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Navigating the map

After you have joined an event, open it from Events or My Events and click Access to open the world map. The map is the main play view for the competition.

Quick map guide​

  • Click a country, region, or marker to open the challenge panel.
  • Use the panel to read the task, inspect files/links, reveal hints, check points/category, and use the submission area for the challenge type.
  • Challenges can be available, completed, locked, hidden, under review, time-limited, or launchable depending on organiser settings.
  • If a challenge is missing, check prerequisites, timebomb windows, choice groups, hidden state, and event timing.
  • The map is for playing challenges, not for registering, changing teams, or editing event setup.

How the map works​

  • Each country or region on the map represents one or more challenges.
  • Click a country or challenge marker to open the challenge panel.
  • In the panel you see the title, description, points, category, any files or links, available hints, and the answer input for that challenge type.
  • Completed challenges are marked so your team can see what has already been solved.
  • Some events include a sidebar or footer scoreboard view while the event is live.

What to check in a challenge panel​

Before submitting, read the whole panel:

  • Description/readme - The task, target, rules, or objective.
  • Points - How much the challenge is worth before penalties, hint costs, dynamic scoring, or bonuses.
  • Category - The topic or grouping chosen by the organiser.
  • Files and links - Downloads, external targets, or references needed to solve the challenge.
  • Hints - Optional help. Hints can cost points if the organiser configured a hint cost.
  • Submission area - The input changes by challenge type: flag string, multiple choice option, text response, file upload, conquest state, or launch controls.
  • Timebomb timer - For time-limited challenges, watch the timer and availability window.

Submitting from the map affects your team score. Wrong attempts, hint purchases, first-strike bonuses, and manual score adjustments depend on organiser settings.

What different challenge types look like on the map​

You may see different submission flows depending on the challenge:

  • Flag - A text input for the exact flag string.
  • Multiple choice - A list of selectable options instead of a free text box.
  • Text - A free-text response area, sometimes followed by manual review.
  • File upload - An upload control for the required evidence or output file.
  • Conquest - Instructions about capturing or holding a target instead of only typing one answer.
  • Launchable - A Launch action that starts a target environment before or alongside normal solving.

Some challenge behaviours affect visibility rather than the answer input:

  • Timebombs appear only during a configured time window.
  • Choice groups let your team complete only one challenge from a set.
  • Prerequisites keep later challenges locked until earlier ones are solved.

If you are unsure what a challenge expects, read the challenge description first, then check Submitting flags and using hints.

Common map states​

  • Available - Your team can open and attempt the challenge.
  • Completed - Your team has already solved or completed it.
  • Locked - The challenge exists but is behind prerequisites, a choice group decision, event timing, or another progression rule.
  • Hidden - The organiser has hidden it from the player map, or it is not yet released.
  • Under review - Text or file-upload submissions may be waiting for organiser review instead of scoring immediately.
  • Launchable - Some challenges can start a container-backed environment for your team or the whole world.

If a challenge state looks wrong, refresh the event surface first, then ask an organiser. The organiser can check challenge visibility, prerequisites, timebomb windows, and score logs from the world control panel.

Locked or missing challenges​

Some challenges are intentionally hidden or locked:

  • Prerequisites - A challenge can unlock only after your team completes one or more earlier challenges.
  • Timebombs - A challenge can appear only during a configured time window.
  • Choice groups - Your team may be allowed to complete only one challenge in a set, such as one of several difficulty branches.
  • Event timing - If the event has not started, the map may not be accessible yet.

If you do not see a challenge, check the event rules, complete the visible prerequisites, or ask an organiser whether a time window or choice group applies.

Common submission questions on the map​

  • "Why is there no flag box?" The challenge may be multiple choice, text, file upload, conquest, or launchable instead of a normal flag submission.
  • "Why did my solve not score instantly?" Text and file-upload challenges can require organiser review.
  • "Why can I not access this challenge yet?" Check event timing, prerequisites, timebomb windows, and whether your team already committed to another challenge in a choice group.
  • "Why did launch appear instead of an answer field?" Launchable challenges often need you to start the target first, then follow the instructions inside the challenge panel.

When not to use the map​

  • Use Events or the event homepage for registration and access.
  • Use Team settings or the event registration flow for team membership.
  • Use the organiser world control panel to create challenges, edit progression, change categories, review score logs, or schedule announcements.