How to Play Drum Corps: The Game

Registration & Account Setup

To begin playing, you'll need to create an account. Registration is simple:

• Choose a unique username
• Provide a valid email address (for account verification)
• Create a secure password
• Verify your email address to activate your account

Once registered, you'll have access to your dashboard where you can manage your organization and corps.

Creating Your First Corps

After registration, you can create your first drum corps:

• Choose a unique corps name
• Select a division (World Class, Open Class, or All Age)
• Each division has different starting budgets and age requirements
• You can create one corps per division

Your corps will start with a budget based on its division. Use this money wisely to hire staff and members, and register for shows.

Understanding Divisions

Corps Overview & Dashboard

Your corps dashboard provides a comprehensive view of your corps' status:

• Current Finances: See how much money your corps has available
• Member Count: Track how many members you have in each section
• Staff Roster: View all hired staff members and their positions
• Show Registrations: See which shows you're registered for
• Recent Scores: Review your performance in recent competitions

Editing Corps Information

You can customize your corps through the edit page:

• Update your corps name (must remain unique)
• Upload or change your corps logo
• Add a description or backstory
• Update your show description and design points

Your corps information is visible to other players, so make it memorable!

Corps Finances

Each corps has its own budget separate from your organization funds:

• Money is deducted when you hire staff or members
• Show registration fees are paid from corps funds
• Prize money from competitions is added to corps funds
• You can transfer money between corps and your organization

Keep a close eye on your corps finances to avoid running out of money mid-season.

Hiring Staff

Staff members are essential for improving your corps' performance:

• Browse available staff members in the staff directory
• Each staff member has a specific position (Brass Caption Head, Visual Caption Head, etc.)
• Staff members have different effect ratings and salaries
• You can only hire one staff member per position
• Staff salaries are deducted from corps funds

Important: The site randomly generates staff members, and each staff member can only be associated with one corps at a time. Once a staff member is hired by a corps, they become unavailable to other corps until they are fired or leave.

Higher effect staff typically cost more, but provide better performance improvements.

Staff Positions & Effects

Different staff positions affect different aspects of your corps:

• Brass Caption Head: Affects brass section scores
• Percussion Caption Head: Affects drumline scores
• Pit Caption Head: Affects pit section scores
• Colorguard Caption Head: Affects colorguard scores
• Visual Caption Head: Affects visual performance scores
• Music Ensemble Caption Head: Affects music ensemble scores
• Visual Ensemble Caption Head: Affects visual ensemble scores
• Health & Wellness Staff: Helps maintain member health and loyalty

Each staff member's effect rating determines how much they improve their respective sections.

Staff Salaries

Staff members require payment:

• Salaries are deducted from corps funds at the end of each season
• If your corps cannot afford a staff member's salary, they will leave
• Higher effect staff typically command higher salaries
• You can fire staff members to free up funds, but you'll need to hire replacements

Balance your staff quality with your budget to maintain financial stability.

Staff Loyalty

Staff loyalty affects retention:

• Staff with low loyalty are more likely to leave between seasons
• Higher loyalty means better retention
• Loyalty can change based on your corps' performance
• Winning competitions can improve staff loyalty

Maintaining high staff loyalty helps ensure continuity and stability for your corps.

Staff Retirement

Staff members retire at age 66:

• When a staff member reaches age 66, they automatically retire
• Retired staff are removed from your corps
• You'll need to hire a replacement for the next season
• Plan ahead for retirements to avoid gaps in your staff

Firing Staff

You can fire staff members at any time:

• Firing staff immediately makes them available for other corps
• You receive a refund of their salary back to corps funds
• You'll need to hire a replacement to fill the position
• Firing can be useful if you need to free up funds or upgrade to better staff

Consider the timing of firing staff, as you'll need to find replacements before the next season.

Hiring Members

Members are the heart of your corps:

• Browse available members by section
• Each member has attributes: talent, health, loyalty, age, and price
• Members are filtered by division and section
• You can hire members up to section limits
• Member prices are deducted from corps funds

Important: The site randomly generates members, and each member can only be associated with one corps at a time. Once a member is hired by a corps, they become unavailable to other corps until they are cut, age out, or leave.

Choose members that fit your budget and performance goals.

Member Sections

Your corps consists of several sections:

• Hornline: Brass players
• Drumline: Battery percussion
• Pit: Front ensemble percussion
• Colorguard: Color guard performers
• Drum Major: Conductors (limited to 1-2)

Each section has maximum member limits. Fill your sections strategically to maximize your scoring potential.

Member Attributes

Each member has several important attributes:

• Talent: Directly affects performance scores. Higher talent means better scores.
• Health: Affects both performance and consistency. Healthier members perform better and more consistently.
• Loyalty: Determines likelihood of staying with your corps. Low loyalty members may leave between seasons.
• Age: Determines when members age out. Age progression happens between seasons.

All attributes work together to determine a member's value and contribution to your corps.

Member Price/Salary

Members have a price that must be paid:

• Prices are deducted from corps funds when you hire members
• Member prices are also deducted at the end of each season
• If your corps cannot afford a member's price, they will be cut
• Higher talent members typically cost more
• You can cut members to free up funds

Manage your member roster carefully to ensure you can afford everyone.

Cutting Members

You can cut members from your corps:

• Cutting members makes them available for other corps
• You don't receive refunds for cut members
• Cutting can be necessary to free up funds or make room for better members
• Consider the impact on your section balance before cutting

Strategic cutting can help optimize your roster and budget.

Member Aging Out

Members age out based on their division:

• World Class: Members age out at 22 years old
• Open Class: Members age out between 18-19 years old (randomly determined)
• All Age: Members retire at 65 years old

When members age out:

• They may move to another corps in a different division (if eligible)
• They may be removed from the game entirely
• You'll need to replace them with new members

Plan for age-outs by maintaining a pipeline of younger members and monitoring your roster's age distribution.

Registering for Shows

Shows are competitions where your corps competes:

• View the show calendar to see all available shows
• Each show has a registration fee
• You can register multiple corps for the same show
• Registration fees are deducted from corps funds
• You can unregister from shows before they occur

Plan your show schedule carefully to balance competition opportunities with your budget.

Show Fees

Each show has a registration fee:

• Fees vary by show
• Fees are deducted immediately upon registration
• You must have sufficient corps funds to register
• Fees are refunded if you unregister before the show has been scored

Budget for show fees when planning your season. You can unregister and receive a refund as long as the show hasn't been scored yet.

Minimum Show Requirement

It's important to register for enough shows:

• Corps should register for at least 10 shows per season
• Registering for fewer than 10 shows results in score penalties
• The penalty increases for each show under 10
• Penalties affect all scoring categories

While you can compete with fewer shows, you'll be at a disadvantage. Aim for 10 or more shows to maximize your competitive potential.

Show Progression

Your corps improves throughout the season:

• Performance improves as you gain experience through shows
• Early season shows typically score lower than later shows
• Your corps reaches peak performance by the end of the season
• This progression is automatic and based on show experience

This progression system rewards consistent participation and helps simulate real drum corps season development.

What is I&E?

The DCI Individual & Ensemble (I&E) Competition is a prestigious event that showcases the exceptional talent of individual performers from drum corps across the country. This competition provides members with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in solo performances across various categories.

I&E competitions celebrate the artistry and technical excellence of individual performers, highlighting the dedication and hard work that goes into perfecting each performance.

Competition Categories

The I&E Competition features soloists across multiple categories:

• Brass
• Percussion (Drumline)
• Color Guard
• Pit (Front Ensemble)
• Conducting (Drum Major)

I&E Fees

To send members to compete in I&E:

• Each member costs a fee to participate
• Fees are deducted from your corps funds
• You can select which members to send from each section
• Members must be part of your corps to compete

Choose your members wisely - send your most talented performers to maximize your chances of winning.

Benefits of Participation

Participating in I&E offers several benefits:

• Showcase Talent: Highlight your members' individual skills and artistry
• Corps Recognition: Winning members bring recognition and prestige to your corps
• Member Development: I&E participation can help develop your members' skills
• Competitive Experience: Members gain valuable competitive experience

Winning I&E

If your members place in the top 3 of their category:

• Cash Prizes: Winning members earn cash prizes for your organization:
  • 1st Place: $30,000
  • 2nd Place: $25,000
  • 3rd Place: $20,000
• Loyalty Boost: Winning members receive a boost to their loyalty score, making them more likely to stay with your corps
• Corps Prestige: Your corps gains recognition for producing top performers
• Historical Record: I&E wins are tracked and displayed on your corps' record

Top 3 placements are determined per section, so there are multiple opportunities to win across different categories. The competition is scored based on member talent, staff effect, health, and loyalty.

I&E is held once per season, the day between the regular season shows and Prelims. Make sure to register your members before the competition date!

Organization vs Corps Money

There are two types of money in the game:

• Organization Money: Your main account that can be used across all corps
• Corps Money: Individual budgets for each corps

You can transfer money between your corps and your organization in both directions. Transfer money from corps to your organization to consolidate funds and manage your overall financial strategy. You can also transfer money from your organization back to corps when they need additional funding.

Starting Budgets by Division

Each division starts with a different budget:

• World Class: Highest starting budget
• Open Class: Moderate starting budget
• All Age: Lower starting budget

These budgets are designed to reflect the different competitive levels and operational costs of each division.

Transferring Money

You can transfer money in both directions:

• Corps to Organization: Consolidate prize winnings and manage overall financial health
• Organization to Corps: Provide additional funding when corps need it

Transfers are instant and cannot be reversed, so plan carefully.

Loans & Payments

If you find yourself short on funds, loans are available:

• Maximum loan amount is based on your total division budgets and organization funds
• Loans must be repaid with interest
• You can only have one active loan at a time
• Make payments manually or automatically at season end

While loans can help in emergencies, the interest payments can strain your finances. Use them wisely.

Revenue Sources

There are several ways to earn money:

• Show Prizes: Win prize money based on your placement in competitions
• Revenue Sources: Purchase revenue-generating opportunities (sponsorships, fundraisers, etc.)
• Organization Transfers: Move money from corps to organization

Diversifying your revenue sources is key to long-term success.

Bankruptcy & Inactivity

If your organization runs out of money, you may need to file for bankruptcy:

• All organization debt is cleared
• All organization funds reset to $0
• All corps funds reset to their starting budgets
• You lose all staff and members
• All scores for the current season are removed
• You become inactive for the upcoming season
• Historical data and awards are preserved
• A public notice is posted in the forums

Bankruptcy is a serious action that cannot be undone. It's better to manage your finances carefully to avoid this situation.

If you go inactive (either through bankruptcy or lack of funds), your corps will not compete in the next season but can return in future seasons.

Daily Trivia Questions

Every day, you have the opportunity to answer a trivia question to earn money for your organization:

• A new trivia question is available each day
• You can only answer one trivia question per day
• Questions cover various topics related to drum corps and music
• Answering trivia questions is a great way to supplement your organization's income

Make sure to check back daily to take advantage of this opportunity to boost your finances!

Earning Money from Trivia

When you answer a trivia question correctly, you earn money for your organization:

• Trivia questions come in different value categories: $250, $500, $750, and $1000
• You can choose which category you want to attempt
• Higher value questions are typically more difficult
• Correct answers earn you the full amount shown for that category
• Money earned is added directly to your organization funds

Choose your category wisely - higher rewards come with greater risk!

Losing Money from Trivia

Answering trivia questions incorrectly can cost you money:

• If you answer incorrectly on questions worth $500 or more, you lose 25% of that amount as a penalty
• For example, if you answer a $1000 question incorrectly, you'll lose $250
• Questions worth $250 do not have a penalty for incorrect answers
• Penalties are deducted from your organization funds

Be careful when attempting higher value questions - make sure you're confident in your answer, or stick with lower value questions to avoid penalties.

The "Did you know?" Section

The header of the website features a "Did you know?" section that displays trivia information:

• This section shows the answer and explanation to trivia questions
• The trivia displayed rotates periodically throughout the day
• You can use this information to learn more about drum corps and related topics
• The trivia bar can be dismissed if you don't want to see it, but it will reappear with new trivia later

Pay attention to the "Did you know?" section - it can help you learn facts that might appear in future trivia questions!

How Scores Are Calculated

Show scores are determined by multiple factors:

• Scores are calculated for each caption: Brass, Drumline, Pit, Colorguard, Visual, Music Ensemble, and Visual Ensemble
• Each caption has a maximum score (10 for individual sections, 20 for ensemble captions)
• The total score is the sum of all caption scores
• Multiple factors influence each caption score

Understanding how scores work helps you make better strategic decisions.

Member Health Impact

Member health directly affects performance:

• Healthier members perform better and more consistently
• Health is averaged across each section
• Low health reduces scores and increases score variance
• High health improves scores and makes performance more predictable
• Health affects all scoring categories

Investing in health & wellness staff helps maintain member health throughout the season.

Member Talent Impact

Member talent is a primary factor in scoring:

• Higher talent members contribute more to scores
• Talent is averaged across each section
• Talent can improve or decrease based on performance and other factors
• Combined with health, talent determines the base performance level

Hiring talented members is essential, but balance talent with your budget.

Staff Effect Impact

Staff members improve their respective sections:

• Each staff position affects specific scoring categories
• Higher effect staff provide greater improvements
• Staff effect multiplies the base performance
• Having no staff for a position results in penalties

Hiring quality staff is crucial for competitive success.

Member Count Impact

The size of your corps affects ensemble scores:

• Larger corps typically score better in ensemble categories
• There's an optimal corps size for maximum scoring
• Very small corps receive penalties in ensemble categories
• Individual section scores are less affected by total member count

Balance your corps size with your budget to maximize performance.

Show Design Points

You can invest in show design to improve scores:

• Design points can be allocated to different categories
• Investing in design improves those specific categories
• Design points are a multiplier on performance
• You can adjust design points throughout the season

Strategic design point allocation can help you emphasize your corps' strengths.

Season Progression

Your corps improves throughout the season:

• Performance starts lower at the beginning of the season
• Scores improve as you gain show experience
• By the end of the season, your corps reaches peak performance
• This progression is automatic and based on show participation

This system rewards consistent participation and simulates real drum corps development.

What Happens Between Seasons

At the end of each season, several automatic processes occur:

• All members and staff age by one year
• Loyalty checks determine who stays and who leaves
• Age-out checks determine which members age out
• Financial checks determine if you can afford members and staff
• Salaries and member prices are deducted
• Prize money from competitions is distributed
• Loan payments may be processed

These processes happen automatically, so plan ahead to ensure your corps is ready for the next season.

Member & Staff Retention

Retention is based on several factors:

• Loyalty: Members and staff with low loyalty are more likely to leave
• Finances: If you can't afford salaries or member prices, they will leave
• Age: Members age out based on division rules
• Performance: Winning competitions can improve loyalty

Maintaining high loyalty and sufficient funds is key to keeping your roster intact.

Financial Changes

Several financial transactions occur between seasons:

• Staff salaries are deducted from corps funds
• Member prices are deducted from corps funds
• Prize money from season-end competitions is added
• Loan payments may be automatically deducted
• Revenue sources generate income

Ensure you have sufficient funds to cover all expenses, or you may lose members and staff.

Age Progression

Everyone ages between seasons:

• All members age by one year
• All staff age by one year
• Age-outs are checked based on division rules
• Staff retirement is checked at age 66

Plan for age progression by maintaining younger members and staff, or be prepared to replace those who age out.