Match Procedure:

Due to the higher production of NAF (NORTH AMERICAN FINALs), teams are not allowed to commence matches independently and must wait for production approval or they forfeit the results of any false starts.

Matches will happen as follows:

Step 1- When your team's match becomes available to play, please check the bracket for your game to see which station you are assigned.

Step 2- Locate your team's station and confirm with the judge that this is your station and proceed to sit down and have players log into their game accounts.

Step 3- Home team must add the observer for their match (Note: if observer is not in match when started, game will have to be restarted and replayed).

Step 4- All match lobbies may be set up at this time - DO NOT START. The Tournament Official (TO) will inform teams when to start.

Step 5- Once a game is completed, both teams (coaches only) please report to the TO desk and report your match results to Fluffy. If playing in the Fortress, report scores to nearest TO.

Broadcasting:

Individual attendees are not allowed to livestream the matches at NAF. They may livestream their in-person experience but not run any broadcast software on the tournament equipment.

Punctuality:

Teams may not voluntarily forfeit matches without prior authorization from a TO. Any team that does not arrive within 10 minutes of their designated start time forfeits the match. Exceptional circumstances will be afforded with prior notification to TOs.

Communication:

Teams are not allowed to use voice chat services such as Discord, TeamSpeak, Skype, etc. All teams must use the in-game voice chat for match communication.

Stoppage of Play:

A TO may pause a game or match at any time and for any reason. In the event of a stoppage of play, players must remain at their stations and may not communicate with other players until the game or match is resumed. Each team is allowed a maximum of one pause request per match.

Restarts:

A TO may order a game or match restart due to exceptional circumstances, such as if a bug significantly affects a player’s ability to play or the game or match is disrupted by a force majeure or other event.

Player Equipment:

Player-provided equipment is not permitted for use during NAF competition. This includes but is not limited to mice, keyboards, headsets or any other peripheral. Players may not connect any peripheral to the tournament equipment.

Exception allotted for: wired controllers only, wireless controllers are not allowed.

Provided Equipment:

PC

Monitor

Mouse

Keyboard

Headset

Mousepad

Controllers will not be provided.

Replacement of Provided Equipment:

If equipment or technical problems are suspected at a LAN event, a player or TO may request a technical review of the situation. A technician designated by a TO will diagnose and troubleshoot problems as needed. Technicians may request that TO’s order replacements of any equipment at the applicable technician’s discretion.

Decisions regarding the replacement of any equipment are solely at the discretion of the tournament operator. If a player wishes to use personal replacement equipment, the player must use equipment which has been pre-approved by TOs; otherwise, they will be provided replacement equipment by the TO.

Computer Programs and Usage:

At LAN Events, Players are prohibited from installing their own programs and must use only the programs provided by the TO. This includes the warm-up area computers. If a player wishes to install a program onto the warm-up area computers, they must first ask a TO. Players are prohibited from changing any visual settings on the provided equipment (Screensavers, themes, etc.).

Macros:

All Macro programs external to the game clients are prohibited from being used for binding more than one action and/or a sequence of actions to a single key during a match of official competition unless explicitly authorized by the TO.

Social Media and Communication:

It is prohibited to use tournament provided computers to view or post on any social media or communication sites. This includes, but is not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, online forums/message boards and email.

Non-Essential Equipment:

It is prohibited to connect non-essential equipment, such as mobile phones or flash drives, to tournament provided computers, for any reason.

Native Programs:

Players may use the native programs MS Paint and Notepad during and before matches. The following restrictions apply:

Any language or imagery created by players on native programs will be held to the same conduct standards laid forth in the XP League General Ruleset.

Any advertisement or mention of teams, sponsors, and brands is prohibited on native programs, including advertisement of personal brands and social media or communication accounts.

Any strategy notes on native programs created in pre-match setup must be deleted before the match begins.

Any pause that the TO deems is a direct or indirect result of players using native programs will be considered impermissible and will be sanctioned. TOs will not offer round restarts or remakes for bugs that occur due to usage of native programs. For clarity, usage of native programs includes the act of switching application windows to access native programs.

TOs may sanction players for violations of these restrictions and may prohibit players from accessing native programs in cases of abuse.

Coach, Team Manager, Spectator Access:

All spectators must stand behind the designated “Match Area” during match play. Coaches and team managers may be in the match area during match prep process but must leave prior to lobby creation. Mid-game coaching is not allowed, coaches may approach the match area in between games.

Food and Drink Restrictions:

No food or drink is allowed in the match area.

Changes to Schedule:

TOs may, at their sole discretion, re-order the schedule of matches within a given time and/or change the date and time of a match to a different date or otherwise modify the schedule of matches. If XP League Officials modify a match schedule, they will notify all affected teams as soon as possible.