> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rivalryze.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rivalryze.com/readme.md). # What is RivalRyze Learn how RivalRyze turns verified gaming activity into Contests, Guild leaderboards, Discord engagement, and rewards. RivalRyze turns real gaming activity into automated competitions for players, friends, and communities. The simple version: **Hosts set the Contest. Players compete. RivalRyze verifies the activity, updates the leaderboard, and powers the rewards.** Instead of running competitions with screenshots, spreadsheets, and manual scoring, RivalRyze reads your progress from the gaming accounts you connect and keeps score for you. ## The core loop A RivalRyze **Contest** is a competition built around a verified objective. There are three types: * [**Battles**](/contests/battles.md): leaderboard-based. Everyone scores during the Contest window and the best scores win. * [**Guild Versus Guild**](/contests/guild-vs-guild.md): Guilds go head to head. Each Guild's top players score, and the best Guild total wins. * [**Bounties**](/contests/bounties.md): objective-based. Players chase a clear finish line, and more than one player can win. For example: * Who can earn the most achievement points this week? → **Battle** * Which Discord server can earn the most achievement points this month? → **Guild Versus Guild** * Who can be the first to platinum a specific game? → **Bounty** Every Contest has: * **An Objective Mode**: what players need to do. See [Objective Modes](/contests/objective-modes.md). * **A timeframe**: when the Contest starts and ends. * **Participants**: the players (or Guilds) competing. * **Scoring**: automatic, based on the Objective Mode. * **Rewards**: Gems, gift cards, game codes, Discord roles, or just bragging rights. Once a Contest starts, RivalRyze tracks your activity, updates progress, and keeps the leaderboard moving on its own. ## What RivalRyze does ### Connect your accounts Connect your gaming accounts so RivalRyze can track your achievements, trophies, games, and stats. | Platform | How you connect | | ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | | **Discord** | Directly (also a way to sign in) | | **Steam** | Directly, or through your Discord connections | | **PlayStation Network** | Through your Discord connections | | **Xbox** | Directly | | **Battle.net** | Directly | | **Riot Games** | Directly | Connected accounts build your player profile, keep your stats in sync, and make you eligible for Contests on those platforms. See [Connecting Gaming Platforms](/connecting-gaming-platforms/discord.md). ### Track your profile and games Your [profile](/your-profile-and-games/your-profile.md) brings everything together: your global rank, points, achievements, completions, game library, Contests, Guilds, and a monthly recap you can share. The [games catalog](/your-profile-and-games/browsing-games.md) shows every supported game with its achievements, difficulty, Contests, and leaderboard. Supported game data includes Steam achievements, PlayStation trophies, Xbox achievements, and stats for Dota 2, League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and Valorant. ### Compete in Contests Join Contests created by other players, Guilds, communities, or the RivalRyze team, or [host your own](/contests/hosting-a-contest.md). Hosts choose who can join: a **Guild Contest** for their Discord server's members, **Public**, **Invite Only**, or **Password Protected**. See [Access Policies](/contests/access-policies.md). ### Join or create Guilds A **Guild** is a RivalRyze community tied to a Discord server: a group of friends, a clan, a creator community, an achievement-hunting group, or a game-specific server. Inside a Guild, members compare stats, join Guild Contests, climb the Guild leaderboard, and follow community activity. You can join the Guild of any Discord server you're in that uses RivalRyze. To set one up for your own server, see [For Guild Admins](/for-guild-admins/initial-setup.md). ### Power Discord communities Community admins can add the RivalRyze Discord bot to their server to surface: * Contest updates and winners * Leaderboard movement * Member activity and Guild progress This keeps members competing where the community already gathers. ## Key concepts ### Contest A competition around a verified objective. Contests come in three types: [Battles](/contests/battles.md), [Guild Versus Guild](/contests/guild-vs-guild.md), and [Bounties](/contests/bounties.md). {% hint style="info" %} The Contest creator currently lets you start Battles and Guild Versus Guild Contests. The Bounty option is shown but can't be selected right now. {% endhint %} ### Objective Mode The specific competition format inside a Contest, for example Achievement Points Battle or Completion Points Battle. See [Objective Modes](/contests/objective-modes.md). ### Points Achievements and trophies are worth RivalRyze points. Points drive your global rank and points-based Contests. See [How Points Work](/points-and-leaderboards/how-points-work.md). ### Fair Play Achievements that unlock automatically when you play the same game on another platform (auto-pops) are handled by RivalRyze's Fair Play rules. See [Auto-Pop and Fair Play](/fair-play/auto-pop-and-fair-play.md). ### Guild A RivalRyze community tied to a Discord server. Guilds run Contests, track standings, and compete against other Guilds. ### Gems Gems are RivalRyze's currency. You earn them by winning Contests and claiming rewards, and spend them on Contest entry fees and in the Marketplace. See [How to Earn Gems](/gems-and-wallet/how-to-earn-gems.md). Not every Contest uses Gems. Many are free to enter and run for fun, recognition, or Discord roles. ### Leaderboard A live ranking of players or Guilds. Leaderboards update as RivalRyze syncs your connected accounts. See [Global Leaderboards](/points-and-leaderboards/global-leaderboards.md). ## Who RivalRyze is for * **Players**: compete with friends, track progress, and show off your stats. * **Achievement hunters**: race to achievements, trophies, completions, and points. * **Discord communities**: run recurring Contests, leaderboards, and activity feeds without manual tracking. * **Creators and community hosts**: give your audience more reasons to engage and come back. * **Game studios and brands**: run verified engagement campaigns around specific goals. ## Ready to start? * New to RivalRyze? Start with the [Quick Start](/welcome/quick-start.md). * Want RivalRyze in your Discord server? See [Initial Setup](/for-guild-admins/initial-setup.md).