The ultimate test of Tetris knowledge is challenged in this long awaited fourth game in the series, and now players can truly test their skills in this world tournament!
CTWC, with its impeccable and iconic tournament of the NES classic, is tasked with hosting a tournament of great magnitude. And believe us, we will not disappoint!
Many players across the globe will be attending to see who will be the last one left standing and be crowned the first Tetris Grand Master 4 champion!
Registration officially opens on May 6, 2025 and will close on Wednesday June 4.
Entry fee is $10 to play, but if you register for the Classic Tetris World Championships, your entry to TGM will be included!
Click HERE for the CTWC 2025 Tournament Registration link
Click HERE for the TGM4 -Absolute Eye- World Tournament Registration (starting May 6)
2025 CTWC Tetris: The Grand Master 4 Tournament Rules
Computers and arcade-style controllers will be provided for competitors to play. Provided controllers will feature Sanwa JLF levers configured for 4-way restriction (diamond shape) and Sanwa OBSF-30 buttons.
Competitors should expect to use the arcade-style controllers provided by CTWC and prepare accordingly. Pending logistics, CTWC may permit competitors to bring their own USB game controller (BYOC). If a controller allows a player to press Simultaneous Opposite Cardinal Directions (SOCD), the controller is expected to maintain both (i.e. both of the Up+Down pair or Left+Right pair is communicated to the game software) or reject both (i.e., neither of the Up/Down pair or Left/Right pair is communicated to the game software). CTWC officials may disqualify controllers at their own discretion, for potential reasons including (but not limited to) detection of “stealth” turbo features or macros, unapproved SOCD method, redundant directional button bindings in such a way that circumvents expected play motions, etc..
Due to technical limitations, CTWC may not be able to accommodate the use of USB keyboards in this competition. If CTWC announces the ability to accommodate a BYOC policy, competitors with keyboard experience may wish to consider bringing “leverless” or “keyboard-inspired” USB controllers for use at the event.
Qualifying Round: Friday @ 12pm to 5pm
- The Qualifying Round will determine the seeding of a 8-player tournament bracket.
- Mode of play: Asuka (20G mode with 7 minute time limit)
- Qualifying attempts will be ranked by level achieved (0-1300). If players complete the game by reaching level 1300, ties will be broken by most time remaining of the 7 minute limit.
- Players will queue for attempts at the available qualifying stations. Judges will assign players to a station as they become available. Players may requeue to improve their best recorded performance as many times as they wish within the qualifying period.
- At the end of each game for which a player would like to have their score recorded, players must leave their game on the end-of-game menu screen and raise their hand to call a judge.
- The top 8 players will be seeded by the order of their performance on the qualifying leaderboard.
8 Player Tournament
- Players will compete 1v1 in a single elimination bracket.
- Each round of the tournament will feature different game types from those available in Tetris: The Grand Master 4.
- In all modes where the game allows the player to choose a Rule type, both Standard Rule and TGM Rule are eligible for selection. Competitors may select a different Rule than their opponent if so desired.
- Permission to configure game options such as Tetromino Skins is up to the discretion of CTWC judges in order to ensure timely completion of the tournament. CTWC may make reasonable accommodations for selection of colorblind-friendly Skins.
- In addition, changing of other display options such as Number of Next pieces shown must both be approved by a CTWC judge and agreed upon by both competitors in a match. Competitors should expect to play using the default setting of 6 Next pieces shown.
- Players will be given a brief time before initiating the match to perform a “button check.” After confirming proper controller operation, players should top out and wait on the end-of-game selection menu for instruction from CTWC judges. At the end of the judge’s countdown, both players must select the appropriate menu option to “replay” the selected game mode.
- “Mullening” (continuing to play once the victor has been determined) can be cut off at any time by judges or CTWC officials.
Bad sportsmanship will not be tolerated. Players are allowed to talk to each other and the judges, but making loud noises, wild movements, or using insensitive or harmful language could result in disqualification. - Live commentary will be audible to the players. The commentary may provide information, but may also be a distraction. It is up to each individual player if they want to wear headphones or ear plugs. Players should never rely on commentary to find out if they won a game or not. They should keep playing until the judge has confirmed the result.
- If a PC console or monitor experiences a momentary glitch, interference, or visual disruption, the affected player must attempt to make the judge aware of the problem and must keep playing to the best of their ability. After both players have topped out, the affected player may request an official review. This is the only time a review can be requested. If a review is not requested, the results of the game will be accepted and can’t be subsequently changed for any reason. If a review is requested, considering level counters, timers, and piece stacks of each player at the time of the malfunction, along with any other circumstances deemed relevant, tournament officials will decide to either accept the results of the game or have players replay the game. Under no circumstances will a win be awarded to a player who was trailing at the conclusion of the game.
- Final Rankings will be determined by, in order of importance, 1.) round advanced to, 2.) games won in losing match, 3.) combined score of the losing scores in the losing match (this eliminates the possibility of being penalized for winning a game with a very low score).
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE AND FORMAT (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Round 1 (Top 8): Friday @ 6:30pm
- Mode of play: Asuka
- Best of 1 race
- 1v1 races to clear 1300 levels. If neither player completes the mode, the player who reaches the highest level wins. Ties are broken by the fastest time.
Round 2 (Top 4): Friday @ ~7:30pm
- Mode of play: Player vs Player
- Best of 1 set
- Attack pattern: Type-1
- Limit: 200 Levels (2:40.00 round timer)
- Max Rounds: 5
- Players will compete in head-to-head battles with attacks enabled.
Finals: Friday @ ~8:15pm to ~9:00pm
- Format: Card Draw; Best of 3 games
- Players will be presented the option of several modes to play. Each player will choose one mode to “ban,” removing it from those eligible to play in the match. The player with the lower seed will announce their ban first. The player with the higher seed will announce their ban second.
- When making a “ban” selection, players should take into consideration that Normal can only be played using the TGM Rule. Players should also consider the potential advantages/disadvantages of Standard Rule or TGM Rule in each of the other specified modes.
- After the ban phase, the remaining two modes will be played. The player with the higher seed will choose which mode to play first.
- If each player wins one game of the two selected, the deciding round will be played in Master mode.
- Players will be presented the option of several modes to play. Each player will choose one mode to “ban,” removing it from those eligible to play in the match. The player with the lower seed will announce their ban first. The player with the higher seed will announce their ban second.
- Modes of play
- Normal (TGM Rule only)
- Players will race to clear 999 levels. If neither player completes the mode, the player who reaches the highest level wins. Ties are broken by the fastest time.
- Asuka
- Players will race to clear 1300 levels. If neither player completes the mode, the player who reaches the highest level wins. Ties are broken by the fastest time.
- Konoha (Hard Mode)
- Players will attempt to perform the most “All Clears” with Big tetrominoes in the allotted time limit. Clearing lines will extend the allotment of banked time by a small amount. The player with the highest number of All Clears wins.
- In the unlikely event that both players achieve the limit of ??? All Clears, the player to do so first wins.
- Player vs Player
- Attack pattern: Type-1
- Limit: 200 Levels (2:40.00 round timer)
- Max Rounds: 5
- Players will compete in head-to-head battles with attacks enabled.
- Grand Finale: Master
- Players will race to complete ???? levels. If neither player completes the mode, the player who reaches the highest level wins. Ties are broken by the fastest time
- In the unlikely event that level and time are both tied, the result will be determined by the highest sum each player’s “medals” earned during the game.
- All Clears
- Tetrises
- T-Spin Doubles
- “Pikii” lines
- Normal (TGM Rule only)