diff --git a/board.go b/board.go
index 675ebc6..ec86c0c 100644
--- a/board.go
+++ b/board.go
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func NewBoardState(width, height int32) *BoardState {
 	}
 }
 
-// Clone returns a deep copy of prevState that can be safely modified inside Ruleset.CreateNextBoardState
+// Clone returns a deep copy of prevState that can be safely modified without affecting the original
 func (prevState *BoardState) Clone() *BoardState {
 	nextState := &BoardState{
 		Turn:    prevState.Turn,
diff --git a/cases_test.go b/cases_test.go
index 16333dd..efb58a8 100644
--- a/cases_test.go
+++ b/cases_test.go
@@ -26,7 +26,9 @@ func (gc *gameTestCase) clone() *gameTestCase {
 
 // requireValidNextState requires that the ruleset produces a valid next state
 func (gc *gameTestCase) requireValidNextState(t *testing.T, r Ruleset) {
+	t.Helper()
 	t.Run(gc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Helper()
 		prev := gc.prevState.Clone() // clone to protect against mutation (so we can ru-use test cases)
 		nextState, err := r.CreateNextBoardState(prev, gc.moves)
 		require.Equal(t, gc.expectedError, err)
@@ -39,3 +41,9 @@ func (gc *gameTestCase) requireValidNextState(t *testing.T, r Ruleset) {
 		}
 	})
 }
+
+func mockSnakeMoves() []SnakeMove {
+	return []SnakeMove{
+		{ID: "test-mock-move", Move: "mocked"},
+	}
+}
diff --git a/constrictor.go b/constrictor.go
index 4598858..883140f 100644
--- a/constrictor.go
+++ b/constrictor.go
@@ -1,45 +1,39 @@
 package rules
 
+var constrictorRulesetStages = []string{
+	StageMovementStandard,
+	StageStarvationStandard,
+	StageHazardDamageStandard,
+	StageFeedSnakesStandard,
+	StageEliminationStandard,
+	StageSpawnFoodNoFood,
+	StageModifySnakesAlwaysGrow,
+	StageGameOverStandard,
+}
+
 type ConstrictorRuleset struct {
 	StandardRuleset
 }
 
 func (r *ConstrictorRuleset) Name() string { return GameTypeConstrictor }
 
+func (r ConstrictorRuleset) Execute(bs *BoardState, s Settings, sm []SnakeMove) (bool, *BoardState, error) {
+	return NewPipeline(constrictorRulesetStages...).Execute(bs, s, sm)
+}
+
 func (r *ConstrictorRuleset) ModifyInitialBoardState(initialBoardState *BoardState) (*BoardState, error) {
-	initialBoardState, err := r.StandardRuleset.ModifyInitialBoardState(initialBoardState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	r.removeFood(initialBoardState)
-
-	err = r.applyConstrictorRules(initialBoardState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return initialBoardState, nil
+	_, nextState, err := r.Execute(initialBoardState, r.Settings(), nil)
+	return nextState, err
 }
 
 func (r *ConstrictorRuleset) CreateNextBoardState(prevState *BoardState, moves []SnakeMove) (*BoardState, error) {
-	nextState, err := r.StandardRuleset.CreateNextBoardState(prevState, moves)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
+	_, nextState, err := r.Execute(prevState, r.Settings(), moves)
 
-	r.removeFood(nextState)
-
-	err = r.applyConstrictorRules(nextState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return nextState, nil
+	return nextState, err
 }
 
-func (r *ConstrictorRuleset) removeFood(b *BoardState) {
-	_, _ = r.callStageFunc(RemoveFoodConstrictor, b, []SnakeMove{})
+func (r *ConstrictorRuleset) IsGameOver(b *BoardState) (bool, error) {
+	return GameOverStandard(b, r.Settings(), nil)
 }
 
 func RemoveFoodConstrictor(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
@@ -49,14 +43,12 @@ func RemoveFoodConstrictor(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove)
 	return false, nil
 }
 
-func (r *ConstrictorRuleset) applyConstrictorRules(b *BoardState) error {
-	_, err := r.callStageFunc(GrowSnakesConstrictor, b, []SnakeMove{})
-	return err
-}
-
 func GrowSnakesConstrictor(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
 	// Set all snakes to max health and ensure they grow next turn
 	for i := 0; i < len(b.Snakes); i++ {
+		if len(b.Snakes[i].Body) <= 0 {
+			return false, ErrorZeroLengthSnake
+		}
 		b.Snakes[i].Health = SnakeMaxHealth
 
 		tail := b.Snakes[i].Body[len(b.Snakes[i].Body)-1]
diff --git a/constrictor_test.go b/constrictor_test.go
index 68c987c..84a964e 100644
--- a/constrictor_test.go
+++ b/constrictor_test.go
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ func TestConstrictorModifyInitialBoardState(t *testing.T) {
 		{11, 11, []string{}},
 		{11, 11, []string{"one", "two", "three", "four", "five"}},
 	}
-
 	r := ConstrictorRuleset{}
 	for testNum, test := range tests {
 		state, err := CreateDefaultBoardState(test.Width, test.Height, test.IDs)
@@ -104,8 +103,15 @@ func TestConstrictorCreateNextBoardState(t *testing.T) {
 		standardCaseErrZeroLengthSnake,
 		constrictorMoveAndCollideMAD,
 	}
+	rb := NewRulesetBuilder().WithParams(map[string]string{
+		ParamGameType: GameTypeConstrictor,
+	})
 	r := ConstrictorRuleset{}
 	for _, gc := range cases {
 		gc.requireValidNextState(t, &r)
+		// also test a RulesBuilder constructed instance
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, rb.Ruleset())
+		// also test a pipeline with the same settings
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, rb.PipelineRuleset(GameTypeConstrictor, NewPipeline(constrictorRulesetStages...)))
 	}
 }
diff --git a/pipeline.go b/pipeline.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2086d21
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pipeline.go
@@ -0,0 +1,190 @@
+package rules
+
+import "fmt"
+
+// StageRegistry is a mapping of stage names to stage functions
+type StageRegistry map[string]StageFunc
+
+const (
+	StageSpawnFoodStandard    = "spawn_food.standard"
+	StageGameOverStandard     = "game_over.standard"
+	StageStarvationStandard   = "starvation.standard"
+	StageFeedSnakesStandard   = "feed_snakes.standard"
+	StageMovementStandard     = "movement.standard"
+	StageHazardDamageStandard = "hazard_damage.standard"
+	StageEliminationStandard  = "elimination.standard"
+
+	StageGameOverSoloSnake                   = "game_over.solo_snake"
+	StageGameOverBySquad                     = "game_over.by_squad"
+	StageSpawnFoodNoFood                     = "spawn_food.no_food"
+	StageSpawnHazardsShrinkMap               = "spawn_hazards.shrink_map"
+	StageEliminationResurrectSquadCollisions = "elimination.resurrect_squad_collisions"
+	StageModifySnakesAlwaysGrow              = "modify_snakes.always_grow"
+	StageMovementWrapBoundaries              = "movement.wrap_boundaries"
+	StageModifySnakesShareAttributes         = "modify_snakes.share_attributes"
+)
+
+// globalRegistry is a global, default mapping of stage names to stage functions.
+// It can be extended by plugins through the use of registration functions.
+// Plugins that wish to extend the available game stages should call RegisterPipelineStageError
+// to add additional stages.
+var globalRegistry = StageRegistry{
+	StageSpawnFoodNoFood:                     RemoveFoodConstrictor,
+	StageSpawnFoodStandard:                   SpawnFoodStandard,
+	StageGameOverSoloSnake:                   GameOverSolo,
+	StageGameOverBySquad:                     GameOverSquad,
+	StageGameOverStandard:                    GameOverStandard,
+	StageHazardDamageStandard:                DamageHazardsStandard,
+	StageSpawnHazardsShrinkMap:               PopulateHazardsRoyale,
+	StageStarvationStandard:                  ReduceSnakeHealthStandard,
+	StageEliminationResurrectSquadCollisions: ResurrectSnakesSquad,
+	StageFeedSnakesStandard:                  FeedSnakesStandard,
+	StageEliminationStandard:                 EliminateSnakesStandard,
+	StageModifySnakesAlwaysGrow:              GrowSnakesConstrictor,
+	StageMovementStandard:                    MoveSnakesStandard,
+	StageMovementWrapBoundaries:              MoveSnakesWrapped,
+	StageModifySnakesShareAttributes:         ShareAttributesSquad,
+}
+
+// RegisterPipelineStage adds a stage to the registry.
+// If a stage has already been mapped it will be overwritten by the newly
+// registered function.
+func (sr StageRegistry) RegisterPipelineStage(s string, fn StageFunc) {
+	sr[s] = fn
+}
+
+// RegisterPipelineStageError adds a stage to the registry.
+// If a stage has already been mapped an error will be returned.
+func (sr StageRegistry) RegisterPipelineStageError(s string, fn StageFunc) error {
+	if _, ok := sr[s]; ok {
+		return RulesetError(fmt.Sprintf("stage '%s' has already been registered", s))
+	}
+
+	sr.RegisterPipelineStage(s, fn)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// RegisterPipelineStage adds a stage to the global stage registry.
+// It will panic if the a stage has already been registered with the same name.
+func RegisterPipelineStage(s string, fn StageFunc) {
+	err := globalRegistry.RegisterPipelineStageError(s, fn)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+}
+
+// Pipeline is an ordered sequences of game stages which are executed to produce the
+// next game state.
+//
+// If a stage produces an error or an ended game state, the pipeline is halted at that stage.
+type Pipeline interface {
+	// Execute runs the pipeline stages and produces a next game state.
+	//
+	// If any stage produces an error or an ended game state, the pipeline
+	// immediately stops at that stage.
+	//
+	// Errors should be checked and the other results ignored if error is non-nil.
+	//
+	// If the pipeline is already in an error state (this can be checked by calling Err()),
+	// this error will be immediately returned and the pipeline will not run.
+	//
+	// After the pipeline runs, the results will be the result of the last stage that was executed.
+	Execute(*BoardState, Settings, []SnakeMove) (bool, *BoardState, error)
+	// Err provides a way to check for errors before/without calling Execute.
+	// Err returns an error if the Pipeline is in an error state.
+	// If this error is not nil, this error will also be returned from Execute, so it is
+	// optional to call Err.
+	// The idea is to reduce error-checking verbosity for the majority of cases where a
+	// Pipeline is immediately executed after construction (i.e. NewPipeline(...).Execute(...)).
+	Err() error
+}
+
+// pipeline is an implementation of Pipeline
+type pipeline struct {
+	// stages is a list of stages that should be executed from slice start to end
+	stages []StageFunc
+	// if the pipeline has an error
+	err error
+}
+
+// NewPipeline constructs an instance of Pipeline using the global registry.
+// It is a convenience wrapper for NewPipelineFromRegistry when you want
+// to use the default, global registry.
+func NewPipeline(stageNames ...string) Pipeline {
+	return NewPipelineFromRegistry(globalRegistry, stageNames...)
+}
+
+// NewPipelineFromRegistry constructs an instance of Pipeline, using the specified registry
+// of pipeline stage functions.
+//
+// The order of execution for the pipeline stages will correspond to the order that
+// the stage names are provided.
+//
+// Example:
+// 	NewPipelineFromRegistry(r, s, "stage1", "stage2")
+// ... will result in stage "stage1" running first, then stage "stage2" running after.
+//
+// An error will be returned if an unregistered stage name is used (a name that is not
+// mapped in the registry).
+func NewPipelineFromRegistry(registry map[string]StageFunc, stageNames ...string) Pipeline {
+	// this can't be useful and probably indicates a problem
+	if len(registry) == 0 {
+		return &pipeline{err: ErrorEmptyRegistry}
+	}
+
+	// this also can't be useful and probably indicates a problem
+	if len(stageNames) == 0 {
+		return &pipeline{err: ErrorNoStages}
+	}
+
+	p := pipeline{}
+	for _, s := range stageNames {
+		fn, ok := registry[s]
+		if !ok {
+			return pipeline{err: ErrorStageNotFound}
+		}
+
+		p.stages = append(p.stages, fn)
+	}
+
+	return &p
+}
+
+// impl
+func (p pipeline) Err() error {
+	return p.err
+}
+
+// impl
+func (p pipeline) Execute(state *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, *BoardState, error) {
+	// Design Detail
+	//
+	// If the pipeline is in an error state, Execute must return that error
+	// because the pipeline is invalid and cannot execute.
+	//
+	// This is done for API use convenience to satisfy the common pattern
+	// of wanting to write NewPipeline().Execute(...).
+	//
+	// This way you can do that without having to do 2 error checks.
+	// It defers errors from construction to being checked on execution.
+	if p.err != nil {
+		return false, nil, p.err
+	}
+
+	// Actually execute
+	var ended bool
+	var err error
+	state = state.Clone()
+	for _, fn := range p.stages {
+		// execute current stage
+		ended, err = fn(state, settings, moves)
+
+		// stop if we hit any errors or if the game is ended
+		if err != nil || ended {
+			return ended, state, err
+		}
+	}
+
+	// return the result of the last stage as the final pipeline result
+	return ended, state, err
+}
diff --git a/pipeline_internal_test.go b/pipeline_internal_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..861faf4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pipeline_internal_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+package rules
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestPipelineRuleset(t *testing.T) {
+	r := StageRegistry{
+		"doesnt_end": mockStageFn(false, nil),
+		"ends":       mockStageFn(true, nil),
+	}
+
+	// Name/Error methods
+	p := NewPipelineFromRegistry(r, "404doesntexist")
+	pr := pipelineRuleset{
+		name:     "test",
+		pipeline: p,
+	}
+	require.Equal(t, "test", pr.Name())
+	require.Equal(t, ErrorStageNotFound, pr.Err())
+
+	// test game over when it does end
+	p = NewPipelineFromRegistry(r, "doesnt_end", "ends")
+	pr = pipelineRuleset{
+		name:     "test",
+		pipeline: p,
+	}
+	ended, err := pr.IsGameOver(&BoardState{})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.True(t, ended)
+
+	// Test game over when it doesn't end
+	p = NewPipelineFromRegistry(r, "doesnt_end")
+	pr = pipelineRuleset{
+		name:     "test",
+		pipeline: p,
+	}
+	ended, err = pr.IsGameOver(&BoardState{})
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.False(t, ended)
+
+	// test a stage that adds food, except on initialization
+	r.RegisterPipelineStage("add_food", func(bs *BoardState, s Settings, sm []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
+		if IsInitialization(bs, s, sm) {
+			return false, nil
+		}
+		bs.Food = append(bs.Food, Point{X: 0, Y: 0})
+		return false, nil
+	})
+	b := &BoardState{}
+	p = NewPipelineFromRegistry(r, "add_food")
+	pr = pipelineRuleset{
+		name:     "test",
+		pipeline: p,
+	}
+	require.Empty(t, b.Food)
+	b, err = pr.ModifyInitialBoardState(b)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Empty(t, b.Food, "food should not be added on initialisation phase")
+	b, err = pr.CreateNextBoardState(b, mockSnakeMoves())
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotEmpty(t, b.Food, "fodo should be added now")
+}
+
+func TestPipelineGlobals(t *testing.T) {
+	oldReg := globalRegistry
+	globalRegistry = StageRegistry{}
+
+	// ensure that we can register a function without errors
+	RegisterPipelineStage("test", mockStageFn(false, nil))
+	require.Contains(t, globalRegistry, "test")
+
+	// ensure that the global registry panics if you register an existing stage name
+	require.Panics(t, func() {
+		RegisterPipelineStage("test", mockStageFn(false, nil))
+	})
+	RegisterPipelineStage("other", mockStageFn(true, nil)) // otherwise should not panic
+
+	// ensure that we can build a pipeline using the global registry
+	p := NewPipeline("test", "other")
+	require.NotNil(t, p)
+
+	// ensure that it runs okay too
+	ended, next, err := p.Execute(&BoardState{}, Settings{}, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, next)
+	require.True(t, ended)
+
+	globalRegistry = oldReg
+}
+
+func mockStageFn(ended bool, err error) StageFunc {
+	return func(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
+		return ended, err
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pipeline_test.go b/pipeline_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ccd1c29
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pipeline_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+package rules_test
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/BattlesnakeOfficial/rules"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestPipeline(t *testing.T) {
+	r := rules.StageRegistry{}
+
+	// test empty registry error
+	p := rules.NewPipelineFromRegistry(r)
+	require.Equal(t, rules.ErrorEmptyRegistry, p.Err())
+	_, _, err := p.Execute(nil, rules.Settings{}, nil)
+	require.Equal(t, rules.ErrorEmptyRegistry, err)
+
+	// test empty stages names error
+	r.RegisterPipelineStage("astage", mockStageFn(false, nil))
+	p = rules.NewPipelineFromRegistry(r)
+	require.Equal(t, rules.ErrorNoStages, p.Err())
+	_, _, err = p.Execute(&rules.BoardState{}, rules.Settings{}, nil)
+	require.Equal(t, rules.ErrorNoStages, err)
+
+	// test that an unregistered stage name errors
+	p = rules.NewPipelineFromRegistry(r, "doesntexist")
+	_, _, err = p.Execute(&rules.BoardState{}, rules.Settings{}, nil)
+	require.Equal(t, rules.ErrorStageNotFound, p.Err())
+	require.Equal(t, rules.ErrorStageNotFound, err)
+
+	// simplest case - one stage
+	ended, next, err := rules.NewPipelineFromRegistry(r, "astage").Execute(&rules.BoardState{}, rules.Settings{}, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, next)
+	require.False(t, ended)
+
+	// test that the pipeline short-circuits for a stage that errors
+	r.RegisterPipelineStage("errors", mockStageFn(false, errors.New("")))
+	ended, next, err = rules.NewPipelineFromRegistry(r, "errors", "astage").Execute(&rules.BoardState{}, rules.Settings{}, nil)
+	require.Error(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, next)
+	require.False(t, ended)
+
+	// test that the pipeline short-circuits for a stage that ends
+	r.RegisterPipelineStage("ends", mockStageFn(true, nil))
+	ended, next, err = rules.NewPipelineFromRegistry(r, "ends", "astage").Execute(&rules.BoardState{}, rules.Settings{}, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, next)
+	require.True(t, ended)
+
+	// test that the pipeline runs normally for multiple stages
+	ended, next, err = rules.NewPipelineFromRegistry(r, "astage", "ends").Execute(&rules.BoardState{}, rules.Settings{}, nil)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.NotNil(t, next)
+	require.True(t, ended)
+}
+
+func TestStageRegistry(t *testing.T) {
+	sr := rules.StageRegistry{}
+
+	// register a stage without error
+	require.NoError(t, sr.RegisterPipelineStageError("test", mockStageFn(false, nil)))
+	require.Contains(t, sr, "test")
+
+	// error on duplicate
+	var e rules.RulesetError
+	err := sr.RegisterPipelineStageError("test", mockStageFn(false, nil))
+	require.Error(t, err)
+	require.True(t, errors.As(err, &e), "error should be a RulesetError")
+	require.Equal(t, "stage 'test' has already been registered", err.Error())
+
+	// register another stage with no error
+	require.NoError(t, sr.RegisterPipelineStageError("other", mockStageFn(false, nil)))
+	require.Contains(t, sr, "other")
+
+	// register stage
+	sr.RegisterPipelineStage("last", mockStageFn(false, nil))
+	require.Contains(t, sr, "last")
+
+	// register existing stage (should just be okay and not panic or anything)
+	sr.RegisterPipelineStage("test", mockStageFn(false, nil))
+}
+
+func mockStageFn(ended bool, err error) rules.StageFunc {
+	return func(b *rules.BoardState, settings rules.Settings, moves []rules.SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
+		return ended, err
+	}
+}
diff --git a/royale.go b/royale.go
index e7ac868..c049202 100644
--- a/royale.go
+++ b/royale.go
@@ -5,6 +5,17 @@ import (
 	"math/rand"
 )
 
+var royaleRulesetStages = []string{
+	StageMovementStandard,
+	StageStarvationStandard,
+	StageHazardDamageStandard,
+	StageFeedSnakesStandard,
+	StageSpawnFoodStandard,
+	StageEliminationStandard,
+	StageSpawnHazardsShrinkMap,
+	StageGameOverStandard,
+}
+
 type RoyaleRuleset struct {
 	StandardRuleset
 
@@ -15,31 +26,22 @@ type RoyaleRuleset struct {
 
 func (r *RoyaleRuleset) Name() string { return GameTypeRoyale }
 
+func (r RoyaleRuleset) Execute(bs *BoardState, s Settings, sm []SnakeMove) (bool, *BoardState, error) {
+	return NewPipeline(royaleRulesetStages...).Execute(bs, s, sm)
+}
+
 func (r *RoyaleRuleset) CreateNextBoardState(prevState *BoardState, moves []SnakeMove) (*BoardState, error) {
 	if r.StandardRuleset.HazardDamagePerTurn < 1 {
 		return nil, errors.New("royale damage per turn must be greater than zero")
 	}
-
-	nextBoardState, err := r.StandardRuleset.CreateNextBoardState(prevState, moves)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	// Royale's only job is now to populate the hazards for next turn - StandardRuleset takes care of applying hazard damage.
-	err = r.populateHazards(nextBoardState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return nextBoardState, nil
-}
-
-func (r *RoyaleRuleset) populateHazards(b *BoardState) error {
-	_, err := r.callStageFunc(PopulateHazardsRoyale, b, []SnakeMove{})
-	return err
+	_, nextState, err := r.Execute(prevState, r.Settings(), moves)
+	return nextState, err
 }
 
 func PopulateHazardsRoyale(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
+	if IsInitialization(b, settings, moves) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
 	b.Hazards = []Point{}
 
 	// Royale uses the current turn to generate hazards, not the previous turn that's in the board state
@@ -82,6 +84,10 @@ func PopulateHazardsRoyale(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove)
 	return false, nil
 }
 
+func (r *RoyaleRuleset) IsGameOver(b *BoardState) (bool, error) {
+	return GameOverStandard(b, r.Settings(), nil)
+}
+
 func (r RoyaleRuleset) Settings() Settings {
 	s := r.StandardRuleset.Settings()
 	s.RoyaleSettings = RoyaleSettings{
@@ -90,8 +96,3 @@ func (r RoyaleRuleset) Settings() Settings {
 	}
 	return s
 }
-
-// Adaptor for integrating stages into RoyaleRuleset
-func (r *RoyaleRuleset) callStageFunc(stage StageFunc, boardState *BoardState, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
-	return stage(boardState, r.Settings(), moves)
-}
diff --git a/royale_test.go b/royale_test.go
index b1d60e4..59f71be 100644
--- a/royale_test.go
+++ b/royale_test.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ func TestRoyaleRulesetInterface(t *testing.T) {
 func TestRoyaleDefaultSanity(t *testing.T) {
 	boardState := &BoardState{}
 	r := RoyaleRuleset{StandardRuleset: StandardRuleset{HazardDamagePerTurn: 1}, ShrinkEveryNTurns: 0}
-	_, err := r.CreateNextBoardState(boardState, []SnakeMove{})
+	_, err := r.CreateNextBoardState(boardState, []SnakeMove{{"", ""}})
 	require.Error(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, errors.New("royale game can't shrink more frequently than every turn"), err)
 
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ func TestRoyaleHazards(t *testing.T) {
 			ShrinkEveryNTurns: test.ShrinkEveryNTurns,
 		}
 
-		err := r.populateHazards(b)
+		_, err := PopulateHazardsRoyale(b, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 		require.Equal(t, test.Error, err)
 		if err == nil {
 			// Obstacles should match
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ func TestRoyalDamageNextTurn(t *testing.T) {
 	stateAfterTurn := func(prevState *BoardState, turn int32) *BoardState {
 		nextState := prevState.Clone()
 		nextState.Turn = turn - 1
-		err := r.populateHazards(nextState)
+		_, err := PopulateHazardsRoyale(nextState, r.Settings(), nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		nextState.Turn = turn
 		return nextState
@@ -265,7 +265,16 @@ func TestRoyaleCreateNextBoardState(t *testing.T) {
 		ShrinkEveryNTurns: 1,
 	}
 	rand.Seed(0)
+	rb := NewRulesetBuilder().WithParams(map[string]string{
+		ParamGameType:            GameTypeRoyale,
+		ParamHazardDamagePerTurn: "1",
+		ParamShrinkEveryNTurns:   "1",
+	})
 	for _, gc := range cases {
 		gc.requireValidNextState(t, &r)
+		// also test a RulesBuilder constructed instance
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, rb.Ruleset())
+		// also test a pipeline with the same settings
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, rb.PipelineRuleset(GameTypeRoyale, NewPipeline(royaleRulesetStages...)))
 	}
 }
diff --git a/ruleset.go b/ruleset.go
index b5b4477..a9af863 100644
--- a/ruleset.go
+++ b/ruleset.go
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@ const (
 	ErrorNoRoomForFood   = RulesetError("not enough space to place food")
 	ErrorNoMoveFound     = RulesetError("move not provided for snake")
 	ErrorZeroLengthSnake = RulesetError("snake is length zero")
+	ErrorEmptyRegistry   = RulesetError("empty registry")
+	ErrorNoStages        = RulesetError("no stages")
+	ErrorStageNotFound   = RulesetError("stage not found")
 
 	// Ruleset / game type names
 	GameTypeConstrictor = "constrictor"
@@ -104,7 +107,7 @@ func (rb *rulesetBuilder) AddSnakeToSquad(snakeID, squadName string) *rulesetBui
 }
 
 // Ruleset constructs a customised ruleset using the parameters passed to the builder.
-func (rb rulesetBuilder) Ruleset() Ruleset {
+func (rb rulesetBuilder) Ruleset() PipelineRuleset {
 	standardRuleset := &StandardRuleset{
 		FoodSpawnChance:     paramsInt32(rb.params, ParamFoodSpawnChance, 0),
 		MinimumFood:         paramsInt32(rb.params, ParamMinimumFood, 0),
@@ -138,13 +141,9 @@ func (rb rulesetBuilder) Ruleset() Ruleset {
 			StandardRuleset: *standardRuleset,
 		}
 	case GameTypeSquad:
-		squadMap := map[string]string{}
-		for id, squad := range rb.squads {
-			squadMap[id] = squad
-		}
 		return &SquadRuleset{
 			StandardRuleset:     *standardRuleset,
-			SquadMap:            squadMap,
+			SquadMap:            rb.squadMap(),
 			AllowBodyCollisions: paramsBool(rb.params, ParamAllowBodyCollisions, false),
 			SharedElimination:   paramsBool(rb.params, ParamSharedElimination, false),
 			SharedHealth:        paramsBool(rb.params, ParamSharedHealth, false),
@@ -154,6 +153,42 @@ func (rb rulesetBuilder) Ruleset() Ruleset {
 	return standardRuleset
 }
 
+func (rb rulesetBuilder) squadMap() map[string]string {
+	squadMap := map[string]string{}
+	for id, squad := range rb.squads {
+		squadMap[id] = squad
+	}
+	return squadMap
+}
+
+// PipelineRuleset provides an implementation of the Ruleset using a pipeline with a name.
+// It is intended to facilitate transitioning away from legacy Ruleset implementations to Pipeline
+// implementations.
+func (rb rulesetBuilder) PipelineRuleset(name string, p Pipeline) PipelineRuleset {
+	return &pipelineRuleset{
+		name:     name,
+		pipeline: p,
+		settings: Settings{
+			FoodSpawnChance:     paramsInt32(rb.params, ParamFoodSpawnChance, 0),
+			MinimumFood:         paramsInt32(rb.params, ParamMinimumFood, 0),
+			HazardDamagePerTurn: paramsInt32(rb.params, ParamHazardDamagePerTurn, 0),
+			HazardMap:           rb.params[ParamHazardMap],
+			HazardMapAuthor:     rb.params[ParamHazardMapAuthor],
+			RoyaleSettings: RoyaleSettings{
+				seed:              rb.seed,
+				ShrinkEveryNTurns: paramsInt32(rb.params, ParamShrinkEveryNTurns, 0),
+			},
+			SquadSettings: SquadSettings{
+				squadMap:            rb.squadMap(),
+				AllowBodyCollisions: paramsBool(rb.params, ParamAllowBodyCollisions, false),
+				SharedElimination:   paramsBool(rb.params, ParamSharedElimination, false),
+				SharedHealth:        paramsBool(rb.params, ParamSharedHealth, false),
+				SharedLength:        paramsBool(rb.params, ParamSharedLength, false),
+			},
+		},
+	}
+}
+
 // paramsBool returns the boolean value for the specified parameter.
 // If the parameter doesn't exist, the default value will be returned.
 // If the parameter does exist, but is not "true", false will be returned.
@@ -239,3 +274,56 @@ type SquadSettings struct {
 //
 // Errors should be treated as meaning the stage failed and the board state is now invalid.
 type StageFunc func(*BoardState, Settings, []SnakeMove) (bool, error)
+
+// PipelineRuleset groups the Pipeline and Ruleset methods.
+// It is intended to facilitate a transition from Ruleset legacy code to Pipeline code.
+type PipelineRuleset interface {
+	Ruleset
+	Pipeline
+}
+
+type pipelineRuleset struct {
+	pipeline Pipeline
+	name     string
+	settings Settings
+}
+
+// impl Ruleset
+func (r pipelineRuleset) Settings() Settings {
+	return r.settings
+}
+
+// impl Ruleset
+func (r pipelineRuleset) Name() string { return r.name }
+
+// impl Ruleset
+// IMPORTANT: this implementation of IsGameOver deviates from the previous Ruleset implementations
+// in that it checks if the *NEXT* state results in game over, not the previous state.
+// This is due to the design of pipelines / stage functions not having a distinction between
+// checking for game over and producing a next state.
+func (r *pipelineRuleset) IsGameOver(b *BoardState) (bool, error) {
+	gameover, _, err := r.Execute(b, r.Settings(), nil) // checks if next state is game over
+	return gameover, err
+}
+
+// impl Ruleset
+func (r pipelineRuleset) ModifyInitialBoardState(initialState *BoardState) (*BoardState, error) {
+	_, nextState, err := r.Execute(initialState, r.Settings(), nil)
+	return nextState, err
+}
+
+// impl Pipeline
+func (r pipelineRuleset) Execute(bs *BoardState, s Settings, sm []SnakeMove) (bool, *BoardState, error) {
+	return r.pipeline.Execute(bs, s, sm)
+}
+
+// impl Ruleset
+func (r pipelineRuleset) CreateNextBoardState(bs *BoardState, sm []SnakeMove) (*BoardState, error) {
+	_, nextState, err := r.Execute(bs, r.Settings(), sm)
+	return nextState, err
+}
+
+// impl Pipeline
+func (r pipelineRuleset) Err() error {
+	return r.pipeline.Err()
+}
diff --git a/solo.go b/solo.go
index 907f642..68dc8c5 100644
--- a/solo.go
+++ b/solo.go
@@ -1,13 +1,27 @@
 package rules
 
+var soloRulesetStages = []string{
+	StageMovementStandard,
+	StageStarvationStandard,
+	StageHazardDamageStandard,
+	StageFeedSnakesStandard,
+	StageSpawnFoodStandard,
+	StageEliminationStandard,
+	StageGameOverSoloSnake,
+}
+
 type SoloRuleset struct {
 	StandardRuleset
 }
 
 func (r *SoloRuleset) Name() string { return GameTypeSolo }
 
+func (r SoloRuleset) Execute(bs *BoardState, s Settings, sm []SnakeMove) (bool, *BoardState, error) {
+	return NewPipeline(soloRulesetStages...).Execute(bs, s, sm)
+}
+
 func (r *SoloRuleset) IsGameOver(b *BoardState) (bool, error) {
-	return r.callStageFunc(GameOverSolo, b, []SnakeMove{})
+	return GameOverSolo(b, r.Settings(), nil)
 }
 
 func GameOverSolo(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
diff --git a/solo_test.go b/solo_test.go
index 2155419..42e32c5 100644
--- a/solo_test.go
+++ b/solo_test.go
@@ -105,7 +105,14 @@ func TestSoloCreateNextBoardState(t *testing.T) {
 		soloCaseNotOver,
 	}
 	r := SoloRuleset{}
+	rb := NewRulesetBuilder().WithParams(map[string]string{
+		ParamGameType: GameTypeSolo,
+	})
 	for _, gc := range cases {
 		gc.requireValidNextState(t, &r)
+		// also test a RulesBuilder constructed instance
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, rb.Ruleset())
+		// also test a pipeline with the same settings
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, NewRulesetBuilder().PipelineRuleset(GameTypeSolo, NewPipeline(soloRulesetStages...)))
 	}
 }
diff --git a/squad.go b/squad.go
index 1434f6c..0ee852d 100644
--- a/squad.go
+++ b/squad.go
@@ -4,6 +4,18 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 )
 
+var squadRulesetStages = []string{
+	StageMovementStandard,
+	StageStarvationStandard,
+	StageHazardDamageStandard,
+	StageFeedSnakesStandard,
+	StageSpawnFoodStandard,
+	StageEliminationStandard,
+	StageEliminationResurrectSquadCollisions,
+	StageModifySnakesShareAttributes,
+	StageGameOverBySquad,
+}
+
 type SquadRuleset struct {
 	StandardRuleset
 
@@ -18,23 +30,13 @@ type SquadRuleset struct {
 
 func (r *SquadRuleset) Name() string { return GameTypeSquad }
 
+func (r SquadRuleset) Execute(bs *BoardState, s Settings, sm []SnakeMove) (bool, *BoardState, error) {
+	return NewPipeline(squadRulesetStages...).Execute(bs, s, sm)
+}
+
 func (r *SquadRuleset) CreateNextBoardState(prevState *BoardState, moves []SnakeMove) (*BoardState, error) {
-	nextBoardState, err := r.StandardRuleset.CreateNextBoardState(prevState, moves)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	err = r.resurrectSquadBodyCollisions(nextBoardState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	err = r.shareSquadAttributes(nextBoardState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return nextBoardState, nil
+	_, nextState, err := r.Execute(prevState, r.Settings(), moves)
+	return nextState, err
 }
 
 func areSnakesOnSameSquad(squadMap map[string]string, snake *Snake, other *Snake) bool {
@@ -45,12 +47,10 @@ func areSnakeIDsOnSameSquad(squadMap map[string]string, snakeID string, otherID
 	return squadMap[snakeID] == squadMap[otherID]
 }
 
-func (r *SquadRuleset) resurrectSquadBodyCollisions(b *BoardState) error {
-	_, err := r.callStageFunc(ResurrectSnakesSquad, b, []SnakeMove{})
-	return err
-}
-
 func ResurrectSnakesSquad(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
+	if IsInitialization(b, settings, moves) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
 	if !settings.SquadSettings.AllowBodyCollisions {
 		return false, nil
 	}
@@ -71,12 +71,10 @@ func ResurrectSnakesSquad(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (
 	return false, nil
 }
 
-func (r *SquadRuleset) shareSquadAttributes(b *BoardState) error {
-	_, err := r.callStageFunc(ShareAttributesSquad, b, []SnakeMove{})
-	return err
-}
-
 func ShareAttributesSquad(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
+	if IsInitialization(b, settings, moves) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
 	squadSettings := settings.SquadSettings
 
 	if !(squadSettings.SharedElimination || squadSettings.SharedLength || squadSettings.SharedHealth) {
@@ -120,7 +118,7 @@ func ShareAttributesSquad(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (
 }
 
 func (r *SquadRuleset) IsGameOver(b *BoardState) (bool, error) {
-	return r.callStageFunc(GameOverSquad, b, []SnakeMove{})
+	return GameOverSquad(b, r.Settings(), nil)
 }
 
 func GameOverSquad(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
@@ -152,8 +150,3 @@ func (r SquadRuleset) Settings() Settings {
 	}
 	return s
 }
-
-// Adaptor for integrating stages into SquadRuleset
-func (r *SquadRuleset) callStageFunc(stage StageFunc, boardState *BoardState, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
-	return stage(boardState, r.Settings(), moves)
-}
diff --git a/squad_test.go b/squad_test.go
index f39c759..af330a5 100644
--- a/squad_test.go
+++ b/squad_test.go
@@ -26,14 +26,14 @@ func TestSquadCreateNextBoardStateSanity(t *testing.T) {
 func TestSquadResurrectSquadBodyCollisionsSanity(t *testing.T) {
 	boardState := &BoardState{}
 	r := SquadRuleset{}
-	err := r.resurrectSquadBodyCollisions(boardState)
+	_, err := ResurrectSnakesSquad(boardState, r.Settings(), nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 }
 
 func TestSquadSharedAttributesSanity(t *testing.T) {
 	boardState := &BoardState{}
 	r := SquadRuleset{}
-	err := r.shareSquadAttributes(boardState)
+	_, err := ShareAttributesSquad(boardState, r.Settings(), nil)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 }
 
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func TestSquadAllowBodyCollisions(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, len(squadMap), len(boardState.Snakes), "squad map is wrong size, error in test setup")
 
 	r := SquadRuleset{SquadMap: squadMap, AllowBodyCollisions: true}
-	err := r.resurrectSquadBodyCollisions(boardState)
+	_, err := ResurrectSnakesSquad(boardState, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, len(boardState.Snakes), len(testSnakes))
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ func TestSquadAllowBodyCollisionsEliminatedByNotSet(t *testing.T) {
 			"2": "red",
 		},
 	}
-	err := r.resurrectSquadBodyCollisions(boardState)
+	_, err := ResurrectSnakesSquad(boardState, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 	require.Error(t, err)
 }
 
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ func TestSquadShareSquadHealth(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, len(squadMap), len(boardState.Snakes), "squad map is wrong size, error in test setup")
 
 	r := SquadRuleset{SharedHealth: true, SquadMap: squadMap}
-	err := r.shareSquadAttributes(boardState)
+	_, err := ShareAttributesSquad(boardState, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, len(boardState.Snakes), len(testSnakes))
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ func TestSquadSharedLength(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, len(squadMap), len(boardState.Snakes), "squad map is wrong size, error in test setup")
 
 	r := SquadRuleset{SharedLength: true, SquadMap: squadMap}
-	err := r.shareSquadAttributes(boardState)
+	_, err := ShareAttributesSquad(boardState, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, len(boardState.Snakes), len(testSnakes))
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ func TestSquadSharedElimination(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, len(squadMap), len(boardState.Snakes), "squad map is wrong size, error in test setup")
 
 	r := SquadRuleset{SharedElimination: true, SquadMap: squadMap}
-	err := r.shareSquadAttributes(boardState)
+	_, err := ShareAttributesSquad(boardState, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, len(boardState.Snakes), len(testSnakes))
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ func TestSquadSharedAttributesErrorLengthZero(t *testing.T) {
 			"2": "red",
 		},
 	}
-	err := r.shareSquadAttributes(boardState)
+	_, err := ShareAttributesSquad(boardState, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 	require.Error(t, err)
 }
 
@@ -547,8 +547,19 @@ func TestSquadCreateNextBoardState(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 	rand.Seed(0)
+	rb := NewRulesetBuilder().WithParams(map[string]string{
+		ParamGameType: GameTypeSquad,
+	})
+	rb.WithSeed(0)
+	for s, ss := range r.SquadMap {
+		rb = rb.AddSnakeToSquad(s, ss)
+	}
 	for _, gc := range standardCases {
 		gc.requireValidNextState(t, &r)
+		// also test a RulesBuilder constructed instance
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, rb.Ruleset())
+		// also test a pipeline with the same settings
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, rb.PipelineRuleset(GameTypeSquad, NewPipeline(squadRulesetStages...)))
 	}
 
 	extendedCases := []gameTestCase{
@@ -557,7 +568,15 @@ func TestSquadCreateNextBoardState(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	r.SharedHealth = true
 	r.AllowBodyCollisions = true
+	rb = rb.WithParams(map[string]string{
+		ParamSharedHealth:        "true",
+		ParamAllowBodyCollisions: "true",
+	})
 	for _, gc := range extendedCases {
 		gc.requireValidNextState(t, &r)
+		// also test a RulesBuilder constructed instance
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, rb.Ruleset())
+		// also test a pipeline with the same settings
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, rb.PipelineRuleset(GameTypeSquad, NewPipeline(squadRulesetStages...)))
 	}
 }
diff --git a/standard.go b/standard.go
index d1e9538..fa55b96 100644
--- a/standard.go
+++ b/standard.go
@@ -13,6 +13,16 @@ type StandardRuleset struct {
 	HazardMapAuthor     string // optional
 }
 
+var standardRulesetStages = []string{
+	StageMovementStandard,
+	StageStarvationStandard,
+	StageHazardDamageStandard,
+	StageFeedSnakesStandard,
+	StageSpawnFoodStandard,
+	StageEliminationStandard,
+	StageGameOverStandard,
+}
+
 func (r *StandardRuleset) Name() string { return GameTypeStandard }
 
 func (r *StandardRuleset) ModifyInitialBoardState(initialState *BoardState) (*BoardState, error) {
@@ -20,55 +30,22 @@ func (r *StandardRuleset) ModifyInitialBoardState(initialState *BoardState) (*Bo
 	return initialState, nil
 }
 
-func (r *StandardRuleset) CreateNextBoardState(prevState *BoardState, moves []SnakeMove) (*BoardState, error) {
-	// We specifically want to copy prevState, so as not to alter it directly.
-	nextState := prevState.Clone()
-
-	err := r.moveSnakes(nextState, moves)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	err = r.reduceSnakeHealth(nextState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	err = r.maybeDamageHazards(nextState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	// bvanvugt: We specifically want this to happen before elimination for two reasons:
-	// 1) We want snakes to be able to eat on their very last turn and still survive.
-	// 2) So that head-to-head collisions on food still remove the food.
-	//    This does create an artifact though, where head-to-head collisions
-	//    of equal length actually show length + 1 and full health, as if both snakes ate.
-	err = r.maybeFeedSnakes(nextState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	err = r.maybeSpawnFood(nextState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	err = r.maybeEliminateSnakes(nextState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return nextState, nil
+// impl Pipeline
+func (r StandardRuleset) Execute(bs *BoardState, s Settings, sm []SnakeMove) (bool, *BoardState, error) {
+	return NewPipeline(standardRulesetStages...).Execute(bs, s, sm)
 }
 
-func (r *StandardRuleset) moveSnakes(b *BoardState, moves []SnakeMove) error {
-	_, err := r.callStageFunc(MoveSnakesStandard, b, moves)
-	return err
+func (r *StandardRuleset) CreateNextBoardState(prevState *BoardState, moves []SnakeMove) (*BoardState, error) {
+	_, nextState, err := r.Execute(prevState, r.Settings(), moves)
+	return nextState, err
 }
 
 func MoveSnakesStandard(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
-	// If no moves are passed, pass on modifying the initial board state
+	if IsInitialization(b, settings, moves) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+
+	// no-op when moves are empty
 	if len(moves) == 0 {
 		return false, nil
 	}
@@ -164,12 +141,10 @@ func getDefaultMove(snakeBody []Point) string {
 	return MoveUp
 }
 
-func (r *StandardRuleset) reduceSnakeHealth(b *BoardState) error {
-	_, err := r.callStageFunc(ReduceSnakeHealthStandard, b, []SnakeMove{})
-	return err
-}
-
 func ReduceSnakeHealthStandard(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
+	if IsInitialization(b, settings, moves) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
 	for i := 0; i < len(b.Snakes); i++ {
 		if b.Snakes[i].EliminatedCause == NotEliminated {
 			b.Snakes[i].Health = b.Snakes[i].Health - 1
@@ -178,12 +153,10 @@ func ReduceSnakeHealthStandard(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMo
 	return false, nil
 }
 
-func (r *StandardRuleset) maybeDamageHazards(b *BoardState) error {
-	_, err := r.callStageFunc(DamageHazardsStandard, b, []SnakeMove{})
-	return err
-}
-
 func DamageHazardsStandard(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
+	if IsInitialization(b, settings, moves) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
 	for i := 0; i < len(b.Snakes); i++ {
 		snake := &b.Snakes[i]
 		if snake.EliminatedCause != NotEliminated {
@@ -218,12 +191,10 @@ func DamageHazardsStandard(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove)
 	return false, nil
 }
 
-func (r *StandardRuleset) maybeEliminateSnakes(b *BoardState) error {
-	_, err := r.callStageFunc(EliminateSnakesStandard, b, []SnakeMove{})
-	return err
-}
-
 func EliminateSnakesStandard(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
+	if IsInitialization(b, settings, moves) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
 	// First order snake indices by length.
 	// In multi-collision scenarios we want to always attribute elimination to the longest snake.
 	snakeIndicesByLength := make([]int, len(b.Snakes))
@@ -378,11 +349,6 @@ func snakeHasLostHeadToHead(s *Snake, other *Snake) bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-func (r *StandardRuleset) maybeFeedSnakes(b *BoardState) error {
-	_, err := r.callStageFunc(FeedSnakesStandard, b, []SnakeMove{})
-	return err
-}
-
 func FeedSnakesStandard(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
 	newFood := []Point{}
 	for _, food := range b.Food {
@@ -421,12 +387,10 @@ func growSnake(snake *Snake) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (r *StandardRuleset) maybeSpawnFood(b *BoardState) error {
-	_, err := r.callStageFunc(SpawnFoodStandard, b, []SnakeMove{})
-	return err
-}
-
 func SpawnFoodStandard(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
+	if IsInitialization(b, settings, moves) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
 	numCurrentFood := int32(len(b.Food))
 	if numCurrentFood < settings.MinimumFood {
 		return false, PlaceFoodRandomly(b, settings.MinimumFood-numCurrentFood)
@@ -438,7 +402,7 @@ func SpawnFoodStandard(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (boo
 }
 
 func (r *StandardRuleset) IsGameOver(b *BoardState) (bool, error) {
-	return r.callStageFunc(GameOverStandard, b, []SnakeMove{})
+	return GameOverStandard(b, r.Settings(), nil)
 }
 
 func GameOverStandard(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
@@ -461,7 +425,14 @@ func (r StandardRuleset) Settings() Settings {
 	}
 }
 
-// Adaptor for integrating stages into StandardRuleset
-func (r *StandardRuleset) callStageFunc(stage StageFunc, boardState *BoardState, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
-	return stage(boardState, r.Settings(), moves)
+// impl Pipeline
+func (r StandardRuleset) Err() error {
+	return nil
+}
+
+// IsInitialization checks whether the current state means the game is initialising.
+func IsInitialization(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) bool {
+	// We can safely assume that the game state is in the initialisation phase when
+	// the turn hasn't advanced and the moves are empty
+	return b.Turn <= 0 && len(moves) == 0
 }
diff --git a/standard_test.go b/standard_test.go
index 5b1fb56..52bc1ce 100644
--- a/standard_test.go
+++ b/standard_test.go
@@ -218,8 +218,15 @@ func TestStandardCreateNextBoardState(t *testing.T) {
 		standardMoveAndCollideMAD,
 	}
 	r := StandardRuleset{}
+	rb := NewRulesetBuilder().WithParams(map[string]string{
+		ParamGameType: GameTypeStandard,
+	})
 	for _, gc := range cases {
 		gc.requireValidNextState(t, &r)
+		// also test a RulesBuilder constructed instance
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, rb.Ruleset())
+		// also test a pipeline with the same settings
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, NewRulesetBuilder().PipelineRuleset(GameTypeStandard, NewPipeline(standardRulesetStages...)))
 	}
 }
 
@@ -552,7 +559,7 @@ func TestMoveSnakes(t *testing.T) {
 			{ID: "two", Move: test.MoveTwo},
 			{ID: "three", Move: test.MoveThree},
 		}
-		err := r.moveSnakes(b, moves)
+		_, err := MoveSnakesStandard(b, r.Settings(), moves)
 
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Len(t, b.Snakes, 3)
@@ -597,7 +604,7 @@ func TestMoveSnakesWrongID(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	r := StandardRuleset{}
-	err := r.moveSnakes(b, moves)
+	_, err := MoveSnakesStandard(b, r.Settings(), moves)
 	require.Equal(t, ErrorNoMoveFound, err)
 }
 
@@ -622,7 +629,7 @@ func TestMoveSnakesNotEnoughMoves(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	r := StandardRuleset{}
-	err := r.moveSnakes(b, moves)
+	_, err := MoveSnakesStandard(b, r.Settings(), moves)
 	require.Equal(t, ErrorNoMoveFound, err)
 }
 
@@ -647,7 +654,7 @@ func TestMoveSnakesExtraMovesIgnored(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	r := StandardRuleset{}
-	err := r.moveSnakes(b, moves)
+	_, err := MoveSnakesStandard(b, r.Settings(), moves)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, []Point{{1, 0}}, b.Snakes[0].Body)
 }
@@ -699,7 +706,7 @@ func TestMoveSnakesDefault(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		moves := []SnakeMove{{ID: "one", Move: test.Move}}
 
-		err := r.moveSnakes(b, moves)
+		_, err := MoveSnakesStandard(b, r.Settings(), moves)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Len(t, b.Snakes, 1)
 		require.Equal(t, len(test.Body), len(b.Snakes[0].Body))
@@ -795,25 +802,25 @@ func TestReduceSnakeHealth(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	r := StandardRuleset{}
-	err := r.reduceSnakeHealth(b)
+	_, err := ReduceSnakeHealthStandard(b, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, b.Snakes[0].Health, int32(98))
 	require.Equal(t, b.Snakes[1].Health, int32(1))
 	require.Equal(t, b.Snakes[2].Health, int32(50))
 
-	err = r.reduceSnakeHealth(b)
+	_, err = ReduceSnakeHealthStandard(b, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, b.Snakes[0].Health, int32(97))
 	require.Equal(t, b.Snakes[1].Health, int32(0))
 	require.Equal(t, b.Snakes[2].Health, int32(50))
 
-	err = r.reduceSnakeHealth(b)
+	_, err = ReduceSnakeHealthStandard(b, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, b.Snakes[0].Health, int32(96))
 	require.Equal(t, b.Snakes[1].Health, int32(-1))
 	require.Equal(t, b.Snakes[2].Health, int32(50))
 
-	err = r.reduceSnakeHealth(b)
+	_, err = ReduceSnakeHealthStandard(b, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.Equal(t, b.Snakes[0].Health, int32(95))
 	require.Equal(t, b.Snakes[1].Health, int32(-2))
@@ -1214,7 +1221,7 @@ func TestMaybeEliminateSnakes(t *testing.T) {
 				Height: 10,
 				Snakes: test.Snakes,
 			}
-			err := r.maybeEliminateSnakes(b)
+			_, err := EliminateSnakesStandard(b, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 			require.Equal(t, test.Err, err)
 			for i, snake := range b.Snakes {
 				require.Equal(t, test.ExpectedEliminatedCauses[i], snake.EliminatedCause)
@@ -1254,7 +1261,7 @@ func TestMaybeEliminateSnakesPriority(t *testing.T) {
 	r := StandardRuleset{}
 	for _, test := range tests {
 		b := &BoardState{Width: 10, Height: 10, Snakes: test.Snakes}
-		err := r.maybeEliminateSnakes(b)
+		_, err := EliminateSnakesStandard(b, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		for i, snake := range b.Snakes {
 			require.Equal(t, test.ExpectedEliminatedCauses[i], snake.EliminatedCause, snake.ID)
@@ -1320,7 +1327,7 @@ func TestMaybeDamageHazards(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, test := range tests {
 		b := &BoardState{Snakes: test.Snakes, Hazards: test.Hazards, Food: test.Food}
 		r := StandardRuleset{HazardDamagePerTurn: 100}
-		err := r.maybeDamageHazards(b)
+		_, err := DamageHazardsStandard(b, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
 		for i, snake := range b.Snakes {
@@ -1361,7 +1368,7 @@ func TestHazardDamagePerTurn(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		r := StandardRuleset{HazardDamagePerTurn: test.HazardDamagePerTurn}
 
-		err := r.maybeDamageHazards(b)
+		_, err := DamageHazardsStandard(b, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 		require.Equal(t, test.Error, err)
 		require.Equal(t, test.ExpectedHealth, b.Snakes[0].Health)
 		require.Equal(t, test.ExpectedEliminationCause, b.Snakes[0].EliminatedCause)
@@ -1441,7 +1448,7 @@ func TestMaybeFeedSnakes(t *testing.T) {
 			Snakes: test.Snakes,
 			Food:   test.Food,
 		}
-		err := r.maybeFeedSnakes(b)
+		_, err := FeedSnakesStandard(b, r.Settings(), nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err, test.Name)
 		require.Equal(t, len(test.ExpectedSnakes), len(b.Snakes), test.Name)
 		for i := 0; i < len(b.Snakes); i++ {
@@ -1477,7 +1484,7 @@ func TestMaybeSpawnFoodMinimum(t *testing.T) {
 			Food: test.Food,
 		}
 
-		err := r.maybeSpawnFood(b)
+		_, err := SpawnFoodStandard(b, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Equal(t, test.ExpectedFood, len(b.Food))
 	}
@@ -1495,7 +1502,7 @@ func TestMaybeSpawnFoodZeroChance(t *testing.T) {
 		Food: []Point{},
 	}
 	for i := 0; i < 1000; i++ {
-		err := r.maybeSpawnFood(b)
+		_, err := SpawnFoodStandard(b, r.Settings(), nil)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Equal(t, len(b.Food), 0)
 	}
@@ -1513,7 +1520,7 @@ func TestMaybeSpawnFoodHundredChance(t *testing.T) {
 		Food: []Point{},
 	}
 	for i := 1; i <= 22; i++ {
-		err := r.maybeSpawnFood(b)
+		_, err := SpawnFoodStandard(b, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Equal(t, i, len(b.Food))
 	}
@@ -1547,7 +1554,7 @@ func TestMaybeSpawnFoodHalfChance(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 
 		rand.Seed(test.Seed)
-		err := r.maybeSpawnFood(b)
+		_, err := SpawnFoodStandard(b, r.Settings(), mockSnakeMoves())
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		require.Equal(t, test.ExpectedFood, int32(len(b.Food)), "Seed %d", test.Seed)
 	}
diff --git a/wrapped.go b/wrapped.go
index 77a2e23..51c60e5 100644
--- a/wrapped.go
+++ b/wrapped.go
@@ -1,53 +1,36 @@
 package rules
 
+var wrappedRulesetStages = []string{
+	StageMovementWrapBoundaries,
+	StageStarvationStandard,
+	StageHazardDamageStandard,
+	StageFeedSnakesStandard,
+	StageSpawnFoodStandard,
+	StageEliminationStandard,
+	StageGameOverStandard,
+}
+
 type WrappedRuleset struct {
 	StandardRuleset
 }
 
 func (r *WrappedRuleset) Name() string { return GameTypeWrapped }
 
-func (r *WrappedRuleset) CreateNextBoardState(prevState *BoardState, moves []SnakeMove) (*BoardState, error) {
-	nextState := prevState.Clone()
-
-	err := r.moveSnakes(nextState, moves)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	err = r.reduceSnakeHealth(nextState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	err = r.maybeDamageHazards(nextState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	err = r.maybeFeedSnakes(nextState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	err = r.maybeSpawnFood(nextState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	err = r.maybeEliminateSnakes(nextState)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return nextState, nil
+func (r WrappedRuleset) Execute(bs *BoardState, s Settings, sm []SnakeMove) (bool, *BoardState, error) {
+	return NewPipeline(wrappedRulesetStages...).Execute(bs, s, sm)
 }
 
-func (r *WrappedRuleset) moveSnakes(b *BoardState, moves []SnakeMove) error {
-	_, err := r.callStageFunc(MoveSnakesWrapped, b, moves)
-	return err
+func (r *WrappedRuleset) CreateNextBoardState(prevState *BoardState, moves []SnakeMove) (*BoardState, error) {
+	_, nextState, err := r.Execute(prevState, r.Settings(), moves)
+
+	return nextState, err
 }
 
 func MoveSnakesWrapped(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (bool, error) {
+	if IsInitialization(b, settings, moves) {
+		return false, nil
+	}
+
 	_, err := MoveSnakesStandard(b, settings, moves)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
@@ -65,6 +48,10 @@ func MoveSnakesWrapped(b *BoardState, settings Settings, moves []SnakeMove) (boo
 	return false, nil
 }
 
+func (r *WrappedRuleset) IsGameOver(b *BoardState) (bool, error) {
+	return GameOverStandard(b, r.Settings(), nil)
+}
+
 func wrap(value, min, max int32) int32 {
 	if value < min {
 		return max
diff --git a/wrapped_test.go b/wrapped_test.go
index fd41867..04994ac 100644
--- a/wrapped_test.go
+++ b/wrapped_test.go
@@ -331,7 +331,14 @@ func TestWrappedCreateNextBoardState(t *testing.T) {
 		wrappedCaseMoveAndWrap,
 	}
 	r := WrappedRuleset{}
+	rb := NewRulesetBuilder().WithParams(map[string]string{
+		ParamGameType: GameTypeWrapped,
+	})
 	for _, gc := range cases {
 		gc.requireValidNextState(t, &r)
+		// also test a RulesBuilder constructed instance
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, rb.Ruleset())
+		// also test a pipeline with the same settings
+		gc.requireValidNextState(t, NewRulesetBuilder().PipelineRuleset(GameTypeWrapped, NewPipeline(wrappedRulesetStages...)))
 	}
 }