Ruleset Nomination 1
I propose this initial ruleset.
Immutable Rules
101.
This community shall be known as Nomicide. Nomicide contains but is not limited to this Livejournal community known by the same name.
All players must always abide by all the rules then in effect, in the form in which they are then in effect. The rules in the Initial Set are in effect whenever a game begins. The Initial Set consists of Rules 101-114 and 201-217.
102.
All rules are either immutable or mutable. Immutable rules may not be enacted, repealed, or amended, except to transmute them from immutable to mutable. Any rule of any status may be transmuted.
103.
All rules have a rule number. Immutable rules have a number in the 100s. There may never be more than 99 immutable rules. Mutable rules have a number above 200.
104.
Rule changes are defined as either the enactment, repeal, or amendment of a mutable rule or the transmutation of an immutable rule into a mutable rule or vice versa.
All proposed rule-changes meeting the proper criteria shall be voted on. They will be adopted if and only if they receive the required number of votes as judged by the maintainers at the time that voting was closed.
105.
Every player is an eligible voter. Non-players are not eligible to vote. This will be administratively enforced through moderated membership and members-only voting for polls.
106.
All proposed rule-changes shall be posted to this website before they are voted on. If they are adopted, they shall guide play in the form in which they were voted on.
107.
No rule-change may take effect earlier than the moment of the completion of the vote that adopted it, even if its wording explicitly states otherwise. No rule-change may have retroactive application.
108.
Each rule-change that that is voted on shall be given a ballot number for reference. The numbers shall begin with 301, and each rule-change voted on shall receive the next successive integer, whether or not the proposal is adopted.
If a rule is repealed and subsequently reenacted, it receives the number of the proposal to reenact it. If a rule is amended, the entire rule of which it is a part receives the number of the proposal to amend or repeal the amendment.
If a a rule is transmuted from mutable to immutable, it's number shall be changed to the next available number in the 100s.
If a rule is transmuted from immutable to mutable, it's number shall be changed to the next available rule number above 300.
109.
In a conflict between a mutable and an immutable rule, the immutable rule takes precedence and the mutable rule shall be entirely void. A proposal to transmute an immutable rule does not "conflict" with that immutable rule.
110.
The state of affairs that constitutes winning may not be altered from achieving n points to any other state of affairs. The magnitude of n and the means of earning points may be changed, and rules that establish a winner when play cannot continue may be enacted, amended or repealed, as long as these rules are mutable.
111.
A player always has the option to forfeit the game rather than continue to play or incur a game penalty.
112.
There must always be at least one mutable rule. The adoption of rule-changes must never become completely impermissible.
113.
Rule-changes that affect rules needed to allow or apply rule-changes are as permissible as other rule-changes. Even rule-changes that amend or repeal their own authority are permissible. No rule-change or type of move is impermissible solely on account of the self-reference or self-application of a rule.
114.
Whatever is not prohibited or regulated by a rule is permitted and unregulated, with the sole exception of changing the rules, which is permitted only when a rule or set of rules explicitly or implicitly permits it.
Mutable Rules
201.
All players joining the game at the start shall begin with zero points.
Players joining the game after it has begun shall begin with the average point holdings of all players in the game minus one.
202.
The game will proceed by sessions, with each session lasting seven days, beginning at 1200 UTC on Monday morning and end at 1200 UTC of the following Monday morning. Each session begins at the conclusion of the previous session- sessions are continuous. Each session consists of three parts as follows:
At the opening of each session, the session poll will be opened. This poll shall allow all eligible players to vote separately on each rule-change that met the proper criteria and was proposed during the previous session. These rule-changes will be voted on in the form in which they were proposed at the close of the previous session. This poll will remain open for the entirety of the session, at the end of which the votes will be officially counted.
During each session, any player may choose to propose rule-changes. Only rule-changes posted as a discussion post in this community shall be considered to be proposed.
At the close of each session, first, all rule-changes receiving sufficient votes in the session poll shall be enacted, and second, all score changes resulting from that session shall be effected.
Wherever a rule refers to a period of time beginning at a time other than 1200 UTC that is to last one interval, it shall refer to the period of time ending at 1200 UTC four days after the date when the period began. (Thus, for example, one interval from 2004 UTC on November 2nd is 1200 UTC on November 6th, and one interval from 0318 UTC on January 24th is 1200 UTC on January 28th.)
203.
During each session, players may propose rule changes, sponsor proposals, and amend proposals. Players may propose only one and sponsor only one proposal per session. If, during a session, a player proposes or sponsors more than one rule change, all proposals or sponsorships other than the last shall be considered to have been withdrawn.
Players may sponsor proposals by making a posting a comment to the discussion post with the word “SPONSORSHIP” in all caps as the first word of their comment.
Players may make unlimited amendments to proposals.
204.
Players may offer amendments to proposals by posting a comment to the discussion post with the word “AMENDMENT” in all caps as the first word of their comment. Amendments to proposals are subject to a voice vote, by posting reply comments with subjects including either the word “SUPPORT” or “OPPOSE” in all caps as the first word of their reply. Amendments with a majority in favor are adopted when the proposal goes to vote. Amendments to proposals may be rejected or adopted by the proposer, with “ADOPT” or “REJECT” as the first words of a reply comment; this option overrides any and all votes on the amendment.
Where two amendments on a proposal are in conflict, precedence goes first to the amendment with the greatest proportion of votes in favor; second, to the amendment with the greatest number of supporting votes; and lastly, to the amendment posted first.
205.
When a player posts a proposal to Nomicide, the posts title must include the next available draft number. Draft numbers begin with D1. Proposals whose title does not include the correct draft number are not eligible for inclusion in the session poll.
206.
Proposals are not eligible for inclusion in a session poll until they either have received at least one sponsorship or have at least one applicable amendment.
207.
Proposals not eligible for inclusion in a session poll are carried over into the next session, and if eligible shall be included in the next session poll.
208.
When voting on a proposal concludes, the proposer shall receive P points, where P is equal to:
P = (((N - 291) x (F / V)) - (2 x A)) x (1 + (S / 10))
Where N is the number of the proposal, F is the number of favorable votes, V is the total number of votes on the proposal, including abstentions, A is the number of votes cast against the proposal, and S is the number of sponsorships the proposal received. The result is then rounded up to the nearest integer.
Players who sponsor a proposal shall receive X points, where is X is equal to: (P / 2) / S. The result is then rounded up to the nearest integer.
Players who successfully amend an adopted proposal shall receive Y points, where Y is equal to: P / 2. The result is then rounded up to the nearest integer. If a player makes multiple amendments to a proposal, these points shall be awarded or deducted only once.
(Example: Proposal 321, sponsored by 2 players, receives 9 votes in favor, 2 against, and one abstention. Thus, P = (((321 - 291) * (9 / 12)) - (2 * 2)) * (1 + (2 / 10)) = 22.2; the proposer receives 23 points. X equals (23 / 2) / 2 = 5.75; each sponsor receives 6 points. Y equals 23 / 2 = 11.5; each amending player receives 12 points.
209.
If a player fails to propose, sponsor or amend a rule change for five sessions in succession, that player is removed from the game.
210.
A rule-change is adopted if and only if it receives a a simple majority of votes in favor.
211.
Each player always has exactly one vote.
212.
The winner is the first player to achieve 288 (positive) points.
213.
At no time may there be more than 99 mutable rules.
214.
If two or more mutable rules conflict with one another, or if two or more immutable rules conflict with one another, then the rule with the lowest ordinal number takes precedence.
If at least one of the rules in conflict explicitly says of itself that it defers to another rule (or type of rule) or takes precedence over another rule (or type of rule), then such provisions shall supersede the numerical method for determining precedence.
If two or more rules claim to take precedence over one another or to defer to one another, then the numerical method again governs.
215.
If players disagree about the legality of a move or the interpretation or application of a rule, then the player alphabetically preceding the one moving is appointed the Judge and shall decide the question. Disagreement for the purposes of this rule may be created by the insistence of any player. This process is called invoking Judgement.
The Judge's Judgement may be overruled only by a unanimous vote of the other players taken before the next session is begun. If a Judge's Judgement is overruled, then the player alphabetically preceding the Judge becomes the new Judge for the question, and so on.
Unless a Judge is overruled, one Judge settles all questions arising from the game during Judgement, including questions as to his or her own legitimacy and jurisdiction as Judge.
New Judges are not bound by the decisions of old Judges. New Judges may, however, settle only those questions on which the players currently disagree and that affect the completion or non completion of the move or application of rule over which Judgement was invoked. All decisions by Judges shall be in accordance with all the rules then in effect; but when the rules are silent, inconsistent, or unclear on the point at issue, then the Judge shall consider game-custom and the spirit of the game before applying other standards.
A Judge may, where necessary, suspend play for one interval. This suspension of play does not automatically affect the completion of the session poll or delay the effect of any rule thereby enacted. If a Judge does not issue a suspension or decision within their allotted time, the Judge shall be removed and the player alphabetically preceding the Judge shall be appointed Judge and decide the question.
"Judgment" and "Judgement" shall be considered synonymous terms; however, the latter shall be preferred when possible. (Note: this means that "judgement" should be the tag placed on Judgements, rather than "judgment".)
216.
If the rules are changed so that further play is impossible, or if the legality of a move cannot be determined with finality, or if by the Judge's best reasoning, not overruled, a move appears equally legal and illegal, then the first player unable to complete a turn is the winner.
This rule takes precedence over every other rule determining the winner.
217.
When the game ends, the Constitutional Convention shall begin. No mutable rules other than this one shall be considered in effect during the Constitutional Convention.
When the Constitutional Convention opens, the winner of the game or whosoever said winner shall designate will become the Head of the Constitutional Convention.
During the Constitutional Convention, all members are encouraged to post questions, comments, and suggestions regarding the Initial Ruleset for the next game on nomicide, within reason.
At any point during the Constitutional Convention at least four days subsequent to the end of the game and at least one day subsequent to the expiration of the previous poll, the Head may propose an Initial Ruleset. If a poll of nomicide members lasting four days shows that the majority support said ruleset, then the Constitutional Convention will close and a new game begin with that ruleset; otherwise, the Constitutional Convention will continue as before. No Head may propose more than three Ruleset polls.
If any member has held the position of Head for at least one week and no Ruleset poll is in progress, any member may request an approval poll; this poll will run for two days.
In the approval poll, the names of all current nomicide members will be listed in a random order, and all members will be given the choice whether or not to vote for each one. Whichever member received the most votes will become Head. In the event of a tie, the members with the most votes will be given 48 hours to decide which of them will become the Head - if they have not come to a consensus in that time, the approval poll will be reopened for 48 hours. (Note: this process may repeat if the reopened poll ends in a tie.)
If a third Ruleset poll by the current Head ends with no Ruleset supported, an approval poll will be run as if it were requested.
Last Edited at 7:57 am, EST, on November 2nd, 2009
Immutable Rules
101.
This community shall be known as Nomicide. Nomicide contains but is not limited to this Livejournal community known by the same name.
All players must always abide by all the rules then in effect, in the form in which they are then in effect. The rules in the Initial Set are in effect whenever a game begins. The Initial Set consists of Rules 101-114 and 201-217.
102.
All rules are either immutable or mutable. Immutable rules may not be enacted, repealed, or amended, except to transmute them from immutable to mutable. Any rule of any status may be transmuted.
103.
All rules have a rule number. Immutable rules have a number in the 100s. There may never be more than 99 immutable rules. Mutable rules have a number above 200.
104.
Rule changes are defined as either the enactment, repeal, or amendment of a mutable rule or the transmutation of an immutable rule into a mutable rule or vice versa.
All proposed rule-changes meeting the proper criteria shall be voted on. They will be adopted if and only if they receive the required number of votes as judged by the maintainers at the time that voting was closed.
105.
Every player is an eligible voter. Non-players are not eligible to vote. This will be administratively enforced through moderated membership and members-only voting for polls.
106.
All proposed rule-changes shall be posted to this website before they are voted on. If they are adopted, they shall guide play in the form in which they were voted on.
107.
No rule-change may take effect earlier than the moment of the completion of the vote that adopted it, even if its wording explicitly states otherwise. No rule-change may have retroactive application.
108.
Each rule-change that that is voted on shall be given a ballot number for reference. The numbers shall begin with 301, and each rule-change voted on shall receive the next successive integer, whether or not the proposal is adopted.
If a rule is repealed and subsequently reenacted, it receives the number of the proposal to reenact it. If a rule is amended, the entire rule of which it is a part receives the number of the proposal to amend or repeal the amendment.
If a a rule is transmuted from mutable to immutable, it's number shall be changed to the next available number in the 100s.
If a rule is transmuted from immutable to mutable, it's number shall be changed to the next available rule number above 300.
109.
In a conflict between a mutable and an immutable rule, the immutable rule takes precedence and the mutable rule shall be entirely void. A proposal to transmute an immutable rule does not "conflict" with that immutable rule.
110.
The state of affairs that constitutes winning may not be altered from achieving n points to any other state of affairs. The magnitude of n and the means of earning points may be changed, and rules that establish a winner when play cannot continue may be enacted, amended or repealed, as long as these rules are mutable.
111.
A player always has the option to forfeit the game rather than continue to play or incur a game penalty.
112.
There must always be at least one mutable rule. The adoption of rule-changes must never become completely impermissible.
113.
Rule-changes that affect rules needed to allow or apply rule-changes are as permissible as other rule-changes. Even rule-changes that amend or repeal their own authority are permissible. No rule-change or type of move is impermissible solely on account of the self-reference or self-application of a rule.
114.
Whatever is not prohibited or regulated by a rule is permitted and unregulated, with the sole exception of changing the rules, which is permitted only when a rule or set of rules explicitly or implicitly permits it.
Mutable Rules
201.
All players joining the game at the start shall begin with zero points.
Players joining the game after it has begun shall begin with the average point holdings of all players in the game minus one.
202.
The game will proceed by sessions, with each session lasting seven days, beginning at 1200 UTC on Monday morning and end at 1200 UTC of the following Monday morning. Each session begins at the conclusion of the previous session- sessions are continuous. Each session consists of three parts as follows:
At the opening of each session, the session poll will be opened. This poll shall allow all eligible players to vote separately on each rule-change that met the proper criteria and was proposed during the previous session. These rule-changes will be voted on in the form in which they were proposed at the close of the previous session. This poll will remain open for the entirety of the session, at the end of which the votes will be officially counted.
During each session, any player may choose to propose rule-changes. Only rule-changes posted as a discussion post in this community shall be considered to be proposed.
At the close of each session, first, all rule-changes receiving sufficient votes in the session poll shall be enacted, and second, all score changes resulting from that session shall be effected.
Wherever a rule refers to a period of time beginning at a time other than 1200 UTC that is to last one interval, it shall refer to the period of time ending at 1200 UTC four days after the date when the period began. (Thus, for example, one interval from 2004 UTC on November 2nd is 1200 UTC on November 6th, and one interval from 0318 UTC on January 24th is 1200 UTC on January 28th.)
203.
During each session, players may propose rule changes, sponsor proposals, and amend proposals. Players may propose only one and sponsor only one proposal per session. If, during a session, a player proposes or sponsors more than one rule change, all proposals or sponsorships other than the last shall be considered to have been withdrawn.
Players may sponsor proposals by making a posting a comment to the discussion post with the word “SPONSORSHIP” in all caps as the first word of their comment.
Players may make unlimited amendments to proposals.
204.
Players may offer amendments to proposals by posting a comment to the discussion post with the word “AMENDMENT” in all caps as the first word of their comment. Amendments to proposals are subject to a voice vote, by posting reply comments with subjects including either the word “SUPPORT” or “OPPOSE” in all caps as the first word of their reply. Amendments with a majority in favor are adopted when the proposal goes to vote. Amendments to proposals may be rejected or adopted by the proposer, with “ADOPT” or “REJECT” as the first words of a reply comment; this option overrides any and all votes on the amendment.
Where two amendments on a proposal are in conflict, precedence goes first to the amendment with the greatest proportion of votes in favor; second, to the amendment with the greatest number of supporting votes; and lastly, to the amendment posted first.
205.
When a player posts a proposal to Nomicide, the posts title must include the next available draft number. Draft numbers begin with D1. Proposals whose title does not include the correct draft number are not eligible for inclusion in the session poll.
206.
Proposals are not eligible for inclusion in a session poll until they either have received at least one sponsorship or have at least one applicable amendment.
207.
Proposals not eligible for inclusion in a session poll are carried over into the next session, and if eligible shall be included in the next session poll.
208.
When voting on a proposal concludes, the proposer shall receive P points, where P is equal to:
P = (((N - 291) x (F / V)) - (2 x A)) x (1 + (S / 10))
Where N is the number of the proposal, F is the number of favorable votes, V is the total number of votes on the proposal, including abstentions, A is the number of votes cast against the proposal, and S is the number of sponsorships the proposal received. The result is then rounded up to the nearest integer.
Players who sponsor a proposal shall receive X points, where is X is equal to: (P / 2) / S. The result is then rounded up to the nearest integer.
Players who successfully amend an adopted proposal shall receive Y points, where Y is equal to: P / 2. The result is then rounded up to the nearest integer. If a player makes multiple amendments to a proposal, these points shall be awarded or deducted only once.
(Example: Proposal 321, sponsored by 2 players, receives 9 votes in favor, 2 against, and one abstention. Thus, P = (((321 - 291) * (9 / 12)) - (2 * 2)) * (1 + (2 / 10)) = 22.2; the proposer receives 23 points. X equals (23 / 2) / 2 = 5.75; each sponsor receives 6 points. Y equals 23 / 2 = 11.5; each amending player receives 12 points.
209.
If a player fails to propose, sponsor or amend a rule change for five sessions in succession, that player is removed from the game.
210.
A rule-change is adopted if and only if it receives a a simple majority of votes in favor.
211.
Each player always has exactly one vote.
212.
The winner is the first player to achieve 288 (positive) points.
213.
At no time may there be more than 99 mutable rules.
214.
If two or more mutable rules conflict with one another, or if two or more immutable rules conflict with one another, then the rule with the lowest ordinal number takes precedence.
If at least one of the rules in conflict explicitly says of itself that it defers to another rule (or type of rule) or takes precedence over another rule (or type of rule), then such provisions shall supersede the numerical method for determining precedence.
If two or more rules claim to take precedence over one another or to defer to one another, then the numerical method again governs.
215.
If players disagree about the legality of a move or the interpretation or application of a rule, then the player alphabetically preceding the one moving is appointed the Judge and shall decide the question. Disagreement for the purposes of this rule may be created by the insistence of any player. This process is called invoking Judgement.
The Judge's Judgement may be overruled only by a unanimous vote of the other players taken before the next session is begun. If a Judge's Judgement is overruled, then the player alphabetically preceding the Judge becomes the new Judge for the question, and so on.
Unless a Judge is overruled, one Judge settles all questions arising from the game during Judgement, including questions as to his or her own legitimacy and jurisdiction as Judge.
New Judges are not bound by the decisions of old Judges. New Judges may, however, settle only those questions on which the players currently disagree and that affect the completion or non completion of the move or application of rule over which Judgement was invoked. All decisions by Judges shall be in accordance with all the rules then in effect; but when the rules are silent, inconsistent, or unclear on the point at issue, then the Judge shall consider game-custom and the spirit of the game before applying other standards.
A Judge may, where necessary, suspend play for one interval. This suspension of play does not automatically affect the completion of the session poll or delay the effect of any rule thereby enacted. If a Judge does not issue a suspension or decision within their allotted time, the Judge shall be removed and the player alphabetically preceding the Judge shall be appointed Judge and decide the question.
"Judgment" and "Judgement" shall be considered synonymous terms; however, the latter shall be preferred when possible. (Note: this means that "judgement" should be the tag placed on Judgements, rather than "judgment".)
216.
If the rules are changed so that further play is impossible, or if the legality of a move cannot be determined with finality, or if by the Judge's best reasoning, not overruled, a move appears equally legal and illegal, then the first player unable to complete a turn is the winner.
This rule takes precedence over every other rule determining the winner.
217.
When the game ends, the Constitutional Convention shall begin. No mutable rules other than this one shall be considered in effect during the Constitutional Convention.
When the Constitutional Convention opens, the winner of the game or whosoever said winner shall designate will become the Head of the Constitutional Convention.
During the Constitutional Convention, all members are encouraged to post questions, comments, and suggestions regarding the Initial Ruleset for the next game on nomicide, within reason.
At any point during the Constitutional Convention at least four days subsequent to the end of the game and at least one day subsequent to the expiration of the previous poll, the Head may propose an Initial Ruleset. If a poll of nomicide members lasting four days shows that the majority support said ruleset, then the Constitutional Convention will close and a new game begin with that ruleset; otherwise, the Constitutional Convention will continue as before. No Head may propose more than three Ruleset polls.
If any member has held the position of Head for at least one week and no Ruleset poll is in progress, any member may request an approval poll; this poll will run for two days.
In the approval poll, the names of all current nomicide members will be listed in a random order, and all members will be given the choice whether or not to vote for each one. Whichever member received the most votes will become Head. In the event of a tie, the members with the most votes will be given 48 hours to decide which of them will become the Head - if they have not come to a consensus in that time, the approval poll will be reopened for 48 hours. (Note: this process may repeat if the reopened poll ends in a tie.)
If a third Ruleset poll by the current Head ends with no Ruleset supported, an approval poll will be run as if it were requested.
Last Edited at 7:57 am, EST, on November 2nd, 2009