General Competition Rules

1.0. General Competition Rules

1.1. Liability

All participants are expected to know and uphold the rules while associated with Generation Esports tournaments. Participants will not receive refunds or compensation for their inability to play as a result of incurring a penalty due to a violation of Generations Esports rules and regulations. Participation in official tournaments constitutes acceptance of these rules.

1.2. Rule Changes

Generation Esports reserves the right to add, remove, or otherwise amend all rule sets without prior notice. However, Generation Esports will use its best efforts to provide reasonable notice prior to any significant rule changes.

1.2.1 Admin Interpretation 

The final interpretation of rules and regulations rests with the Generation Esports Administrators. All administrative decisions are considered final.

1.3. Confidentiality

The content of emails, support tickets, or any other correspondence with Generation Esports administration is deemed strictly confidential information. The publication of such material is prohibited without express written consent from Generation Esports.

1.4. Match Broadcasting

All broadcasting rights of Generation Esports are owned by Generation Esports, LLC. This includes, but is not limited to: IRC Bots, audio streams, video streams, match recordings, or television broadcasts.

1.4.1. Award of Broadcast Rights

Generation Esports has the right to award broadcasting rights to one or multiple matches to a third party or participants themselves. In these cases, broadcasts must be arranged with Generation Esports administration or broadcasters before the start of the match. Generation Esports reserves the right to play, broadcast, and distribute all match recordings during a Generation Esports tournament.

1.4.2. No Right of Refusal

Players and participants cannot refuse to have their matches broadcasted by a Generation Esports authorized broadcast, nor can they choose what manner in which the match will be broadcasted.

1.5. Prizing

All prizing will be distributed once all teams that have earned it submit the necessary information needed to verify the eligibility of the players on the team and all pending payments are completed. If a team or player is missing any required criteria for verification or payment, the prizing will be held for 30 days after the conclusion of the applicable Generation Esports tournament. If a team or player fails to provide the required information or payments within those 30 days, they may forfeit all prizes from the tournament. Prizing will take between 3-6 weeks from the completion of the tournament to be fulfilled. 

Generation Esports reserves the right to withhold or revoke prizing from any School, Student, Team, or User who violates the official tournament rules or for any reason determined by Generation Esports. This includes situations where a playoff match is forfeited. If a team or user chooses to forfeit a playoff match, Generation Esports may decide to withhold or revoke any prizes that would have been awarded to that team or user. This action is taken at the discretion of Generation Esports.

Generation Esports reserves the right to revoke or change prizing if the minimum number of 32 tournament registrants is not reached. For prizing questions or concerns, please email prizing@generationesports.com.

2.0. Participant Accounts

2.1. Clean Accounts  / Long-Term Suspensions and Bans

Generation Esports defines a clean account as an account that has not received any form of long-term game suspension or ban in the past 365 days and is clear of vulgar or inappropriate content. Long Term Suspensions or Bans are defined as: 

• Permanent ban or VAC Bans for any reason
• Suspensions lasting more than one month

Players who have unclean accounts are prohibited from participating in all Generation Esports events, even on alternate accounts.  Players are required to notify their team administrator if they receive a long-term suspension or ban. Team Administrators are required to notify Generation Esports Administrators of their student’s suspension or ban. Failure to comply on either part may result in disciplinary action against the player or team. 

2.1.1. Clean Accounts / Short-Term Suspensions or Restrictions

Generation Esports defines a clean account as an account that is not currently under any form of short-term game suspension or restriction and is clear of vulgar or inappropriate content. Short Term Suspensions or Restrictions are defined as:

• Suspensions lasting less than one month
• Chat Restrictions
• Gameplay lockouts lasting 2 weeks or more 
• Ranked mode access restricted

Players currently serving a short-term suspension or restrictions are prohibited from participating in all Generation Esports events until their suspension or restrictions are over. Multiple offenses will result in players being prohibited from play for one year from the date the suspension was issued.  Players are required to notify their team administrator if they receive a short-term suspension or restriction. Team Administrators are required to notify Generation Esports Administrators of their player’s suspension or restrictions. Failure to comply on either part may result in disciplinary action against the player or team. 

2.2. Game Connections

All players participating in Generation Esports tournaments are required to have an active game account for the tournament they’re participating in connected to their Generation Esports account. All game connection information shown on a team’s roster must match the names used in-game. Mismatching display names (gamertags) that cannot be verified by GenE staff will not be allowed to participate in an official match and must not be present in a game lobby.

If a player’s display name does not match what is shown on their roster, please reach out to a GenE Administrator through the Support Live Chat service for assistance while the game is still being played. Name discrepancy reports will not be accepted after a match has been completed. 

In certain cases, mismatching names will be permitted to play, granted they correct their Game Connection in real time if GenE staff can verify the overall game account is correct using Steam ID, Epic ID, or other similar unique account identifiers. (Identifiers must be data directly accessible to GenE staff; email screenshots are insufficient)

All game connections associated with a user at any point during a competition or event are subject to rule 2.1, the clean account rule.

2.3. Participant Profiles

All player names or profiles are prohibited from including:

• Gang Affiliation
• Drug References/Names (including alcohol and tobacco)
• Sexual Material
• Offensive Material
• Politically Charged Symbols/Images
• Slander of Generation Esports, Players, or its Staff

2.4. Software Agreements

All participants are required to agree to, follow, and abide by any and all software agreements necessary to operate any game, service, and/or launcher that is necessary to facilitate a competition (e.g. Terms of Service, Terms of Use, End User License Agreements, and/or any other similar documents).

3.0. Teams

3.1. Team Names

No two teams participating in the same tournament may use the same team name. Team names cannot be changed after the season officially begins.

All team names or profiles are prohibited from including:

• Gang Affiliation
• Drug References/Names (including alcohol and tobacco)
• Sexual Material
• Offensive Material
• Politically Charged Symbols/Images
• Slander of Generation Esports, Players, or its Staff

3.2. Player Counts

Teams are required to have the minimum player count (as stated in each game’s rule set) present on the team at all times once a season begins, or they may face automatic match forfeitures. This does not include players that are pending to be placed on the team. Teams may not have more than the maximum of double the minimum player count minus one on the roster at any time, for example, Overwatch rosters may include up to 11 players (6 starters and 5 substitutes). Single-player rosters may not have more than the minimum required players on their roster.

3.3. Multi-Teaming

Players are prohibited from participating on more than one roster for the same game in a specific tournament, regardless if the game is offered on multiple crossplay consoles. 

3.4. Roster Changes

Roster changes may be made at any point during or in between seasons except during live matches and once the playoffs have begun. There is a 24-hour grace period from when a player is added to a roster before they will be permitted to play in official matches. Roster changes are prohibited for single-player and partnered (duo) game tournaments. 

3.5. Withdrawal

Teams may choose to withdraw from a tournament during the season and may rejoin at a later date if they choose to. Players or teams that choose to withdraw from a tournament will not qualify for refunds or receive compensation for their withdrawal. Only a Team Administrator may submit a request to withdraw a player or team from a tournament. 

3.5.1. Refund Policy

No refunds will be offered, all services are sold as is. Generation Esports assumes no responsibility for purchases. A grace period of 48 hours after purchase will be offered for disputed circumstances. Generation Esports reserves the right to refuse or deny registration and to cancel registration under certain circumstances.

3.6. Match Participation

Teams must complete 75% of their regular season matches to be considered for playoff qualification or to receive tournament prizing.

3.6.1. Unplayed Matches

Any match or queue that a team misses or does not complete will result in the match being counted as a loss against the team at the end of the regular season.

4.0. Communication

4.1. Team Communication

Players/teams must communicate with their opponents through the match chat on Generation Esports. Third-party tools such as Discord and social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, etc) are prohibited from being used when attempting to communicate with opponents. 

4.2. Outside Communication

Players/teams may not have any communication with any outside sources, except Generation Esports Administration while their match is in progress, including, but not limited to: coaches and substitutes. Players/teams may only have communication with outside sources during the grace period between games in a series or unless otherwise outlined in game-specific rules.

5.0. Spectators

Spectators are not permitted to be in game lobbies during official Generation Esports Tournaments for any reason unless otherwise specified in the Tournament Rules*. 

*HSEL, MSEL, and NJCAAE tournament participants, please refer to your tournament’s General Rules page for tournament-specific spectator rules. 

6.0. Player Streaming

Players may stream to their personal Twitch or YouTube channel if they’re participating in the match. The match may only be streamed from the player’s in-game point of view and Generation Esports recommends setting at least a 3-minute delay to prevent “stream sniping”.

Players may not at any time stream another player’s or team’s match on their personal channel.

7.0. Peripherals

7.1.1. Controllers

Controllers used in official matches must not be modified in any way, including but not limited to trigger mods, sensitive buttons, custom thumbsticks, and thumbstick tension modes. SCUF Controllers and Xbox Elite controllers are permitted as long as none of the attachments are used during gameplay.  For fighting games, all standard fight sticks and controllers are permitted. Any hardware with macro functions or on-the-fly profile switching is strictly prohibited.

Controllers may be used for PC games provided that they meet the requirements above, are an officially supported controller, and the game has native support for the controller in question; i.e. the player should not need to install additional software/drivers for the controller other than those from the manufacturer or included with the game.

7.1.2. Keyboard and Mouse

Participants may use a keyboard and mouse on console as long as the tournament supports crossplay between console and PC players. The use of a keyboard and mouse for a console-specific tournament is prohibited. 

7.2. Cross-Platform Play

Players may only play on the platform(s) specified for a specific tournament. Doing otherwise may result in disqualification from that tournament.

8.0. Rule Violations

8.1. Cheating

8.1.1 Programs

The use of the following programs is considered cheating:

• Multihacks
• Wallhack
• Aimbot
• Triggerbot
• Colored Models
• No-Recoil
• No-Flash
• Sound changes
• Macros

This list is not comprehensive; other programs may be deemed cheating if they are found to be giving a player or team an unfair advantage. Players who are found to be cheating will be immediately disqualified from all tournaments they currently compete in until their conclusion and beyond at the discretion of the Generation Esports Administration.

8.1.2. Bugs/Glitches/Exploits

The exploitation of any bugs/glitches that give a player or team an unfair advantage and are unallowed by the game’s developer are prohibited from use in official matches. The following are some examples of prohibited exploits:

• Pixel Walking in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• See Through Smokes in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• Coastline Roof Vault Glitch in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
• Outback Top of Red Tent Plant in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
• Champion/Hero Swap Glitches
• Ability Timer Glitches
• Illegal/Out-Of-Bounds Spots

The above list of bugs/glitches/exploits is not comprehensive. The use of any bug/glitch/exploit that is deemed illegal by Generation Esports staff will result in punishment for the player/team that used the exploit.

8.1.. Acts of Disruption

Players acting on and/or conspiring to cause any disruption to the match will also be treated as cheating. Acts of disruption include, but are not limited to:

• DDoS Attacks
• Disconnecting with the Intent of Resetting a Game
• Mic Spam
• Sabotaging Equipment
• Intentionally Delaying the Start of a Game

8.1.4. Third-Party Tools 

The use of any third-party tools is prohibited in official tournaments. The list of third-party tools includes, but is not limited to: 

• VR Audio Programs
• Graphic Drivers
• Overlays 
• Custom Skins
• Custom Overlays
• UI Modifications  

8.2 Doping

The use of performance-enhancing drugs is prohibited.

8.2.1. Prohibited Substances

The List of Prohibited Substances and Methods created by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) applies to all Generation Esports events. The full list can be found at http://list.wada-ama.org/. Any unprescribed use of these substances is considered doping.

8.2.2. Prescribed Medication

If a player has an active prescription for a substance included in the WADA list, they must notify and provide proof to the tournament administration before the start of the tournament.

8.3. Use of Alcohol or Drugs

The use of alcohol or illegal drugs, including tobacco and cannabis, during an official match is prohibited and will be punished.

8.4. Gambling

No participants may be involved in any form of betting or gambling, associate with betters or gamblers, or provide anyone information that may assist betting or gambling, either directly or indirectly, for any Generation Esports matches or tournaments in general.

8.5. Match Fixing

Match fixing is the act of arranging a match's outcome before it is played or during its play. Examples of match-fixing include, but are not limited to:

• Intentionally Losing Matches
• Offering/Accepting Any Form of Payment to Influence the Outcome of a Match
• Negotiating or Deciding the Results of a Match Before, During, or After Completion

8.6. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

8.6.1. Insults

All insults occurring in connection with Generation Esports will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Profane Insults
• Slurs relating to Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Gender Identification, Game Presence, Religion, Political Affiliation, Military Service, Age, Sexual Orientation, Physical Disability, Mental Disability, or Any Other Protected Category 
• Discrimination
• Denigration
• Offensive Behavior
• Targeted Attacks
  
  • Sharing/Revealing Personal Information
  • Directed Abuse/Harassment Against a Specific Person
  • Doxxing

Generation Esports aims to provide a respectable environment for Esports while facilitating competition. Therefore, friendly trash talk and banter is allowed.

8.6.2 Inappropriate Language

All participants in Generation Esports-sanctioned events are prohibited from using inappropriate language in all text and voice channels, regardless of context. Inappropriate language includes, but is not limited to:

• Excessive Profanity
• Pseudo-Profanity (i.e. replacing letters in profane words or phrases)
• Racial/Ethnic/Cultural Slurs
• Sexual Innuendos
• Drug/Alcohol References

8.6.3. Harassment

Harassment of players, teams, team administrators, and Generation Esports staff is prohibited, both in-game and on official and unofficial channels/social media sites.

8.6.4. Public Accusations

Publicly accusing a player or team of violating the rules will not be tolerated. If you suspect another player, or team has committed a rule violation, please file a match dispute as soon as possible so Generation Esports staff can open an investigation.

8.7. Incorrect Match Results

Intentionally reporting incorrect match results will result in removal from Generation Esports Tournaments. 

8.7.1. Deception

Any attempt to mislead or deceive other participants or members of the Generation Esports administration will be penalized.

8.7.2. Coercion

Any attempt to manipulate a match or outcome through threats or intimidation of other participants or members of the Generation Esports administration will result in removal from Generation Esports Tournaments.

8.8. Knowledge of Rule Breaking

Disciplinary action will be taken against players who have knowledge of teammates or other participants violating the official tournament rules and do not report the violations to Generation Esports Administrators.

This includes but is not limited to knowing of:

• Hacking
• Abusing Exploits
• Using Prohibited Peripherals
• Using Prohibited Scripts/Binds
• Depiction/Coercion of another team or player
• Match Fixing

If you know a teammate or other player violating the rules please submit a report here. 

8.9. Tainted Accounts

During an official match, if a player’s account receives any form of game ban, the match will immediately conclude, and the player’s opponent will be awarded the win.