Rules of Engagement
The Official Rulebook
The Ultimate Battle of Wits begins with the first word…
“The signs of disrespect are all around us. We are living in a smash-mouth culture in which extremists dominate public debate to the point of hijacking it.”
— Amy Gutmann, then president of the University of Pennsylvania
The game
Contestants compete in a chat room arena, using offensive and defensive strategies in a verbal confrontation. The object: use better verbal skills than your opponent in a boxing-type debate, scoring points for moves that are exclusive to the game. The match is three 3-minute rounds, with tiebreakers as needed.
Submit your Asa (your fight name and game profile). Season dates, schedules and alignments go out once sign-ups are complete. Develop your strategy (yes, you’ll need one) and you may win world-wide acclaim as the Asa Master and display the Asa Torch for all to see.
Game procedures
- The higher-seeded contestant picks the topic from a list of 10 pre-determined categories. The category is revealed only when the match begins.
- Once declared, the “Asa” bell sounds and the first contestant to respond gets one (1) point. The Asa bell opens every round.
- Contestants accumulate points for the moves they use, as called by three game judges under the gaming rules. Judges score each round like boxing, from the number of Asa moves compiled.
- Both scores are tallied and recorded, and a fan poll is taken at the end of each round.
- There is a one-minute intermission between rounds. After round 3, up to four minutes go to the judges’ review and declaring a winner: 9 minutes of rounds, 6 minutes between, and 5 minutes of recap and final “says,” for up to 20 minutes in all.
- The winner is the contestant with the most points from individual Asa moves.
- Judges’ scores decide the winner only if the final Asa score is tied. Judges score 2/3 substance, 1/3 style, granting the round winner the top score of 20.
- If the judges’ cards also tie, fan favoritism decides: the contestant with the most fan-poll votes across the rounds wins.
- If it is still tied after every tiebreaker, the match is an “Asa-Draw” and both contestants record a draw.
Moves and points
The Asa Clock ladder
Like a shot clock, the Asa Clock requires a reply within 10 seconds of your opponent’s last message. Miss it and you lose one point and take a strike. Three strikes is an AsaDown. Twenty seconds of silence is an AsaOut. The clock deduction is separate from any points your opponent scores with moves.
Fan support
Fans pick a corner when they enter the arena, and each fighter’s Fan Support Box shows their attendance live. When a round is decided by three points or fewer, the fighter with the bigger crowd earns one (1) Fan Support point. Bring your people.
Increased scoring per round
Round 1 scores the listed points. Round 2 adds one (1) point to every move, and round 3 adds two (2). Missteps can be overcome. Strategize accordingly.
Judging
Judges rate style, quality and application: 2/3 substance (analysis, reasoning, logic, illustration) and 1/3 style (“body language,” grammar, vocabulary and voice). Judges see when a contestant is typing, to compare typing time with what is finally sent, and they give special consideration for proper use of Asa terminology.
Arguments
4 Superior: eloquent, complex, elaborated, supported with evidence and examples.
3 Proficient: complex, elaborated, supported.
2 Essential: supported with evidence and examples.
1 Unsatisfactory: lacked evidence and support.
Rebuttal
4 Superior: addressed each of the opponent’s arguments with counter-evidence.
3 Proficient: addressed most.
2 Essential: addressed some.
1 Unsatisfactory: addressed none.
Sample round
#1 seed vs. #16 seed. #1 picks Sports. The head judge calls “Asa!” and the clock starts.
| Who | Says | Call |
|---|---|---|
| #16 | “Why is the salary cap important in pro sports?” | Wins the Asa bell: +1 |
| #1 | “To maintain control.” | Typed a while for a weak answer. No points. |
| #16 | “Maintain control of what?” | AsaEnstein off #1’s stall (+4) and an AsaBack (+1) |
| #1 | “Both the players and escalating costs for entertainment.” | AsaSlam: +3. #16 leads 6–3. |
| #1 | “You believe there should be no cap?” | |
| #16 | “(after typing a while) Not at all.” | AsaEnstein to #1: +4. #1 leads 7–6. |
| #1 | “There should be no cap at all?” | AsaSlam: +3. #1 leads 10–6. |
| #16 | “There should be a cap!” | AsaRile: +2 to #1. 12–6. |
| #1 | “You’re contradicting y’self!” | |
| #1 | “You said not at all.” | |
| #1 | “Now you say there should.” | |
| #1 | “Make up your mind.” | AsaAttack (+6) plus one extra AsaJab (+2) = 8 |
Ding ding! End of round 1: #1 leads 20–6 in points and 20–19 on the judges’ cards.
The category pick can backfire on the higher seed if the opponent makes it look like they don’t know “their” category. A dummy answer can set up a later strike and impress the judges, or it can backfire. Making an opponent re-type their response is fair game too.
Seasons
A season is 30 games. Every contestant is placed in a division and conference, with most games inside the division and the occasional crossover. After the season, players are selected and seeded into a bracketed post-season to crown the Asa Master.
Selection of topics
There are 10 categories, and the higher seed chooses. That is the higher seed’s advantage, and it forces the opponent to build a real game plan. Transcripts of previous matches act as scouting reports. Preparation is the key.
Conduct
Profanity is frowned upon. It can be contextual, but judges monitor it closely and act on the level of use. Verbal abuse of any kind is strictly prohibited, with zero tolerance. Discriminatory comments mean a ban from the league. Non-contextual profanity is a foul, and three fouls is a disqualification. Appeals go to the committee, whose rulings are final.
No pornographic material. Sexually oriented text, imagery or links will not be tolerated.
asaVasa is a journey of higher ascension. Honor the game, the contestants, the community, and all who enter our hallowed virtual grounds. This is a game of honor. Please show yours.