DoomWare Developers Network/DoomwareDevelopersNetworkCd-OccurrenceI1994cytechCodehouse3c66710c.iso/occurenc/other1/wads/doomsw.rul

Text File | 1994-10-20 | 16KB | 316 lines

     >>> ATTENTION ALL DOOM SHAREWARE AND REGISTERED OWNERS <<<

  All right all you Space Marines, here's your chance to show your
  stuff, to make friends, and to blast each other into oblivion.

  Do you have what it takes to be the Top Marine of the ...

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  |    |  \__/   \__/  |  \/  |                   _   _   _  _
  |   /  * SHAREWARE * |      |          |   /\  | \ | \ |_ |_|
  |__/ ====================== |          |_ |--| |_/ |_/ |_ |\

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   **  Official Challenge Ladder Rules and Important Information  **
-----------------------------------------------------------------------


< 1 >  WHAT'S A CHALLENGE LADDER?

A challenge ladder is a list of players engaged in an ongoing compe-
tition.  The players are arranged vertically, with the highest ranked
players near the top of the "ladder" and new/unranked players joining in
at the bottom.  As you issue and win challenges, your ranking on the
ladder moves upwards as you strive to achieve the
coveted TOP SPOT.  Possession of the top rung of the challenge ladder
entitles you to unreasonable boasting rights, far in excess of your
normal bluster.  It also entitles you to defend your spot against those
individuals convinced that your ranking must be due only to a combi-
nation of very lucky shots and underskilled opponents.

Be that as it may, the ladder is here to promote friendly competition
amongst DOOM enthusiasts, as well as to provide a focus point for DOOM
head to head competition among CompuServe subscribers.


< 2 >  WHO CAN ENTER THE CHALLENGE LADDER?

The ladder is open to anyone who has joined the CompuServe Modem Games
Forum.  To participate in the challenge ladder, post a PRIVATE message
to Sara Howard (User ID# 76702,543) in Section 12 (DOOM Competitions)
of the Modem Games Forum indicating your interest in joining the
DOOM-Shareware Challenge Ladder.  Include the following information in
your message:

           Your Real Name & Address
           Your phone number(s)
           Your desired "Call-Sign"
           Information on your computer & modem setup (speeds, etc)
           Your CompuServe User ID Number

This information is kept confidential, available only to Forum staff
as may be necessary.  Please list each item on a separate line as
shown above as to ease the processing of your information.

In order to participate in the DOOM-Shareware Challenge Ladder, all
players must have a copy of Either the Shareware or Registered version
of DOOM created by Id Software.  Players should ensure that they have
version 1.2 and a modem capable of 9600 bps or higher.

If you do not have DOOM yet, it can be downloaded from Library 10
(Action/Arcade Games) of the this forum.  The filenames are DOOM-1.ZIP
and DOOM-2.ZIP   If you have an earlier version of DOOM, you can
download the Upgrade, either DOOM-R.ZIP for the registered version
patch to 1.2 or DOOM-S.ZIP for the shareware version patch to 1.2
from Lib 10.

All players are assumed to have had successful modem-to-modem
connections with DOOM.  If you have experienced problems with your
computer/modem configuration, post a message to TigerShark (76711,30)
either in Section 12 (DOOM Competitions) of the Modem Games Forum or
via CIS E-Mail outlining your difficulties.  Please be as specific as
possible.

Additionally, all players should be familiar with all the options
available in DOOM during Serial Connect play such as setting up the
communications options, starting a match, ending the match, etc.


< 3 >  WHERE ARE DOOM-SHAREWARE CHALLENGE LADDER MATCHES PLAYED?

Unfortunately matches can not be played through the CompuServe MTM
Gaming Lobby (GO MTMLOBBY). A direct modem connection between the two
players must be done. But the MTM Lobby is a good place to meet before
or after matches and to pick up un-official practice rounds.


< 4 >  WHO DO YOU CHALLENGE AND HOW?

A list showing the current standings of all ladder participants will
be posted on a regular basis in message section 12 (DOOM Competitions)
of the Modem Games Forum under the message title "(DSS) Ladder Update"
<no quotes>.

PLEASE refrain from responding directly to the updates unless you
are specifically discussing a problem with the posting itself.

You may challenge anyone who is either one, two or three places above
you on the ladder.  In other words, if you are ranked as player six,
you may challenge either players five, four, or three but not player
two.  Any player with "* Defaulted *" <no quotes> in their pending
column  have defaulted on their last match and may be skipped in
calculating the range of possible challengers.

You may NOT challenge a player to whom you have recently had a match
with, either as a challenger or defender, to a rematch until either
one or the other of the following conditions are met: 1) A period of
seven days has elapsed since your match, or 2) BOTH of you have played
a match against another player.  If you are still within range, you
may then issue a rematch challenge.

Issue your challenge on the basis of your standing in the most current
ladder update posted.  Ladder challenges are made by posting a PUBLIC
message to YOUR SELECTED OPPONENT in Section 12 (DOOM Competitions)
of the Modem Games Forum.  The message title should include the
following information: (DSC)(Your Callsign) v. (Your Opponents
Callsign), an example would be "(DSC)TigerShark v. Duke". Abbreviate
the callsigns if need be in order to fit the limitations of the title
block. Only PUBLICLY posted challenges will be officially recognized.
PLEASE include the User ID of your selected opponent in the address
section of the message.  User ID#'s for all ladder participants are
listed in the updates.

You may be party to only ONE challenge at a time.  In other words, you
may NOT challenge another player or be challenged by another player if
you have a current challenge pending.  Nor may you challenge or be
challenged until the outcome of any pending challenges have been
posted.

Challenges must be completed on a first made, first played basis.
Once an official challenge has been posted, the players must resolve
their match before either player is eligible to participate in ANY
further challenges.  The message clock in Section 12 (DOOM Competitions)
and the most recent ladder update are the final arbiters of recedence
in challenge order.


< 5 >  ALL RIGHT, I'VE BEEN CHALLENGED! ... NOW WHAT?

The challenged player has 7 days to respond and the match MUST be
played within 7 days of responding.  In case either player cannot
comply with the notification requirements, please notify TigerShark
(76711,30) to make other arrangements, or exceptions.  The match
will not take much time at all, less than half hour total in most
cases, so lets try to keep them moving.  If you cannot log-on to
CompuServe for any reason, you may call CompuServe Customer Service at
1-800-848-8990 (for calls outside the U.S. or residents of Ohio, call
1-614-457-8650) and they will relay the message.

Players who fail to respond to or fulfill the match requirements will
forfeit their challenge, have * Defaulted * put in their pending
column, and may be skipped by all other participants.  The "* Defaulted *"
status can be removed either by issuing and completing a challenging
or by contacting TigerShark (76711,30) and pleading your hardship case.
Players defaulted for over two weeks will be removed from active status.

If you know that you'll be unavailable for a period of time, either
long or short, please notify TigerShark (76711,30) with a request
for temporary inactive status.  Players on inactive status are not
subject to challenges, but will drop one rung in ladder standing for
each week of inactivity beyond the first week.  (Additional slippage
due to leapfrogging <see Sect 6> may occur as well.)

It's vitally important that you respond promptly to challenges, and
that you keep your opponent informed if scheduling problems arise.  No
one minds being told that they'll have to wait a few days to get the
match played.  If you need an extension of time, ask for one.
However, everyone LOATHES being ignored and having to wait a week or
more only to discover that the match is a forfeit.  PLEASE PLEASE and
PLEASE treat your fellow competitors with the same respect and dignity
that you'd like for yourself.


< 6 >  MOVEMENT ON THE LADDER, OR, HOW DO I GET TO BE THE TOP MARINE?

There is only one way for you to move up the ladder, by challenging
and defeating opponents who are above you in ranking.  If you defeat
your opponent, you assume their ranking in the ladder, the vanquished
player drops down one spot to a position just below the victor.  If
the defender succeeds in fending off the challenge, no change in
ladder ranking occurs.

There are, however, TWO ways for you to slip down the ladder.  The
first, described above, is to lose to a player below you in ladder
ranking.  The second way to slip is to be "leapfrogged" by a
challenger immediately below you who successfully defeats the defender
immediately above you.  For example, consider the following scenario:

          Player A                                     Player A
          Player B     <---- Rankings before           Player E
          Player C                                     Player B
          Player D                                     Player C
          Player E            Rankings after ---->     Player D
          Player F                                     Player F

Player E challenges and defeats Player B.  Player E now assumes Player
B's position on the ladder, and Player D is displaced downwards and is
no longer eligible to issue a new challenge to Player A. (NOTE: If
Player D had a pending challenge against Player A before the outcome
of the match between B and E was posted, that challenge is still valid
despite the fact that Player A is now more than three rungs above
Player D, ineligibility only applies to NEW challenges.)  Note also
that prior to the match between E and B, Player F was not in range to
challenge Player B, but now that Player B has slipped down, a legal
challenge is possible between F and B.

Does it seem Confusing?? <grin>  Well, it'll become clearer as you
play.  If you make any incorrect challenges, someone will be sure to
alert you to the errors of your ways.


< 7 >  ENOUGH TALK, LET'S PLAY!  WHAT ARE THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT?

Ok, ok ... you've read (hopefully) through the ground rules of how the
ladder works, here's the settings you'll use to play challenge matches.

  A.  All matches will be played using the First Episode "Knee Deep in
      the Dead" that is included with the shareware version of DOOM.
      Furthermore, all matches will take place on ONE level.  This
      level will be rotated monthly in order to allow the full use of
      the Episode.  The specific valid level will be stated at the top
      of each ladder standings update "(DSS) Ladder Update".  Monsters
      will be used at the "Hurt me Plenty" level of difficulty.

  B.  All matches will be played till one player obtains five (5)
      frags against his or her opponent.  However,  Frags from killing
      yourself count AGAINST your total.  In other words, if you have
      killed yourself twice, you will need a Frag total of seven (7)
      in order to claim victory.  This will be automatic in the next
      release of DOOM, but until then you will be required to keep a
      running total .. this is easy if you do not kill yourself at all.
      The number of frags, including self frags are listed at the end
      of the level, so you would need 6 frags against your opponent
      to win if you have one frag against yourself.

  C.  You may use any weapon you wish, any weapon available in the
      standard Episode 1 levels during Deathmatch is legal.  However,
      remember that Rocket Blasts at close range can be detrimental to
      Your health.

  D.  You must use an unaltered and unmodified version of DOOM for
      ladder matches! Anyone Believing that their opponent is using
      invalid settings should abort the match and notify TigerShark
      (76711,30) Immediately so that he can investigate the situation.

  E.  Once you feel you have enough Frags to win the match, send a
      message to your opponent stating such.  All Players Must watch
      for messages from their opponent so that disputes can be kept to
      a minimum.  Talking to each other is the best way to prevent
      misunderstandings.  If there is a dispute as to frag counts, the
      player claiming victory can exit the level to prove the frag
      count, of course, if he or she is incorrect then they forfeit
      the match.  The only reasons for leaving the game during a
      match is either comm trouble, a dispute that either side
      feels has occurred, or both sides have agreed upon a winner.


< 8 >  TELLING THE WORLD ABOUT YOUR VICTORY!

It is the responsibility of the winner of each match to post a PUBLIC
message addressed to TigerShark (76711,30) in Section 12 (DOOM
Competitions) of the Modem Games Forum announcing the result, the
message header, like the challenge message, should follow the following
format: (DSR)(Your callsign)(colorful message)(Optional Opponent Callsign),
an example is "(DSR)TigerShark Frags Duke" or "(DSR) TigerShark Wins
Another".  Any needed abbreviation of callsigns in order to fit the title
is allowed.  Any color commentary is optional but lends spice to the
ladder and is always welcome.  Winners making extravagant claims
regarding their prowess and invincibility are subject to being hazed
unmercifully in the message threads.  Recent challengers, weather winner
or loser should please refrain from issuing new challenges until 9pm ET
on the day the ladder update shows the match results.  Recent defenders
should refrain from posting a challenge until the results have posted.
This makes monitoring the ladder easier for all players in order to
determine challenge eligibility.  Updates will be posted as promptly as
possible so as not to impede play.

NOTE: Losers may post a loss message if they feel the winner is taking
      too long to post the victory.

No prizes or awards (besides the aforementioned boasting rights) are
promised to participants who reach the top of the ladder.

Any disputed matches should be resolved by having both parties post
PUBLIC messages to TigerShark (76711,30) outlining the complaint.
The decision of the ladder administrator is final and binding.


< 9 >  PRACTICE

You may compete informally with other ladder participants and Forum
members whether participants or not.  In fact, honing your skills
against others is encouraged and part of the fun.


< 10 > ANNOUNCEMENTS

Any important announcements for all ladder participants will use the
message title of (DSL) followed by a message describing the announcement.
An example would be "(DSL) NEW DOOMSW.RUL" which would be a message
describing an upload of a new rules file for the ladder.


< 11 > Support the Modem Games Forum, and Remember ...

       "It's always more fun with a *real* opponent."


<DOOM Shareware Ladder ROE/Info File ... revised 7/29/94>