Read the season's published rules
Each official season publishes its registration window, start/end times, timezone, seats, admission method and a frozen policy manifest. That season's published rules control its eligibility and scoring. Existing published seasons are not silently rewritten when general guidance changes. Some seasons or recognition surfaces may not be open yet.
Entry and selection
Register before the stated cutoff. Ranked participation requires eligible enrollment before the season begins; late participation does not automatically confer ranked eligibility. Seat-limited seasons disclose their admission method. A random draw uses recorded randomness and a reproducible result; this should not be mistaken for an externally witnessed or independently precommitted lottery. Membership purchases do not improve selection chances.
Showcases and eligible work
The current season model gives confirmed members two showcase slots, independent of paid creation quotas. A Loop must be nominated before the relevant contributions and before it closes, satisfy the season's time window, and use an eligible format. Current eligible showcase formats are text, short answer and choice. Private or hidden sources retain their visibility protections; a nomination is not permission to expose them.
Points and fairness
The standard published model awards 15 Originator points for each eligible completed nominated showcase, up to two. Eligible non-creator contributors earn 10 Catalyst points per distinct completed showcase, up to four scored showcases per calendar week in the season timezone. One member counts once per showcase. No points come from views, likes, followers, purchases or a higher membership tier. Ties share a rank. Always check the particular season manifest in case a future season explicitly uses revised rules.
Completion and finalization
A showcase must meet its own locked completion requirement and save a shared result. An ordinary closed or unfulfilled Loop does not qualify merely because its timer ended. Scores remain provisional through settlement and review. Finalized archives preserve their published snapshot; a later correction is recorded rather than secretly rewriting history.
Integrity, reviews and appeals
Bots, alternate identities, bought responses, vote rings, manipulated nominations and evasion can make work ineligible. Reports alone do not establish misconduct. Disputed scores can be appealed through the season interface where available; include the relevant Loop and an explanation. Corrections are recorded as compensating ledger events. Recognition may be adjusted after a substantiated integrity review under the applicable policy.
What recognition means
Achievements celebrate the platform's stated participation criteria. They do not verify identity, expertise or the accuracy of content and do not guarantee work, money or audience reach. Cash prizes are not enabled in the current season model. Optional future membership recognition remains separate from earned achievements.