8ebaaf234d13ea4b097c41f6cef1384bdb243291
Purpose Is To Create Individual Human Competition
Update the SPL Terms of Service to prohibit the use of Battle Helpers in the following:
a) Modern League Ranked play (see NOTE 1 below)
b) Tournaments
c) Brawls
In addition, the team should use their best efforts to enforce this policy, but ONLY when they have the resources available to do so.
NOTE 1: Battle Helpers are acceptable in the Wild Ranked Format
NOTE 2: Bots and/or Battle Helpers are acceptable in custom tournaments if the tournament organizer specifically chooses to allow them
While changing the Terms of Service is a high priority, the proposal DOES NOT want to slow down or stop any other projects for special enforcement, so the team can use whatever tools they already have developed on a "best efforts basis".
Definition Of A Battle Helper - Updated based on post feedback on 7/27/23
Definition of a "Battle Helper" for the purpose of this proposal: A battle helper is any tool or aid created to assist a user via instruction, recommendation, or hinting during team selection. A battle helper provides gameplay recommendations, and takes away from the player's decision making process, in real-time. It includes, but is not limited to, the use of professional services as well as sharing of spreadsheets, data bases, and match algorithms between users.
Clarification of what is considered a "Battle Helper" for the purpose of this proposal:
- Using manually written notes that you created and manually inputted the data is permitted.
- Distributing those same manually written notes that you created and manually input the data to other people is not permitted.
- The use or distribution of spreadsheets, databases, or algorithms where any of the data collection or data input was automated is not permitted.
- The use of any paid services that provide gameplay recommendations or assist the player with instruction, recommendation, or hinting during team selection is not permitted.
Further Clarification of what constitutes Battle Helper
adapted from Magic The Gathering Rules:
Modern Ranked Play, Tournaments, and Brawls test the skill of a player, not their ability to follow external advice or directions. Any strategy advice, play advice, or construction advice from an external source is considered outside assistance (ie. Battle Helper).
A game is between two players. Not a player vs. another player and their friend, or Google, or the Twitterverse. If it can be seen to have offered the player strategic, play, or construction advice then it should be regarded as outside assistance (ie. Battle Helper).
Below is the original Post definition of Battle Helper that was edited on 7/27/23
Definition of a "Battle Helper" for the purpose of this proposal: A battle helper is any tool or aid created by someone other than the user playing the account that provides gameplay recommendations, and takes away from the player's decision making process, in real-time. It includes, but is not limited to, the use of professional services as well as sharing of spreadsheets, data bases, and match algorithms between users.
Thank you for your time and attention to this proposal.