ESL, one of the leading organizations in the esports arena, has revised its tournament regulations in light of recent extensive bans imposed by Valve for smurfing activities. The changes, particularly affecting Dota 2 players, aim to strike a balance between upholding competitive integrity and providing a path for redemption for players who have been banned for non-competitive infractions.
ESL has stated that it is fully committed to upholding the integrity of its tournaments by enforcing bans issued by game publishers and the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC). Any player currently under a ban from these organizations will not be allowed to participate in ESL tournaments.
ESL has adopted a nuanced approach towards Dota2 VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) bans. Understanding that these bans can have different reasons, the organization has decided to consider them valid for two years from the date of issuance. This limited-duration recognition ensures that the punitive measures are effective without permanently damaging a player’s career.
If a player receives a VAC ban in Dota 2 for an offense unrelated to competitive play, such as sharing their account during public matches, ESL provides an exception. Players can compete on a new account to bypass the ban, as long as the account is in good standing and has no history of suspicious activity. This exception shows that ESL recognizes that not all violations pose a risk to competitive fairness.
ESL changed tournament rules after massive Valve bans for smurfing
byu/AnteaterLucky6491 inDotA2
