Nintendo has launched a set of strict new guidelines for followers trying to organise small-scale tournaments round its video games, that are outlined within the new pointers as “Neighborhood Tournaments.” The rules set strict guidelines across the variety of opponents allowed, restrict how a lot occasions can cost for entry, and set detailed restrictions on how in-person occasions could be run.

Eurogamer experiences that the rules have been first posted by Nintendo of Japan earlier than the same publish appeared on Nintendo of Europe’s web site. Nintendo of America now has its personal model of the rules, and it is doubtless they may go into impact in lots of different areas all over the world, too.

The brand new guidelines specify {that a} Neighborhood Event could solely embody as much as 200 individuals, or 300 if the event is held on-line. Event organizers usually are not allowed to cost gamers greater than $20 for participation in an occasion, and any cash raised can solely be used in the direction of occasion prices and prizes. Spectator tickets cannot be priced above $15 and might solely be used to boost cash for occasion prices, not prize cash. There’s additionally a cap on prize money–individual prizes are restricted to $5000 every, with a complete cap of $10,000 per organizer in a 12 month interval.

The prolonged publish additionally features a listing of pointers for individuals and spectators at Neighborhood Tournaments to pay attention to, and an intensive FAQ that hides a number of different stipulations Nintendo has for small-scale tournaments. For instance, occasions are prohibited from promoting meals, drinks, or merchandise in the event that they wish to come beneath the Neighborhood Event pointers, and in addition can’t pay charges or bills to any collaborating gamers.

In addition to these highlighted above, there are many different guidelines event organizers should adhere to, with particular pointers additionally laid out for college tournaments and different neighborhood teams. If organizers are planning a event that falls exterior these pointers, they will have to use to Nintendo for a license to make use of Nintendo’s video games of their occasion.

The brand new pointers come into impact on November 15, 2023, and are unlikely to be widespread with the aggressive scene. The neighborhood’s relationship with Nintendo is already tense, after the favored Smash World Tour was shut down final yr simply days out from the Championship.