Classic Tetris Monthly Rules and Guidelines

Overview

Classic Tetris Monthly is a series of tournaments based on the Tetris game published by Nintendo and released in North America for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989. Players compete in a single-elimination tournament with emulators or consoles with the unmodified game or any of the approved ROMs. Any controller/device is allowed so long as there is one button per input and no turbo functions. Competitors of all ages may compete. However, local laws may restrict monetary rewards to certain age groups. CTM will follow local guidelines when rewarding cash prizes.

ROMs, Hardware, Controllers, Game Genie Codes, and Emulators Guide

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Approved NTSC ROMs

• Tetris Gym v3.0+
• “Hydrant” SPS ROM
• Unmodified 1989 Release

Approved Hardware & Consoles

• All

Controllers

• One button per input.
• No turbo functions

Preferred Game Genie Codes for Competition

• OPIPEX – Rocket Skip
• NNAOOK or ENAOOK – Score Uncap
• AEPXLL – Disable Pausing

Preferred Emulators

• Mesen
• Nestopia
• Retroarch with either core: 1 frame runahead, no shaders

Banned Emulators

• None

Handcam/Facecam

• Masters Events, Challengers Circuit: Handcam is required while Facecam is strongly preferred. Failure to comply can result in disqualification.
• Futures Circuit, Community Tournaments: Handcam and Facecam are voluntary and not required, but still preferred.

Qualifying:

• To join CTM in an upcoming month, follow the instructions on the ctm.gg to submit a qualifier.
• For current qualifying guidelines for the following month, see #qualifying on Discord or check the ctm.gg website.
• Once qualifying has ended, brackets will be created. Should you wish to withdraw, do so within 24 hours after qualifying has ended. No penalty will be given to players who withdraw during this timeframe.
• Withdrawing after brackets have been formed or during the competitive play will result in an Official Dropout. If you have two Official Dropouts in a six month period, you will be asked to sit out/abstain from participating in CTM for two months.

Competition:

• In Masters Event, Challengers Circuit, Futures Circuit, and Hopefuls Circuit players compete beginning on level 18.
• In Community Tournaments T1-T3, players alternate between level selection with the lower seed selecting first. Players can choose level 15 or level 18.
• In Community Tournaments T4 and below, players alternate between level selection with the lower seed selecting first. Players can choose level 12, 15, or 18.
• Points over 999,999 count.
• Players are allowed to use same piece sets (SPS) if each player possesses an identical ROM and agree before the match begins. A test game may be played to ensure SPS, then increase the seed. Once agreed to, SPS must be used throughout the remainder of the match.
• All matches are best of five games where the victor of each game is determined by the highest score when both players have topped out. Pausing during a match is heavily discouraged. Pauses could result in disqualification of the game if the tournament staff determines it was used for a competitive advantage.
• Players should make their best effort to ensure a stable internet connection and begin matches at the same time as their opponent. A restreamer may ask players to restart OBS in between games should the delay give a perceived advantage.
• Tournament winners receive the Discord winner role of their tournament while all participants of each tournament are entitled to the Discord player role of said tournament. Requests roles in #ask-mods-to-do-things-or-make-suggestions

Restreaming

• Restreamers are the lifeblood of a vibrant competitive scene. Commentators are vital to maintaining the energy of each match.
• If you wish to schedule with a restreamer, first schedule an agreeable time and date with your competitor. You may use the #scheduling channel for your convenience.
• Due dates for each match will be posted alongside their respective bracket.
• After confirming the time/date, request a restreamer in the #restreamer-scheduling channel.
• Matches are reported using the guidelines in #reporting.
• To learn how to restream for the community, visit #restreaming for details and questions.

MaxoutClub

• The value of restreamers cannot be understated. Players should make every effort to connect with a restreamer for their match.
• A match should be requested in #restreamer-scheduling 24 hours before the match time.
• Players should then ping the @Restreamer needed in 60 minutes 1 hour before the match.
• If both of the above are completed and no restreamers are available, players may compete via MaxoutClub.
• One player must stream the match to their Twitch account so a public record of the match is maintained.
• The match is then reported as the same process described above.

Conclusion:

CTM is not draconian nor are these guidelines permanent. If you find room for improvement or have questions, reach out to the Tournament staff. Have fun!