Rules

With the adoption of Street Fighter 6 as the official title for the CAPCOM Pro Tour 2023 (hereafter referred to as “CPT”), there will be changes to the “Controller Usage Rules” for the new season.

The fighting game genre has seen numerous groundbreaking changes over its long history, most recently with the advent and increased adoption of leverless controllers. Capcom constantly studies and reviews new developments in controller technology, evaluating their advantages and disadvantages, while taking into consideration the differences between controller input and character behavior in the game, which finally leads us to making informed and justified adjustments to our controller usage rules to ensure the highest levels of competitive fairness. The new rule we are putting forth below is designed to ensure all leverless controllers operate to a universal standard regardless of make or model at Capcom sanctioned events.

With this in mind we’ve decided to make the following change:

  • If up and down directions are input at the same time
    Both inputs must be maintained or both inputs must be rejected.

To clarify, if up and down inputs are made simultaneously, the character must not perform a jump or crouch action, and if the left and right inputs are made simultaneously, the character must not perform a forward or backward movement action.

This rule change does not expressly prohibit the use of leverless controllers, however any controller that registers an input when two directionals are depressed must be updated to comply with the new rule. As this may affect many players, we are making this announcement prior to updating the “CAPCOM Pro Tour 2023 Official Tournament Rules.” The full set of rules will be made available at a later date.

This rule change only affects tournaments and competitions sponsored by Capcom.

 CAPCOM Pro Tour 2023 Controller Usage Regulations

The following are the rules and regulations (hereafter referred to as the “Rules and Regulations”) governing the use of controllers by players in all competitions on the CAPCOM Pro Tour (hereafter referred to as the “CPT”). However, Capcom reserves the right to change these rules at any time. In the event of unforeseen problems, Capcom and the tournament organizers reserve the right to make decisions in consultation.

Philosophy of Controller Use in CPT:

Capcom does not discourage players from choosing or customizing their preferred controller. Capcom recognizes that there are circumstances in which players are compelled to do so due to their environment, physical characteristics, personality, or other compelling reasons. However, this diversity is allowed only to the extent that fairness is ensured.

Definition of Terms:

(P stands for Punch; K stands for Kick)

(P stands for Punch; K stands for Kick)

Controller Customization:

Customization refers to changing the physical location of buttons and levers or creating the controller itself. Customization beyond the mechanical capabilities of the PS5 standard controller, DualSense, is prohibited unless there is a special reason to do so, which takes physical characteristics into consideration. Not to mention, macros, turbo (continuous hitting function), unacceptable compound input, or any analogous function is prohibited.

Capcom or the tournament organizer reserves the right to check the controller at any time during the tournament. If the results of the check indicate that the controller is violating the rules (hereinafter referred to as “offending controller”), the player will be suspended from using the controller, and may be punished and instructed to prepare an alternative controller as soon as possible. In such cases, the tournament organizer will provide a full explanation to the players.

Scope of fairness :

The scope of customization allowed as a guarantee of fairness will be as follows

Keyboard usage:

Keyboards are allowed only if the platform used in the tournament is Steam. However, keyboards must adhere to these rules in the same manner as controllers.

The keyboard alone is not allowed to compete in offline CPT tournaments and must be paired with a controller. The paired controller must be simply connected to the PC and must not be used for character control, but only for the game program to recognize the keyboard as the player. If both players in an offline CPT tournament group wish to use the keyboard, they may do so by playing online from the Custom Room on two(2) computers, as long as there is an Internet connection available to connect to CFN (hereinafter referred to as “online competition environment”). This is because it is not possible to have two(2) keyboards connected to one PC at the same time. If an online competition environment is unavailable, both players must play the game with an alternative controller other than the keyboard.

Obtain an alternative controller:

Players may be forced to change their current controller if an offending controller is used or an unexpected malfunction occurs. In such cases, the following will apply.

  • In case of controller failure
    • Players may report controller malfunctions to the judge as necessary. A player may report a malfunction even if the match is in progress. However, reporting a malfunction during a match means that the match is suspended, and the player who reported the malfunction must forfeit the current round.
    • Players who report a malfunction must prepare an alternative controller as soon as possible. If the player is unable to do so within 5 minutes of reporting the problem, the tournament organizer may suggest that the player play the game using an alternative controller provided by the tournament organizer. In this case, players may not specify the alternative controller prepared by the tournament organizer. The tournament organizer’s proposal of an alternative controller shall be limited to cases where it is possible.
    • Players must immediately (within about one minute) choose whether to continue game play with the current controller that is faulty, play with an alternative controller, or abandon the match.
  • When using the offending controller
    • If the tournament organizer determines that the controller is in violation as a result of the controller check, the player may be instructed to obtain an alternative controller after appropriate punishment.
    • The player who receives instructions must prepare an alternative controller as soon as possible. If the player cannot prepare the controller within 5 minutes of the instruction, the tournament organizer may suggest that the player play the game with an alternative controller prepared by the tournament organizer. In this case, players may not specify the alternative controller prepared by the tournament organizer. The tournament organizer’s proposal of an alternative controller shall be limited to cases where it is possible.
    • Players must choose immediately (within about one minute) whether to play with an alternative controller or forfeit the match.

Operation check after obtaining an alternative controller:

After obtaining an alternative controller, players can check the button settings and other operations as follows

  • If obtaining an alternative controller is during a match interruption, the round is forfeited, but the remaining time may be used to check the operation. However, if the judge decides that the player who obtained the alternative controller has gained an excessive advantage, such as a significant charge to the Super Art gauge, the judge may ask the player to abandon the match.
  • If the alternative controller acquisition is between match set, up to 5 minutes will be given to check the controller before the next match set begins.
  • When opting to continue with the original defective controller or choosing the alternative controller, if a new defect is found in either situation, players may not reported any additional defects, and if the defect cannot be overlooked, the match will be forfeit. However, if the alternative controller provided by the tournament organizer is found to be defective, the player may report the controller defect to the judges as necessary.

Last updated on March 30, 2023 v 1.00