If a game pauses during play, immediately signal your bracket judge. 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, e.g. Dragon Ball FighterZ, the pause results in a game loss, and could result in a set loss if the opponent is on set point. For games with stocks, e.g. Smash Bros. Ultimate, the pause results in a stock loss, and could result in a game loss if it was the player’s last stock. In the event that the game pause is due to a legitimate hardware malfunction you will be allowed to get another controller and continue the Set, if possible.
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. For games with stocks, the Inevitable Defeat condition can only apply if both players were on their final stock, with all other pause situations resulting in a stock loss.
Bugs & Glitches
Intentionally triggering a bug or glitch that stops the game from being played counts as a loss for the triggering player. Discovering a bug or glitch in a tournament set does not count as a loss. It is at your Bracket Judge’s discretion to determine culpability.
