RULES

Tournament rule

Common rules

The rules below are designed to ensure fair and smooth progress in the tournament. Unexpected situations may require special attention. Therefore, these tournament's rules are subject to change without notice. Also, if the rules for individual titles conflict with the tournament common rules, the rule for individual titles take precedence.
All personal information registered at the time of entry, including player name, age, and portrait of the participant and the visitor, will be used for the purpose of tournament management and publicity.
During and after the period of EVO Japan 2025, the Executive Committee, its relevant parties, various media, streamers, etc. may take photographs and videos of the Visitors/Competitors (including gameplay content and other competition content), which may appear in a variety of media, including websites, promotional materials, print media, broadcast, distribution and streaming, etc. By registering for the tournament, the Competitors shall be deemed to have agreed to this treatment.
The Competitors must be at least 13 years old on the day of participation. In addition, if an individual title sets a higher age limit, the Competitors must be older than that age (Competitors of "STREET FIGHTER 6", "THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV" and "GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-" must be at least 15 years old.). The consent of the legal guardian is required for the participation of the Competitor under 18 years old.
Parental Consent Form for Players Under 18 Years of Age.pdf
You can register for the main tournament titles by paying the registration fee on start.gg. The fee is required for each title.
EVO Japan 2025 main tournaments consist of two parts: Qualifiers and Finals
The top 8 players must agree to the performance contract before the final tournament.
You must provide your own controller for games played on all systems. Evo is a Bring Your Own Controller (BYOC) event.
No controller rental is available.
The flow of the tournament day
TBA
Reception on the day
TBA

The following terms will be used at EVO Japan:

Game
A game is a single head-to-head competition between 2 players, ending with a special win screen for the victorious player. There are multiple games in a set.
Set
A set is a match between two competitors in the tournament. The two competitors play each other in a series of games until a winner is determined. Most tournament sets at EVO Japan 2025 are Best 2 out of 3 games (Bo3), also known as "first to 2 games" (FT2), unless otherwise specified. For all EVO Japan 2025 tournaments, the sets that determine the top 3 placements in the tournament—known as Winners Finals, Losers Finals, and Grand Finals—are Best 3 out of 5 games (Bo5), also known as "first to 3 games (FT3). Due to how double elimination brackets work, Grand Finals can contain two Sets of games in the Match.
Round
A round is a unit of measurement that exists within games for certain titles. In general, players need to win a certain number of rounds in order to be declared the winner of the game. The number of rounds required to win the game can vary by title. Not all titles featured at EVO Japan will have rounds.
General Manager
The person ultimately responsible for running the event.
Chief of Tournament Operation
The supervisor of the tournament management, responsible for the smooth operation.
Tournament Director
The person managing the brackets, tournament staff, and tournament experience.
Tournament Official
Assistants to the Tournament Director. Officials will monitor tournaments as they run and will resolve conflicts or make rulings as needed.
Bracket Referees
Bracket Referee are staff members, often volunteers, tasked with running sections of tournament brackets – also known as pools. Referees will be in possession of a paper copy of the bracket for the pool they are running. Referees are tasked with checking competitors into the pool to verify their presence, and with telling the players in the pool where and when they need to play their tournament Sets. Bracket Referees aim to run their bracket to completion in a reasonable timeframe. They are not tasked with making any decisions regarding conflict resolution or tournament rules.

EVO Japan 2025 Tournament Format

The tournament will be a double elimination format. In the Grand Final, the winners of the Winner's Bracket and the winners of the Looser's Bracket will play each other. Players in the Winners Bracket need to win once to win the tournament, while players in the Loosers Bracket need to win twice to win the tournament. The initial placement of the tournament will be adjusted so that players from the same region can play each other.

*What is Double Elimination?
Each player starts in the Winners Bracket, and once they lose, they move to the Losers Bracket. If they lose there, they will be eliminated.

Match Flow

Move to the designated pool by the designated time and call out to the referees.

(1.)Selection of Playing Side
Before the game, the player who wins by rock-paper-scissors can choose the side of his/her choice. The losing player will be on the opposite side of the winning player.
(2.)Character Selection
Before the start of the match, please inform the referee of the character you will be using. If you do not want your opponent to know which character you are using, you can ask the referee for a blind pick.
Any player using “Random Select” to pick their character must use “Random Select” again after any winning game.
(3.)Operation Check
If you want to check the operation of your device, please notify a referee. Button checks and lever checks without a request may be considered as a match progression.
(4.)Match Play
During a match, the player who won the previous match may continue to use the same character. Players who lost the previous match may change characters.

The game will end when either player wins the specified number of games.
After the match, both players should report/confirm the result to the referees. Players who have another match to play should stay in the pool as long as possible. If you leave, be sure to let the referees know when you will return.

General Rules

If a player is late, he or she will be eliminated from the tournament.
Even if you are eliminated from the Winners side, you can still participate from the Losers side.
*You must see your pool on start.gg by yourself and submit a request for participation to the pool referee before the start of the match.
All games will be played on the default settings using the latest version of the game unless otherwise specified in the individual Game Rules.
All macros available via the in-game controller configuration menu are allowed.
Hardware programmable input entry, rapid-fire, modifiers, macros, or other hardware assisted mechanisms are prohibited.
Accidentally pausing the game due to a pause, PS button or controller trouble, at any time during a tournament game will force you to forfeit the round (the match in the case of THE KING OF FIGHTER XV) and potentially the game.
In the event of unforeseen trouble, the game will be resumed after recreating the situation as much as possible.
There is a maximum of 60 seconds allowed between games in a set.
In the event of a draw game, the match will be replayed under the same conditions.

CONTROLLER RULES

In accordance with the rules of Evo, Evo Japan 2025 will also have similar controller rules.
EVO Japan 2025 tournaments are all Bring Your Own Controller (BYOC). Players are responsible for having a tournament-legal controller, arcade stick, or other input device on which to compete.
More details about what constitutes a tournament-legal controller are listed below.
Players must be in possession of their tournament-legal device when called to play in a tournament.
Due to the risk of interfering with the progress of each pool, players participating in pools at the same time slot, regardless of title, are prohibited from lending or borrowing devices from each other.
Non-licensed controllers are allowed, including those that you have made yourself. However, Macros or multiple inputs being wired to a single button is prohibited. Please ensure your controller will work with PlayStation®4 and/or PlayStation®5 (For VF5 R.E.V.O., with PC) before you bring it to the event. EVO Japan will not provide guarantees if your controller does not work with it.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

Controller: The device a player manipulates to interact with the game. Examples of controllers include:

■Game pads
■Fight sticks
■Leverless Arcade Sticks
■Home-brew controllers developed by players

Input Mechanism: Any device on the controller which the player interacts with to play the game. Example input mechanisms include:

■A digital pushbutton
・A lever (i.e. joystick) used to activate one or more push buttons simultaneously (e.g. those typically found on fight sticks)

・A lever designed to sweep across a sensor, generating a range of analog inputs (e.g. the L-stick typically found on console controllers)

■Game Input: A signal sent from the controller to the game in reaction to the player manipulating some input mechanism. Example game inputs include:
・The X button is pressed

・The L button is pressed

・The analog R2 button is pressed 85% of the way
Rules to use
Controllers at Evo will be tournament legal, so long as they abide by the rules below.
Rule 1：The controller may not activate multiple game inputs from a single input mechanism. This includes both chorded (i.e. A and B together) and sequential (i.e. A followed by B) inputs. In-game assignment of multiple inputs to a single button is, of course, allowed. Cardinal directions (Up, Down, Left, and Right) are specifically excluded from this ruling, except as noted in Rule 3 (below).

The following settings can be configured.
Rule 2：A lever which sends the Down+Right inputs when held in a certain position. Down and Right are both cardinal directions and therefore can be activated simultaneously by a single input mechanism.

Rule 3：Using the in-game controller settings for a game to assign a multi-game input function to a single button on a player controller (e.g. push R2 to activate PPP)

A push-button that when pressed sends a game input that the analog stick is 75% to the right.

Two push-buttons (A and B) that produce different analog outputs depending on whether one, the other, or both are held (e.g. the R2 analog game input is at 25% held when A is pressed, 50% held when B is pressed, and 100% held when both A and B are pressed).

A lever which sends the D+R inputs when held in a certain position. D+R are not opposite cardinal directions and can be bound to a single input.

The following settings CANNOT be configured.
■Re-wiring a push-button inside the controller to simultaneously push three other buttons to send three punch inputs. One input mechanism activation may not send multiple game inputs.

■A push-button that activates a hardware macro which sends a series of game inputs at a specific timing.

■A slider that when moved from left to right will send a series of inputs, one after the other. One input mechanism activation may not send multiple game inputs.

■An analog push-button which sends either game input A or input B depending on how hard it is pressed.

■When pressed, the analog stick sweeps from 100% left to 100% right over the course of one second. This violates other limitations by sending multiple analog game inputs from a single input mechanism activation.

■When the push-button is pressed, the analog stick sweeps from 100% left to 100% right over the course of one second. This violates other rules by sending multiple analog game inputs from a single input mechanism activation.

■A push-button that when pressed sends L+R inputs. L+R are opposite cardinal directions and therefore cannot be bound to a single input.

■A player mods his fight stick to add an additional button to press R without adding a SOCD cleaner. The player can hold L on the lever and hold this new button to also send the R game input. Since this results in sending SOCD inputs to the game, this stick is not tournament legal.

The controller may send analog game inputs from analog input mechanisms or digital input mechanisms, so long as it does not violate Rule 1.

The controller may not send simultaneous opposite cardinal directions (SOCD) game inputs. SOCD inputs include Left+Right and Up+Down. This is typically enforced by adding “cleaning” firmware to the controller which removes one of the inputs before passing to the game. “Stock” gamepads (e.g. the Playstation DUALSHOCK®4,PlayStation 5 DualSense)are explicitly exempt from this rule.
WIRELESS CONTROLLERS
All controllers, even those for casual play only, are required to be wired to a console. Wireless controllers, of all kinds, are not eligible for play unless specified as legal in a game’s individual rules. A wireless controller with the batteries removed and powered exclusively through a USB connector will be considered legal. Wireless controllers that operate exclusively through a USB dongle will also be considered “Wired” controllers.

Bluetooth for the PlayStation®5 used in the tournament will be turned off to avoid confusion due to accidental wireless connections.
Since a wired connection is required at all times during play, please be sure to check in advance how to connect any controllers and cables you bring with.

Players are responsible for their controllers and their functionality. If a controller’s wireless sync interferes with tournament matches, it will be confiscated. Players who are found to be using an unapproved wireless controller will be disqualified from the tournament and have their controller confiscated until the end of the event.

Exception:
For titles played on PlayStation®︎5, the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller can be used.
CONVERTERS
For players who need a converter to use their controller in the tournament, the only converters currently available in the tournament are those manufactured by Brook.
"Cronus Max Plus" and "Titan One" are prohibited. Other converters may be permitted for use in the tournament depending on the rules.
Players should make sure that their controllers can be used with the tournament console in advance. EVO Japan will not be held responsible if the controller does not work on the day.
APPLYING RULINGS TO EXISTING DEVICES
The Hit Box Cross|Up remaps input mechanisms found on a stock controller to different locations on the device. Specifically:
■The left-analog stick is remapped to a lever on the left side of the device
■The digital d-pad buttons have been moved to the right side of the device.
■A SOCD cleaner which prevents sending L+R or U+D simultaneously Since the Hit Box Cross|Up avoids violating Rule 3 by implementing a SOCD cleaner and does not send multiple inputs, it is a tournament legal device.

The Hit Box Smash Box maps many of the analog functions of the Nintendo Gamecube Gamepad to digital buttons. For example, a player can activate specific analog tilt angles by entering chords of digital inputs. This is specifically allowed by Rule 2. The Smash Box is therefore tournament legal.

The Gafrobox implements a specific method of SOCD cleaning where holding multiple, opposite directions will always keep the most recent, still depressed input.
For example, when a user holds Left, presses Right, and releases Right, the Gafrobox will send the Left, Right, Left inputs to the game. In this case, 3 user inputs (press Left, press Right, release Right) has resulted in 3 different game inputs (Left, Right, Left) and therefore is not in violation of Rule 1.
The Gafrobox also implements SOCD cleaning such that Left and Right are never simultaneously sent to the game and is not in violation of Rule 3. Therefore, the Gafrobox is tournament legal.

In 2014, tournament player Full Schedule added extra buttons to his stick to activate Up+Left and Up+Right simultaneously. Since a single button press resulted in multiple non-opposing cardinal directions, the Full Schedule stick is tournament legal.

COACHING

Players may utilize a personal coach during tournament pools. Players may not use a personal coach during Top 8 Finals. A coach must be declared by the player before the start of each tournament match. Coaches may not change during a match but may be changed for subsequent matches in the bracket. Players may only receive coaching for 30 seconds between games.

VIOLATIONS

PAUSES & STOPPAGES
If a game pauses during play, players should immediately signal for a Tournament Official. Unless the Inevitable Defeat condition is met (see below), the player whose controller paused the game will receive a Round loss. The round loss due to a pause could simultaneously result in a game loss if the pausing player’s opponent is on game point, as well as a set loss if the opponent is on set point. If the game does not have rounds, the pause results in a game loss, and could result in a set loss if the opponent is on set point.

In the event that the game pause is due to a legitimate malfunction with one of the players’ controllers, the player will be allowed to find another controller prior to continuing the Set, if possible. The player will still receive the round or game loss penalty. If a replacement controller cannot be obtained in a timely manner, the player must continue to use their current equipment or forfeit the Set. Once a replacement controller is obtained, the player is allowed to use the remainder of the round time to configure their buttons and test their controller without gaining any in-game material advantage (e.g. building super meter). If the player gains an advantage in this way, the penalty for pausing will be increased to a game loss. Players are allowed to re-configure their buttons between games in the set, if needed.

In the event a game is interrupted for reasons beyond the players’ control—such as in the event of an unexpected power outage—the Official and the players will make the best attempt possible to resume the game in as close to the same state as where it was when the interruption occurred. If the game state cannot be sufficiently recreated, the game will be replayed with both players picking the same character(s).

INEVITABLE DEFEAT

The Inevitable Defeat condition comes into play if a pause occurs during a move or animation, and after the game has been unpaused, the round or game ends (i.e. a player is KOed) with no further inputs from either player. If this condition is met, the pausing player will not be penalized a round/game, and the set will continue as normal.

BUGS & GLITCHES

If a player intentionally triggers a known bug or glitch that prevents the game from being played, the player will be penalized with a game loss. If a player unintentionally discovers a bug or glitch during the course of a tournament set, no penalty will be issued. It is at the Referee’s discretion to determine culpability.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

Players can be disqualified for not following general gameplay rules and/or an individual game’s tournament rules. Players who are disqualified will be marked as having lost 2 sets and are eliminated from the tournament. Their opponents will automatically advance. Players who are disqualified from a tournament are not entitled to a refund.
Actions that may lead to a player receiving a disqualification include, but are not limited to:
Failure to check in to their tournament pool

Inability to be located at the time their set is called to play

Intentionally changing in-game settings on tournament consoles (e.g. lowering the timer, adjusting input delay) without informing a Tournament Official and without the consent of any opponent(s)

Tampering with tournament equipment (e.g. shutting off a console) unless instructed by a Tournament Official

Intentionally using a controller or input device that does not comply with tournament regulations

Assuming the identity and tournament entry of another player in order to compete

Colluding with other players and/or intentionally underperforming to manipulate tournament results (see below)

COLLUSION

Collusion is intentionally under-performing in a tournament set in order to manipulate bracket results. Players who are determined to have colluded or collaborated in collusion will be disqualified from the tournament and forfeit all rights to any titles or prizes they might have otherwise earned. The determination as to whether collusion took place will be made at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director and General Manager. Tournament Officials and Bracket Referees cannot, and will not, make this determination.

WARNINGS & REMOVALS

For serious infractions, players may be removed from Evo series for not following event rules.
Depending on the severity, players may be allowed one (1) warning about their actions, and will be removed upon a second infraction.
Players who are removed will be disqualified from all Evo series tournaments they are entered in and escorted from the venue for the remainder of the event.
Actions that will lead to a player receiving a warning include:
Physically interfering with an ongoing tournament set in which they are not a participant

Excessive out-of-game misconduct during a tournament set, such as:

Repeatedly loading into and immediately quitting out of games to change characters

Leaving the pool station area between Games in a Set

ENTRY