Round 1, Decode the Matrix, tests participants through a series of interactive EEE mini-games, an optional perfboard soldering bonus challenge, and a symbolic Red Pill/Blue Pill choice that secretly determines the circuit set they receive in Round 2

• Round 1 consists of interactive EEE mini-games: Connects, Headphone Challenge, and Rapid-Fire EEE.
• Points scored across the mini-games will be used to rank and qualify participants/teams for Round 2.
• Every participant/team must choose between a Red Pill and a Blue Pill; the choice will secretly determine the circuit set they receive in Round 2.
• An optional Bonus Challenge involving soldering a basic circuit onto a perfboard is available; successful completion directly qualifies the participant/team for Round 2.
• Only 15 participants/teams will advance to Round 2, with bonus qualifiers given priority, followed by the top-scoring participants/teams from the mini-games.

Qualified participants/teams receive a PCB, components and tools for a circuit assigned based on the pill (Red or Blue) they chose in Round 1, and must decode the circuit, identify its components, and solder it before the output is checked on a DSO.

• Decode the Circuit - identify the given circuit and understand its type, function, and expected output.
• Identify the Components - determine the required components along with their correct values, polarity, and orientation.
• Solder the Circuit - place and solder the identified components onto the provided PCB.
• Power Up - the completed PCB's output will be checked using a DSO (Digital Storage Oscilloscope).
• If the circuit works on the DSO, the system is restored; if it fails, the participant/team remains in the Matrix.