Identity V Call of the Abyss III

1In-Game Tournament Timeline

Call of the Abyss III will be divided into four Stages: Invitation, Dome of Musee, Masterpiece, and Cross Dimensions.

1. Invitation - The beginning of the Global Festival, and it will be available after maintenance on December 12, 2019. The Club Captain can register for the Global Festival for free, and after registration, Club Members can participate in the Global Festival after the official launch (all members of the IVC Japanese Champion must be in the same Club)

2. Dome of Musee - The Global Festival will be officially launched after maintenance on December 19, 2019. Registered Club Members participating in battles will earn loads of exclusive rewards and will also be able to participate in Dome of Musee battles to earn "Global Festival Points". The Top 100 Clubs from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States will advance to compete in the next stage.

3. Masterpiece - The midpoint of the Global Festival, and will be available after maintenance on January 9, 2020. The Top 100 Clubs from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States will compete in Masterpiece battles to obtain "Masterpiece Points". The Top 8 Clubs from Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia will be awarded with more rewards and will be qualified for the Online Qualifiers, while the Club with the highest points from Europe, the United States, and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan will be directly invited to participate in COA3 Global Festival Offline Finals (if invited Club is unable to participate, the invitation will be extended according to the rankings).

4. Cross Dimension - Club face-offs are finalized. The Top 8 Clubs from Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia will be invited to participate in the Online Qualifiers, while the Club with the highest points from Europe, the United States, and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan will be directly invited to participate in COA3 Global Festival Offline Finals (if invited Club is unable to participate, the invitation will be extended according to the rankings).

2Invitation Stage

1. The Invitation stage will begin after maintenance on December 12, 2019. The Club Captain can register for the Global Festival for free, and after registration, Club Members can participate in the Global Festival after the official launch.

2. Register as a Club. Club Members can participate in the Global Festival once the Club Captain has registered the Club.

3. Once registered for the Global Festival, the Club cannot be disbanded during the tournament.

4. If a Club Member leaves the registered Club, they will have to temporarily withdraw from the Global Festival. If this Member wishes to further participate in the event, they can choose to create or join a new Club and re-register or join a registered Club directly.

*During registration, players (excluding Mainland China) need to join or create a Club. The Club Captain will choose the competing division according to their current or available servers: Once the division: Hong Kong&Macau&Taiwan/Japan/South Korea/South East Asia/NA-EU, is selected, it cannot be changed.

*There are 1-7 players in a Club. However, the In-game Tournament will only take the total points from 5 Club Members with the highest points to determine the Club Points (specific in-game rules will prevail).

*A minimum of 5 Club Members are required to qualify for both the Online Qualifiers and the Global Finals. Half or more of the Club Members are required to be permanent residents of the Club's registered division. Players can view the Club's competing division in the Club interface.

*Note: Club Members will not be able to quit, disband and join other Clubs after the event has started for a period of time. So please take note of the event registration time and allowed Club changing time (specific in-game rules will prevail).

3Dome of Musee Stage

Dome of Musee - The Global Festival will be officially launched after maintenance on December 19, 2019. Registered Club Members participating in battles will earn loads of exclusive rewards and will also be able to participate in Dome of Musee battles to earn "Dome of Musee Points". The Top 100 Clubs with the highest points will advance to compete in the next stage.

Global Festival Individual Battles

1. Dome of Musee - During the official launch of the Global Festival, registered members participating in any Quick Match or Rank Match will unlock the Global Festival Individual Battle (no need to pass Abyss Matching or Abyss Ranking).

2. The Global Festival Individual Battles will unlock the Global Festival's Main Theme Graffiti, A Accessories, and other rewards when it reaches a different Tier.

3. If Individual Battle Deduction Points are too low, no Global Festival Individual Battle count will be gained. (require no less than 1500 Points in Quick Match and Rank Match, no less than 3000 Points in Duo Hunters Mode)

4. Global Festival Individual Battles will last until the event is over.

Global Festival Abyss Club Battles

1. During the Dome of Musee stage, registered Club Members can accumulate Club Abyss Battles through Abyss Matching and Abyss Ranking.

2. When Abyss Club Battles reaches a different tier, all Club Members will receive the Global Festival's Main Theme Portrait, Pets and other rewards.

3. Players must have been in a Club for more than 12 hours and accumulated 10 Individual Abyss Battles in order to obtain Club Abyss Battle rewards.

Dome of Musee Points Acquisition

1. During the Dome of Musee stage, Club Members can accumulate Dome of Musee Points through Abyss Match and Abyss Rank Match.

2. Abyss Matches are available from 12 pm to 10 pm, and Abyss Rank Matches are available at the same time as normal Rank Matches.

3. There is a daily game limit and a total game limit to obtain Dome of Musee Points during the event. The daily game limit of Survivors and Hunters is 6 rounds each, and the total game limit of Survivors and Hunters is 80 rounds each during the event.

4. Using Survivors to participate in matches will increase "Survivors Dome of Musee Points", and using Hunter to participate in matches will increase "Hunter Dome of Musee Points".

5. Player's Individual Tier, Battle Results, Individual Deduction Points, and Ranking will affect the final Dome of Musee Points.

6. When each Club Member plays as Hunter, their Club's highest initial Dome of Musee Points will be used as the final Dome of Musee Points.

Dome of Musee Points Usage

1. "Club Dome of Musee Points" is used to calculate the Club's ranking in the Dome of Musee stage. The Top 100 Club Members will receive the [Call of the Abyss III - Masterpiece] Themed Portrait Frame, and will be qualified to compete in the Masterpiece stage.

2. When a Club Member is removed from the Club by the Club Captain, "Club Dome of Musee Points" will no longer reflect the Member's contribution. The Member's individual "Survivors Dome of Musee Points" and "Hunter Dome of Musee Points" will not be affected.

3. When a Club Member withdraws from the Club voluntarily, the Member's "Survivors Dome of Musee Points" and "Hunter Dome of Musee Points" will be halved. However, "Club Dome of Musee Points" will not be affected unless another Club Member has contributed more points than the Member who withdrew from the Club.

4. Starting from 00:00 on December 29, 2019, Clubs can no longer replace Club Members until the end of the Dome of Musee stage.

4Masterpiece

Masterpiece - The midpoint of the Global Festival, and will be available after maintenance on January 9, 2020. The Top 100 Clubs from the Dome of Musee stage will compete in Masterpiece stage to obtain "Masterpiece Points". The Top 8 Clubs with the highest points will be awarded with more rewards and will qualify for the Anniversary Celebration Online Qualifiers.

Masterpiece Points Acquisition

1. Masterpiece - Global Festival's Live Streaming stage. The Top 100 Clubs from the Dome of Musee stage will enter a special Entrance in the evening to obtain Masterpiece Points. The opening hours are from 19:00 - 21:00, from January 9-15, 2020.

2. There is a daily game limit and a total game limit to obtain Masterpiece Points during the event. The daily game limit of Survivors and Hunters is 5 rounds each, and the total game limit of Survivors and Hunters is 20 rounds each during the event.

3. Using Survivors to participate in matches will increase "Survivors Masterpiece Points", and using Hunters to participate in matches will increase "Hunter Masterpiece Points".

4. Player's Individual Tier, Battle Results and Individual Deduction Points will affect the final Masterpiece Points.

5. The highest "Hunter Masterpiece Points" in the Club is first multiplied by 2, then added with "Survivor Masterpiece Points" of the other 4 Club Members to equal the "Club Masterpiece Points". (Calculation aims at getting the highest "Club Masterpiece Points")

6. The COA of Off-line tournaments are only available with Moblie phones. PCs or simulators are not allowed to be used. Therefore, starting from the Masterpiece stage of this COA tournament, all the promoted clubs will not be able to get on the Abyss Ranking through any PC devices or simulators.

Masterpiece Points Usage

1. "Club Masterpiece Points" is used to calculate the Club's ranking in the Masterpiece stage and Clubs will be rewarded according to their final rankings. The Top Club Members from each division will receive the [Call of the Abyss III - Cross Dimensions] Main Theme's Portrait Frame.

2. Join the Club Masterpiece Points leaderboard. Each division's Club ranking will be updated in real time.

5Cross Dimensions

See "Online Qualifiers" for specific details.

6Punishment of COA III Violations

Current Punishment of Common Violations

Type 1 Violation – Use Plug-in to win: Players who use a plug-in to win will be permanently blocked.

Type 2 Violation – Negative Match Performances: the punishment of such violation will increase from 3-day suspension to permanent suspension depends on the numbers of the violations and how serious the violation is.

Type 3 Violation – Hook Scripts: the punishment of such violation will increase from 3-day suspension to permanent suspension depends on the numbers of the violations and how serious the violation is.

Aggregated Punishment of COA III Violations

Type 1 Violation – Use Plug-in to win: Players who use a plug-in to win will be permanently blocked. And their teams will be disqualified in COA III.

Type 2 Violation – Negative Match Performances: the punishment of such violation will increase from 3-day suspension to permanent suspension depends on the numbers of the violation and how serious the violation is. Starting from the second time, the violated player's COA III points will be cleared to ZERO and he/she will not be able to accumulate any more COA III points.

Type 3 Violation – Hook Scripts: the punishment of such violation will increase from 3-day suspension to permanent suspension depends on the numbers of the violation and how serious the violation is. Starting from the second time, the violated player's COA III points will be cleared to ZERO and he/she will not be able to accumulate any more COA III points.

Additions

1. If there is proof to prove that such negative behaviors will benefit certain players, these players will also be punished accordingly.

2. If there are 2 players within ONE team whose COA III points are cleared to ZERO, this team will be disqualified.

3. If there are some players who deliberately join a certain team in order to harm the team, we will investigate and determine the solution accordingly.

Identity V official team reserves the right of final interpretation of all the above penalties, and will flexibly adjust according to the actual situation.

1Competing Division Details

Call of the Abyss III is divided into: Mainland China, South East Asia, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong & Macau & Taiwan, and NA-EU. HK & MO & TW and NA-EU will advance directly into the Global Festival Offline Finals with the highest points obtained in the "Masterpiece" stage, and will no longer have to go through the Online Qualifiers.

2Competing Division & Advancement Allocation

Mainland China

Format: BO3
Time: March 2020
Advancing Clubs: 8 (with 2 direct invites)

South East Asia

Format: BO3
Time: February 7-9, 2020
Advancing Clubs: 2

Japan

Format: BO3
Time: February 15-16 and February 22-23, 2020
Advancing Clubs: 3 (with 1 direct invite)

South Korea

Format: BO3
Time: February 27 - March 1, 2020
Advancing Clubs: 1

HK & MO & TW

Direct invitation through Call of the Abyss III In-Game Tournament. Direct Invites: 1

NA-EU

Direct invitation through Call of the Abyss III In-Game Tournament. Direct Invites: 1

3Tournament Rules

3.1 Regional Final Qualifiers

3.1.1 Regional Finals Qualifications

The top 8 teams from the“Masterpiece”phrase will be invited to the Regional Finals (BO3 & Single-eliminated).

3.1.2 Matches

The first round of the match will be randomly assigned in advance.

3.1.3 The Global Final Qualifications

2 of the 8 teams who advanced to the finals will advance to the COA Global Final (Japan and SEA divisions). For other divisions, please refer to the promotion quota of each region. If a team waives the qualification for the Global Final, the "3rd place in the qualifiers", "4th place in the qualifiers", and "5th place in the qualifiers" will be invited in order to advance. When two teams have the same ranking in the regional finals, they will be invited in descending order according to the masterpiece's points.

3.2 Tournament Mode

Custom Mode, Legendary Rules (there can be no duplicate characters in the same game).

Each round is divided into the first half and the second half. In the first half, 4 Survivors from Club A will play against a Hunter from Club B. In the second half, 4 Survivors from Club B will play against a Hunter from Club A.

3.3 Competition Client and Version

An official competition server and corresponding versions will be provided.

3.4 Competition Devices and Network

Players are responsible for their own network connection and devices.

Competition Devices: Players must use their own touch-screen devices (PCs and stimulators are strictly prohibited).

3.5 Competition Account

Players have to use their own account to compete. Using another player's account is strictly prohibited. To ensure the smooth operation of the competition, the Competition organizer has the right to request players to switch to an account provided by the organizer.

3.6 Communication Software

Communication Software: Players must only use the official designated online communication software to communicate with the referee.

3.7 Banning Rules

3.7.1 Map and Faction Selection Rules

1) The Map for the first half and second half of the competition must be the same.

2) Match Maps: Arms Factory, The Red Church, Sacred Heart Hospital, Lakeside Village, Moon River Park and Leo's Memory.

3) Selection Sequence:
Before each match begins, the Club Captain from both sides will draw lots;
The winner will select the Map for the first round, and the loser will select the order of the line-ups;
The loser will select the Map for the second round, and winner will select the order of the line-ups;
From the third round onward, the winner may select from banning modes a. or b.:
a. The other side may ban one of the Maps which they can select from; they then select the Map for this round and the other side selects the order of the line-ups;
b. They may ban one of the Maps which the other side can select from; the other side then select the Map for this round and they select the order of the line-ups;
Both sides will then switch the selection order for each of the following rounds.

4) Map Selection Rules:
Within the same match, Clubs are not allowed to select a Map that has already been selected.

3.7.2 Character Ban

1) Ban Sequence:
The ban sequence for each round is fixed - "Ban", then "Pick"; Survivor, then Hunter.
a) Survivor bans Hunter Characters;
b) Hunter bans Survivor Characters;
c) Survivor selects Characters;
d) Hunter selects Character.

2) Number of Bans:

BO3 Match
Round 1 - For Survivor, Characters are not banned. Hunter bans 1 Character;
Round 2 - Survivor bans 1 Character. Hunter bans 2 Characters;
Round 3 - Survivor bans 2 Characters. Hunter bans 3 Characters;

BO5 Match
Round 1 - For Survivor, Characters are not banned. Hunter bans 1 Character;
Round 2 - Survivor bans 1 Character. Hunter bans 2 Characters;
Round 3 - Survivor bans 2 Characters. Hunter bans 3 Characters;
Round 4 & Round 5 - Survivor bans 3 Characters. Hunter bans 4 Characters;

The first and second half of each match requires players to re-ban Characters.

3) Competition Bans:
The Competition Organizing Committee will announce pre-banned Characters from time to time. Pre-banned Characters will not be included in the list of Banned Characters.

3.7.3 Point Rules

For each half round, Clubs will obtain the points according to the following rules:
At the end of the game, if the number of escaped Survivors is 0, then Survivors will obtain 0 point and the Hunter will obtain 5 points.
At the end of the game, if the number of escaped Survivors is 1, then Survivors will obtain 1 point and the Hunter will obtain 3 points.
At the end of the game, if the number of escaped Survivors is 2, then Survivors will obtain 2 point and the Hunter will obtain 2 points.
At the end of the game, if the number of escaped Survivors is 3, then Survivors will obtain 3 point and the Hunter will obtain 1 points.
At the end of the game, if the number of escaped Survivors is 4, then Survivors will obtain 5 point and the Hunter will obtain 0 points.
Note: The condition for determining the outcome of each round is the sum of points from the first and second half. The Club with the highest points will be the winner and vice versa. Clubs will result in a tie if points are the same.

3.8 Win & Lose Rules

1) In BO3 matches, a game ends if a Club wins the first 2 rounds, otherwise the game will continue.

2) In BO5 matches, a game ends if a Club wins the first 3 rounds, or wins 3 rounds and draws 1 round / wins 2 rounds and draws 2 rounds in the first 4 rounds, otherwise the game will continue.

3.9 Tiebreaker Rules

In the case of a tie in BO3 or BO5 (such as 1 Win, 1 Tie, 1 Loss):
① Priority will be given to the Club with the higher cumulative points;
② If the total points remain the same, an extra Round will be played. The added Round(s) will determine the winner according to the points of both sides.
③ If both Clubs still have the same points in the additional match, the first deciding factor is to look at both Clubs' escapes during their rounds as Survivors:
1) If at least one of the Survivors escaped, the Survivor's match duration of both Clubs is used as the basis for deciding the winning Club. The Club with the fastest time wins;
2) If neither Club escaped as a Survivor, the Hunter's match duration is used as the basis for deciding the winning Club. The Club with the fastest time wins.

3.10 Pause

1) After the match begins, each Club will have 1 chance in each of the first and second halves to Pause. Players can Pause the match in extreme situations where the match can't proceed normally The maximum Pause time is: 3 minutes.

2) When the game is Paused, the Captain of the Pausing Club must inform the Competition Organizing Committee of the reason for Pausing within 30 seconds through the Contact Method designated by the official referee. The referee will then decide if the reason is valid or not. If the referee decides that the Pause is valid, a three-minute Pause shall be maintained, and the referee shall cancel the Pause at the end of three minutes and resume the match; if the referee decides that the Pause is invalid, the referee shall cancel the Pause immediately and resume the match.

3.11 Rematch

In the event of one of the following, the referee and the organizing committee will determine whether there will be a rematch:

Note: In the event of a rematch, all Characters, Maps, Skills, Persona, and Talents must be selected exactly as they were before. In case of inconsistent selections, the referee reserves the right to request the player to make adjustments and ensure consistency. Warning penalties will be given for malicious modification of Character Skills and Talent Points.

3.12 Rule Violations

If a Player acted in one or more of the following:
1） Contacting with others without the referee's permission during the match.
2） Engaging or participating in any suspected public disputes, acts which are offensive to the public or public organizations, or other acts adverse to the reputation of NetEase and "Identity V", as determined by NetEase and "Identity V".
3） Commissioning others to participate in the competition on their behalf, or participating in the competition on another Player's behalf.
4） Negative behavior or match fixing.
5） Using items and characters obtained from non-Identity V games, or items and characters that are not officially released.
6） Exploiting game bugs during the competition. Bugs exploitation includes the use of any functions which are not intended for the game's normal operation and actions which violate the game's design, as determined by the Competition Organizing Committee.
7） Using any third-party software to modify in-game contents, such as game interfaces, sound effects, character skills, etc.
8） Using assisting devices other than headphones without the referee's permission.
9） Exiting the game on purpose.

Any Club or Club member found to be in violation of any of the above regulations may be subject to the following punishments at the Competition Organizing Committee's discretion:
1. Verbal warning;
2. Fine or prize confiscation;
3. Deemed to have forfeited a match (defeated);
4. Disqualification;
5. Permanent Ban on the Player's Participation in All Future Competitions Organized by the Organizing Committee.

4Guidelines to Participants

4.1 Club Members

1) Each Club consists of 5 main players and 2 substitute players.

2) Before the group matches start (before 18:00:00 January 24, 2020), each Club may make 1 change to its players 1 time (adding/replacing/removing a player is regarded as 1 change).

3) Before any player change, an application must be made to and approved by the Competition Organizing Committee before the deadline.

4) During the Elimination stage, no player change is allowed.

5) Club information provided and changes made by the Captain shall prevail.

4.2 Players

1) Before the competition starts, Clubs need to confirm their starting line-up with the Referee. Clubs with less than 5 players will be disqualified.

2) In BO3, Clubs have 1 chance to switch players before the ban in the next round commences. No switches are allowed once the ban has commenced.

3) In BO5, Clubs have 2 chances to switch players before the ban in the next round commences. No switches are allowed once the ban has commenced.

4) Players can't switch their Factions once they've joined a match (each Player can only compete as one Faction in each match).

4.3 Tournament Requirements

4.3.1 Age

Players aged 18 and above are free to participate at will. Parents' consent is required for players aged 16-18. Players under 16 are not qualified.

4.3.2 Live Stream Copyrights

1) During the matches, no live streaming by players are allowed.
2) All documents, images and audio-visual data related to the current tournament are owned by the event organizer and tournament organizer. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited and violators will be prosecuted.

4.3.3 Tournament Objections

1) In the event of a dispute during the matches, the Club Captain and players must defer to the referee. If a participant disagrees with the referee's decision, they can appeal to the tournament committee by following the appeal procedure.
2) Players may appeal within three minutes after each half round to the referee on duty. The referee and the Competition Organizing Committee have the right to reject any appeal beyond the time limit.

4.4 Tournament Ownership

1) Final Interpretation
The Competition Organizing Committee has the absolute right to all interpretations in relation to these rules, player qualifications, schedules and stage arrangements, as well as punishments against violations.

2) Amendments to Rules
The Competition Organizing Committee has the right to amend, change or supplement these rules at any time.