Last Updated July 27, 2024. Rules subject to change with notice

General CEOtaku Tournament Rules

Before competing at CEOtaku, please familiarize yourself with all of our Tournament Rules listed below:

? CEO Gaming Inc. has a zero tolerance policy toward violence, hate crimes, threats of violence, intimidation, inappropriate contact, harassment (sexual or otherwise), and other forms of personal misconduct. Any incident or threat of violence, harassment, aggressive intimidation, or inappropriate contact of any kind will result in a minimum 1-year to lifetime attendance ban.

? All Games will be played on default settings, unless otherwise noted below.

? All Tournament Matches are 2/3 Games unless otherwise noted under a game’s particular rulesets.  Winners, Losers and Grand Finals for All games are 3/5!

? All Games are run in Double Elimination style, Larger turnouts will be split up into Pool Play with Double Elimination Rules until a Semifinals such as top 32/16 then whittled down to Top 8 For Finals.

? All Macros available via the in-game controller configuration menu are allowed, Example- Street Fighter 6 Mapping LP+RP to R1.

? Accidentally pausing the game at any time during a match may force you to forfeit the round (Solely at judge’s discretion if there is a player dispute).

? If you choose Random Select to pick a character and win the match, you must Random Select your character again.

? You MUST provide your own controller for the events when competing. You must bring your own converters, Cronus and Chronus Max Wireless converters are BANNED.

? Brook Converters are legal and allowed. We have tested them ourselves without any issues. For more information on Brook Converters please visit  https://www.brookaccessory.com/products/wingmanfgc/index.html

? All controllers, even those for casual play only, are required to be wired for PS5 consoles. 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.

? All controllers, even those for casual play only, are required to be wired for PS5 consoles. 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.

? All tournaments on PlayStation 5 will have Bluetooth Mode OFF. Players are responsible for their own working USB Cables.

? If you use a PS5 DualSense, PS4 Dualshock or wireless controller of any kind, be sure to disconnect or desync it after every match. Upcoming players should  make sure to delete all Bluetooth devices from said console when sitting down for their upcoming match through the Console’s Settings, failure to do so will be grounds for DQ if another match is interrupted.

? If you are entered into multiple tournaments that possibly happen at the same time, please notify your pool judges to avoid any DQs.

? Coaching is allowed with One 30 second coaching break in a set before games. Coaches must be named before their matches. Coaches are not allowed on stage next to their players during a match. (Subject to change)

? If you have any issues with the tournament itself or tournament play please find the Tournament Director Alex Jebailey, Head of Staff Tong Lee, or Head TO Alex Pesante during the event.

? Collusion of any kind with your competitors is considered cheating. If the Tournament Director 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.

? When reporting results to your bracket judge, please no,  “0-2 but it was close though” submissions.

? Above all else, please have fun!

Check in Rules

? Check-in for tournament pools begins 10 minutes before the start time for the pool. For example, players in a 4pm pool can check in with the pool’s Bracket Referee by 3:50pm. Players are responsible for checking in to their pools on time. Players who have not checked in with the Bracket Referee by the time the pool starts risk being disqualified from the tournament.

? Every pool will have a Bracket Runner, who will be holding a clipboard & wearing an official CEOTaku shirt. Please ensure you check-in with your bracket runner & they  will then verbally confirm to the player that they have checked-in for the pool. If you are competing in multiple tournaments simultaneously, please notify the Bracket Runner to avoid being disqualified.

? Players will be scheduled for pools in such a way as to avoid being in multiple tournament pools at the same time. However, there are cases especially in later phases of the tournament where a player may be competing in multiple tournaments simultaneously. Players must notify their Bracket Referee of any official Evo tournament-related conflicts they may be subject to.

? Players in the tournament who have not yet been eliminated must remain by their pool station while the pool is running. If a player needs to leave the vicinity for any reason, such as needing to use the bathroom, they must ask the Bracket Runner for permission prior to leaving. Players who leave the area without informing the Bracket Runner first may be disqualified from the tournament. Players who are away from the pool area for an extended period of time may also be disqualified if the reason for their absence isn’t related to another official CEOTaku event.

? Players are free to leave the pool station area once they have been eliminated. Players who have advanced to the next phase of the tournament may also leave the station area after reporting their last Set result to the Bracket Runner & received confirmation on when they need to return for the next phase of the tournament.

BlazBlue Central Fiction

PlayStation 4 Pro | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Rounds per Game
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set in Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals
? Winner Must Keep Character
? Loser May Switch Character
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

Blazblue Cross Tag Battle

PlayStation 4 Pro | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 3/5 Games for all Sets
? Winner must keep characters
? Loser may switch
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

Diesel Legacy

PC | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings, 99 seconds, 1 round
? Matches are 2v2. Must have a consistent teammate. Cannot change.
? Xbox controllers may be provided. Players are encouraged to provide their own controller/stick
? 3/5 Games for all Sets
? Winners Must Keep Character
? Losers May Switch Character
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

Dragon Ball Fighterz

PlayStation 4 Pro | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set in Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals
? Winner must keep characters and assists
? Loser may switch characters and assists
? Random stage select  (players may opt for Cells Arena or an agreed stage)

PlayStation 4 Pro | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set in Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals
? Winner must keep characters and assists
? Loser may switch characters and assists
? Random stage select  (players may opt for Cells Arena or an agreed stage)

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising

PS4 Version on Playstation 5 | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Rounds per Game
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set in Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals
? Winner Must Keep Character
? Loser May Switch Character
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

Guilty Gear Strive

PS4 Version on Playstation 5 | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Rounds per game.
? All Matches will be 3/5 games per Set
? Winner must keep character
? Loser may switch
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
? Ultimate Edition colors are banned for all characters

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core+R

PC | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Rounds per Game
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set in Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals
? Winner Must Keep Character
? Loser May Switch Character
? Shadow, Gold and EX characters are banned
? Banned Stages: I-no’s boss, Slash Order-Sol, & Slash A.B.A.
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2

PlayStation 4 Pro | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Rounds per Game
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set in Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals
? Winner Must Keep Character
? Loser May Switch Character
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

Gundam Battle Assault 2

System TBD | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? All Matches will be 3/5 games per Set
? Winner Must Keep Character
? Loser May Switch Character
? Dark, Psyco & Epyon are banned from tournament play
? Hidden Characters are allowed
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

Gundam Wing: Endless Duel

MiSTer FPGA | Bring Your Own Controller

? Using Version that reduces flashing in game
? Double Elimination
? Default settings, 99 seconds & handicap level 4
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set in Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals
? Winner Must Keep Character
? Loser May Switch Character
? Epyon is banned from tournament play.

Idol Showdown

PC | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Rounds per Game
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set in Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals
? Winner Must Keep Character & assist
? Loser May Switch Character & assist
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R

PlayStation 4 Pro | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Rounds per Game
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set in Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals
? Stage Gimmicks off
? Winner Must Keep Character & Assist
? Loser May Switch Character & Assist
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

King of Fighters XV

PlayStation 4 Pro | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Games for all Sets
? 3/5 Games for all Sets in Losers Finals, Winners Finals, & Grand Finals
? Winner must keep same characters, but may change order
? Loser may switch character
? Random stage select unless players agree to a stage

Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code

PC | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set in Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals
? Winner must keep characters and moon
? Loser may switch characters and moon
? Any game mods are banned
? Random stage select  (players may opt for an agreed stage)

? The following stages are banned:
? Witch on the Holy night 魔法使いの夜
? Classic 始まりの丘
? NECO no you may いまは遊び去った王国の詩
? Coating earth, Black Land Texture 巨人の穴蔵
? Emerald Table, Melty Blood Texture　巨人の穴蔵
? fateful showdown　月光
? G TABLE(1)　Gの食卓
? G TABLE(2)　Gの食卓

Melty Blood: Type Lumina

PlayStation 4 Pro | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Rounds per Game
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set in Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals
? Winner Must Keep Character
? Loser May Switch Character
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

PlayStation 4 Pro | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Rounds per Game
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set in Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals
? Winner Must Keep Character
? Loser May Switch Character
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

Skullgirls 2nd Encore

PlayStation 4 Pro | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Rounds per Game in solo character vs. solo character matches
? 3/5 Games for all Sets
? Winner of prior game must keep same characters and assists
? Loser of prior game may switch characters and assists
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

Street Fighter 6

PlayStation 5 | Bring Your Own Controller

? SF6 Will be played on 120hz Sony INZONE M3 Monitors
? Double Elimination
? Game settings: Rounds: 2 out of 3 Rounds per game, 99 Seconds Time Limit, Control Type: Modern or Classic, motion blur OFF,  Input delay reduction ON, Players must set Button Release On or Off before a match in the main menu
? 2/3 Rounds per Game
? All Matches will be 3/5 games per Set
? Winner must keep character
? Losing player may switch character
? Dynamic control type is banned
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
? Training Room stage is banned from Tournament Play
? If a banned stage is randomly selected, repeat random stage selection process until a tournament legal stage appears
? In the event of a tied Match declared by a “Double K.O.” on the Game screen, the Match will not be scored and both Players will replay the tied Match with the same character selections and stage.
? Illegal mods of any kind will result in immediate disqualification.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo Switch | Bring Your Own Controller

General Rules

? Double Elimination
? In Game Settings: 3 Stock, 7 Minutes, First to 1 Win, Launch Rate 1.0x, Final Smash Meter: OFF, Spirits: OFF, Damage handicap: OFF, Items: OFF, Stage Morph: OFF, Stage Hazards: OFF, Underdog Boost: OFF, Pausing: OFF, Score Display: OFF, Custom Balance: OFF, Team Attack: ON, % Show Damage: ON
? Matches for pools will be best 2/3 games
? Phase 2 matches will be best 3/5 games
? Doubles will still be best 2/3 games until Finals (Winners Finals, Losers Finals, & Grand Finals will be best 3/5 games)
? “Stage-first” counterpick procedure (stage is decided before character selections for games 2-5 in the set)
? Winner Must Pick Character First
? Coaching is banned
?  Results Screen Determines Winner in the Event of Self-Destruct Move 
? The results of Sudden Death do not count. If a game goes to Sudden Death, the winner is determined by stocks and percentage at the time the match ends. The player with the higher stock count is the winner. If both Players are tied in stocks, the player with the lower percentage is the winner. If percentage/stocks are tied, players will play a 1 stock/3 minutes playoff match. 
? Wireless controllers are allowed. Please make sure to desync them after your match.
? Loading Content onto Consoles Is Banned/Forbidden

Starters/Neutrals 

? Battlefield

? Small Battlefield 

? Pokémon Stadium 2

? Smashville

? Town & City

Counterpicks 

? Hollow Bastion

? Kalos Pokemon League 

? Final Destination

Stage & Banning rules: 

? First stage picked by striking from neutrals, P1-P2-P2-P1 order. 

? Following stages decided by winner banning THREE stage from the stages listed above then loser chooses from the remaining stages 

? There is no Dave’s stupid rule (NO DSR). A player may pick any stage they previously won on during the set, assuming it is not banned from stage selection that phase.

? You cannot play on a stage that is not on the available stages list. This will result in a double disqualification 

TEKKEN 8

PlayStation 5 | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Tournament Mode Default Settings
? 3/5 Rounds per Game
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games for Winners & Losers Finals
? 3/5 Games for Grand Finals
? Players can not switch sides once selected.
? Stage must be random select for every game. Players must go back to stage select & pick random for every game
? Winner must keep character
? Loser may switch character
? Special Style aka Simple Controls is allowed.
? In the event of a tied Match declared by a “Double K.O.” on the Game screen, the Match will not be scored and both Players will replay the tied Match with the same character selections and stage.

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3

PlayStation 4 Pro | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings, Control Type: OFF, Normal mode, Auto Superjump: OFF
? 3/5 Games for all Sets
? Winner must keep characters
? Winner may change team order
? Loser may switch
? Bonne Wonderland stage only

Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes

PS4 Version on Playstation 5 | Bring Your Own Controller

? Double Elimination
? Default settings
? 2/3 Rounds per Game
? 2/3 Games per Set
? 3/5 Games per Set for Winners, Losers & Grand Finals
? Winner Must Keep Character
? Loser May Switch Character
? Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

Prizing

PAYOUTS FOR OUR 2024 TOURNAMENTS

All Prize winners will be required to fill out a W9 or W-8BEN for international attendees before receiving their winnings.

Tournaments with 63 competitors or less will pay out to the top 3.
1st Place – 60%
2nd Place – 25%
3rd Place – 15%

Tournament with 64 competitors or more will pay out to the Top 8.
1st Place – 50%
2nd Place – 20%
3rd Place – 13%
4th Place – 7%
5th Place (tie)  – 3%
7th Place (tie)  – 2%

Tournaments with 256 or more competitors, as well as tournaments with substantial pot bonuses, may utilize different payout percentages. These breakouts will be listed in individual game details pages at a later time.

POT BONUSES
Pot Bonuses, provided by developers or sponsors, will be split based on their respective requests.

Good Luck and Have Fun! All attendees get to walk away with the biggest prize of them all, win or lose, the friends we make along the way.