Post by The Commisioner on Sept 3, 2013 4:20:53 GMT
I do not want this league to be one that is controlled by 'rules'. Video games are supposed to be fun and having a bunch of do's and don'ts can really impede on said fun, but, fun to those who participate in Gridiron Glory 360 is a simulation style of play and because of this a few rules about conduct in game are needed. This will also include some rules regarding how your team and participation in the league is handled 'off the field'. We will operate within what I am calling a 1 strike rule. You will get 1 warning when you are reported for violating these rules. The second warranted strike will result in your dismissal from the league.
GG360 Rules and Expectations
1. Poor Sportsmanship
- This includes several things and this particular part of the rules will be enforced, sometimes without a warning. We all know what sportsmanship is. Don't line your guys up offside because your pissed about the clock running down and trying to delay the inevitable with penalties. Don't send nasty hatemail to your opponent during or after a game (Good natured shit talking is strongly encouraged). Don't quit your game before it is over. Ever. Ever. If it is blatantly obvious that you have quit a game or are conducting yourself in a childish way because you are a poor loser you will be kicked from the league without warning.
2. Going for it on 4th Down
- Going for it on 4th down IS allowed. Going for it on 4th down from your own 35 yard line in the 2nd quarter is not. Please be intelligent enough to understand the difference. If you are playing someone who goes for it in situations that would get an NFL Head Coach fired, please report it to me. Keep in mind though, that sometimes aggressive playcalling is called for and that going for it when the time is right is not against the rules.
3. AI glitching and 'cheese' play
- This is something that sim players cannot stand and won't be allowed in this league. Excessive pre-snap manipulation of the AI causes the game to become less about football and more about your ability to take advantage of it. Motion, audibles, etc. are not prohibited. Do what you must to create the advantage for your team but know that any signs of taking advantage of the AI will likely be reported by your opponent and if it seems somewhat likely that you are doing it on purpose you will receive your strike. 'Cheese' play is similar to AI glitching in that it takes away from the realism of the game. Examples of cheese are things like running the same play over and over again because you see that, because of the AI's setup, it cannot be stopped. Throwing the ball 60 times with Christian Ponder is also cheese. Please try to play your games in a way that resembles the game we see on Sunday.
4. Gameflow/Playcalling/Clock Management
- Custom playbooks are not necessarily encouraged but they are not against the rules. If you create a custom playbook that manages to remain within the confines of the rules of the league then go ahead and use it to your hearts content. If you create a playbook that creates an unrealistic game enviroment you will not be allowed to use them at all. The league is set to Gameflow, but it is NOT required. Using it will create a pretty unpredictable situation for you and your opponent, which can add to realism, but if you prefer to select your own plays each time feel free. The play clock rundown is set to 20 seconds to create more realistic Time of Possession and a realistic amount of plays ran during the course of the game. Running no huddle throughout the game is to many considered cheese play. No huddle as a strategy is not banned but do not use it for all 4 quarters to create AI mismatches. As a sidenote: In Week 1 the playclock rundown malfunctioned in my game vs the Bears. It no longer melted the clock to 20 seconds after the play was selected. If you are unfortunate enough for a situation like this to occur, respect the rules of the league and do your best to allow the clock to rundown manually.
5. Auto-Pilot Owners
- If your user opponent has tried to contact you to play and not received any messages from you, I will set your team to auto-pilot so that they can play the CPU before the Advance occurs. This happened already in Week 1. Basically we advance every 2 days so your participation is needed to stay in the league. If you cannot manage the advance schedule then you may want to find a league that has a slower one. If you do this in 2 consecutive advances you will be removed from the league. Similar rules apply if your team is scheduled to play the CPU and you do not get your game in before the advance. You will not be removed from the league because you did not play the CPU but if it becomes obvious that you are neglecting your games you will be removed from the league. If you find your team has been set to auto-pilot, please get up with me ASAP. Long story short... after 2 consecutive advances under auto-pilot you will be removed from the league.
6. Time Away
- Life happens. If you need time away from the league and plan on returning in a reasonable amount of time, we want you to stay. Just drop me a line on XBox Live or leave a message for me here. I will set you to auto-pilot without the 2 Week limitations if I know that there are circumstances that are causing you not to be able to play for a little while.
7. The League Forum
- This message board is pivotal to keeping players in this league in communication with each other about scheduling games and adding to the depth of your experience in the league. Get on here and chat it up with the other owners. Talk some smack. Get to know someone you otherwise wouldn't have. If you joined an online league so that you can play the CPU every week, then you are wasting your time. Gridiron Glory 360 seeks to to create a positive environment for social interaction and your going to have to use these boards for that. Please do not neglect the forums. The forum loves you. Love her back.
Some of this can be summed up by saying, don't be a dummy. Most of you know what is expected for fair play and simulation style leagues. Play with the games you see on Sunday in mind and we will avoid most if not all potential problems mentioned here. If playing by these rules is natural to you then we can all have a lot of fun. Thanks for reading. Go play Madden.
GG360 Rules and Expectations
1. Poor Sportsmanship
- This includes several things and this particular part of the rules will be enforced, sometimes without a warning. We all know what sportsmanship is. Don't line your guys up offside because your pissed about the clock running down and trying to delay the inevitable with penalties. Don't send nasty hatemail to your opponent during or after a game (Good natured shit talking is strongly encouraged). Don't quit your game before it is over. Ever. Ever. If it is blatantly obvious that you have quit a game or are conducting yourself in a childish way because you are a poor loser you will be kicked from the league without warning.
2. Going for it on 4th Down
- Going for it on 4th down IS allowed. Going for it on 4th down from your own 35 yard line in the 2nd quarter is not. Please be intelligent enough to understand the difference. If you are playing someone who goes for it in situations that would get an NFL Head Coach fired, please report it to me. Keep in mind though, that sometimes aggressive playcalling is called for and that going for it when the time is right is not against the rules.
3. AI glitching and 'cheese' play
- This is something that sim players cannot stand and won't be allowed in this league. Excessive pre-snap manipulation of the AI causes the game to become less about football and more about your ability to take advantage of it. Motion, audibles, etc. are not prohibited. Do what you must to create the advantage for your team but know that any signs of taking advantage of the AI will likely be reported by your opponent and if it seems somewhat likely that you are doing it on purpose you will receive your strike. 'Cheese' play is similar to AI glitching in that it takes away from the realism of the game. Examples of cheese are things like running the same play over and over again because you see that, because of the AI's setup, it cannot be stopped. Throwing the ball 60 times with Christian Ponder is also cheese. Please try to play your games in a way that resembles the game we see on Sunday.
4. Gameflow/Playcalling/Clock Management
- Custom playbooks are not necessarily encouraged but they are not against the rules. If you create a custom playbook that manages to remain within the confines of the rules of the league then go ahead and use it to your hearts content. If you create a playbook that creates an unrealistic game enviroment you will not be allowed to use them at all. The league is set to Gameflow, but it is NOT required. Using it will create a pretty unpredictable situation for you and your opponent, which can add to realism, but if you prefer to select your own plays each time feel free. The play clock rundown is set to 20 seconds to create more realistic Time of Possession and a realistic amount of plays ran during the course of the game. Running no huddle throughout the game is to many considered cheese play. No huddle as a strategy is not banned but do not use it for all 4 quarters to create AI mismatches. As a sidenote: In Week 1 the playclock rundown malfunctioned in my game vs the Bears. It no longer melted the clock to 20 seconds after the play was selected. If you are unfortunate enough for a situation like this to occur, respect the rules of the league and do your best to allow the clock to rundown manually.
5. Auto-Pilot Owners
- If your user opponent has tried to contact you to play and not received any messages from you, I will set your team to auto-pilot so that they can play the CPU before the Advance occurs. This happened already in Week 1. Basically we advance every 2 days so your participation is needed to stay in the league. If you cannot manage the advance schedule then you may want to find a league that has a slower one. If you do this in 2 consecutive advances you will be removed from the league. Similar rules apply if your team is scheduled to play the CPU and you do not get your game in before the advance. You will not be removed from the league because you did not play the CPU but if it becomes obvious that you are neglecting your games you will be removed from the league. If you find your team has been set to auto-pilot, please get up with me ASAP. Long story short... after 2 consecutive advances under auto-pilot you will be removed from the league.
6. Time Away
- Life happens. If you need time away from the league and plan on returning in a reasonable amount of time, we want you to stay. Just drop me a line on XBox Live or leave a message for me here. I will set you to auto-pilot without the 2 Week limitations if I know that there are circumstances that are causing you not to be able to play for a little while.
7. The League Forum
- This message board is pivotal to keeping players in this league in communication with each other about scheduling games and adding to the depth of your experience in the league. Get on here and chat it up with the other owners. Talk some smack. Get to know someone you otherwise wouldn't have. If you joined an online league so that you can play the CPU every week, then you are wasting your time. Gridiron Glory 360 seeks to to create a positive environment for social interaction and your going to have to use these boards for that. Please do not neglect the forums. The forum loves you. Love her back.
Some of this can be summed up by saying, don't be a dummy. Most of you know what is expected for fair play and simulation style leagues. Play with the games you see on Sunday in mind and we will avoid most if not all potential problems mentioned here. If playing by these rules is natural to you then we can all have a lot of fun. Thanks for reading. Go play Madden.