So, as I believe I mentioned a while back, I've been pondering ways to encourage a greater variety of activity, with greater encouragement given to team matches on Thursdays, and in the bi-weekly Tournaments. I've been talking with Shadow on this for the last little bit, and we came up with an idea that I like, and will now be modified into the Tournament Rules. I'm going to go over everything briefly, just for the benefit of everyone, new and old members alike.

Qualification: To qualify for the bi-weekly Tournaments, you need to have played in at least one gaming event in the two week period between Tournaments. This means, either play in at least one weekly event in #gmrg (Tuesdays and Thursdays) or #outerrim (Saturdays) for the ICTE. Only people who have qualified count as opponents for Tournament Points on those Sundays that have Tournaments.

Points: You earn points that can go towards purchasing things by playing in the bi-weekly Tournaments. One (1) point per match played is what you get. That means win/loss doesn't matter. For each match you play, you get a point. Just be active. However, once the Tournament is finished, and I tally the results, the top three people by win/loss ratio get bonuses. First Place gets seven (7) bonus points, Second Place gets five (5), and Third Place gets four (4).

Medals: As most of you know, the DB has a tradition of giving Clusters of Fire for multiplayer activity. We give one (1) CF per each win, or per every three (3) losses. This is in effect for the gaming nights, as well as the Tournaments. In addition, the top three participants get medals in addition to the bonus Tournament Points. First gets a Steel Cross, Second gets a Star of Antei, and Third gets a Dark Cross.

Now, for the modified rules that have just been decided. I want people to play team games. Guns matches, Team FFA, CTF, whatever. It's been established before that, in order to get people to do things, you have to give them a reason. I believe very much in that idea, because I've seen what people will be moved for, and what they will not. To provide incentive for team matches, the following rule is now in effect.

In submitted team matches, the winning team will earn a number of CFs per person, as there are people on said winning team. Meaning, if you play a CTF match of 3vs3, the winning team will gain 3 CFs per person. To make it fair all-around, the losing team will gain "full CFs" for that match (it won't be necessary in team games to lose two more times before getting your CF). In addition, on Tournament dates, the same is true for points; the winning team will earn a number of points equal to the number of people on their team.

Yes, I realize there's possibility for abuse of this, but I'd like to think I watch out for abuse well enough. I will be paying attention to the results, as I always do. This isn't to say "stop playing 1vs1," so much as this is to say, "stop only playign 1vs1." Expand yourselves. We can be better at team matches, and other forms of gaming, if we allow ourselves an opportunity, and expand our horizons. If this modification to the rules does not help, I will repeal it. If I see something else that helps more, I'll change it. Give things a chance, see how you like it, have fun with it.

As always, any thoughts, comments, suggestions, can go here, or email me.