This article contains outdated information from previous seasons and has been archived. It will remain up temporarily to allow viewers to reference older PlayVS systems.

1. Introduction and Purpose

2. Team Eligibility

3. Player Equipment

4. Player Conduct

5. Prizing

6. Event Schedule

7. General Game Rules

8. Spirit of the Rules

9. Fortnite

10. Additional Game Rules

These Official Rules (“Rules”) of the PlayVS Collegiate Esports League apply to each of the solo teams who have registered and met the requirements for the 2021 Fall Flash.

The 2021 Fall Flash is a 1-match event that will consist of standard matches with no bracket or championship. The match will consist of 6 games.

These Rules apply only to the Fall Flash and not to other competitions. Please review this document in full, as many sections have changed. Some sections are entirely new and should be reviewed carefully.

Play Versus, Inc. has established these Rules for the competitive play during the Fall Flash event in order to unify and standardize the rules used in collegiate esports competitive play.

These Rules are designed solely to ensure the integrity of the system established by PlayVS for organized play of esports and a competitive balance among the teams. Standardized rules benefit all parties who are involved in esports, including the teams, players and coaches.

These Rules do not restrict competition for players. The terms of engagement between players are left to each player.

In addition to these rules, players are encouraged to visit the Fall Flash information page to learn more about this tournament.

2.1.1 Player Registration: Players must register to PlayVS College and be associated with a school. Players can register here: https://app.playvs.com/signup.

2.1.2.1 To participate in a collegiate League and to be eligible for the cash prizes, you must be a current student of and enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university, CEGEP (College of General and Vocational Education) Colleges or any university in Canada, with the exception of any university located in Quebec (each, an “Eligible University”).

2.1.2.2 All players must have verified PlayVS accounts. If your account is not verified during registration or if you run into any issues with our verification process, please reach out directly through support.

2.1.3 Fall 2021 League Enrollment: Players must be enrolled in any collegiate League in the Fall 2021 season to be eligible for the Fall Flash event. Players are not specifically required to be enrolled in a Fortnite Solos league.

2.1.4 Fall 2021 League Enrollment Deadline: Players must enroll in a Fall 2021 League before August 17th, 11:59 pm PDT.

In order to compete, each player must have their Epic and Discord accounts linked to PlayVS before the start of Fall Flash. Players must link their accounts through the “Account Settings” page on our website.

Players will be ineligible for prizing if their Epic Display name is changed at any point during the event.

Player Names may not contain: vulgarities or obscenities. All Player Names must be viewed as appropriate by league officials. League officials can request player names be changed at any point if they are viewed as inappropriate. Player Name changes are not allowed.

Players are allowed to provide equipment in the following categories, which are owned by themselves or schools, and use such equipment during games:

3.1.1 PC & Monitor

3.1.2 Headsets and/or Earbuds and/or Microphones

3.1.3 Table and Chair

3.1.4 PC Keyboards

3.1.5 PC Mice and cord holders

3.1.6 PC Mouse Pads

3.1.7 Gaming Console and Controller

League officials will not provide any equipment for the event.

4.1.1 Unfair Play.

The following actions will be considered unfair play and will be subject to penalties at the discretion of league officials.

Collusion. Collusion is defined as any agreement among two (2) or more players and/or confederates to disadvantage opposing players. Collusion includes, but is not limited to, acts such as:

Competitive Integrity. Teams are expected to play at their best at all times within any league game, and to avoid any behavior inconsistent with the principles of good sportsmanship, honesty, or fair play. For the purpose of clarification, team composition and the pick/ban phase will not be considered when determining whether this rule has been violated.

Hacking. Hacking is defined as any modification of the game client by any player, team or person acting on behalf of a player or a team.

Exploiting. Exploiting is defined as intentionally using any in-game bug to seek an advantage. Exploiting includes any game function that, in the sole determination of league officials, is not functioning as intended.

Spectator Monitors. Looking at or attempting to look at spectator monitors.

Ringing. Playing under another player’s account or soliciting, inducing, encouraging, or directing someone else to play under another player’s account.

Cheating Methods. The use of any kind of cheating device and/or cheat program, or any similar cheating method such as signaling devices, hand signals, etc.

Intentional Disconnection. An intentional disconnection without a proper and explicitly stated reason.

League Discretion. Any other further act, failure to act, or behavior which, in the sole judgment of league officials, violates these Rules and/or the standards of integrity established by the league for competitive gameplay.

4.1.2 Profanity and Hate Speech

A Team Member may not use language that is obscene, foul, vulgar, insulting, threatening, abusive, libelous, slanderous, defamatory, or otherwise offensive or objectionable; or promote or incite hatred or discriminatory conduct, in or near the match area, at any time. A Team Member may not use any facilities, services, or equipment provided or made available by the league or its contractors to post, transmit, disseminate or otherwise make available any such prohibited communications. A Team Member may not use this type of language on social media or during any public-facing events such as streaming.

4.1.3 Disruptive Behavior / Insults

A Team Member may not take any action or perform any gesture directed at an opposing Team Member, fan, or official, or incite any other individual(s) to do the same, which is insulting, mocking, disruptive or antagonistic.

4.1.4 Abusive Behavior

Abuse of league officials, opposing Team Members, or audience members will not be tolerated. Repeated etiquette violations, including but not limited to touching another player’s computer, body, or property will result in penalties. Team Members and their guests (if any) must treat all individuals attending a match with respect.

4.1.5 Unauthorized Communications

All mobile phones, tablets, and other voice-enabled and/or “ringing” electronic devices must be removed from the play area before the game. Players may not text/email or use social media while in the match area.

4.1.6 Apparel

Team Members may wear apparel with multiple logos, patches or promotional language. PlayVS reserves the right at all times to impose a ban on objectionable or offensive apparel:

The league reserves the right to refuse entry or continued participation in the match to any Player who does not comply with the aforementioned apparel rules.

4.1.7 Identity

A player may not cover his or her face or attempt to conceal his or her identity from league officials. League officials must be able to distinguish the identity of each player at all times and may instruct players to remove any material that inhibits the identification of players or is a distraction to other players or league officials. For this reason, as well as those listed in Section 4.2, hats are not allowed.

4.2.1 Responsibility Under Code

Unless expressly stated otherwise, offenses and infringements of these Rules are punishable, whether or not they were committed intentionally. Attempts to commit such offenses or infringements are also punishable.

4.2.2 Harassment

Harassment is forbidden. Harassment is defined as systematic, hostile and repeated acts taking place over a considerable period of time, or a singular egregious instance, which is/are intended to isolate or ostracize a person and/or affect the dignity of the person.

4.2.3 Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is forbidden. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances. The assessment is based on whether a reasonable person would regard the conduct as undesirable or offensive. There is zero tolerance for any sexual threats/coercion or the promise of advantages in exchange for sexual favors.

4.2.4 Discrimination and Denigration

Team Members may not offend the dignity or integrity of a country, private person or group of people through contemptuous, discriminatory or denigrating words or actions on account of race, skin color, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, financial status, birth or any other status, sexual orientation or any other reason.

4.2.5 Tribunal Punishment

If a Team Member is found guilty and punished by the Riot Tribunal, Epic Games, Psyonix, or any game publisher PlayVS offers leagues for, league officials will enforce said punishment and may assign an additional competition penalty at their sole discretion.

4.2.6 Player Behavior Investigation

If PlayVS determines that a Team or Team Member has violated a game title’s code of conduct or terms of service and received a ban or suspension from the publisher, PlayVS will honor the publishers’ decision and enforce the punishment across PlayVS’ leagues. League officials may assign or remove penalties depending on the severity of the situation and the information discovered about the ban or suspension. If a Team Member withholds information or misleads a league official creating an obstruction of the investigation then the Team and/or Team Member is subject to punishment.

4.2.7 Criminal Activity

A Team Member may not engage in any activity which is prohibited by common law, statute, or treaty and which leads to or may be reasonably deemed likely to lead to conviction in any court of competent jurisdiction.

4.2.8 Confidentiality

A Team Member may not disclose any confidential information provided by the league or any affiliate of PlayVS, by any method of communication, including all social media channels.

4.2.9 Bribery

No Team Member may offer any gift or reward to a player, coach, manager, league official, PlayVS employee, or person connected with or employed by another PlayVS team for services promised, rendered, or to be rendered in defeating or attempting to defeat a competing team.

4.2.10 Non-Compliance

No Team Member may refuse or fail to apply the reasonable instructions or decisions of league officials.

4.2.11 Match-Fixing

No Team Member may offer, agree, conspire, or attempt to influence the outcome of a game or match by any means that are prohibited by law or these Rules.

4.2.12 Document or Miscellaneous Requests

Documentation or other reasonable items may be required at various times throughout the league as requested by league officials. If the documentation is not completed to the standards set by PlayVS then a team may be subject to penalties. Penalties may be imposed if the items requested are not received and completed at the required time.

No Team Member or league official may take part, either directly or indirectly, in betting or gambling on any results of any League of Legends tournament or match globally.

Any person found to have engaged in or attempted to engage in any act that PlayVS believes, in its sole and absolute discretion, constitutes unfair play, will be subject to penalty. The nature and extent of the penalties imposed due to such acts shall be in the sole and absolute discretion of league officials.

Fortnite solos teams will be eligible to win cash prizes based on placement, according to the Yunite Tournament Leaderboard. Prizing is separated by the North America East (NAE) and North America West (NAW) regions according to the following table:

Prizes will be awarded based on placement according to the Yunite Tournament Leaderboard.

All prizing mentioned is on a per team (solo team) basis. No substitutions are allowed.

Players will be ineligible for prizing if their Epic Display name is changed at any point during the event.

For full eligibility requirements, please refer to section 2 of this Rulebook and the Fall Flash Terms and Conditions.

Awards will be paid out as cash directly through your payment method of choice from the following methods: PayPal, Check, Wire Transfer, or Direct Deposit / ACH.

Selected prize winners will be emailed with links to a payment portal through PlayVS where they will need to fill in their personal information, tax information, and then finally their preferred payment method. Once completed, payments can take up to 10 business days to be processed fully to the user. After 10 business days, if you still have not received your payment, you should reach out through the support chat on the website.

Enrollment Period: July 26th - August 17th, 11:59 pm PDT

Competition Period: August 19th

Match Times:

A game of record (“GOR”) refers to a session where all players have loaded and which has progressed to a point of meaningful interaction between opposing teams or the environment. Once a session attains GOR status, the period ends in which incidental restarts may be permitted and a session will be considered as “official” from that point onward. The conditions which establish GOR can be found in each game’s rule section.

A player losing connection to the game due to problems or issues with the game client, platform, network, or console.

A player losing connection to the game due to player’s actions (i.e. quitting the game). Any actions of a player which lead to a disconnection shall be deemed intentional, regardless of the actual intent of the player. The exact outcome of disconnects can be found in each game’s rule section.

League Officials may order the pause of a match or execute a pause command on any player station at the sole discretion of the League Officials, at any time.

Players, coaches, and their respective programs are permitted to broadcast all PlayVS matches, provided they adhere to: the guidelines and rules of their respective streaming platform, the developer and publisher streaming rules for the game, and all other conditions outlined in this rulebook.

7.4.1 Delay. No delay is required to stream PlayVS League matches, unless otherwise noted. We strongly recommend a 30 second to 2 minute delay if you are concerned about stream sniping.

All decisions regarding the interpretation of these rules, player eligibility, scheduling and staging of the league, and penalties for misconduct, lie solely with PlayVS, the decisions of which are final. PlayVS decisions with respect to these Rules cannot be appealed and shall not give rise to any claim for monetary damages or any other legal or equitable remedy.

These Rules may be amended, modified or supplemented by PlayVS, from time to time, in order to ensure fair play and the integrity of the league.

League officials at all times may act with the necessary authority to preserve the best interests of the league. This power is not constrained by the lack of any specific language in this document. League officials may use any form of punitive actions at their disposal against any entity whose conduct is not within the confines of the best interests of the league.

Fortnite Solos teams consist of one (1) player per team. There are no role assignments for Fortnite.

Fortnite Solos will not allow for substitutes to be enrolled or used.

Games will be hosted through Fortnite custom lobby codes provided through the Yunite bot in the PlayVS Discord. Players are expected to be enrolled in a League in the Fall 2021 season on PlayVS (app.playvs.com) and to join the Discord server (https://discord.gg/PlayVS).

10.1.1 Session (often referred to as "Game").

A single instance of competition within Fortnite that is played until a Solo either achieves a Victory Royale (as defined below) or certain victory conditions are otherwise met. Sessions consist of up to 100 players (100 Solos).

10.1.2 Match.

A set of sessions that is played until a winning Solo is determined by the completion of the allotted time period. All eligible sessions in a match will be used to determine each Solo’s point accumulation.

10.1.3 Event.

A group of matches that together make up a larger function. Fall Flash is considered its own event.

10.1.4 Server Crash.

All players losing connection to a game due to an issue with a game server, PlayVS platform, or venue internet instability.

10.1.5 Elimination.

An occurrence where one player depletes the HP and Shield (if any) of another player. Elimination credit is determined by (a) the action feed located at the bottom left corner of the gameplay screen, and (b) the UI illustrating total number of eliminations earned during a single match; provided, that, in no event shall elimination credit be awarded to a player for any portion of a match following such player’s elimination.

10.1.6 Victory Royale.

An occurrence where a team meets the victory conditions of the current game mode of the match being played. TL;DR - this refers to obtaining a first place finish.

10.1.7 Requeue.

Term used for restarting the session queue after a bug or mishap that hampers the ability for players to compete.

10.1.8 External Suspensions or Bans

Any other competitive violation rule enforced by a publisher (Epic Games) for official events is also applicable for PlayVS College leagues.

10.1.9 Epic Accounts

Epic Accounts may include upper-case letters, lower-case letters, numbers 0-9, underscores, single spaces between words, or special characters approved by Epic Games only. Epic Accounts may not contain vulgarities, obscenities, or offensive language. Epic Accounts must be unique. Alternate accounts (i.e. smurfs) are not permitted for PlayVS leagues. Players may only compete on the account connected through their PlayVS settings. Fortnite players will be ineligible for prizing if their Epic Display name is changed at any point during the event.

Fall Flash Fortnite Solo teams will consist of one player per team with no substitutions.

To allow players to have the best opportunity to earn points, we changed the rulebook for scoring to be based on a player’s best 6 games (the 6 games with the highest scores). Players will be able to play as many games as they can within the 3.5 hour duration of the Fall Flash event.

Players need to play in the regional Fall Flash based on the league enrolled into for Fall 2021. The league you enrolled into for Fall 2021 is determined by your school's location and can be found in the Region Maps article. Playing in the incorrect Fall Flash region will nullify any chance at earning prizing.

The event will be played using the Yunite custom lobby. The Discord bot, Yunite, will distribute custom codes. Players will need to register their Epic Games accounts through the #fallflash-fortnite-registration by reacting to the message posted by Yunite and then following the instructions Yunite will message to the player through Discord private messages.

The Yunite Leaderboard will be used to determine placement. Placement is determined as the players with the most cumulative points after the event, according to the Yunite Tournament Leaderboard. In order to ensure competitive integrity, the event will only support play through PC. Players will not be able to use consoles or mobile for this event, unlike during the regular season.

There will be separate Yunite Leaderboards for NA East and NA West. The Yunite Leaderboard will accurately list all players by placement and total number of points earned during players’ best 6 games. However, Yunite will also show stats on total games played, wins, and eliminations, which may not directly match to the total number of points for a player if a player plays more than 6 games.

10.2.1 Placement Scoring

SOLOS:

Victory Royale: +5

2nd - 5th: +3 per increase in placement rank

6th - 20th: +2 per increase in placement rank

21st - 70th: +1 per increase in placement rank

10.2.2 Elimination Scoring

SOLOS:

Each Elimination: +4

Eliminations for all players will be combined for a team's total elimination score. There is a cap of 20 eliminations per session.

10.2.3 Tie Breaks

Tie breaks are determined in the following order:

Players can refer to the Fall Flash Format & Prizing, Registration, Yunite Guide, Game Day Protocol, Rulebook article for a step-by-step guide on how to link their Epic and Discord accounts, prepare, and join games during the event. Players will need to register their Epic Games accounts through the #fallflash-fortnite-registration Discord Channel in order to be able to invite the Yunite bot and use it to join the matches. All requirements and a detailed breakdown of registering your account with Yunite and joining matches can be found in the link above.

10.4.1 Game of Record

Game of Record is established when any of the following occurs:

10.4.1.1 Game timer. Players load the bus and “the door will open” reaches the end of the countdown.

10.4.1.2 Leaving the bus. The player deploys from the bus to a selected position on the map.

10.4.2 Stoppage of Play. There is no stoppage of play in Fortnite.

10.4.2.1 Directed Pause and Player Pause. Pausing is unavailable in Fortnite matches. If an error occurs, players may leave the current session and wait in the sequential session lobby. Teams will not receive additional time to compete beyond the standard match window.

10.4.3 Game Restart

The decision of which condition(s) shall justify a game restart is solely at the discretion of League Officials.

Restarts After GOR. The following are examples of situations in which a session may be restarted after GOR has been established. In any event, there is no guarantee a restart will be approved.

10.4.3.1 If a session experiences a critical bug at any point during the match which significantly alters session stats or gameplay mechanics.

10.4.3.2 If a league official determines that there are environmental conditions that are unfair to a statistically significant number of players (e.g. hostile weather or unacceptable safety risks).

10.4.3.3 If a critical bug causes issues for the majority of players trying to join a match, a league official may make the call to requeue and restart the session queue for all players. The results of the players that join the initially canceled game session will not be counted.

Important: By default, rulebooks overrule game day protocols. Please reach out to support if you find conflicting information.