KARDS World Championship Official Rules

First edition: September 24th, 2019
Last updated: November 12th, 2025

OVERVIEW

These are legally binding rules for the KARDS World Championship 2025.

Here, we explain who is eligible to participate in the KARDS World Championship 2025.
We also explain what Participants can and cannot do during the KARDS World Championship 2025, as well as disclaimers and liability.
Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use and protect information from Participants.
Please also see our KARDS User Agreement which contains basic rules about playing KARDS.
If you have any questions at all about these rules, please contact support@1939games.com

1 ABOUT THESE RULES

General. These official rules (“Rules”) govern the tournament system for our video game ‘KARDS’ (“KARDS”) which we are calling the “KARDS World Championship 2025”.
Parties. These Rules form a legally binding contract between Participants and 1939 Games hf., Eyjarslóð 7, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland (we will further call ourselves “1939 Games”, “we” or “our”). “Participant” means any person participating in the KARDS World Championship 2025 and any other applicable person notified of these Rules by 1939 Games, and “Participants” means all of them.
Additional Documents. In addition to these Rules, Participants must comply with the KARDS User Agreement (which contains basic rules about playing KARDS and is available at https://www.kards.com/end-user-license-agreement (“KARDS User Agreement”)), the KARDS Terms of Use (available at https://www.kards.com/terms-of-use (“KARDS Terms of Use”)), and our KARDS Privacy Policy (which explains how we collect, use and protect information of Participants and is available at https://www.kards.com/privacy-policy (“1939 Games Privacy Policy”)), so please read these documents carefully since these documents are also legally binding on you. If there are any differences between these Rules and the KARDS User Agreement or 1939 Privacy Policy, these Rules will take priority in relation to KARDS World Championship 2025 specific matters.
Incorporation by Reference. The “KARDS Tournament Official Rules” are incorporated into and form part of these Rules. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these Rules and the KARDS Tournament Official Rules, these Rules prevail for the KARDS World Championship 2025.
Acceptance. Participants must formally accept these Rules, the KARDS User Agreement and 1939 Privacy Policy in order to participate in the KARDS World Championship 2025. Participants will be deemed to accept these Rules by participating in any part of the KARDS World Championship 2025. If a Participant does not accept or fails to comply with these Rules, they must not participate in the KARDS World Championship 2025.

2 ENTRY ELIGIBILITY

Age. Participants aged 18 or over are eligible to participate in the KARDS World Championship 2025. Participants aged between 13 and 17 must ask their parent or guardian to review and approve these Rules on their behalf (because in some countries people under a certain age cannot fully enter legally into contracts like these Rules). We are sorry, but Participants aged under 13 are not allowed to participate in the KARDS World Championship 2025.
Accounts. To be eligible to participate in the KARDS World Championship 2025, Participants must have authorized access to a KARDS account and both Participants and their accounts must be in good standing (e.g. not subject to any bans) at the start of and throughout the KARDS World Championship 2025. Participants must only participate in the KARDS World Championship 2025 using their own KARDS account or for certain stages of the tournaments, an account provided by 1939 Games.
Platforms and Location. Participants will be eligible to participate in the KARDS World Championship 2025: (a) across all platforms on which KARDS is officially supported (currently PC and mobile devices); and (b) if they are a legal resident of a territory in which KARDS is made available.
Single-Account Rule. A Participant may compete in the KARDS World Championship 2025 from one KARDS account only (unless 1939 Games provides an event account). Qualifying on multiple accounts entitles 1939 Games, in its sole discretion, to designate the eligible account and void additional qualifications.
Prohibited Entrants. Employees, contractors, agents or suppliers of 1939 Games, or any KARDS World Championship 2025 commercial partners or their employees or contractors are not eligible for and may not participate in the KARDS World Championship 2025. This also applies to any persons connected to such persons, including family or household members.
Residency, Availability, and VPNs. Eligibility is limited to legal residents of territories in which KARDS is made available. Use of VPNs or similar tools to mask location or circumvent availability, platform, or legal restrictions may render a Participant ineligible or result in disqualification at 1939 Games’ discretion.
Other Eligibility Criteria. 1939 Games retains sole and absolute discretion regarding who may and who may not participate in the KARDS World Championship 2025. We may designate additional eligibility criteria for Participants to participate in the KARDS World Championship 2025 if we consider it reasonably necessary (e.g. prohibiting residents from certain territories from competing in the KARDS World Championship 2025 due to legal or regulatory requirements).

3 KARDS World Championship 2025 Structure

3.1 Structure

The KARDS World Championship 2025 will consist of multiple stages:

Qualifiers: Players qualify by placing in the top 3 of the KARDS 2024 Expansion Tournaments (Blood & Iron, United Front, Naval Warfare, and Air Supremacy) or by placing in the top 4 of the 2024 KARDS World Championship.
Grand Finals: The 16 qualified players will compete online in the Grand Finals for their share of the 12,000 USD prize pool and the title of KARDS World Champion 2025.

We will collectively refer to all stages of the KARDS World Championship 2025 that are organized and run by 1939 Games as the “KARDS World Championship 2025”.

Championship Communications. Detailed competitive settings (match format, lineup rules, deck submission requirements, tiebreakers, production/broadcast requirements, scheduling, and check-ins) will be delivered to qualified Participants via (i) the email address registered to the Participant’s KARDS account and (ii) official KARDS Esports Discord and/or WeChat groups. Instructions delivered through these channels are binding. A communication is deemed received when sent by 1939 Games. Participants are responsible for monitoring these channels from 60 minutes before their scheduled check-in until officially released by an Administrator. Failure to acknowledge Administrator messages within five (5) minutes during active rounds may result in penalties, including game or match loss.

3.2 Dates

The Grand Finals of the KARDS World Championship 2025 will take place on December 20th and 21st, 2025, subject to change by 1939 Games at its discretion in accordance with Section 10 (Dates, Times and Locations).

3.3 Grand Finals stage

Participant Qualification Criteria. The sixteen (16) qualified players join the Grand Finals of the KARDS World Championship 2025.

Replacement Participants. If for any reason a qualifying Participant cannot attend the Grand Finals (e.g. because a Participant’s invite has been withdrawn by 1939 Games), 1939 Games will invite the next eligible Participant from the same qualification path (per standings). In order to compete in the Grand Finals, players must be willing and able to attend the online tournament. Players must especially be able and willing to join the live broadcast (see also Section 7/webcam requirements). All matches will be played remotely.

Deck Submission and Use. Decklists must be submitted by the deadline specified by Administrators. Queuing with a non-submitted or incorrect deck must be reported immediately to Administrators; if any turn is taken, the game counts and may be ruled a game loss absent Administrator-approved remediation. Decklists are subject to verification at any time. Cards introduced fewer than seven (7) days before the Grand Finals are forbidden unless 1939 Games expressly authorizes them in writing.

Prize Money. Prize money will be awarded to Participants of the Finals Stage as detailed below.

1st place: 6,000 USD
2nd place: 3,000 USD
3rd place: 1,800 USD
4th place: 1,200 USD

Additional important information concerning prize money can be found in section 6 (Prize Money).

Further information on the Grand Finals format will be made available at a later point.

3.4 Remote Format & Participant Responsibilities

Remote Event. The KARDS World Championship 2025 Grand Finals are conducted fully online. 1939 Games does not provide or reimburse travel, accommodation, venue, equipment, or related costs.

Participant Hardware/Network. Participants are solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining suitable hardware, power, and stable broadband internet.

No Liability for Participant Systems. Technical failures of a Participant’s equipment, power, or connectivity are not grounds for a rematch or restart unless expressly determined by an Administrator.

Official Time Zone. All dates and times for matches, check-ins, and communications are stated and interpreted in UTC+0 unless otherwise specified by 1939 Games or Administrators.

4 CONTACT

Participants agree that 1939 Games and its Affiliates, partners and licensors may contact them (via the email address associated with their KARDS account and any other contact information provided by Participants) for the purpose of carrying out the KARDS World Championship 2025 and obligations associated with it (e.g. where 1939 Games invites eligible Participants to attend 1939 Games Tournaments or needs to contact them regarding it). All information will be used and stored in accordance with the 1939 Games Privacy Policy (see further section 10 (Data Protection)). 1939 Games reserves the right to withdraw any invite if it has not heard from a Participant within 72 hours of such invite or any further communication being sent by 1939 Games.

5 FORFEITING

A Participant will be deemed to immediately and automatically forfeit his/her Match (which will result in an automatic loss for that Match, unless decided otherwise by the Administrator) in any KARDS World Championship 2025 stage if he/she:

breaches these Rules or the KARDS User Agreement;
colludes or attempts to collude with any opponents (including intentionally throwing a Match or informing other Participants of an opponent’s strategy); and/or
purposefully disconnects from a Match whether before or after the first card is played.

For the avoidance of doubt, ghosting (including viewing any tournament broadcast, co-stream, or opponent stream while competing) constitutes grounds for immediate match forfeiture and may result in disqualification.

6. PRIZE MONEY

Prize money will be awarded to the KARDS Tournament winners as detailed in the applicable sections above, subject to the winning Participants’ full compliance with these Rules and other applicable rules and requirements.

Payment of applicable prize money will be within sixty (60) days from the completion of the relevant KARDS Tournament.

Prize money will be paid inclusive of any and all charges, duties and taxes (including but not limited to value added tax, sales tax or similar taxes and any applicable withholding tax required to be charged by 1939 Games) and in accordance with any applicable laws and regulations.

1939 Games may withhold taxes or other amounts as required by applicable law. Payment is contingent upon the Participant’s timely delivery of accurate payee, tax, and identity documentation. Banking or payment failures resulting from incomplete or inaccurate information provided by a Participant are the Participant’s responsibility.

Participants must provide 1939 Games on request with any documents and information required for the payment of prize money, which could include (but not be limited to) any documentation required by applicable governments or authorities and/or information from the Participant for anti-money laundering and/or anti-fraud purposes in accordance with applicable legal requirements and regulations 1939 Games is subject to.

Participants will be solely responsible for the payment of any national, federal, state, local or other taxes of any kind in relation to any prize money.

No substitution or exchange of prize money will be permitted and prizes are not assignable, giftable or otherwise transferable to other persons.

If a winning Participant is under 18 years old (or the age of majority in their jurisdiction, if higher), prize money must be accepted and any required documentation executed by their parent or legal guardian, subject to applicable law.

Prize money will be paid directly to the bank account of the relevant Participant (or their respective parent or guardian, if applicable).

The payment of applicable prize money will be subject to compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

7 CONDUCT

7.1 General Conduct

KARDS User Agreement. It is a condition of participation in the KARDS World Championship 2025 that Participants must fully comply at all times with the KARDS User Agreement. This includes (but is not limited to) section 7 (Rules For Using KARDS) in particular, which contains rules on hacking, griefing, cheating, power leveling, account misuse and inappropriate behavior. The remainder of this section 7 (Conduct) contains additional rules that supplement those in the KARDS User Agreement and apply to the KARDS World Championship 2025. All of these rules apply throughout the KARDS World Championship 2025 and regardless of whether or not Participants are actually attending or involved in KARDS World Championship 2025 events at the time.

Behavior. Participants are expected to conduct themselves to the highest standards of integrity and good sportsmanship throughout the KARDS World Championship 2025. This includes:

attending KARDS World Championship 2025 events on time;
treating other Participants, sponsors, staff, fans, leagues, Third Party Tournament organizers and 1939 Games with respect and courtesy;
complying with all policies and rules that may be introduced and notified to Participants from time to time;
not using profanity or obscenities or otherwise acting inappropriately, such as through names/tags, game chat, lobby chat or at any live event or broadcast;
not acting in any way which may be considered violent, threatening, harassing, discriminating, racist, sexist or intimidating (physical or non-physical) towards other Participants, sponsors, staff, fans, leagues, Third Party Tournament organizers and/or 1939 Games; and
not acting or becoming involved in any situation or event which brings (or could bring) himself/herself, other Participants, 1939 Games and/or its Affiliates and/or KARDS into public scandal, disrepute or ridicule or which shocks or offends the community or reflects unfavorably on KARDS and/or 1939 Games.

7.2 Remote Play Environment

All matches for the KARDS World Championship 2025 are played remotely. Participants must compete from a private, quiet, and well-lit location using a reliable internet connection. Participants are solely responsible for their own hardware, network connectivity, and power supply.

During active play, only one monitor may be used for gameplay; any secondary displays must be powered off or demonstrably unused upon request. Upon Administrator request, Participants must perform a brief live webcam scan of the setup (desk, displays, peripherals) and show the OS task switcher/process list to verify compliance. Refusal, failure, or inability to comply may result in game loss, match forfeiture, or disqualification.

7.3 Disconnections, Pauses, and Rematches

Disconnection Policy. If a disconnection occurs after both players have entered the game match screen and each has completed their first turn, the disconnected player receives a game loss. If a disconnection occurs before those conditions are met, the game is replayed with the same decks and starting order. Repeated disconnections may result in game loss, match forfeiture, or disqualification.

Server/Platform Outage Exception. If Administrators determine that a KARDS server, platform service, or official broadcast workflow suffered an outage or material degradation that reasonably impacted competitive integrity, Administrators may authorize a rematch or other equitable remedy at their sole discretion.

Technical Pauses. Each Participant is permitted one (1) technical pause up to five (5) minutes per match, solely for genuine technical issues (hardware failure, client crash, urgent Administrator instruction). Additional time or pauses require express Administrator approval. Misuse (including stalling) is a Conduct violation.

Device-Appropriate Compliance. Where reasonably available on the device, Participants must perform requested checks (e.g., task switcher/process list). On platforms where such views are unavailable, Participants must comply with an alternative reasonable verification requested by Administrators.

Administrator Authority. Administrators may deny or terminate a pause, order play to resume, or issue a game loss if they determine a Participant is abusing pauses or failing to resolve an issue with reasonable diligence.

7.4 Notes, Decklists and Assistance

Participants may refer to their own prewritten offline notes and their submitted decklists during a match. No real-time external input, coaching, scouting, or assistance of any kind is permitted. Third-party tools, including but not limited to, deck trackers, probability calculators, or real-time analytics, are prohibited unless expressly approved in advance by 1939 Games.

7.5 Cheating and Competitive Integrity

Cheating of any kind is strictly prohibited. For the purposes of these Rules, “Cheating” includes, without limitation:

collusion, match-fixing or coordinating outcomes with another Participant;
intentionally conceding or throwing a match for competitive gain;
receiving or providing real-time assistance, coaching, scouting or analysis during a match;
using unauthorized software, scripts, macros, trackers, automation or external analytical tools;
ghosting or observing an opponent’s gameplay or tournament broadcast while competing;
exploiting bugs, glitches, unintended interactions or game errors for advantage;
manipulating connectivity, intentionally disconnecting, or attempting to obtain a rematch through disruption;
account sharing or competing on an account that is not the Participant’s own (unless provided by 1939 Games).

Any attempt to cheat, whether or not successful, will be treated as Cheating. Cheating may result in immediate match forfeiture, disqualification, prize forfeiture, permanent tournament ineligibility, and any other sanctions deemed appropriate by 1939 Games in its sole discretion.

7.6 Software, Hardware and Devices

Participants must compete using their own hardware meeting minimum technical standards. Personal mobile phones, smartwatches or comparable devices must be silenced and placed out of reach during active matches unless expressly approved for official communication. The gameplay device may only be used to access the KARDS client and Administrator-approved tools. Macro functions, scripting, automation, hardware exploitation or similar unfair advantages are strictly prohibited.

7.7 Webcam and Audio Requirements

Participants must have a functioning webcam (minimum 720p) and microphone. When requested by an Administrator, the webcam must clearly display the Participant’s face. Administrators may request a temporary compliance check (including screen-share or environment visibility) where reasonably necessary to preserve competitive integrity.

Participants must ensure adequate lighting such that their face is clearly visible when requested. Headphones are required during active rounds. Refusal, delay, or inability to comply may result in immediate penalties.

7.8 Background and Attire

Participants are responsible for ensuring that no unlicensed, restricted, or otherwise inappropriate materials are visible within their webcam frame. Reflective surfaces that may unintentionally reveal confidential information should be removed or covered. Virtual backgrounds/green screens require pre-approval and must not interfere with compliance checks.

Participants must be appropriately clothed and may not display or promote Restricted Sponsorships or offensive content in their attire.

7.9 Communications During the Tournament

The official communication channels for the KARDS World Championship 2025 are: (i) the designated KARDS Esports Discord or WeChat groups, and (ii) the email address linked to the Participant’s KARDS account. Participants must remain reachable on at least one of these channels from sixty (60) minutes prior to their scheduled check-in time until officially released by an Administrator.

During active rounds, Participants must acknowledge Administrator messages within five (5) minutes. Failure to respond within this timeframe may result in penalties up to and including match forfeiture.

Use of unauthorized communication channels (including private chats, DMs or VOIP groups) for competitive purposes during a match is prohibited.

7.10 Streaming and Broadcast Restrictions

No Live Streaming or Public Relay During Competition. Participants must not live stream, co-stream, restream, or record and publicly relay tournament gameplay during active matches or while on broadcast call. Viewing any tournament broadcast or companion content while an active competitor is prohibited.

Post-Event Content Permitted with Restrictions. After completing their competition day, Participants may create post-event content subject to Section 8 and any embargoes or timing restrictions communicated by 1939 Games.

No Disclosure of Admin Materials. Participants must not publish or distribute Administrator communications, private rulings, match lobbies, production run-of-show, internal chats, or confidential schedules without prior written consent.

7.11 Violations and Enforcement

Failure to comply with any rule in this Section 7 may result in warnings, game loss, match forfeiture, disqualification, revocation of eligibility, prize forfeiture, suspension from future events, or any other sanction deemed appropriate by 1939 Games. 1939 Games will determine the appropriate sanction at its sole discretion and may consider intent, severity, impact and recurrence when assessing penalties.

8 MEDIA RIGHTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Participant Materials. A Participant will remain the owner of his/her own name, tag, nickname, initials, likeness, image, picture, photography, animation, persona, autograph/signature, voice, statistics, biographical information and/or any and all other personal indicia, identifying characteristics or information, together with all Intellectual Property Rights (defined below) in the same (“Participant Materials”), subject to the licenses granted to 1939 Games and its Affiliates in these Rules.

Tournament Materials & Confidentiality. Notwithstanding the above, tournament administrative communications, internal schedules, production documents, non-public rulings, and confidential information of 1939 Games are not “Participant Materials” and may not be disclosed without prior written consent, except as required by law.

Licenses. Each Participant grants to 1939 Games and its Affiliates a non-exclusive, worldwide, transferable, sub-licensable, perpetual, irrevocable and royalty-free license and right to copy, edit, promote, advertise, market, display, sponsor, host, store, broadcast or otherwise use his/her Participant Materials in connection with KARDS, the KARDS World Championship 2025 and 1939 Games which will include (but not be limited to) the right for 1939 Games and its Affiliates to display his/her Participant Materials: (a) on websites, social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) and editorial content relating to KARDS, the KARDS World Championship 2025 and 1939 Games; (b) in connection with the webcast, streaming, telecast, broadcast and other distribution of the KARDS World Championship 2025; and (c) otherwise in connection with the marketing, advertising, sponsorship, promotion and other exploitation of KARDS, the KARDS World Championship 2025 and 1939 Games (“Promotional Activities”). 1939 Games and its Affiliates may use Participant Materials in the Promotional Activities at their discretion without requiring a Participant’s prior approval and without any form of payment or remuneration to Participants. Each Participant hereby waives and releases any and all claims against 1939 Games and its Affiliates in respect of any moral, personal and publicity rights (including, so far as is possible, any equivalent or similar rights in any territory of the world) in the Promotional Activities and any other use of the Participant Materials by 1939 Games and/or its Affiliates.

1939 Games Ownership. 1939 Games will be the sole and exclusive owner of: (a) KARDS; (b) the KARDS World Championship 2025; (c) any materials produced in relation to the Promotional Activities; (d) any ideas, suggestions, proposals, improvements, enhancement or feedback of any kind that Participants provide to 1939 Games in relation to KARDS, the KARDS World Championship 2025 and/or 1939 Games; (e) data and statistics relating to the KARDS World Championship 2025, including all feeds and data streams of such data and statistics; (f) these Rules; (g) all 1939 Games materials accompanying all the same; and (h) any updates or modifications to the same, in each case with all Intellectual Property Rights in them.

In the Rules: "Intellectual Property Rights" means any and all copyright, trade marks, service marks, trade dress, brand names, logos, goodwill, get up, trade, business or domain names, design rights, database rights, patents, rights in inventions, know-how, trade secrets and confidential information, rights in databases, rights in computer software, moral rights, publicity rights, performance rights, synchronization rights, mechanical rights, publishing, rental, lending and transmission rights and other intellectual property and exploitation rights of a similar or corresponding character which may now or in the future subsist in any part of the world, in all cases whether or not registered or registrable including all granted applications and all applications for registration, division, continuation, reissuance, renewals, extensions, restorations and reversions regarding any of the same.

9 COMPLIANCE, DECISIONS AND SANCTIONS

Compliance Monitoring. 1939 Games reserves the right at its discretion to monitor Participants’ compliance with these Rules and the KARDS User Agreement and Participants agree to promptly provide evidence of their compliance with the same upon request by 1939 Games.

Investigations. 1939 Games may at its discretion carry out investigations into any actual or suspected breach of these Rules and Participants (and if applicable their parent or guardian) agree to promptly provide all required assistance to 1939 Games in relation to the same. Failure by Participants and/or their parent or guardian to cooperate with any such investigation is itself a breach of these Rules.

Sanctions. 1939 Games and its Affiliates may at its discretion impose sanctions for any breaches (whether actual, attempted, directly, indirectly, intentionally or otherwise) of these Rules and the KARDS User Agreement. Sanctions available include (but are not limited to):

issuing formal or informal warning notices to Participants (in private or public);
withdrawing Participant invites to any KARDS World Championship 2025 events;
temporarily or permanently suspending or disqualifying Participants from the KARDS World Championship 2025 (in whole or in part, including from any Third Party Tournaments);
revoking previously awarded prizes or titles (in whole or in part);
terminating Participants’ KARDS accounts;
requiring Participants to change their in-game names/tags;
banning Participants from participating in future KARDS and/or 1939 Games tournaments and events.

Decisions. Any decisions made and sanctions imposed by 1939 Games and its Affiliates in connection with the KARDS World Championship 2025 are final and binding with no right of appeal. This includes (without limitation) 1939 Games’ determination on matters in relation to forfeiting (see section 5 (Forfeiting)) and Participant conduct (see section 7 (Conduct)). 1939 Games will make reasonable efforts to provide written reasons for its decisions and sanctions and to give reasonable notice of the same (subject to the requirements of operating the KARDS World Championship 2025 efficiently).

10 GENERAL

Assumption of Risk. Participants understand and agree that there are risks involved with professional esports, including but not limited to eye damage, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive stress injuries and other damage associated with extended periods of computer-based work. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Participants hereby expressly assume all risk of injury or damage to their person or property while voluntarily choosing to be involved in the KARDS World Championship 2025.

Compliance With Laws. Participants must comply with all applicable laws and regulations applicable to their participation in the KARDS World Championship 2025. Please remember that we are subject to various laws and we may be required to comply with law enforcement and/or other legal requirements.

Data Protection. Any personal data collected from Participants in connection with their participation in the KARDS World Championship 2025 by 1939 Games, its Affiliates or by a third party on behalf of 1939 Games, will be subject to our 1939 Games Privacy Policy. Participants hereby authorize 1939 Games to share data with its Affiliates and partners for the purpose of running the KARDS World Championship 2025 and for other purposes described in the 1939 Games Privacy Policy. Any personal data collected from Participants by third parties (including Third Party Tournament organizers) for their own separate purposes will be governed by the privacy policies of the relevant third parties.

Confidential Information. Participants must keep any Confidential Information (defined below) of 1939 Games and its Affiliates confidential and secure and must not disclose or communicate it to any third party, except their professional representatives or advisors or as required by law. For the purpose of these Rules, “Confidential Information” means any information or materials disclosed by 1939 Games and/or its Affiliates which: (a) would be regarded as confidential by a reasonable business person; (b) is identified as "Confidential"; or (c) is generally not publicly available.

Language. These Rules are prepared in the English language. If any non-English translations of these Rules are prepared, in the event of any discrepancy or conflict between the English and non-English versions, the English version will prevail. All matches during the KARDS World Championship 2025 will be held using the English version of KARDS.

No Employment Relationship. These Rules do not create any exclusive relationship between Participants and 1939 Games nor any partnership, joint venture, employment or agency.

Assignment. 1939 Games can assign, subcontract or transfer these Rules to a third party or another member of its group if necessary for the support of KARDS or the KARDS World Championship 2025, including as part of any reorganization or merger or for other business reasons.

Waiver. No failure or delay by 1939 Games to exercise any right or remedy provided under these Rules or by law will constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor will it preclude or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy. No single or partial exercise of such right or remedy by 1939 Games will preclude or restrict the further exercise of that or any other right or remedy.

Severability. If any court or competent authority finds that any provision of these Rules (or part of any provision) is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision or part-provision will, to the extent required, be deemed to be deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the other provisions of these Rules will not be affected.

Entire Agreement. These Rules, together with any other documents referred to in them and any other documentation required by 1939 Games in relation to the KARDS World Championship 2025, constitute the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings between the parties relating to that subject matter. Each party acknowledges that, in entering into these Rules, it has not relied on, and will have no right or remedy in respect of, any statement, representation, assurance or warranty (whether made negligently or innocently) other than as expressly set out in these Rules.

Dates, Times and Locations. All dates, times and locations stated throughout these Rules are provisional and subject to change at 1939 Games’ discretion.

Interpretation. Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation. References to “including” mean “including without limitation.” Any discretion granted to 1939 Games is sole and reasonable discretion unless stated otherwise. In the event of ambiguity, the interpretation that best preserves competitive integrity and event operations as determined by 1939 Games will prevail.

Force Majeure. 1939 Games is not liable for delay, rescheduling, modification, or cancellation arising from events beyond its reasonable control, including outages, DDoS or cyber incidents, platform failures, acts of God, governmental action, labor disputes, or widespread utility failures. 1939 Games may alter formats, schedules, or rulings to preserve competitive integrity.

Updates During Event. 1939 Games may issue binding event bulletins to clarify or supplement these Rules during the event. Bulletins will be delivered via the official channels in Section 3.1 and are effective upon sending.

Monitoring and Recording. For competitive integrity, broadcast, and administrative purposes, 1939 Games may record, monitor, and store match data, audio/video from official calls, and compliance checks conducted under Section 7. Such recordings may be used to investigate alleged rule breaches and to support decisions and enforcement actions.

11 LEGAL

PARTICIPANTS ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE INVOLVED IN THE KARDS World Championship 2025 AS A PROFESSIONAL ESPORTS PROGRAM AND ACCORDINGLY THEY ARE ACTING IN THE COURSE OF A BUSINESS AND NOT AS CONSUMERS. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1939 Games, its Affiliates, partners and licensors disclaim any implied or express warranties or representations regarding KARDS and/or the KARDS World Championship 2025. This includes without limitation any allegations of: (i) negligence; (ii) lack of satisfactory quality, merchantability or fitness for purpose; (iii) the existence of any faults or errors; and/or (iv) infringement of any third party intellectual property rights. KARDS and the KARDS World Championship 2025 are provided on an "AS IS", “AS AVAILABLE” basis without warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, 1939 Games disclaims all warranties, express or implied, which might apply to KARDS and/or the KARDS World Championship 2025, including without limitation: implied warranties of title, non-infringement, merchantability, satisfactory quality, fitness for a particular purpose, any warranties that may arise from course of dealing or course of performance or usage of trade, freedom from viruses or errors or defects, and/or any warranties as to the accuracy, legality, reliability or quality of any content or information contained within KARDS and/or the KARDS World Championship 2025. 1939 Games does not warrant that KARDS and/or the KARDS World Championship 2025 will be uninterrupted or error-free, that defects will be corrected, or that KARDS will be free of viruses or other harmful components.

In no event will 1939 Games, its Affiliates, partners and licensors be liable to Participants for any loss, damage or harm of any kind arising from:

any corrupted, distorted, inaccurate, incomplete, damaged, late or lost data, communications or transmissions;
hardware, software, internet, network, electronic or other computer-related malfunctions or failures; and/or
any printing or typographical errors in documents or materials for the KARDS World Championship 2025 or KARDS.

In no event will 1939 Games, its Affiliates, partners and licensors be liable to Participants for any loss of earnings, profits, charges or expenses, loss of data or any corruption or loss of information, loss of business opportunity, reputational loss or harm, or any special, exemplary, indirect, consequential or punitive loss or damage or disruption of any kind, in any case, whether based on breach of contract, tort (including negligence or breach of statutory duty), misrepresentation, restitution or otherwise, whether or not the relevant party has been advised of the possibility of such damage. To the extent required by applicable law, this exclusion does not apply in the case of personal injury, death or fraud.

THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF 1939 GAMES AND ITS AFFILIATES, PARTNERS AND LICENSORS WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE AND WHETHER IN CONNECTION WITH THE KARDS World Championship 2025, THESE RULES AND/OR ANY COLLATERAL CONTRACT WILL IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF $6,000 (SIX THOUSAND USD).

PARTICIPANTS AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ON DEMAND 1939 GAMES, ITS AFFILIATES, LICENSORS AND PARTNERS (AND KEEP THEM INDEMNIFIED AND HELD HARMLESS) FROM ALL LIABILITIES, CLAIMS AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING LEGAL FEES, IN CONNECTION WITH: (1) ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED BREACH OF THESE RULES; AND (2) ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED UNAUTHORIZED USE BY PARTICIPANTS OF 1939 GAMES’ INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. IF CLAIMS ARE BROUGHT AGAINST 1939 GAMES, ITS AFFILIATES, LICENSORS AND/OR PARTNERS, PARTICIPANTS AGREE TO FULLY COMPLY WITH 1939 Games AND 1939 Games RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE OVER THEIR DEFENSE. PARTICIPANTS WILL NOT SETTLE ANY SUCH CLAIMS WITHOUT 1939 GAMES’ PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT.

Participants agree that any loss, damage or harm they suffer are not irreparable or sufficient, and other remedies will be adequate, such that Participants are not entitled to injunctive or other equitable relief against 1939 Games, its Affiliates, partners and licensors.

12 GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTES

If Participants are resident in the European Union and elsewhere in the world (but not the USA):

The KARDS World Championship 2025, these Rules and any dispute or claim in connection with them will be governed by the laws of Iceland and under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Iceland. Each party waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection to such choice of exclusive governing law and jurisdiction and any claim that any such action or proceedings brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. In any legal claim under these Rules, the side which wins will be entitled to its legal fees and expenses.

If Participants are resident in the USA:

1939 Games and Participants agree to resolve all disputes and claims between them in individual binding arbitration. This includes without limitation any claims arising from these Rules, any part of the relationship between Participants and 1939 Games, Participants’ use of KARDS or participation in the KARDS World Championship 2025. This section applies whether the dispute or claim is based in contract, tort, statute, fraud, unfair competition, misrepresentation or any other legal doctrine.

Some explanatory notes from us: "arbitration" is a consensual dispute resolution process where both sides present their case to a neutral arbitrator (not a judge or jury). Arbitration is less formal than court litigation and it has less formal rules (which we talk about below). To be clear: by choosing arbitration, Participants are giving up the right to have any dispute between us heard in court before a judge and/or jury. Participants and 1939 Games agree that any claim arising out of or related to these Rules must be made within one (1) year after the claim arose; otherwise, such claim is permanently barred.

How to start an arbitration:

If either 1939 Games or a Participant wants to commence arbitration, then they have to send the other side a written notice setting out the basis of the claim and what remedy the commencing side wants from the other side. A printed version of these Rules and of any notice given in electronic form will be admissible to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as other business documents and records originally generated and maintained in printed form. If a Participant sends a notice to us, please send copies by mail (to our address at the top of these Rules) and by email (support@1939games.com). Participants and 1939 Games may bring an arbitration at any reasonable AAA (defined below) location within the United States that is convenient for them.

The rules for the arbitration:

The US Federal Arbitration Act applies to this section. The arbitration will be governed by the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The arbitrator will be bound by these Rules.

The arbitration will be conducted by a single arbitrator with substantial experience in resolving intellectual property and commercial contract disputes, who will be selected from the appropriate list of AAA arbitrators. The determination of whether a dispute is subject to arbitration will be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act and determined by an arbitrator rather than a court. The AAA will administer the arbitration and it will be conducted in the English language. It may be conducted through the submission of documents, by phone, or in person at a mutually agreed location. The arbitration hearing must commence within 30 days from the appointment of the arbitrator, unless otherwise agreed to by Participants and 1939 Games. The AAA will only have power to arbitrate the dispute between Participants and 1939 Games and not in relation to other people under this particular arbitration. Judgment upon an award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction or application may be made to such court for judicial acceptance of any award and an order of enforcement, as the case may be.

What the dispute resolution and arbitration sections do not apply to:

The dispute resolution and arbitration requirements do not apply to claims or disputes brought by either Participants or 1939 Games which relate to claims of intellectual property rights infringement, confidential information misuse or claims of unauthorized use, piracy, theft or misappropriation.

Waiver of collective action remedies:

To the maximum extent permitted by the national or state law applicable, Participants and 1939 Games agree not under any circumstances to bring or participate in a class or representative action, private attorney general action or collective arbitration. That means, to the full extent permitted by law: (1) no arbitration will be joined with any other; (2) there is no right or authority for any dispute to be arbitrated on a class-action basis or to utilize class action procedures; and (3) there is no right or authority for any dispute to be brought in a purported representative capacity on behalf of the general public or any other persons.

If the agreement in this section not to bring or participate in a class or representative action, private attorney general action or collective arbitration is found illegal or unenforceable, Participants and 1939 Games agree that it will not be severable: this entire section will be deemed unenforceable and any claim or dispute will therefore be resolved in court.

To the extent not covered by the dispute resolution and binding arbitration language above, Participants and 1939 Games agree that the KARDS World Championship 2025, these Rules and any issues arising out of them, will be deemed to be entered into in Los Angeles, California and governed by and interpreted according to the laws of the State of California, USA (and, if applicable, US Federal law) without regard to choice of law principles. Any legal claim by Participants against 1939 Games, to the extent not covered by the dispute resolution and arbitration language above, will be made exclusively in state or federal court located in Los Angeles, California, which will have subject matter jurisdiction regarding the dispute between Participants and 1939 Games and therefore we both consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts. Moreover, Participants waive any rights to argue that the state and federal courts in Los Angeles, California are an improper venue. In any legal claim under these Rules, the side who wins will be entitled to its legal fees and expenses.

13 CHANGES

1939 Games reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to update, patch or improve KARDS and/or the KARDS World Championship 2025 at any time in order to (without limitation) fix exploits and bugs as well as add features or rebalance KARDS.

14 CHANGES TO THE RULES

1939 Games reserves the right to edit, change, delete or add to these Rules in its sole and absolute discretion at any time and will use reasonable efforts to inform Participants when it does so. If Participants do not agree to those changes (regardless of whether they contact us), then Participants must not participate in the KARDS World Championship 2025.

15 QUESTIONS

For any questions or comments about these Rules, please contact support@1939games.com.

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