Fair Play Policy

1. Our Commitment to Fair Play

At Esportmatches, we are committed to providing a competitive and fair gaming environment for all players. This Fair Play Policy outlines the rules, expectations, and consequences for maintaining integrity within our platform. All users must adhere to these guidelines to ensure a positive experience for the entire community.

Fair play is the foundation of competitive gaming. By using our Service, you agree to compete honestly, respect other players, and uphold the integrity of all matches.

2. Prohibited Conduct

The following actions are strictly prohibited and will result in penalties:

3. Expected Player Behavior

4. Detection and Enforcement

We employ multiple methods to detect and prevent violations:

• Automated Anti-Cheat: Server-side detection systems monitoring for suspicious behavior
• Manual Reviews: Staff review of reported matches and player behavior
• Demo Analysis: Review of match recordings when violations are suspected
• Player Reports: Community reporting system for flagging violations
• Statistical Analysis: Monitoring for unusual patterns in player performance or behavior
• Steam VAC Status: Integration with Steam's Valve Anti-Cheat system
• Third-Party Verification: Cross-referencing with known cheat databases

5. Penalties and Sanctions

5.1 Warning

First-time minor offenses may result in a formal warning. The warning will be recorded on your account and serve as a reference for future violations.

5.2 Temporary Suspension

• Short Suspension (24 hours - 7 days): Minor violations, toxic behavior
• Medium Suspension (7 days - 30 days): Repeated violations, match abandonment patterns
• Long Suspension (30 days - 90 days): Serious violations, account sharing, griefing

5.3 Permanent Ban

The following violations typically result in immediate permanent bans:

• Use of cheats, hacks, or unauthorized software
• Match-fixing or intentional match manipulation for profit
• Repeated serious violations after previous suspensions
• DDoS attacks or attempts to compromise platform security
• Severe harassment, threats, or doxxing
• Payment fraud or credit manipulation

5.4 Additional Penalties

• Credit Forfeiture: Loss of account credits and any pending prizes
• Match Forfeits: Automatic losses assigned to matches involved in violations
• Rank Resets: Leaderboard positions and statistics may be reset
• IP Bans: Blocking access from specific IP addresses for severe violations
• Hardware Bans: Blocking specific devices from accessing the platform
• Legal Action: We reserve the right to pursue legal action for fraudulent activity

6. Reporting Violations

We encourage all players to report suspected violations to help maintain a fair playing environment. To report a violation:

1. Use the in-match report feature to flag suspicious behavior during or after a match
2. Submit a detailed report through our support system with relevant evidence
3. Include match ID, player names, timestamps, and description of the violation
4. Provide demo files, screenshots, or video evidence when possible
5. Do not publicly accuse players without evidence (witch-hunting)

All reports are confidential. We will investigate reported violations and take appropriate action. However, we cannot always disclose the outcome of investigations due to privacy considerations.

False Reporting: Submitting false or malicious reports is a violation of this policy and may result in penalties to your account.

7. Appeals Process

If you believe you have been unfairly penalized, you may submit an appeal:

• Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of the penalty
• Submit appeals through our support system with a detailed explanation
• Provide any evidence that supports your appeal
• Appeals are typically reviewed within 7-14 business days
• Our decision on appeals is final and binding

Note: Bans for confirmed cheating (detected by anti-cheat or verified evidence) are typically not overturned unless there is clear evidence of a false positive.

8. Steam VAC Bans and Game Bans

Players with active VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) bans or game bans on their linked Steam account may be restricted from participating in competitive matches on our platform. We reserve the right to deny access to users with histories of cheating on Steam or other gaming platforms.

9. Cooperation with Investigations

Players may be required to cooperate with investigations into suspected violations. This may include:

• Providing additional information about matches or incidents
• Allowing review of match demos or recordings
• Responding to inquiries from our anti-cheat team
• Providing evidence to support your innocence

Failure to cooperate with investigations may result in additional penalties, including suspension or ban.

10. Community Standards

Beyond the specific prohibitions listed above, we expect all community members to uphold high standards of sportsmanship and respect. Our goal is to create an inclusive, competitive, and enjoyable environment for players of all backgrounds and skill levels.

Remember: How you conduct yourself reflects not only on your own reputation but on the entire competitive gaming community.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Fair Play Policy from time to time to address new types of violations, improve clarity, or adapt to changes in our platform. Material changes will be communicated to users through our website and notification systems. Continued use of the Service after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact Information

For questions about this Fair Play Policy or to report violations, contact us at: