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Event Rules

We will be using the Genesis 8 Ruleset, with the following modifications:

  • Only a Singles bracket will be run. (No Doubles.)
  • The most recent game patch as of SFGE will be used.
  • Matches will be best 2-out-of-3 wins until top 8, whereafter they will be best 3-out-of-5.
  • We will be using our own payout structure specified in the main rules section of this start.gg page.

Tournament Rules

These rules apply to all games unless noted otherwise in the game-specific rule sections, so make sure to read the individual game rules too. These rules are tentative.

Tournament Etiquette: Competitors are expected to check-in to their tournament 15 minutes before its designated starting time. Please be sure to stick around your game area so that you don't miss any important updates from tournament staff. You should not leave the tournament area without first asking permission from the bracket runner. After a tournament match concludes, the winner(s) of each match should report their victories to the bracket runner so that they can be quickly recorded in the bracket. We reserve the right to disqualify individuals from a tournament for reasons including but not limited to: inappropriate behavior, not showing up to your designated match on time, or not following the rules. Please be sure to follow the outlined rules to avoid any issues. Those who have been disqualified will not be entitled to a refund.

Tournament Structure: Some of these tournaments will be run with single-elimination brackets (where one loss means that you're eliminated from the tournament). Some will use double-elimination brackets (where a single loss drops you into a losers bracket, and then an additional loss from there eliminates you from the competition). Check the specific game rules pages to see which bracket format is used for each game, as well as other details like the number of rounds to be played in a single tournament match and the total number of players per match.

Game Versions: Check the individual game rules pages for details regarding which versions of the games will be used for tournament play. For fighting games, the latest game patches will be used and DLC characters will be permitted so long as they have been made available for at least one week prior to the event's starting date, unless noted otherwise. All games will be played with default game settings (timer, damage, handicap, etc.) except in cases noted otherwise in the game-specific rules.

Bringing Your Own Controller: For the fighting game tournaments specifically, you are required to provide your own controller. Other games may have extra controllers on hand to loan out, but we prefer that you provide your own if possible.

Controller Legality: Controllers and converters that adhere to the EVO controller guidelines are legal for this event. (DATA FGC continues to enforce the SOCD-related rule, regardless of the sunset date on this document.) tl;dr: One button press = one game input (no macros/programmable inputs) and no turbo functions. Some specific examples: Brook converters are allowed, but Cronus brand and Titan One / ConsoleTuner converters are banned. For fighting games specifically, controllers and sticks with turbo buttons are permitted for use, but the turbo functions must remain disabled during tournament matches. The legality of all specific controllers and converters will be left to the tournament staff's discretion. Check the individual game rules pages for more details.

Control Configuration Options: Unless noted otherwise in the game-specific rules, all configurable button settings and macros available within the in-game controller configuration menu (ex: 3-punches combination mapped to a single shoulder button) are allowed. Hardware programmable input entry, rapid-fire, or other hardware assisted mechanisms are strictly forbidden.

Wireless Controllers: Players are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to use wired controllers. If you are using a wireless Switch Pro Controller, we also strongly encourage you to remove its battery and play with a tethered USB cable. If you are using a wireless controller and it interrupts another player's match, you are likely to be disqualified from the event at the tournament organizer's discretion.

Wireless Controller Desyncing for Playstation 4 Games: When you sit down to play on a PS4 tournament station, make sure to delete all of the old bluetooth devices from the system menu before beginning the match. This ensures that a previous player on that station can't interrupt your game by pausing or bringing up the system menu. If you fail to perform this check, and a non-competitor's controller disrupts your match, then you or your opponent must delete that controller from the system, then continue playing as if there was no interference. If such a disruption turns off the system entirely, then you must replay the game that was interrupted from the start, using the same settings (characters, stage, etc) and maintaining the current game & set win count up to the start of the game that was interrupted. Please ask tournament staff for assistance if you're not familiar with the process of desyncing PS4 controllers; we're happy to help.

Audio Equipment: Players may connect their own audio gear (such as headphones, mixamps, and/or external speakers) to the tournament stations so that they can more easily hear the in-game audio. However, any audio equipment that interferes with other tournament equipment or impedes the other player's ability to hear the game audio (such as muting the monitor audio output) is not permitted. Players MUST notify their bracket runner before connecting any equipment to the tournament stations, and players are NOT allowed to unplug any equipment at a tournament station to make room for their own equipment. Players are only allowed to use equipment that does NOT require power from a wall socket; such devices must either be self-powered or simply require a connection to the console and/or monitor to function.

Pause Penalty: In fighting game tournaments, accidentally pausing the game at any time during a match will force you to forfeit the current round. The only exceptions are in cases of "inevitable defeat," such as pausing during a cinematic super attack that is 100% guaranteed to KO the other character anyway. If the game was paused due to a controller malfunction, then the offending player may request a new controller and use the remaining time of the current round to button check the new controller, so long as this button check isn’t abused to gain meter for the next round. For non-fighting game tournaments, similar penalties will be enforced, but the rule specifics may vary. Check the individual game rules pages for any further info.

Glitches & Bugs: Glitches that halt gameplay entirely (e.g. anything that causes the game to freeze/reset) and exploits that are only possible via hacking or modifying the game are banned. Other glitches will be judged at the tournament organizers' discretion. Check the individual game rules pages for any further info.

Ties: In fighting game tournaments, a draw game counts as a win for both players, and the next game of the set (if required) must be played with identical settings. If a draw causes both players to reach set point, then an extra tiebreaker game will be played. For non-fighting game tournaments, check the individual game rules pages for specific tiebreaker rules.

Reporting Rule Violations: Rule violations must be reported to tournament staff at the time they occur. Otherwise, they might not be able to be properly addressed. If a player pauses the game to report a rule violation, but the tournament staff concludes that no such violation has occurred, then the player who paused will be penalized accordingly.

Collusion: Collusion of any kind with your competitors is considered cheating. If the Tournament Organizer determines that any competitor is colluding to manipulate the results or intentionally underperforming, the collaborating players may be immediately disqualified. This determination is to be made at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director. Anyone disqualified in this manner forfeits all rights to any titles or prizes they might have otherwise earned for that tournament.

Misc Rules for Fighting Game Tournaments:

The following are generic rules that broadly apply to fighting game tournaments. Specifics may vary by game; check each game's rule page for details.

Side Select: When players sit down to begin their match, they must make a selection on which sides of the screen they'll play on. If they cannot come to an agreement, then they must rock-paper-scissors for the side choice.

Blind Pick: Blind pick may be requested before a set begins in order to prevent counter-picking at the character select screen during the first game of a set. Such a request must be made before either player makes any decision at character select. If blind pick is called, then the player/team who requested it must individually tell the bracket runner all of their selections for the first game (characters, teams, super moves, etc.) that they plan to use. The opposing player/team will then make their selections for game 1, and then the player/team who requested blind pick will select what was told to the bracket runner.

Random Select: Any player using "Random Select" to pick their character, must "Random Select" again if they win the match, provided that there is no way to pick a certain character in the random box.

Stage Select: If the players do not agree on a stage, then the match will be random stage select.

Character Lock & Counter-Picking: The winner of each game must keep the same character/team/etc. for the next game of the set. The loser can change his/her selection for the next game. The individual game rules may have more specific details regarding exactly what a winner is or is not allowed to change for the next game of the set. The loser of a game is also allowed to request a side switch for the following game of the set.

Coaching: Players are allowed one coach on stage for streamed matches.

Time Limits: There is a maximum of 90 seconds allowed between games in a set.