Automated tournament platform for online video games

An on line tournament management server, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory, accessible to the processor, including processor executable program instructions that, when executed by the processor, result in tournament management comprising:
• maintaining first roster information for a first team and second roster information for a second team;
• responsive to detecting a lost connection corresponding to a first player of the first team, performing operations comprising:
• accessing first skill level attributes of the first player;
• performing a search for a replacement player for replacing the first player in accordance with the first skill level attributes, said performing comprising:
• offering at least some eligible standby players, determined in accordance with criteria for matching the skill level attributes of the first player, a substitution spot corresponding to the open roster spot;
• monitoring for an acceptance from an eligible player;
• responsive to not receiving an acceptance, offering additional eligible standby players the substitution spot;
• and
• responsive to receiving an acceptance, terminating said search.