All simfile submissions will be graded by the four judges based on five different categories. Each category consists of either 10 or 5 points. A judge can grade a file up to 45 points, but the lowest judged score will be removed from the total. Therefore, the maximum amount of points a simfile can receive is 135.
Key note that all judges have specific tastes on what they believe is a quality simfile, so opinions will vary.
After all the simfiles have been judged, the entrants are ranked by a weighted average of their submission package. Each entrant's higher-performing simfile is weighted 3:1 against their lower-performing simfile.
For example, Entrant A chooses to play it safe, and writes two respectable but unimpressive 110pt. simfiles.
Entrant A's overall score is (¾ × 110) + (¼ × 110) = 110 points.
Meanwhile, Entrant B takes two different but risky approaches. Their first simfile is panned with 70pt., but their second simfile is a 130pt. hit!
Entrant B's overall score is (¾ × 130) + (¼ × 70) = 115 points.
| Category | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 10 | |
| Patterning | 10 | |
| Rhythms | 10 | |
| Originality | 10 | |
| Replayability | 5 | |
| Total | 45 | |
At the start of the contest, all entrants will compete in the first round to determine who will go to the finals. When the judges reveal their scores for the first round, all simfiles will be ranked by total points in descending order. The top three simfiles will be rewarded with cash money prizes.
The top 40% ranked entrants from Round 1 will be qualified to move onto the Grand Finals. Each entrant will submit a new pair of simfiles, which are decoupled, judged, and ranked on the same individual basis as in the first round. There will be cash money prizes for the top four simfiles in Grand Finals.
Red: No Finals Qualification
Green: Qualified for Grand Finals
| 60% | 40% |