The following rules govern the Death Games and apply to every Bracket, tribute, and participant. Once selected, all tributes are legally bound to participate. If a rule is broken. The chip planted inside the tribute will be activated by the rulekeepers. It will explode their head.
There are twelve Brackets. Each Bracket provides exactly two tributes, creating a total of twenty-four competitors. Selection methods may differ depending on the requirements of each Bracket. Once officially selected, a tribute cannot withdraw, refuse participation, or be replaced except by order of the Games Authority.
The objective is survival. The Games continue until only one tribute remains alive. That individual is declared the sole Victor of that year's Death Games. Which will never be enrolled ever again.
All twenty-four tributes will compete on a designated island located in the Pacific Ocean south of California. The entire island and its surrounding restricted waters constitute the Arena.
Tributes may travel anywhere within the designated Arena boundaries.
Every tribute begins on an assigned starting platform. Tributes must remain on their platform until the official countdown reaches zero.
Leaving a platform early results in immediate elimination.
Once the countdown reaches zero, all tributes are free to move.
Tributes are permitted to attack and kill other tributes at any point after the Games officially begin. There are no designated safe periods or permanent safe zones unless announced by the Games Authority.
Alliances are permitted. There is no limit on alliance size. Alliances receive no special protection and may be dissolved or betrayed at any time.
Weapons, food, medicine, water, tools, clothing, and other supplies will be distributed throughout the Arena.
Tributes may take, steal, hide, destroy, abandon, or share supplies they discover.
Tributes may also construct their own tools, shelters, traps, and weapons from materials found naturally within the Arena.