Disqualifying DZ Academy for recording their own POV in Discord with comms, which is standard practice, simply shows an extreme lack of judgement.
I have concerns about the consistency of admin decisions and their impact on stages and qualifications. A few examples from this stage from our side alone.
Vs 5 Fears: We requested a replay due to a drone bug but were told to play on. After the round, I tried to explain the issue and offer our internal VOD, but couldn't get the admins to review it. "On the stream it looks like he just isn't moving it."
Vs WC: WC requested a replay over a gadget issue which, in reality, was user error. They were allowed to present their internal VOD, and the replay was granted. The situations weren't identical, but the difference in how evidence was handled raises questions.
Vs 4fun: A round was replayed after three of our players lost power more than a minute into the round, while we were already 4v5. The replay decision had a direct impact on the round's outcome, as we had no realistic chance of winning when Shaun would have died half a second after the power loss.
We also almost had to use an emergency sub because of a bug following a patch on match day that forced a computer restart, rather than rescheduling. Admins were already aware of the bug. I don't know how many times this stage we also saw 4v5 games continue to be played. Only saving was that Shaun was in the team house and had a spare computer.
These aren't small decisions. Replay rulings, technical issues and forced substitutions affect results, standings and qualifications.
Players dedicate years to competing, and orgs invest significant resources. Admins have a difficult job, but transparency and accountability are essential when their decisions carry this much weight.
Competitive integrity is something DZ Academy are being disqualified for breaching. Difficult to respect or understand these decisions when the standards being enforced don't appear to be applied consistently.
I have concerns about the consistency of admin decisions and their impact on stages and qualifications. A few examples from this stage from our side alone.
Vs 5 Fears: We requested a replay due to a drone bug but were told to play on. After the round, I tried to explain the issue and offer our internal VOD, but couldn't get the admins to review it. "On the stream it looks like he just isn't moving it."
Vs WC: WC requested a replay over a gadget issue which, in reality, was user error. They were allowed to present their internal VOD, and the replay was granted. The situations weren't identical, but the difference in how evidence was handled raises questions.
Vs 4fun: A round was replayed after three of our players lost power more than a minute into the round, while we were already 4v5. The replay decision had a direct impact on the round's outcome, as we had no realistic chance of winning when Shaun would have died half a second after the power loss.
We also almost had to use an emergency sub because of a bug following a patch on match day that forced a computer restart, rather than rescheduling. Admins were already aware of the bug. I don't know how many times this stage we also saw 4v5 games continue to be played. Only saving was that Shaun was in the team house and had a spare computer.
These aren't small decisions. Replay rulings, technical issues and forced substitutions affect results, standings and qualifications.
Players dedicate years to competing, and orgs invest significant resources. Admins have a difficult job, but transparency and accountability are essential when their decisions carry this much weight.
Competitive integrity is something DZ Academy are being disqualified for breaching. Difficult to respect or understand these decisions when the standards being enforced don't appear to be applied consistently.
Competitive rulingView quoted post on X
Following an investigation into a match played on October 25th, NA Open Cup league officials determined that Dark Zero Academy breached the rules applicable in regard with eligible participants to the NA Open Cup in Salt Lake City in a manner adversely impacting the integrity of the competition.
As a consequence, Dark Zero Academy will be disqualified from the NA Open Cup Finals.
