Official Rules

Last Updated: 12/22/99

1) All participants in the NMGC are expected to know the rules, controls and movements of the games which they will play. Double Exposure staff will be onhand to ensure that the tournament runs smoothly, but will not be teaching any games nor answering questions about the operation of the games themselves.

2) A player may only play in ONE preliminary round of any given game. In order to play in a game, he or she MUST have a ticket showing the correct game and the correct slot, and MUST present that ticket to the marshal who is seating players for the tournament NO LATER than the actual start time of the round. Pre-registered players will get a packet containing all of the tickets they reserved when they check in.

3) In the event that one (or more) player(s) in a given round does not show up or fails to produce a ticket, standby tickets will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Actual tickets are reservations for the round indicated ONLY and may not be transferred to a later round.

4) Winners of preliminary rounds will receive a semi final ticket. Again, these are the only tickets eligible for play in the semi final round marked. If a player fails to show up for his or her semi final round, he or she has forfeited and the other players will play without that player if appropriate. We will not accept standby tickets for final rounds. Note that some tournaments advance players directly to a Final Round.

5) Scores must be verified by the marshal in charge of the round. If there is a dispute, computer malfunction or other situation arising from the play of a given round, the marshal will seek out a representative of the game's company to make a judgement call. In the rare circumstance that the round needs to be replayed, it will be scheduled for a later time (hopefully convenient for all participants), and the participants will be expected to return at that time to play the round again.

6) All semi finalists will receive a prize for advancing to the semi final round, even if they are dead last in the semi final results. HOWEVER, a semi finalist MUST appear and play in the semi final round in order to collect that prize. Other players may receive consolation prizes and other creative prizes throughout the course of the tournament. These same rules apply for those tournaments which go directly to Final Rounds.

7) There is no rule number 7.

8) All games will begin at 15 minutes after the round time listed; the first 15 minutes is considered to be set-up time. Actual playing time is 30 minutes. The exception to these two times are Civilization II and Age of Empires, which take in 120 minute slots with 1 hour 45 minutes of actual game play. The marshal for each game will clearly announce the time limit, and all time limits will be strictly enforced. The rules for each individual game and the winning conditions (and map used, if appropriate) will be sent out to all registered players and will be available as an information sheet at the Double Exposure area in the front of the pavilion; please make sure that you have read the information and understand the specific variation of play which will be in effect during the tournament.

9) The marshal for each game is the sole decision maker and judge. His or her judgement is final, although he or she will try to be fair to everyone in the spirit of fun. HOWEVER, a participant in any given tournament will be IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED from a preliminary, semi final or final round if he or she: A) Does not stop playing when told the time limit has been reached; B) Attempts to alter the final screen in any way that will impair the reading of a final score (or progress); C) Attempts to gain a strategic advantage by looking at an opponent's screen during the game; D) Uses any means to cheat or bypass the proper mechanisms of the game, EVEN IF such cheat codes are built into the game.

10) Under no circumstances will a player be allowed to play the game with anything other than the standard equipment (Apple mouse, Apple keyboard, provided joystick, etc.) available for use. However, if a game gives a choice among various means of input (i.e. mouse or keyboard controls), the player may choose which one he or she wishes to use. Further, players may change configuration controls during the 15 minutes of setup time at the start of the round, but MAY NOT choose any sort of cheat options, even if they are built into the game. Also, there will be one difficulty setting given for the round, and all players must be set to the same difficulty level. There will be no handicapping.

11) Any collusion between players (other than in a team tournament), verbal intimidation or unethical behavior will be severely frowned upon, and if it alters the outcome of the game in any way (as judged by the marshal), the player(s) involved will be disqualified. Likewise, we will not tolerate rough behavior with the equipment or harsh or abusive language, and any participants who are found exhibiting such behavior will be disqualified and removed from the gaming area (if not MACWORLD EXPO itself) immediately.

12) Further, any damage done to a piece of equipment which is deemed intentional will result in a criminal charge and the player will be held responsible for his or her actions.

13) Participants in the National Macintosh Gaming Championship must be age 17 or older to participate in the Championship and to win any prizes. 14) DISCLAIMER: Neither Double Exposure, Inc., nor IDG Expo Management Company can be held responsible for any damage resulting from the National Macintosh Gaming Championship, including, but not limited to, hurt wrists, eye strain, sprained muscles, lost articles of clothing or personal belongings. All players must understand the minor risks involved in multiplayer computer gaming and by playing in this event they are acknowledging that they are willfully participating at their own risk.