Introducing the 2023 Ohio eState Cup!

Ohio eState Cup (Amateur) – Game Play Rules

These rules (these “Game Play Rules”) set forth the rules of game play for the Ohio eState Cup (the “Tournament”). Please read the Game Play Rules carefully before submitting an entry or participating in the Tournament as these Game Play Rules contain important information about the rules and format of the Tournament.

1.1 Eligibility: Players must be between 11-17 years of age to participate in the tournament. You do not have to play soccer to participate.

1.2 Geo Restrictions: Players must live within Ohio to register.

1.3 Amateur Eligibility: Players must be amateurs to register and participate in the tournament.

• • • An “Amateur” is defined by the following parameters:
    • Not have made it to an EA Broadcast within the past 24 months
    • Not have participated in EA Global Series Qualifiers within the past 24 months
    • Not be signed to an eMLS Club or any formally FIFA recognized club/organization
    • Not ranked within the FIFA Global Series Rankings

2. Tournament Format

The tournament format is as follows:

Group Stage

• • Games are self-schedule and must be played within each window:
    • Matchday 1 window: December 12 – 18
    • Matchday 2 window: December 19 – 25
    • Matchday 3 window: December 26, 2022 – Jan 2, 2023
    • Games from Matchday 2 & 3 may be played earlier if convenient and both players agree to a date and time.
    • Failure to play a game within the window, unless scheduled and agreed by both parties for an earlier date, will result in a loss for each player.
  • Location: Online
  • 1v1, Single leg match, ends at full time
  • Group Stage, four teams per group, top player progresses into knockouts after all games in the group have been played
  • Points: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw (tie), 0 points for a loss
  • Platform: PS4, Xbox One, or PlayStation 5. PS5 users can participate if they have the Ultimate Version of the game and select the PlayStation 4 copy when downloading.
  • Game mode: Online – Online Friendlies
  • Team Restrictions: no National Teams may be selected
  • Cost: $30 per player

Knockouts

• • Games are self-schedule and must be played within each window:
    • R64 window: January 3 – 9, 2023
    • R32 window: January 10 – 16, 2023
    • R16 window: January 17 – 23, 2023
    • QF window: January 24 – 26, 2023
    • SF window: January 27 – 30, 2023
    • Finals: Saturday, February 4, 2023
    • Failure to play a game within the window, unless scheduled and agreed by both parties for an earlier date, will result in a loss for each player.
  • Location: Online
  • 1v1, Single leg match, if tied after 90’ then the match goes to overtime. If tied after OT, penalty kicks will determine the winner.
  • Best of 1, Single elimination
  • Platform: PS4, Xbox One, or PlayStation 5. PS5 users can participate if they have the Ultimate Version of the game and select the PlayStation 4 copy when downloading.
  • Game mode: Online – Online Friendlies
  • Team Restrictions: no National Teams may be selected

3. Score Reporting

Players are responsible for submitting results after games via a screenshot of the final score using one of the following methods:

1. 1. On the OSA Discord
   2. Via text to 513-205-8600
   3. Via email to jgould@ohio-soccer.org
   4. To Tournament Officials if onsite (Cincinnati only)

Officials will use these submitted results to confirm and update scores on the backend. In the case of any disagreements concerning score, players should keep a screenshot for Officials to settle the issue.

4. Player Identity and Conduct

4.1 Sportsmanship: All Players will be required to uphold and observe a universal level of sportsmanship. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes, but is not limited to, racism, use of profanity, rude acts, vulgar acts, acts of belligerence, and disrespect of an Official.

Unsportsmanlike conduct may be Disputed and may be grounds for Player Disqualification by an Official. Rulings on unsportsmanlike actions are subject to the Official’s interpretation and assessment of seriousness. If a Player is found in violation of this rule the following actions may happen:

Any accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct by a Player or must be brought to the attention of the Official by filing a dispute following the Match in which the alleged action has occurred for investigation by a presiding Official.

4.2 Player Handles/Gamertags: Handles/Gamertags may not contain profanity, racism, sexism, references to illegal drugs, or general vulgarity. Players found with offensive Handles will be approached by an Official and asked to edit their Handle to something more appropriate.

4.3 Cheating: All forms of cheating in matches are forbidden and will be penalized by Officials. Players found cheating may be barred. By breaking any rule a player risks being completely excluded from all tournament proceedings.

5. Match Hosting Information and Requirements

5.1 Hosting Matches: For each Match, responsibility for formation of a match lobby will be granted to the higher seeded Player. For online matches, If a connection cannot be established, a different Player should attempt to host.

5.2 Side Selection: The higher seeded player will play Home, the player accepting the invite will play Away. This side choice will apply to all Games within the Match series.

5.3 Player Disconnects & Game Restarts: A Game Restart is defined as the decision by the Officials, at its sole discretion, to begin gameplay from a previous point in the Game. Situations in which the Officials may deem a Game Restart to be appropriate include but are not limited to a critical malfunction of Provided Equipment or the occurrence of a Major Bug.

6. Game Play Settings

The below match rules apply to every match in the Ohio eState Cup:

• • Gameplay Settings:
    • Difficulty Level: World Class
    • Half Length: 6 minutes
    • Stadium Settings:
      • Stadium: Any Stadium
      • Season: Fall/Autumn
      • Time of Day: 6:00PM
      • Pitch Wear: None
    • Specific Controller Setting Exceptions: Legacy Defense prohibited
    • HUD: Indicator Custom tactics are allowed. Custom formations are disallowed.
    • Ties: To settle a tie (knockouts only), overtime will be played. In the event the match is still tied after overtime, a penalty shootout will determine the winner.
    • Trainer: Off
  • Rules:
    • Injuries: Off
    • Offsides: On
    • Bookings: On
    • Handball: Off
  • Match Settings:
    • If Onsite – Kickoff Mode
    • If Online – Online Friendlies
    • Half Length: 6 minutes
    • Controls: Any
    • Game Speed: Normal
    • Squad Type: 90 Overall
  • Hardware Requirements:
    • To be played on PS4 or PS5, or Xbox One
    • If Online – wired internet connection recommended.

It is the responsibility of both Players to verify that the Match settings are correct prior to starting a Match. Once a Match has begun, Players may not restart or replay due to incorrect Match Settings, unless both Players mutually agree to do so.

6.1 Outside Voice Applications: Players are permitted to use the Tournament Discord as a voice application.

7. Dispute Rights, Requirements, and Guidelines

7.1 Dispute Process: A Player has the right to Dispute any opposing Player they feel is in violation of these Game Play Rules. Disputes must be filed by consulting an Official immediately following the conclusion of a Match. A Player who is Disputed has the right to subsequently file a Dispute against the other Player as well.

All Disputes must be filed within 12 hours following the completion of the Match. A Match must be reported regardless of whether a Dispute is being filed. If a Dispute is filed too late, the Dispute may be disregarded.

7.2 Evidence Requests: If a Dispute has been filed, Officials may ask Players involved in the Dispute to request additional evidence, which may include screenshots, logs, and/or replays. If so, the Players will then be required to promptly begin submitting all requested evidence to the Official in charge of the Dispute.

7.3 Discussion of Disputes: Disputes should only be handled in private between the Officials and those Players directly involved. Raising a Dispute as a public matter for the purpose of appealing, criticizing, or complaining about the verdict may result in Player Disqualification and/or Match Forfeit, depending on severity and malicious intent as determined by the Official.

8. Exploitation of Rules

If a Player attempts to manipulate or exploit these Game Play Rules in any way other than for its intended use, Officials reserve the right to make a final ruling on the rule in question for the given Match and/or Disputes