Dear Valve,
You do a lot of things right. Actually, most things, to be honest. But you still haven’t fully grasped the beast that is esports. Maybe that’s intentional. Some developers have openly rejected esports by saying they “want to make great games” first and foremost. This is a fine mantra if you aren’t making millions thanks to the support of an esports fanbase. Once you start doing that, you have an obligation to take that scene seriously, or at least make them believe that you do with a few gestures. Appeasement must run both ways.
Addressing the iBUYPOWER match-fixing situation
There are a few issues that I’m sure the community has presented to you. But today I want to address the current situation surrounding the former iBUYPOWER players and how it needs to be resolved.
On Jan. 26, those players and their associates were officially banned from participating in any capacity at all Valve sponsored events. Since then, you’ve offered a critical lack of information regarding their future. You haven’t given an actual duration for the ban or a potential date for its revision or review, nor have you made it clear if there is any hope for an appeal.
Concerns about fairness and punishment
These are not bad people, just people who made bad choices. On a personal level, I have a big reason to want to see these players remain banned. Every time they denied the accusations, they also criticized me, claiming I was making up stories for web hits. Fans readily accepted this as fact because the players were immensely popular. Without your involvement, that’s what the general public would believe. I owe you thanks. But now, I have concerns as to whether the punishment was truly fair.
Drawing comparisons to Riot Games
You are familiar with Riot Games. They have embraced esports in a way few developers have, which should have been a good thing. But I no longer believe that to be the case. Their esports division issues punishments in a spiteful fashion, often for things that would go mostly ignored in any other competitive environment. They react to the mob, handing out instant justice rather than following their own systems. Most disgusting of all is the way they pronounce a duration for their punishments, only to later revise them. This is a disgusting way to treat young adults and no sporting disciplinary system would allow it.
The need for clear and fair punishments
I like to be consistent in my praise and criticism, so I must point out that you are doing the same thing as Riot by issuing an “indefinite” punishment with no clear end date or appeal. It’s important to clarify if these bans are actually lifetime bans. That will allow these people to make informed decisions about their futures. That’s what I would expect from any disciplinary body in esports that is worthy of respect.
Understanding the need for severe punishments
I understand the need for severe punishments for match-fixing. It’s important to maintain the integrity of the sport and prevent sponsors from being turned off by corruption. But it’s also important to consider the circumstances. The iBUYPOWER players were not able to command a living salary for their efforts, unlike players in other regions who had more support. This resentment can lead to players exploring ways to close the financial gap, even if it means making bad choices.
Drawing parallels to other sports
Fixing one game rarely warrants a lifetime ban in any other sport. It’s rare for a lifetime ban to stick and there’s usually an appeals process. Most penalties allow those impacted to at least try their hand at a post-disgrace career.
An appeal for fairness
When I worked on the investigation, I did it believing that exposing the match-fixing would benefit the competitive scene as a whole and that the punishments would be fair. Preserving competitive integrity makes Counter-Strike better, but it can’t be accomplished without fairness. You have done the first, now it’s time to show us the latter.
Illustration by Jacob Wolf