Everything you need for championship evening
The Infinite Games Debate Championship is a structured debate tournament for the Prospera and Infinita community. Three preliminary rounds, semifinals, and a championship final, all in one evening. Each debate is a structured back-and-forth: two sides take turns presenting arguments, questioning each other, and making their case to a panel of judges. No experience required.
Three Venues
Duna Coworking and the Makerspace for preliminary rounds. The Dome for semifinals, finals, and the afterparty. All within a short walk. Buffer time is built into the schedule. Check your dashboard for your assigned room each round.
The Live Tournament Page Is Your Guide
Pairings, room assignments, topics, and live scores are all on the live tournament page. Check it before each round for your opponent, topic, side, and room number.
When pairings go live, open the dashboard and find your name. You'll see your opponent, topic, which side you're on (Affirmative or Negative), and your room assignment (Duna, Makerspace, or Dome). After each round, scores and standings update there too.
How Teams Advance
Prelims (Rounds 1-3): Everyone debates three times. After Round 1, teams with similar records face each other. You're never eliminated in prelims; even a loss doesn't knock you out.
Semifinals: Top teams advance based on win-loss record. Ties broken by speaker points (your cumulative judge scores across all rounds).
Finals: Single elimination. Win your semifinal and you're in the championship final at the Dome.
SuperDebate Platform
All debaters and judges used a free SuperDebate account for pairings, scores, and results. Join a club for future events →
Questions on event day? Find any organizer at the registration desk or message us in the Infinita City event chat.
Friday, February 20 · 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Semifinals and finals include food, drinks, and music at the Dome. Times are approximate. Rounds start when the previous round finishes.
Before Championship Day
Free 90-minute prep workshops on Wed Feb 18 and Thu Feb 19. See full schedule →
What to expect when you step up
Pairings & Topics
Posted on the live tournament page before each round. Check for your opponent, topic, side assignment, and room number.
Topic Prep: Start Immediately
Once pairings are announced, you'll have time to prepare your case before the debate begins. Start the moment you see your topic; it goes fast. You can use the internet, your own notes, or any digital resources during prep. Evidence alone won't win: judges also weigh clarity, persuasion, and how well you respond to your opponent.
The Debate: Speech by Speech
Each side gets 5 minutes of prep time total during the debate. To use it, just tell your judge “we'd like to take prep time.” The judge tracks your remaining prep time and will let you know when it's up. This is separate from the 10-minute topic prep before the debate starts.
Affirmative argues FOR the topic. Negative argues AGAINST. For example, if the topic is “Developed nations should adopt Bitcoin as legal tender,” Affirmative argues yes, Negative argues no. In cross-examination, you ask your opponent questions. Rebuttals are where you respond to what they said. Your closing is your last word: sum up why you won.
Solo or 2-Person Team
Compete individually or as a duo. Teams are assigned the same side and share speaking time. In a duo, you decide how to split speeches. Typically one person handles constructive and the other handles rebuttal, but any arrangement works. Both partners can participate in cross-examination.
How You're Scored
Judges rate you on four criteria: Clarity & Structure, Evidence & Reasoning, Responsiveness, and Persuasion & Strategy (7–10 scale each). Strong evidence helps, but the best debaters combine research with clear delivery and sharp rebuttals.
Score debates with confidence, no experience required
How Judging Works
Judges must create a free account on the SuperDebate platform before the event. Each debate has up to 3 judges scoring independently. You'll be assigned rounds on the live tournament page and score each side on four criteria using a 7–10 scale. No prior debate experience needed. Follow the paradigm guide below.
Check the live tournament page before each round for your assigned room (Duna, Makerspace, or Dome) and the debaters you're scoring.
You are the timekeeper. Use your phone timer to track each speech. When a speaker's time is up, let them know. If a team calls prep time, start a timer for them and announce when their 5 minutes are used. Keep the debate moving; the next round can't start until yours finishes.
This championship uses the four criteria below (not the general scoring system).
Scoring Categories · 7–10 Scale
Most scores fall between 7.5 and 8.5. Reserve 9.5+ for genuinely extraordinary performances.
Clarity and Structure
Logical organization, signposting, and delivery. Were arguments easy to follow and well framed?
Evidence and Reasoning
Strength and credibility of support. Did the team rely on sound reasoning and relevant evidence?
Responsiveness
Engagement with opposing arguments. Did the team adapt and refute effectively under pressure?
Persuasion and Strategy
Overall convincingness and strategic coherence. Did the team use its time and approach effectively to persuade?
How the winner is decided: Each judge scores both teams on four criteria. All judges' totals are averaged, and the team with the highest average score wins the round.
Capturing the championship for the community
Dome: Primary Recording
Semifinals and finals at the Dome will be the primary recording focus. Highlights may be used to showcase the event and grow the debate community.
Prelims: Brief Coverage
Preliminary rounds at Duna may also be briefly recorded for event highlights and promotional purposes.
By participating, you acknowledge that the event may be partially recorded. Recordings help showcase the community and inspire future participants.
$850 in $LIVES tokens, allocated by Infinita
$500
in $LIVES tokens
$200
in $LIVES tokens
Best Evidence
$50
Best Persuasiveness
$50
Best Responsiveness
$50
Category awards are determined by the highest cumulative score in each criterion across all rounds. Winners announced at the awards ceremony.
All prizes in $LIVES tokens, distributed within 48 hours of the awards ceremony
Discover more events, resources, and ways to get involved with SuperDebate
