There are three different formats that a tournament can choose:

1. Single Elimination: A straightforward format where participants are eliminated after a single loss. In each round, competitors are paired off, and the winner advances while the loser is immediately removed from the competition. This process continues until only one participant remains as the champion. The format is easy to organize and allows for a quick resolution, making it ideal for events with limited time or resources. However, it has some drawbacks, such as eliminating participants early, which can reduce engagement. Additionally, strong contenders may be knocked out due to a poor round performance.

2. Double Elimination: Allows participants to stay in the competition even after a single loss. Each participant starts in the ‘winners bracket’, and those who lose a match move to the ‘losers bracket’. If a participant loses in the losers bracket, they are eliminated from the tournament. The format continues until one player or team remains in the winners bracket and one in the losers bracket, who then compete for the championship. This format provides more opportunities for redemption and ensures that a single bad round does not immediately disqualify a strong contender. While it takes longer to complete compared to single elimination, it keeps more participants engaged for a longer period.

3. Swiss: Allows participants to play multiple rounds regardless of their performance in previous matches. Competitors are paired against others with similar win-loss records, and no one is eliminated during the tournament. After a predetermined number of rounds, the standings are determined based on points. This system is commonly used in chess and card games and works well for ranking participants fairly without requiring a large number of rounds. The advantage of this format is that everyone gets to play several games, increasing participation and engagement. However, it requires careful pairing each round and may not produce a clear winner unless paired with a final playoff or tie-breaking method.

Tournaments can be structured using three distinct access types:

1. Open Access: Designed to be inclusive and allow anyone to join without restrictions. They are perfect for fostering community engagement and attracting new players to a game. In these tournaments, participants can register directly, either as individuals or as teams, making them a popular choice for casual competitions and promotional events.

2. Invite-Only: Exclusive events where participation is limited to those who receive formal invitations. This format is often used for elite competitions, special showcases, or events involving professional players and influencers. Tournament Directors manually select and invite participants based on factors such as skill, reputation, or previous accomplishments. Invite-only tournaments emphasize prestige and are frequently tied to sponsorships or high-profile collaborations.

3. Request Access: Strikes a balance between openness and exclusivity by requiring participants to apply for entry. Interested players or teams submit requests to join, and the Tournament Director evaluates their applications based on eligibility criteria, such as skill level, rank, or other qualifications. This format is particularly suited for ranked competitions or qualifier events, where maintaining a competitive participant pool is essential without entirely closing off opportunities for newcomers.

The choice of tournament access type ultimately depends on the event’s goals. Open tournaments maximize reach and engagement, invite-only events create exclusivity and prestige, and request-based tournaments ensure a curated yet inclusive competitive environment.

Management Fees: These are what the Tournament Director earns for managing the event.

Expense Budget: A separate budget used to cover tournament costs, such as hiring commentators or other services.

 

Tournaments on the iGames platform involve multiple parties—players, teams, and Tournament Directors (TDs)—all competing under strict rules and regulations. While the platform is designed to streamline and automate many aspects of tournament management, disputes can still occur. Some common causes of disputes include:

• Match Result Discrepancies: Disagreements over the outcome of a match, such as disputes over lag, disconnections, or match interference.

• Prize Distribution: Misunderstandings or disagreements over how prize pools are distributed, especially in team-based tournaments.

• Schedule Conflicts: Disputes about match times or team attendance due to scheduling conflicts or miscommunication.

Disputes are first submitted to the Tournament Director. Many disputes, such as minor scheduling conflicts or match delays, can often be resolved quickly between players and Tournament Directors. In the instance that players or the Tournament Director are unsatisfied with the resolution, the dispute can be further forwarded to iGames Support. We encourage tournament participants to report a dispute whenever they feel there has been wrongdoing. 

Disputes are first submitted to the Tournament Director. Reach out to the Tournament Director through any contact provided.  Many disputes, such as minor scheduling conflicts or match delays, can often be resolved quickly between players and Tournament Directors.

 

In the instance that players or the Tournament Director are unsatisfied with the resolution, the dispute can be furtaher forwarded to iGames Support. iGames Support can be accessed by the support link in the bottom-left corner.