Posts: 1135
Joined: 2005-05-16
User Profile Last Updated on November 3rd, 2006
What is Ecliptical Realms?
Ecliptical Realms is an online competitive gaming and statisitcal community that brings together clubs for a variety of battles in a number of games (games services).
How much does it cost?
E.R. is a member led community run by volunteers. However, there are costs incurred that need to be covered to allow E.R. to continue. While we do not require members to pay any membership fees we do encourage members be join the Member Plus scheme or make a donation if at all possbile.
What is a Battle Event?
A Battle Event is an Ecliptical Realms 'stamina' battle that lasts from a few days (FEAR Combat Weekend) to a full Battle Week (SWBF II Conquest Week/Flag Week/Space Week).
How do I take part in a Battle Event?
First of all, registered E.R. members will need to be affiliated to an E.R. club for a game service we support to be able to enter a Battle Event. Club leaders can sign up for a particular Battle Event and all club members affiliated for that game service on the club's roster are entitled to participate. Club leaders decide what events a club will play in. If your club leader won't sign up your club for a particular event you can still join another club that will. E.R. Members can play for a different club for each game service. It is the repsonsibility of each individual member to register themselves. This should not be done by E.R. staff or your own clan leaders.
Potential members should read the Legal Terms of Use before registering at Ecliptical Realms.
http://www.eclipticalrealms.com/legal.asp
Potential members should also read the sign up guide. It explains the registration procedure in clear and easy terms.
http://www.eclipticalrealms.com/signupguide.asp
Can I make my own Club?
Yes. Any E.R. member can make their own club and still be part of another club for a game service they haven't affiliated for with their own club.
How often do Battle Events take place?
More often than not there is always a Battle Event of one kind or another being hosted at any one time. Each game service sets its own schedule based on the participants needs. For a FEAR Combat Event, this is typically every 4 ~ 6 weeks.
I am affiliated to a Club for FEAR and my Club Leader has signed up for a FEAR Battle Event. What do I do now?
Set your personal schedule around this event as best you can. It's important you are as active as possible for the duration of the event as it will benefit you and your club rankings.
Do I have to follow any rules?
Yes. The rules bring a level of order to a battle and reduce the chances of a dispute. A member who is well versed in the rules will be a great asset to their club and the game service in general.
What kind of rules are there?
Rules cover three main areas of a Battle Event. These are:
1. Registration
A set of instructions that guide members and clubs on how to signup for an event.
2. Setup and Coordination of Matches
A set of instructions that instruct members and clubs on what they should and shouldn't do before, during and after a battle.
3. Host Setup and Configuration
A set of instructions that instruct the battle host on how they should and shouldn't configure their server.
These rules will tell members what is a MUST and what is negotiable. Please follow the rules strictly with good sportsmanship and fairness.
Where can I find FEAR Battle Event rules?
FEAR Battle Event rules are displayed on the battle page for a particular event. The layout of the E.R. website is:
Main Website Home Page (E.R. Home)
Game Service Main Page (FEAR Home)
Game Services Main Pages (Battle Events, Ladder Events, etc)
Individual Events Page (FEAR Combat Weekend 20, etc)
Each Individual Events Page has a Battle Area on the leftside menu. You will find a link to the rules as well as many other important event functions andfeatures.
In addition, upcoming events are always displayed on the Game Service Main Page so you are only ever a couple of links away.
I'm registered and affiliated for my Club. My Club is signed up for a Batte Event and it's just started. What now?
Your first point of call is the Battle Rooms. The Battle Rooms are located in a 'pop up' Flash Chat application. A link to the Battle Rooms is located on the leftside menu under Site Services. You can only see this link if you are logged in to E.R.
Once you are in the Battle Room, pull down the Room menu and select FEAR. There may be members already in there waiting to compete or already in battle. Members already in battle should set their status to reflect their abscence.
The Battle Rooms are the primary source for setting up battles. Calling in members from Xfire is a great way to populate the Battle Rooms and ensure battle activity remains high. If you're ready to battle make your intentions known and any likeminded opponents or allies will soon respond.
The official rules instruct members in the most fundamental parts of a battle which can't be changed as well as the flexible areas that require negotiation in the Battle Rooms. These include:
Map Selection (Retail and Custom)
Numbers of Battles (Members need only commit to a minimum of 2 matches in one sitting even if they agreed to more during negotation)
Gameplay Rules (Use of Heavy Weapons, Camping, Melee and such)
Clan (Single Clan Battle or Mix Clan Battle)
Players (Consideing Skill or Unique Players)
Host (Host first, second or use a Third Party)
When all factors have been decided memberscan head to the hosting server. The battle is not officially live until all members have entered the battle and while remaining in spectator mode have checked inand received the order to begin from the host.
Once the first battle has been completed the host will take a screenshot of the scores and the opposing team will host a battle. Once this cycle of 2 battles in complete both sides will agree to eother continue or stop. If the sides continue then they must play a minimum of 2 more battles. If the sides stop then you can return to the Battle Rooms to set up another battle or check out.
I took a real BIG loss and I don't want to play the same player any more. Can I decline future matches?
Unlike Tournaments, Battle Events do not force clans or players to meet a match quota or accept challenges. Putting clans/players under undue pressure to battle, especially when the odds are stacked heavily against them, inevitably causes friction and hostility.
However, before making a challenge or declining a battle, players should be reminded that the statistics used in this event are weighted to ensure that a loss to a higher ranking player can be beneficial based on the participation and average rank played awards. In addition, higher ranking players consistantly playing against much lower ranking players can see a detrimental effect on their rating due to the average rank played award.
If players/clans are not accepting battle challenges opponents can negotiate to make the battle more appealing. Increasing the battle player count or replacing players to make the playing field more even will make the battle more inviting.
The more players there are in the Battle Room at any one time the better the opportunity for reaching an agreement regardless of the range of ability. Use the flexible mix clan arrangement to your advantage and above all, if your battle demands are not being met - don't get angry, negotiate!
I didn't host the first match but I want to check the results were added properly. How do I do that?
The Individual Events Page will have a link that allows you to List Matches Submitted. Here you can check matches that you've competed in. In addition, you will receive an email for matches submitted in which you were a competitor.
I hosted the second match but I don't know how to Submit Results. What do I do?
On the same Individual Events Page is a Submit Results link. Here you can enter the battle figures for matches played. A tutorial on how to submit results can be found inthe FEAR area of the forum. If you make a mistake you can use the Edit Matches link to correct errornous submissions. You have 48 hours to edit matches.
How do I check my Ranking and how often is it updated?
The Individual Events Page has a Club/Player Ratings link. This is the most important area to see how you and your club are performing. The statistics are updated every 2 hours.
The Battle Event is over. What now?
Once the Battle Event is over the moderators will check every result submitted and make sure any disputes are resolved. Members will be given time to respond to moderator requests regarding submissions and to have their disputes heard. Once everything is finalised the results will be posted and clubs and players will be awarded their medals.
Who wins a medal?
Each game service decides on what type of medals will be won for what number of players.
For players in a FEAR Battle event this is typically a 1st ~ 10th place award and a top 20 finish award for players from 11th ~ 20th.
For clubs in a FEAR Battle event this is typically a 1st ~ 5th place award and a top 10 finish award for clubs from 6th ~ 10th.
The awards are subject to activity levels.
I had a lot of fun in this Battle Event. What now?
Make sure your club signs up for the next event. Some game services post a schedule of events well inadvance while others take each event one by one. Keep checking back or read the Battle Area of your clan forum.
Read the rules for each event you sign up for. They are subject to change. Battle Events are continually evolving and improving and with that may come a rule change.
Let your members know how much fun you had. Battle Events allow for some intense clan matches unlike anything you'll find in the retail servers. The sheer volume of matches and range of skill you are likely to face makes the Battle Week an addicitive event for even the most placid gamer.
Get involved! E.R. is a member led community and we value your input. If you have comments or suggestions about the game service let us know. If you like the event and want more people to compete let themknow about it. Battle Events really do live up to the term 'The More the Merrier'.