Posts from Rules for Heroes of Might and Magic III online tournaments on HeroesWorld. Auto-translated

2 Nagan-4
Thank you for the excellent post. I hope you will join the AK team, either now or later.
By the way, we have an interesting tournament that the esteemed Nagan-4 is organizing: a team championship.
Regarding the candidates:
I would like to suggest adding Dubrovin Pavel to the list.

Regarding Mizrael and Scorp. Please understand me correctly, but there should only be one of these two forum members on the AK team. Having old friends who make up 40% of the committee is too much. I hope you understand, this is not a simple issue.
I think the candidacies of vbn, Alex_R, and Pit for LM are excellent.
Justification:
-) vbn - has experience in programming (important for analyzing save files); has successful experience in offline play (important for analyzing save files); is part of the moderation team; is respected among various groups of forum members;
-) Alex_R - has successful experience in offline play (important for analyzing save files); is principled and defends the interests of HeroesWorld; is not intimidated by "prominent" players;
-) Pit for LM - is the fastest-improving player on HW in my memory; undoubtedly one of the strongest players not only on our forum but also on the entire Russian-speaking internet.

By the way, our forum has experienced players who have both solid skills and solid experience in judging: vitalic, Vigo, Captain.

And they asked me: why are you doing this? Everyone couldn't care less... But here we have such a reaction, a businesslike discussion... It means people really are tired of letting everything just slide...

1. AC. The name 'Appeals Committee' bothers me a bit. An appeal is a challenge to some decision. But we want to resolve not only disputed points, but also other problems of our life here. And right now I see the main direction of work as organizing tournaments and helping the Organizers.
Wouldn't it be more correct to call it the Council of Heroes III Players? Maybe there are people with a vivid imagination? I'd like the name to more accurately reflect the essence of this body's work.

2. Next, regarding size. There's no need to fixate on the magic number 5. The more active people there are, the easier it is to communicate with them, the possibility of replacements during absences and personal circumstances, the lower the load on each person (we're not working for a salary, after all). Maybe we should create several subcommittees and distribute responsibilities?

3. Now about the tasks.
Communication with the administration. It is necessary. For this purpose, the best candidates are Ta Kotoraya..., ewgeniy and vbn. Like a Subcommittee for Communication with the Administration.
Organizational matters of tournaments: Nagan-4 made a good proposal about a tentative tournament schedule, including rules, maps for fix events (e.g., Seasons — a long-standing traditional tournament that should continue), and the draw... For example, regarding the draw. Dirty_Player, in my opinion, has no competition in this matter. Why not rope him into this? RAPER — design. If he's informed in advance about the necessary tasks, I think we'll get professional work. Conducting various kinds of surveys and votes. Example — Nagan-4's surveys. He shouldn't have to bear this brutal workload alone... Rating, rules consultations — that's vbn. And so on. In other words, the Subcommittee for Organizational Matters.
Communication with Friendly Resources. We don't yet live in a unified Heroes space, but we'd really like to. And I see big strides being made in this direction. Wicc and Neoandy would be a great fit. They're not strangers to us, and they have authority both here and on their own resources. I don't even want to distribute such players across different resources. They're a certain gold standard of the entire Heroes community.
Inter-portal Matches. There's no getting around it, only Nagan-4. Whether he wants to or not...
I would also propose a subcommittee responsible for newcomers. This could be someone from the folks who appeared on the forum not too long ago, maybe not yet having a high level of play, but who have already earned some authority. Many completely new players appear; it would be good to welcome them hospitably, teach them the basics of communication and the game. A sort of initial guidance. When I first appeared on the forum, I would post ads in threads, try to ping people on ICQ, and I'd sit there not for hours — for days — unable to find anyone. Good thing COLORADO played with me for the first time back then... I wouldn't want to lose newcomers due to such random circumstances.
Subcommittee for Resolving Disputed Situations — this is the most difficult part. This should involve people who are very skilled in the game, tactful, approachable, trusted by the players, and, most importantly, not indifferent to life on HeroesWorld. This is where candidates are currently being proposed and discussed. And this is probably where around 5 people are needed. So that a unified, authoritative opinion can be developed.

So, there are tasks that are already being handled by certain people, and their capabilities are beyond doubt. And there are issues whose resolution should be assigned to people elected by all players.

To ewgeniy. Thank you. Very interesting food for thought.
Regarding SOI, I'll reply a bit later in that thread.

Mitsrael — I can't say anything about this player...

Mizrael — not because he's my friend, but because Misha has a deep analytical mind, he knows how to get to the heart of the matter. And his communication culture is top-notch.

Unfortunately, I can't boast of friendship with Mizrael; I've had very little interaction — only 2 games, which were very pleasant, and a few conversations on ICQ. But about this player I can say that he is constantly on the HeroesWorld inter-portal team, and he is the only one from our team who won a match against his opponent from Bay — Alex The Great. I consider him one of the strongest players on our resource and a very decent and tactful person. I would like to see him in the AC.

I support the candidacy of Alex_R.
I would also like to propose Javdet — not because he's my friend, but because he is a person who cares, with creative imagination, who cares about HeroesWorld and has already done a lot for HeroesWorld. His opinion will be well-founded and considered.

Regarding Mizrael and Scorp. Please understand me correctly, but the AC should only have one of these two forum members. Old friends making up to 40% of the commission is overkill.

Well, many of us here have become friends already. And would it be better if enemies joined the AC?
I would also like to see scorp in the AC, if he hasn't lost interest in our life here.

Regarding the voting and re-elections, I agree with Nagan-4.

2 Pit for LM
Nagan-4 expressed his opinion very clearly regarding the candidates.
That is, these should be people with, as they say, "an impeccable reputation." And the entire Expert Council (perhaps that name would be suitable) should ideally consist not of groups, but of individuals.
Mizrael and Scorp have known each other for many years, and in real life. Therefore, I suggest that only ONE of them be included in the Expert Council.
Regarding the candidacy of Neoandy. I think this is a good option!
However, those who leave posts on our forum with veiled, or even direct, profanity have no place in the Expert Council; this is a violation of the rules of our forum...
Regarding Raper, it's a good idea to consider him for the position of Chief Designer of the Expert Council.
ewgeniy and Nagan-4 might agree to positions in other structures of the Expert Council (in terms of liaising with the Heroes community, the organizational and tournament committee).

In principle, I would nominate these five candidates:
1) Vbn (a must-have. A very competent judge and a person I trust. I can't imagine the Admin Council without him.)
2) Ewgeniy (I don't think anyone would doubt him - moderator, tournament organizer, sociable and fair person)
3) Nagan-4 (I would like to see this person the most. It's a pity that his real-life affairs don't allow him to actively play and be on the forum often. But I still really hope for your help, Eric! ;) ) Since I know for sure that Nagan cannot be on the Admin Council for the time being, I would suggest Misha instead (after all, Mizrael, not Scorpa :D) or Dreamcatcher (as a person responsible for communication between the Heroes resources - he is constantly on 3 forums)
4) Dubrovin Pavel. (I haven't communicated with him much, but his level of play and the attitude towards him on the forum speak for themselves. The honor and conscience of our forum!)
5) Pit. (A person who is completely "one of us," with an excellent level of play and a genuine interest in the game.)

But overall, I like the idea of subcommittees more. Although such an inflated "bureaucratic apparatus" can also be a problem, in my opinion. We need to think about it...

2 Pit for LM, 2 Qwerty.

Expert Council (maybe that name would work)

Not a bad name.

[Maybe we should create several subcommittees and distribute responsibilities?
/QUOTE]

In principle, it's possible, a few people. But not in the sense that "... Tolya on the forum is responsible for the sunrise, and Kolya for the sunset, because they are good people...", but only based on the substance of the issues being resolved.

Communication with the administration...

We still need to take someone from the old guard into the Expert Council, that will be their task.

For example, regarding the draw. Dirty_Player, in my opinion, is unmatched in this matter. Why not put him to work on this?

Yes, Dirty is a principled person, no one will say that he will conduct the draw poorly.

RAPER - design. If we inform him about necessary tasks in advance, I think we will get professional work. Conducting various kinds of surveys and votes. Example - the surveys from Nagan-4. Well, he shouldn't have to bear all that brutal work alone...

I know Yuri in real life, he will handle it just fine, we definitely need to talk to him.

Rating, rule consultations - that's vbn.

Yes, excellent.

Communication with allied resources. While we don't yet live in a unified Heroes space, we would very much like to. And right now we are seeing big shifts in that direction. Wicc and Neoandy would be a great fit.

Absolutely right, true friends of the World, and they also have an excellent reputation on Bаy and Portal, respectively. It would be easy and honorable for them. Yes.

I would also propose a subcommittee responsible for newcomers. This could be one of the guys who appeared on the forum not too long ago, maybe not yet possessing a high level of play, but who has already earned authority. Many completely new players are appearing; it would be good to welcome them hospitably and teach them the basics of communication and gameplay. A kind of initial mentoring.

Yes, this is very important, to guide a newcomer on the most basic online questions. A person wanting to play online for the first time is like someone thrown into the sea without a lifebuoy, what to do, where to swim?
It's good if they are lucky enough to find a patient person, like Evgeny, for example, but what if not? In general, it would be good to find someone ready to take on this work.

And finally. An important issue - hosting team competitions. It seems to me that team competitions, like clan wars, have become a familiar part of our lives; 8 teams or 6-7 clans in a tournament is a very real thing on our forum, players understand the essence of the competitions, captains successfully negotiate games. Since the system is established, I can't bring anything new to it. Therefore, I really wanted to find a successor, a person ready to lead the work of conducting future team tournaments and clan wars. Evgeny is an excellent candidate, but he is overloaded with tournaments, and we need a person who would specifically work with teams, and moreover, have work experience, established connections with clan leadership, team leaders, and the administration.
Therefore, after weighing everything, I spoke with the person to whom I am handing over the management of these matters - this is our respected Ta Kotoraya..., Tatyana.
After the final, all questions regarding clan wars and team championships go to her. I am absolutely confident that she will preserve all the best in these tournaments and make them even better, well, ensure that the players of the champion teams finally get medals for their avatars.
Therefore, it would be good to include in the council a person responsible for conducting team tournaments.

I counted about 5-6 people, these are, so to speak, the executive branch; they would be doing this on the forum anyway. You can appoint them officially or not, but the forum will function.

But it would be good to elect the legislative branch.

A subcommittee for resolving controversial situations - that's the toughest part. It should include people who are very qualified in the game, tactful, accessible, trusted by the players, and, most importantly, not indifferent to life on HeroesWorld. Right now, candidates for this are being proposed and discussed. And this is probably where we need about 5 people. So that a single authoritative opinion can be developed.

Here is the main task on the forum - to choose people who would bring order to tournaments, put an end to such negative phenomena as a bunch of simultaneously sluggish tournaments and outright cheating.
Otherwise, we wouldn't need to write all our posts. Therefore, I would ask the respected Pit to either create a voting topic, or start counting votes here, in this thread, after notifying all active forum players.

The people chosen will need to solve serious problems; since we raised the issue, we need to see it through to the end.

P.S. So that people don't think I'm leaving the forum... Right now I'm preparing two new projects for our forum.
One - will be historical, interviews with the most remarkable people of the Heroes world, they will remember old battles, share their views on past events and current Heroes life, IMHO it will be interesting.
The second - is educational, maybe someone read my "Young Fighter's Course" written several years ago; back then I was alone and couldn't cover the entire range of issues. Now I wanted to try to assemble a team of professionals and make a joint gift to our forum from the best players: not only as a guide for newcomers, but also useful for people playing at a higher level. We'll see, I hope something comes of it

There's a candidate for the mentor position for new players:smile54: : it's Vitya Kash, who hasn't been playing for that long himself. IMHO, it's hard to find someone among all the online players who is so patient and good-natured, while also playing regularly and not adding new players who contact him on ICQ to their ignore list! If you say that his rating is low, then in my humble opinion, his skill level is already at least 50-100 places higher than his position in the rating. You can read the latest reports and saves if you need to check - he is clearly at least an average player in terms of skill, so if needed, he can teach the basics:cool:.

There is a candidate for the position of mentor for new players.

I would suggest Evgeny for this role. He helps everyone who needs it. He solves problems ranging from technical issues to providing guidance on where, with whom, and how to play. As a partner, you could pair him with someone who can train players in the game itself, explain tricks and techniques – and, in my opinion, that would be the perfect team to prepare new players!

Then let's decide... let's not delay.

There are many players who are highly regarded, but if we limit the AK to five, then:

Pit for LM;

Scorp;

Ta Kotoraya;

Vbn;

Alex R.

"I myself (Author: Nagan-4) won't be able to be in the AK. Also, Evgeny himself writes that he won't be able to." - That's a pity.

The idea of committees and subcommittees is very good.
It would be great if there were people capable of constantly performing specific tasks facing the World.

We've made a great start, and I'd like to see this initiative come to fruition (Pit for LM - kudos). 1. It seems the voting has already started organically. I'm voting for two people: Pit for LM and LeBron. Although I don't know them personally, I've come to trust their opinions. I haven't seen a single post of theirs that I couldn't agree with, and that means a lot to me. They are tactful, decent, competent, and passionate. As for how they play, you all know. I'm fully supporting Pit, if possible. 2. Regarding the "subcommittees." Guys, that's a good idea, but please don't overdo it! Maybe start small, create a core committee of 5-7 people, and let them handle the most important tasks, without interfering and offering help when possible? Then we'll see how it goes. In my opinion, the larger the AC (ES) is, the less authority it will have. 3. Regarding newcomers: I don't think they need a special mentor; just create a good atmosphere on the forum, and they'll stay, play, and grow, perhaps. Besides, Evgeny seems to be answering their questions and will help if needed. No one refuses to play with them either. Let this Council focus on dealing with cheaters and organizing tournaments

I apologize in advance for writing in such dramatic tones (Cassandra, yes, I know), but the situation reminds me of events on the League from N years ago. Various committees and a hierarchy are being used to force a situation where there are many generals, but few soldiers. This is leading to the website turning into a club where people just chat in a small group. Honestly, I don't see any problems right now that couldn't be solved by simply having a player express their will and then making a decision based on a majority vote. Moreover, introducing aristocratic rules into a group with a democratic atmosphere means forcing either aggressive resistance or quiet sabotage of those rules (and I would definitely be in favor of the latter). In other words, an ordinary player may not understand what a member of some committee is doing there, and what right they have to interfere in their affairs. What is clear to them is the hierarchy of judge -> player, in which, among other things, the player can vote with their feet.

2 Wicc

I apologize in advance for writing in such gloomy tones (Cassandra, yes), but the situation reminds me of events on the League from N years ago.

No, things were different on the League. And the League of heroes failed not because it had an elected body, although it made a big mistake when it banned you from a working, analytical position; I was very upset. There was probably an abuse of power.

Various committees and a hierarchy are forcing a situation where there are many generals, but few soldiers. This leads to the site turning into a club where people just "chat in the kitchen with their own circle."

But I agree. People who worked on their own issues on the forum will continue to do so. Therefore, what I conditionally called the executive body can just be an unofficial one?

But we need 5 people for an Expert Council. I'll be blunt about why it's needed.
1. A person organizes a tournament, then the organizer loses interest, players slack off, real life takes over, and the tournament stalls. The person is not accountable to anyone; it's like, "I created you, I can destroy you..."
There will be a council, and there will be approved deadlines. The person-organizer will approach organizing the tournament differently. It turns out that they will let down the trust of their comrades, and it will be very difficult for a decent person to cope with that. Could it be that there will be fewer tournaments? Unlikely, if a person is determined to hold a tournament, they will still do it: but this is better than unfinished tournaments. Otherwise, people will lose faith in the organizers' ability to run tournaments.
2. Cheaters. I'm reading the forum, and this issue is just hanging in the air in different threads, hinted at, but not explicitly stated. Either it will explode into a big scandal, or people will leave.
There will be a council, approved by the players, and it will take action. It's clear what to do with obvious cheaters – they will be banned. With sophisticated cheaters, a large post will be published with specific claims against a particular player. And with a subsequent inscription under the nickname: "there are doubts about fair play." The player can play in ranked games, but the people playing with them will be warned.
A player who receives such a mark loses the right to play in tournaments held by our player community.

I don't think there will be many such cases. I don't think there are that many cheaters, at least on our forum. The people elected to the council should be experienced players and level-headed individuals. If the council's decision is reached, it means the cheater has annoyed the forum.

At the same time, a person suspected of cheating will in no way lose the rights of a forum member; they have the right to prove their innocence, play in ranked games, participate in tournaments on other forums, change their nickname, or ultimately prove through games over time that they have reformed; there will definitely be players who will give them such an opportunity.

Now, cheaters are confident in their complete impunity; they master basic safety measures and go ahead to win, pleasing their ego. Players trying to draw attention to this problem are often left alone; one person complains, then another after some time, and most people just remain silent, even though there is proven evidence of cheating. The council will be able to give cheaters a reprimand. A justified reprimand from an elected body of players.

Yes, a situation may arise where ultimatums are issued – either the Council revokes the decision, or we (the cheater, their friends) leave the forum. That's why it's important to survey as many players as possible and get the opinion of the overwhelming majority.
Yes, there may be little good in a demonstrative departure, but if it comes to that, it might be for the best? Because otherwise, sooner or later, the honest players will leave.
In any case, cheaters will be afraid: during the game, they won't be able to freely look around the map anymore; they might make a mistake and get caught by the council.
So, the elected body was created for a reason. Of course, no one will jump on a person based on the controversial results of one or two games; outrageous cases will be considered.

Moreover, introducing aristocratic orders into a community with a democratic atmosphere means forcing either aggressive resistance or quiet sabotage of them (at least on my part).

Who will we choose? It's better not to choose me. But many guys can be chosen; "power" won't spoil them.
What kind of aggressive resistance could there be? From cheaters? Let them, they don't want to die on the forum. From democratically minded people? Yes, maybe, but if you knew how bitter it is when a forum that you enjoy reading dies because ideas reach a dead end, because of boredom and hopelessness, I'll remember the same League-3, the same Wings, the same ProGamer; I could name more, but I won't.

Quiet sabotage is when tournaments seem to be running, but they're not really. Is there no council now, but is there sabotage? Or are there just gaps in the organization?

If I knew the answers to these questions. That's why Pit raised the topic, and we're discussing it.

I agree. Those who were actively involved in forum discussions will continue to do so. Therefore, what I referred to as the "executive body" can remain an unofficial entity.

Yes. I don't see a range of responsibilities that would require any kind of committee.

1. Someone organizes a tournament, but the organizer loses interest, players become less active, real life takes over, and the tournament stalls.

Self-organization or attracting another host from outside. If the players want to finish the tournament, they will definitely do so.

2. Cheaters.

Resolve the issue based on a voting principle. The organizers of the tournaments should have the priority in making decisions, because accepting or rejecting players for the tournament is within their competence.

Who should we choose? It's best not to choose me. But many people would be suitable; "power" won't corrupt them.

Even if it doesn't corrupt them, there will be a number of difficulties. For example, there will be times when a task falls on someone, and the solution is difficult for them, but something needs to be done.

Ideally, a judge should be smarter, more authoritative, and psychologically stronger than the people about whom he is making a decision. But this is not always the case; people are different. I have repeatedly observed strong people putting pressure on a weaker official (for example). It's a pathetic sight.

Self-organization or attracting another leader from the outside. If players want to continue playing, they will definitely do so.

Yeah, the judge gathered the players, then said, "Well, you guys figure it out yourselves, I'm leaving." However, I remember a classic case of self-organization. My first tournament on the forum was organized by a judge who, somewhere between the first and second rounds, abandoned the project. Thankfully, Evgeny stepped in and took over. Forget about such extremes.

Resolve the issue based on the principle of evening things out. The organizers of the tournaments have priority in decision-making, because accepting or rejecting players for the tournament is within their competence.

How can you refuse someone participation in a tournament on a democratic forum (and any other forum)?

Even if they don't spoil things, there will be a number of difficulties. For example, there are times when a task falls on a person, and the solution is difficult for them, but something needs to be done.

That's how it is, but it's easier to solve the problem when you're not alone, and there are like-minded people.

Ideally, the judge should be smarter, more authoritative, and psychologically stronger than the people whose case he is judging. But this is not always the case; people are different.

I agree. The judge is just a person, like you and me, with all the problems and concerns in real life. He needs to judge the tournament, and he's under heavy pressure from both sides - was there cheating or not? Accusing someone of cheating is scary; it's too serious an insult. It can be difficult for one person to conduct an objective and detailed analysis of the game. Reducing the workload of the judges would be a good thing.

As I understand it, the Expert Council (also known as the Appeals Committee) will have the highest authority in the tournament. Its decisions cannot be challenged. Therefore, it makes sense to have an even number of committee members, and for a decision to take effect, it must be unanimous (rather than simply by a majority vote).
The forum definitely needs a main tournament, and considering the players' healthy ambition, the main tournament should be an individual championship, not a team one.

I would like to add one suggestion here. I was once very surprised by how it could happen that facts of Djede's cheating were provided, but no measures were taken against her for a very long time, while Loi was quickly banned and his posts were deleted, which made him upset and he left!!!??? Why does no one care that Wlk777's report was not confirmed???!!! I would create a position in the Arbitration Committee (AC) or Editorial Staff (ES) for a person who would monitor the progress of the ES and AC, quickly bringing complaints about cheating and violations of the rules to their attention, and, if necessary, forcing them to investigate or make changes to the rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Otherwise, instead of making a decision about whether Djede was cheating, they ban Loi and delete his posts! Instead of investigating the unconfirmed report from Wlk777 and figuring out what the problem is, they want to ban him for arguing!!! And Kostyan should simply be appointed to this position! Let there be different words like "urine," "feces," etc., but there will definitely be no more cases like the one with the offended Loi and Wlk777 on the forum!