Suit Malfunction

[Ice Queen]

We had a problem here this week in Mildura, and would like your thoughts on the matter......
We had Hardware Malfunctions in an SM5 game. The commander on one team had his suit which could not deactivate anyone and could not be deactivated, could not launch nukes, could not be resupplied..... this was only for the last 5-6 minutes of the game.

He called out for a referee constantly, but only got assisted to the armory in the last 60 seconds of the game......

During the last 3 minutes of the game there were 5 other players that had pack malfuntions:
* 1 could not be resupplied
* 2 would stay down for about 15-20 seconds when they were deactivated
* 2 could not be deactivated.

i suppose there is a couple of questions in here........ (and i know that there has been some discussion recently in Brisbane with pack malfunctions)
* what is defined as a 'Terminal' malfunction
* what is defined as a 'Large number' of terminal malfunctions.
* what is the ruling if referees take FOREVER to assist a player when they have a pack malfunction.

We think that this was actually a 'SYSTEM' malfunction......but there is nothing in the rules to allow for that either.

Any thoughts that you have would be much appreciated

[tragedy]

A suit that will not deactivate and cannot be deactivated has to be treated as a terminal malfunction. A suit that cannot be deactivated should also be treated as a terminal malfunction provided it is exactly that, not just suddenly hard to hit. I would class (and many other would as well) that game as having a large number of terminal malfunctions.

Following Brisbane's dramas of a few weeks ago, it has been realised that an extra line or two needs to be added regarding game replays. Something along the lines of "Games can be replayed for other mitigating circumstances as determined by the referees provided the referees determine that the reason given for replaying a game is one that had a critical effect on the outcome of that game (ie it is the sole reason a team lost or were eliminated)"

Up until a few weeks ago it was taken for granted that games could be replayed for "other mitigating circumstances" but nothing has been added to make it cut and dried.

For the player/referee issue it seems a bit long to be "calling for a ref" for 4-5 minutes before being attended. The player in question should have approached a ref and told him the suit was buggered and needed to change. He should also demonstrate the suit's action if need be but if a ref is nearby he should have observed it anyway. Ref's also need to pay attention and attend to player's calls. For all they knew someone could have been injured. I'd be hesitant to award a replay based solely on "I was calling for a ref but noone came" as the player has legs and can move to a ref. If his suit's not working, leaving resup to get a ref isn't going to make any difference.

[Iceman]

Following Brisbane's dramas of a few weeks ago, it has been realised that an extra line or two needs to be added regarding game replays. Something along the lines of "Games can be replayed for other mitigating circumstances as determined by the referees provided the referees determine that the reason given for replaying a game is one that had a critical effect on the outcome of that game (ie it is the sole reason a team lost or were eliminated)"

Agreed.

Up until a few weeks ago it was taken for granted that games could be replayed for "other mitigating circumstances" but nothing has been added to make it cut and dried.

Also agreed.

I believe "terminal" needs to either be definitively defined as x and y conditions (perhaps even NOT z) OR it needs to say "terminal as decided by referees/committee/staff".

The reason for this is that while a lot of people say they understand terminal, no two players I have asked to define terminal have given me the exact same definition.

I don't mind what we define it as just as long as everyone is clear that it's something like "can't shoot = unfair" "can't shoot past a couple of meters = bad luck".

I'd love it if we could eliminate equipment differences to put teams on a more even footing but unless we get corporate sponsorship, dedicated league phasers that are tested and calibrated before every match.. (or perhaps just the ability to buy and play with your own) I don't see that happening.