1. GameStop Inc. (“Sponsor”), Take 2, MLB, MLG or GameBattles will not tolerate Contestants that cause problems or attempt to undermine the positive atmosphere on GameBattles. This includes Contestants that cheat, dispute on purpose, or repeatedly abuse Contestants. Violators will be dealt with accordingly including possible removal from the Tournament and/or GameBattles. As with all accusations, valid proof must be provided. Please refer to the “Proof” section below.
2. Abuse of our volunteer Staff will not be tolerated in any form. This includes written messages or verbal comments. Violators will be removed from GameBattles.
3. Usernames, blast messages, logos, avatars, and website links are subject to the Forum Rules.
4. All MLG/GameBattles accounts are property of Major League Gaming Inc.  Any advertising of, or attempts to buy, sell, trade, or exchange an account by any means is strictly prohibited.  Violators will be banned from all MLG/GameBattles websites and all related accounts terminated.
5. ** Contestants must utilize their own unique username for competing on GameBattles and in this Tournament. Each Contestant will need to personally register his/her unique username on GameBattles prior to the start of the Tournament. The registered username must contain the correct and complete Name, Address, and Email of the Contestant. If a false Name, Address, or Email was entered, the Contestant voids the privilege to participate in the Tournament.
6. ** As a Contestant, you are personally responsible for accepting an invitation to compete in the Tournament.  Someone else cannot accept an invitation for you. If you do not personally accept an invitation, you may be disqualified. You also forfeit the chance to win prize(s).
7. ** Contestants are prohibited from sharing account/Tournament information stored on GameBattles with another person for any reason. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: usernames, passwords, gamertags, email accounts, etc. If another person accesses your account, you may be disqualified from the Tournament and removed from GameBattles.

In addition:

• All roster spots must be comprised of only one valid gamertag. Spelling and spaces must be exact, but does not need to be case sensitive.
• Gamertags may not contain foul language, disparaging remarks, hateful or racist names.
• Contestants must have a green eligibility icon  next to their name to participate in matches.
• A Contestant has 15 minutes to show-up and be ready to start the match. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit. Contestants are responsible for all scheduled matches.
• To receive a no-show win, you must submit a ticket within 30 minutes of the scheduled match, including Contestant’s proof in the ticket.

Reporting

1. Contestants are responsible for reporting the match within 30 minutes of its completion. If a Contestant does not report matching results, the match will result in a ‘dispute’. Both Contestants are then required to submit a ticket regarding the dispute and include any valid proof they have.
3. Any Contestant who reports the result of match before the match is played or completed will be disqualified.
4. All matches need to be reported correctly by both Contestants. If there is an issue with a match, the match must first be reported accurately and then a ticket containing your valid proof can be submitted afterwards. Do not dispute the match on purpose. Please see the proof section below for more information. If your claims are found to be valid with proof, a GameBattles Administrator has the ability to revert the match.
5. Disputing a match on purpose will result in disqualification form the Tournament.

Tickets

1. Do not contact staff inquiring about the status of a ticket or Contestant is subject to penalties.  We receive many tickets from Contestants, and they are handled in the order they are received, we process each ticket before the next round when in bracket play.
2. When submitting a ticket, fill out all applicable fields. Submitting an incomplete or incorrect ticket will be closed without being processed. You are required to select your Contestant’s name from the drop-down. If you are submitting a ticket about a match, you must also fill out the match ID or your ticket will not be processed.
3. Administrator decisions are final. If you would like your case to be reviewed again due to new evidence, feel free to submit a new ticket. Submitting a ticket without additional evidence is argumentative and you risk being locked. Do not post in the forums regarding a ticket issue.

Cheating

1. The use of any communications other than what is provided within the game is prohibited. For example, the use of Skype or private chatting during a match is not allowed.
2. We have a zero tolerance policy for cheating. Contestants caught cheating, “glitching”, or abusing in-game mechanics in any way will be removed from the Tournament and GameBattles.

Referees

1. If a Contestant has any problems during a match, s/he may contact a Staff member over Live Support to answer any questions or receive assistance. Please contact the Referees first as this is their job. To find the list of Staff members, click on the “Support” tab located within each ladder. 
2. If a Staff member is called into a match for any reason, all Contestants must comply with the Staff member’s instructions. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from the Tournament.
3. Verbally abusing Staff members called during a match will not be tolerated. The Contestant violating this rule will be disqualified.

Proof

1. Contestants need to show proof of winning each game in a match to be given the win for the game. All proof must be clearly visible and show the in-game full scoreboard during the completion of that game. The proof must all clearly show both Contestants to be considered valid. 
2. We recommend all video proof should be uploaded to the GB Game Room. Picture proof can be uploaded to your GB profile. The URL link to the individual pictures/proof must be placed in a ticket.
3. For all glitching and cheating claims, the burden of proof is on the accuser. To submit a glitching or cheating claim, Contestant must submit a ticket and include the URL link containing valid proof.
4. All conversations between Contestants are not considered proof. This includes AIMs, emails, PMs, etc.

Game Play:

Ladder Play

1. Matches will consist of a best of one game match.  Once a player wins one game, the match is over.
2. All matches must be played in their entirety unless both teams agree to postpone the match or remove the challenge. If agreed, both teams must submit a ticket requesting the postponement or challenge removal. A referee can be contacted to witness the agreement details.
3. The higher-ranked team at match time will host the match and play as the home team.  If both players are unranked, the clan ID number will be used with the lower numbered clan ID choosing Home or Away.

Bracket Play

1. The bracket will be a best of one game match, single elimination bracket.  Once a player wins one game, the match is over.
2. The bracket default time is listed on the Info Tab for the tournament. Matches must be played and completed within 24 hours of the default time. Both players must agree to postpone the match. Extensions will not be made after the 24 hours.
3. If a match is not played, and neither team submits a ticket requesting the forfeit win, the match win will be decided by staff.
4. The higher-ranked team at match time will host the match and play as the home team.

Settings:

1. The default settings specified in these policies can be changed, but only if an option is available. The staff will support no other agreements, (i.e. verbal, AIM, email). So unless specified otherwise in the match details, these default regulations will be followed.
2. Settings – The tournament will be played on MLB2k9 for the Xbox 360. The settings for the ladder and bracket are below:

Ladder Settings

Privacy: Private
Difficulty: All Star
Innings: 5
Designated Hitter: On
Fatigue: On
Injuries: On
Strikes Only: Off
Classic Controls: Off
Weather: Clear
Time of Day: Day
Wind: Calm
Custom Difficulty Sliders: Off

Bracket Settings

Privacy: Private
Difficulty: All Star
Innings: 9
Designated Hitter: On
Fatigue: On
Injuries: On
Strikes Only: Off
Classic Controls: Off
Weather: Clear
Time of Day: Day
Wind: Calm
Custom Difficulty Sliders: Off

Matches

1. Contestants may not delay a match for more than 5 minutes while in game.
2. Starting a Game with the wrong Game Settings may result in a forfeit of the game.
3. If a player does not show after 15 minutes of the scheduled match time, that player forfeits the match. To get help with a No Show issue, you MUST contact staff via Live Support. We must verify the no show. Please see above under Online Tournament Support Staff.
4. If the Party Leader/Host wrongly ends a game, the player will forfeit the match.
5. Each player will choose his or her team.  Players may not choose any of the All-Star teams and must play with the current updated rosters.
6. A "Lag Test" must be completed prior to starting the match. This is a test round that doesn't count and uses the standard game settings that will be used during the match.  If the game lags during this test, the other player with the best host should host the match.
7. If any player disconnects during the game, he or she forfeits the match.