27Q0004_ATTACH 1b_TE-2_Esports Handbook.pdf

DoWEA Pacific Region Esports Handbook

Revision 5

Originating Office: Pacific Region Far East Programs Office

Effective: When signed

Approved by: Lois Rapp, SES-1, PAC Region, Director for Student Excellence

Purpose: This guide serves as a supplement to the most current revision of the Far East

Programs Procedures Guide (FEPPG), focusing on esports. This handbook does not change

DoWEA policy. Updates will be published as required and this handbook remains current until a new revision is signed and published.

Lois J. Rapp

Director for Student Excellence

DoWEA Pacific Region

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SECTION: 1 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1. Applicability

1.2. Information Collection

SECTION: 2 RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1. Regional Director for Student Excellence

2.2. Principal

2.3. Athletic Director

2.4. Esports Coach

2.5. Esports Student-Athlete

SECTION: 3 GAME PLAY

3.1. Participants

3.2. Teams and Rosters

3.3. Practices

3.4. Matches

3.5. Timelines

3.6. Time Zones

3.7. Authorized Games

3.8. Rule Changes

3.9. Match Broadcasting

3.10. Eligibility

3.11. Participant Accounts

3.12. Team

3.13. Withdrawal

3.14. Communication

3.15. Spectators

3.16. Cross-Platform Play

3.17. Equipment and Dedicated Space

3.18. Online Connection

SECTION: 4 INTEGRITY

4.1. Cheating

4.2. Betting

4.3. Match Fixing

4.4. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

4.5. Knowledge of Rule-Breaking

SECTION: 5 FUNDING

5.1. Extra Duty Assignment

5.2. Equipment and Uniforms

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1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1. APPLICABILITY - The Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Pacific

Region Esports Handbook (supplement to the most recent Pacific Region Far East (FE)

Programs Procedural Guide [FEPPG]) applies to all DoWEA Pacific Region adults and students participating in DoWEA Esports.

1.2. INFORMATION COLLECTION - This handbook may result in the collection of information. Any information collection must follow all applicable Federal, DoW, and

DoWEA regulations, policies, and guidance.

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2. RESPONSIBILITIESREGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR STUDENT

EXCELLENCEProvides oversight and oversees implementation of this handbook.

2.1.2. Oversee the Region and EDA budget and contracts in accordance with DoDEA

AI 1417.01.

2.2. PRINCIPAL

2.2.1. Manages the recruitment and selection of the esports coach EDA in accordance with DoDEA AI 1417.01.

2.2.2. Authorizes logistical support to the esports team as with any other varsity-level athletic team.

2.2.3. Identifies a dedicated and controllable esports space on campus.

2.3. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

2.3.1. Collaborates with the esports coach as with any other varsity-level athletic coach, in accordance with his or her Athletic Director EDA contract.

2.3.2. Provides assistance and guidance concerning aspects of this Handbook and the

FEPPG to the esports team.

2.4. ESPORTS COACH

2.4.1. Informs and enforce all aspects of this Handbook and the FEPPG.

2.4.2. Communicates with student-athletes and their parent/guardian.

2.4.3. Completes the duties and responsibilities of the esports Coach position as outlined in his or her EDA contract.

2.4.4. Maintains a dedicated and secure esports space.

2.5. ESPORTS STUDENT-ATHLETE

2.5.1. Adheres to all aspects of this Handbook and the FEPPG.

2.5.2. Has Fun!

3. GAME PLAY

3.1. PARTICIPANTS

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3.1.1. SCHOOL TEAM PLAYERS

Students currently enrolled in their school's team and on the roster to participate in current DoWEA Pacific Esports. A student-athlete who competes in the first scheduled game or competition will be a member of that DoWEA Pacific Region sport. Student-athletes will only participate in one DoWEA Pacific Region sport per season.

3.1.2. SCHOOL TEAM CAPTAINS

Players that assume the responsibility of serving as their team’s point of contact.

The Team Captains are responsible for queuing their team for matches and reporting match scores.

3.1.3. TEAM HEAD COACH

Teacher who oversees the operations of the school’s team and acts as a point of contact between the school, Athletic Directors, and Far East Programs Office.

3.2. TEAMS AND ROSTERS

3.2.1. TEAMS

A group of players registered with DoWEA Pacific Esports, which is composed of students from the same high school.

3.2.2. ROSTERS

A group of players from the same team, participating in a specific game during

DoWEA Pacific Esports. The size of a roster will vary depending on the selected game.

3.2.3. NON-DoWEA TEAMS

Non-DoWEA schools may participate in the DoWEA Pacific Esports with approval of and coordination by the DoWEA Regional Far East Programs Office.

3.3. PRACTICE

All practices must take place under the direct supervision of the coach. All practices must follow the guidelines presented in this handbook. Practice should be limited to two hours in length per student.

3.4. MATCHES

3.4.1. OFFICIAL MATCHES

An official match is any match taking place during any DoWEA Pacific Esports designated schedule. Regular season, playoff, and Far East matches qualify as official matches.

3.4.2. UNOFFICIAL MATCHES

A match that takes place outside of any DoWEA Pacific Esports designated schedule. These matches include, but are not limited to local school matches, host nation competitions, and exhibition matches.

3.4.3. MATCH TIMES

Teams are expected to be present for all scheduled matches. Team members will join a team lobby and queue for the match once all participating members are

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3.4.4. RESCHEDULING

The only instance a match will be rescheduled will be for an unexpected school closure (snow day, earthquake, local security event, etc.) or an uncontrolled network error.

3.4.5. CONTACTING OPPONENTS

Communication will begin once teams have been matched together through the queue. Teams may communicate and share information regarding the setup of their match.

3.4.6. MATCH RESULTS

The winning team must report the match results immediately following the completion of their game. Players/teams are encouraged to document proof of match results if they are needed to verify the legitimacy of a match score report.

Match reports must include the round score(s), and all results must be reported as soon as possible, but no later than 23:59 (11:59 PM) on the match day.

3.4.7. MATCH DISPUTES

Match disputes must be submitted no later than two business days after the match has concluded. Sufficient and un-doctored evidence, including, but not limited to, screenshots, match recordings, match replays/demos, or Video on Demand

(VODs) must be submitted to the DoWEA Pacific Esports official handling the match before any decision regarding the dispute is made.

3.4.8. PLAYOFF SEEDING

The Far East Esports Tournament will be seeded depending on the regular season result. Any tiebreaker methods may be used at the discretion of DoWEA Pacific

Esports administration.

3.4.9. MULTIPLE GAME SERIES

3.4.9.1. Grace Period

Teams may have up to a 10-minute break between each game in a multiple-game series if they wish to do so.

3.4.9.2. Substitutions

In-game and match-to-match substitutions will take place in compliance with each game’s rule set.

3.5. TIMELINES

3.5.1. ATHLETIC SEASON

Esports will be held in the winter athletic season unless otherwise arranged by

DoWEA Pacific Esports administration.

3.5.2. AFTER ACTION REPORT

Coaches and Athletic Directors will submit an after-action report in accordance with the FEPPG and DoDEA AI 1417.01.

3.5.3. HANDBOOK UPDATES

This handbook will be revised on an as-needed basis.

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3.6. TIME ZONES

The official time zone of the DoWEA Pacific Esports is Japan/Korea Standard Time

(JKST), designated (UTC +9). All DoWEA Pacific Esports broadcasts, announcements, and web pages regarding DoWEA Pacific Esports competitions and schedules will display time in JKST unless otherwise stated.

3.7. AUTHORIZED GAMES

DoWEA Pacific Esports will allow games that are rated by the Entertainment Software

Rating Board (ESRB) of Everyone (E), Everyone 10+ (E10+), and Teen (T). The game(s) for each season will be selected prior to each esports season.

3.8. RULE CHANGES

DoWEA Pacific Esports reserves the right to add, remove, or otherwise amend all rule sets without prior notice.

3.9. MATCH BROADCASTING

All broadcasting rights of DoWEA Pacific Esports are owned by DoWEA. This includes, but is not limited to audio streams, video streams, match recordings, or television broadcasts.

3.9.1. BROADCAST RIGHTS

DoWEA Pacific Esports has the right to award broadcasting rights to a third party.

In these cases, broadcasts must be arranged with the DoWEA Pacific Esports administration or broadcasters prior to the start of the match. DoWEA Pacific

Esports reserves the right to play, broadcast, and distribute all match recordings during a DoWEA Pacific Esports event.

3.9.2. BROADCAST PARTICIPATION

Matches may be broadcasted by DoWEA Pacific Esports. By participating in

DoWEA Pacific Esports, players consent to such broadcasts deemed appropriate by DoWEA.

3.10. ELIGIBILITY

3.10.1. ENROLLMENT

All students participating in DoWEA Pacific Esports must be currently enrolled in grades 9 through 12.

3.10.2. AGE

All students participating in DoWEA Pacific Esports must be at least 13 years of age at the start of the winter season.

3.10.3. HOMESCHOOLERS AND PART TIME STUDENTS

Homeschooled and Part Time students are welcome to participate with a local

DoWEA school team in their district. Please contact the school Esports Coach, Athletic Director, or Principal for more information.

3.10.4. GRADE POINT AVERAGE

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All participating players in DoWEA Pacific Esports practices, tournaments, and any official esports school sponsors team activity must be academically eligible, as outlined in the FEPPG.

3.11. PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS

3.11.1. CLEAN ACCOUNTS

DoWEA Pacific Esports defines a clean account as an account that has not received any form of game a ban in the past 365 days (not including competitive mode cooldown penalties), is clear of vulgar or inappropriate content. Players who have unclean accounts are prohibited from participating in all DoWEA

Pacific Esports events.

3.11.2. BOOSTED ACCOUNTS

Students’ accounts must be authentic. Purchasing advanced accounts or “boosted” accounts will not be tolerated.

3.11.3. STUDENT ESPORTS ACCOUNTS

Students are permitted to use their existing accounts while participating in

DoWEA Pacific Esports.

3.11.4. PARTICIPANT PROFILES

Player names or profiles should consider including:

• One or two syllable names

• Easily pronounced words

• Colors

• School mascots

Player names or profiles are prohibited from including:

• Gang Affiliation

• Drugs (including alcohol and tobacco)

• Sexual Material

• Offensive Material

• Politically Charged Symbols/Images

• Slander of DoWEA Pacific Esports, students, or staff

• Personally Identifiable Information (PII) [SSN, birthdate, address, email address, etc.]

3.12. TEAM

3.12.1. TEAM NAMES

Teams participating in DoWEA Pacific Esports will name their teams according to the school affiliation. The official school logo will be used as any profile picture on applicable software programs. No two teams participating in the

DoWEA Pacific Esports may use the same team’s name. Team names cannot be changed after the season begins.

3.12.2. PLAYER COUNTS

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Teams are required to have the minimum player count (as stated in each game’s rule set) present on the team at all times, or they may face automatic match forfeitures. This does not include players that are pending to be placed on the team. The maximum player count is determined by the coach. Team will not be able to participate in competition without the required number of players.

3.12.3. MULTI-TEAMING

Players are prohibited from participating on multiple rosters for the same game.

3.12.4. ROSTER CHANGES

Roster changes may be made at any point during or in-between seasons except during live matches and once the playoffs have begun. Please note, this is separate from substitutes. (Example: Valorant has 5 players and 1 substitute. Those 6 names may change from week to week, but NOT from game to game once a match starts.)

3.13. WITHDRAWAL

Teams may withdraw from the regular season schedule during the season. Only the Team

Head Coach, Athletic Director, or school administrator may submit a request to withdraw a team from the regular season schedule. All matches during the withdraw period will be forfeited.

3.14. COMMUNICATION

3.14.1. TEAM COMMUNICATION

Third-party tools such as Discord and social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.) are prohibited from being used when attempting to communicate with opponents.

3.14.2. OUTSIDE COMMUNICATION

Players/teams may not have any communication with any outside sources, with the exception of DoWEA Pacific Esports Administration, while their match is in progress (e.g., personal live stream or personal phone call). Players/teams may only have communication with outside sources during the grace period between games in a series.

3.15. SPECTATORS

Spectators are allowed in game lobbies for the sole purpose of streaming their team’s match. Spectators streaming the match cannot be a team’s coach or another player on the same roster competing in the match. Spectators may not be in contact with the teams while the game is being played. All spectator streams must be from the player’s point of view, or a third person chase-cam. In cases where there is only a solo spectator position, streaming rights will be given to the home team.

3.15.1. STUDENT STREAMING

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Students may not stream to their personal Twitch or YouTube channel (or any other online platform). Students may not at any time stream another player’s or team’s match on their personal channels.

3.16. CROSS-PLATFORM PLAY

Players must only play on the platform(s) specified for a specific tournament. Failing to comply may result in disqualification from that tournament.

3.17. EQUIPMENT AND DEDICATED SPACE

DoWEA has provided gaming computers and peripherals to each high school in the

Pacific Region. It is the responsibility of each school to maintain and account for all esports equipment.

3.17.1. AUTHORIZED EQUIPMENT

Ensure all hardware is checked and is authorized to be used.

3.17.2. EQUIPMENT USAGE

Esports computers are intended solely for esports practices and competitions. No other academic or personal activity should be conducted on the esports computers.

3.17.3. DEDICATED SPACE

DoWEA Pacific Region esports teams shall have a dedicated space to conduct practices and competitions. Access to the dedicated space should be physically controlled. The esports coach should maintain control of the dedicated esports space.

3.18. ONLINE CONNECTION

DoWEA Pacific esports teams will connect to the Internet via a hardline connection. The hardline connection (ports) must not change due to the configuration of a network specific to esports. A dedicated space must be designated to identify the ports reserved specifically for esports. Outside the designated esports season the ports will be deactivated.

4. INTEGRITY

4.1. CHEATING

4.1.1. PROGRAMS

The use of the following programs is considered cheating:

• Multihacks

• Wallhack

• Aimbot

• Triggerbot

• Colored Models

• No-Recoil

• No-Flash

• Sound changes

• Macros

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The above are some examples; the use of other programs may be deemed cheating if they are found to be giving a player or team an unfair advantage. Players who are found to be cheating will be immediately disqualified from all matches they compete in and beyond at the discretion of the DoWEA Pacific Esports

Administration.

4.1.2. BUGS/GLITCHES/EXPLOITS

The exploitation of any bugs/glitches that give a player or team an unfair advantage and are not allowed by the game’s developer are prohibited from use in official matches. The following are some examples of prohibited exploits:

• Pixel Walking in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

• See Through Smokes in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

• Coastline Roof Vault Glitch in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege

• Outback Top of Red Tent Plant in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege

• Champion/Hero Swap Glitches

• Ability Timer Glitches

• Illegal/Out-Of-Bounds Spots

The above list of bugs/glitches/exploits is not exhaustive. The use of any bug/glitch/exploit that is deemed inappropriate by the DoWEA Pacific Esports

Administration will result in punishment for the player/team.

4.1.3. ACTS OF DISRUPTION

Players acting on and/or conspiring to cause any disruption to the match will also be treated as cheating. Acts of disruption include, but are not limited to:

• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks

• Disconnecting with the Intent of Resetting a Game

• Mic Spam

• Sabotaging Equipment

• Intentionally Delaying the Start of a Game

4.1.4. THIRD-PARTY TOOLS

The use of any third-party tools is prohibited in official tournaments. The list of third-party tools includes, but is not limited to:

• VR Audio Programs

• Graphic Drivers

• Overlays

• Custom Skins

• Custom Overlays

• UI Modifications

4.2. BETTING

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No participants may be involved in any form of betting or gambling, associate with betters or gamblers, or provide information that may assist betting or gambling, either directly or indirectly, for any DoWEA Pacific Esports matches or tournaments in general.

4.3. MATCH FIXING

Match fixing is defined as the act of arranging the outcome of a match prior to it being played or during its play. Examples of match-fixing include, but are not limited to:

• Intentionally Losing Matches

• Offering/Accepting Any Form of Payment to Influence the Outcome of a Match

• Negotiating or Deciding the Results of a Match Before, During, or After the

Completion

4.4. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

4.4.1. INSULTS

All insults occurring in connection with DoWEA Pacific Esports will not be tolerated. DoWEA Pacific Esports strives to provide a respectable environment for esports while facilitating competition. Insults include, but are not limited to:

• Slurs relating to Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Sex, Game Presence, Religion, Political Affiliation, Military Service, Age, or Any Other Protected

Category

• Behavioral Toxicity

• Targeted Attacks

• Sharing/Revealing Personal Information

• Directed Abuse/Harassment Against a Specific Person

• Doxing

4.4.2. INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE

All participants in DoWEA Pacific Esports events are prohibited from using inappropriate language in all text and voice channels, regardless of context.

Inappropriate language includes, but is not limited to:

• Profanity

• Pseudo-Profanity (i.e., replacing letters in profane words or phrases)

• Racial/Ethnic/Cultural Slurs

• Sexual Innuendos

• Drug/Alcohol References

4.4.3. HARASSMENT

Harassment of players, teams, team coaches, and DoWEA Pacific Esports staff is prohibited, both in-game and on official and unofficial channels/social media sites.

4.4.4. PUBLIC ACCUSATIONS

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Publicly accusing a player or team of violating the rules will not be tolerated. If you suspect another player or team has committed a rule violation, please file a match dispute as soon as possible so DoWEA Pacific Esports Administration can open an investigation.

4.4.5. INCORRECT MATCH RESULTS

Intentionally reporting incorrect match results will result in the removal from

DoWEA Pacific Esports.

4.4.6. DECEPTION

Any attempt to mislead or deceive other participants or members of the DoWEA

Pacific Esports Administration will be penalized.

4.4.7. COERCION

Any attempt to manipulate a match or outcome through threats or intimidation of other participants or members of the DoWEA Pacific Esports Administration will result in removal.

4.5. KNOWLEDGE OF RULE-BREAKING

Disciplinary action will be taken against players who have knowledge of teammates or other participants violating the official tournament rules and do not report the violations to the DoWEA Pacific Esports Administrators. This includes but is not limited to having knowledge of:

• Hacking

• Abusing Exploits

• Using Prohibited Peripherals

• Using Prohibited Scripts/Binds

• Depiction/Coercion of another team or player

• Match Fixing

If you have knowledge of a teammate or other player violating the rules inform the esports coach immediately.

5. FUNDING

5.1. EXTRA DUTY ASSIGNMENT (EDA)

5.1.1. COACH

The esports coaching position will be an EDA funded at school level. The EDA will be fielded in accordance with DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1417.01, Extra Duty Assignment and the DoDEA Pacific Region EDA SOP.

5.1.2. FE EVENT DIRECTOR

The esports FE Event Director position will be an EDA funded at the region level.

The EDA will be fielded in accordance with DoDEA Administrative Instruction

1417.01, Extra Duty Assignment and the DoDEA Pacific Region EDA SOP.

5.2. EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS

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5.2.1. COMPUTERS

Esports computers fall under the DoDEA Computer Acquisition Program

(DCAP). Lifecycle replacements will be communicated by DoWEA

Headquarters.

5.2.2. PERIPHERALS

The purchase of gaming accessories and peripherals will be communicated by the coach to the school administration to incorporate into the school’s athletic budget.

5.2.3. UNIFORMS

Esports uniforms are government property and will remain under the school’s control. Students will not keep any esports uniform. Uniforms will fall under the athletic program budget and be placed on a lifecycle replacement schedule like the other athletic programs.

5.2.4. FURNITURE

If furniture is needed to properly outfit the dedicated esports space funding will come from the school to procure the required furniture items. Consult the

Regional Outfitter to see options in the DoWEA Furniture Blanket Purchase

Agreement (BPA) or procure specific furniture requirements via the Government

Purchase Card (GPC) process.