking into account all of the above, please give this serious thought, both what is best for now and for AoC in the future, and not just taking an anti-establishment position.
After that, please put what you think should happen below. I will do what I can to ensure the results are actioned upon. Remember that the poll result is not binding upon Tim - he can still uphold his resignation regardless of what you decide.
Options:
1. Take no action
2. Penalize both -1 point
3. Replay the match
4. Stick to Admin decision and reward with 0 points
Everything other than a posted reply of JUST options 1,2,3 or 4 will be deleted. There are many other topics for discussion purposes. Please don't add options for scenarios or we won't be counting your votes. A clear vote of 1,2,3 or 4 are the only options - so please edit your posts if you want them counted. Multiple votes from the same person using various accounts will lead to none being counted and highlighted. We really expect some maturity here.
We will lock the topic @ 18:00 GMT on Monday 29th February and count the options voted on.
Settings were ignored:
2 or possibly 3 games ignored the tournament settings and were either Team Random or pre discussed / decided. This could have warranted some games being replayed from the point in the series where the rules started to be ignored. This issue was completely superseded by the events of game 4.
Where we stand:
Hand on heart I don't think that anyone can in all honesty agree that Game 4 was played properly, add in the previous games choices, add in the fact they are both on the same voice channel and what is being said.
As admins, the responsibility falls on us to make decisions in cases where there are also shades of grey. If all issues were black and white, you wouldn't even need an admin, because there would be no decisions to make, just resolution of something that is obviously right to everyone. Rules & Settings would be 10 pages long. Every tournament automatically expects players to play in the correct spirit of the game and with respect to opponents and the event itself.
Our starting point is that it is beyond reasonable doubt that game 4 was a fake game, which calls into question any other games between the 2 players as well. Of course, we don't have physical evidence, like fingerprints from a crime scene, meaning that this is ultimately subjective, but all admins are convinced beyond reasonable doubt. The question is whether we choose to act from a position of being beyond reasonable doubt or not.
The dilemma:
As much as anyone else, we wanted and were ultimately hoping for explanations which would have given us the confidence to think that the match in question was played genuinely.
I firmly believe it was not done maliciously or with real forethought into how disrespectful it could be seen as.
The issue for us is that every single course of action is problematic and would have negative consequences, including just doing nothing. This puts us in an extremely difficult position that we take no satisfaction from being in. We cannot make a single decision that will not have strong opposition to it from one section or another.
The possibilities and their consequences:
We discussed all of these possibilities at great length.
(1) Do nothing - ignore all of the facts that were brought to us, we didn't actively go seeking any of it. Then ignore our convictions of being beyond reasonable doubt. Brush it all off as some fun or a joke, potentially disrespect all other players in the event and the event itself, send a message for the future that playing fake games in prize money tournaments is absolutely fine. Potentially have other players in the event withdraw due to feeling like the event is a joke.
(2) Award points for games 1,2 and 3 only - 'We caught you robbing the bank, but it's okay, you can keep half of it' or another potential example " he smurfed for me in Game 4 & 5 but I played Games 1,2 & 3 myself so I earned those points"
(3) 1 penalty point each - same as above
(4) Negate game 4 - which ultimately negates game 5 as well, why allow a 2-2 score for Game 4 if you then risk it all on Game 5.
(5) Replay entire series - 'We caught you doing wrong but it's okay, just have another go', placing trust in the second set of games
(6) Disqualify both - many actually asked for this, was not on the table as far as admins were concerned, no evidence to warrant actual disqualification and permanent tarring of players as 'cheaters'
(7) Remove all points from the games - players do not benefit from wrongdoing in the games between them, but all other matches will be played in good faith, keeps respect for other players and the tournament itself, still offers the players the chance to go through if they perform well enough, admittedly from a handicap - fully aware that this may lead to player resignation and/or demotivation as well as greatly reducing chances of going through
What we did:
Removed all points (basically option 7) in the interim whilst continuing to investigate and consider all possibilities. The players had a chance to explain and were aware that we were taking some form of action.
A personal note:
One of the most exciting parts of this tournament for me personally was the potential of Tim meeting Viper in the next stage. A game that would have been brilliant for AOC. So for anyone to think this was some form of targeting against Tim or any Chinese could not be more mistaken. -
How we will proceed from here:
The above is an attempt to explain the logic that informed our actions and our consideration of the different potential resolutions. We took what we considered the best course of action in the interim without making any official public decision. Again, every single possibility was a negative one. No-one wins here and nobody is happy with any of the outcomes.
Taking into account all of the above, please give this serious thought, both what is best for now and for AoC in the future, and not just taking an anti-establishment position.
After that, please put what you think should happen below. I will do what I can to ensure the results are actioned upon. Remember that the poll result is not binding upon Tim - he can still uphold his resignation regardless of what you decide.
Options:
1. Take no action
2. Penalize both -1 point
3. Replay the match
4. Stick to Admin decision and reward with 0 points
Everything other than a posted reply of JUST options 1,2,3 or 4 will be deleted. There are many other topics for discussion purposes. Please don't add options for scenarios or we won't be counting your votes. A clear vote of 1,2,3 or 4 are the only options - so please edit your posts if you want them counted. Multiple votes from the same person using various accounts will lead to none being counted and highlighted. We really expect some maturity here.
We will lock the topic @ 18:00 GMT on Monday 29th February and count the options voted on.