As we step into the New Year, we’re thrilled to announce important updates to the rules and guidelines for our upcoming tournaments. These changes are designed to ensure fair play, enhance the competitive experience, and create a more inclusive and respectful environment for all participants. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new:

1. Check-In and Team Composition

• Advance Roster Confirmation: Teams must complete check-in at least 1 hour before the tournament start time. All substitutes must be listed on the roster prior to check-in closure, with no exceptions.
• North America Eligibility: To maintain a fair competitive environment, all players must reside in North America. Teams found in violation of this rule will face disqualification.

2. Substitution Policies

• Pre-Match Substitutions: Each team is allowed one substitution per game, finalized before the match begins. Substitutes must be listed on the roster at check-in closure.
• No Emergency Substitutions: Emergency substitutions during matches will no longer be permitted. All players must be confirmed and registered prior to the start of the match.

3. Zero-Tolerance Behavior Policy

• Our commitment to an inclusive environment remains steadfast. Any form of racism, hate speech, or discriminatory language will result in immediate disqualification. Trash talk is allowed but must remain within acceptable limits. Personal life references or attacks are strictly forbidden and will result in disciplinary action.

4. Enhanced Admin Authority

• Binding Decisions: Admins have full authority during the tournament. All decisions made by admins are final, and appeals will not be entertained.
• Technical Issue Resolution: Admins will promptly address server-related problems, such as lag or packet loss, ensuring minimal disruption to gameplay.

5. Prohibited Activities & Fair Play

To maintain competitive integrity, we have reinforced our list of prohibited activities, including:

• Unauthorized scripts or software.
• Exploiting game bugs or glitches.
• Illegal map movements, such as sky-walking or pixel-walking.
• Graphics manipulation for visibility advantages.

Violators will face severe penalties, including match forfeiture or team disqualification.

6. Match Schedule Enhancements

• Semi-Finals and Finals Format: Semi-finals and finals will now be held on the second day of the tournament, with a 10-minute interval between maps to allow teams adequate preparation time.

7. Round Restores and Pauses

• Round Restores: Teams may request a round restore if the round is declared “Not Live” and no damage has been dealt. Both teams must agree to the restore.
• Pause Requests: Admins can issue technical pauses if players need time to resolve issues. Admins will monitor pause requests to prevent disruption to the game’s flow.

8. Streamlined Payment Methods

• Team captains must coordinate with board members to arrange payments via PayPal or Venmo. This ensures a smoother process for distributing prizes.

We’re confident these updates will enhance the tournament experience for everyone. As always, your feedback is welcome as we continue to grow and refine our events. Thank you for being part of our community, and we can’t wait to see you compete in the New Year!