Tournament ratings

The tournament organisers have generally provided ratings from 0 (Unnecessary) to 5 (Critical) for Seriousness, Rules Knowledge and Characterisations, and a rating for Adult Content similar to the ratings for videos or movies. Together with the tournament description, these ratings are intended to help you select which tournaments you wish to play.

Characterisation generally indicates the extent, degree of complexity and subtlety of characterisation required.

Rules Knowledge indicates the required familiarity with the rules system used and the background world or setting of the game. Some roleplaying tournaments are listed as Systemless. A Systemless game does not use any form of published rules system or mechanics. Emphasis is placed more on cooperative storytelling. Freeforms are usually Systemless. Rules Knowledge is sometimes replaced with Genre Knowledge, indicating a required familiarity with the particular background world or setting, movie or style and atmosphere.

Adult Content ratings for a tournament indicates the approximate maturity level necessary to play that particular game. Tournament writers have assigned an approximation of the television/movie rating categories to let players know the sort of material which might be in their game. Some writers have also included additional information if there may be particular concepts that could be controversial. The organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to certain tournaments on the grounds of maturity.

Seriousness rates how seriously the GM will expect you to play the game. Less Serious modules tend to welcome gratuitous giggles, laughs, puns etc, and which are (probably) an integral part of the scenario anyway. (Sometimes referred to as 'light & fluffy' or 'beer & pretzels' games.) More Serious modules can require more effort on the part of the players. It is generally expected that the atmosphere, intent, believability and integrity of the scenario will be maintained and enhanced by the players.

Systemless game play
Catharsis and mood are vogue
Dice forgotten now

See also: Tournament Ratings Explained | Entry Form | Schedule | Fee Structure | Science Fiction Theme

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