Valve has lately deployed one other ban wave, concentrating on gamers concerned in smurfing or account sharing, ensuing within the ban of even professional gamers’ accounts. Distinguished amongst these affected is skilled Dota 2 participant Steven “StingeR” Vargas, whose account was notably banned within the midst of a aggressive match.
![](https://www.esports.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/stinger-ban-e1705508650821.jpg)
Credit score: Valve / The Worldwide 2021
The Purpose behind Stinger Dota 2 ban
Whereas Valve has not formally confirmed the prevalence of a brand new ban wave, proof from varied high-ranking gamers signifies a considerable variety of account bans. The first focus seems to be on smurf accounts and people shared with different people.
This coverage appears to be the underlying reason behind StingeR’s ban. His teammate, David “Parker” Nicho Flores, was lately discovered utilizing StingeR’s account. It is a violation of Steam’s phrases of service, which Flores acknowledged on Twitter.
I don’t see something improper with what I did, he’s knowledgeable participant and I’m not boosting him as you suppose, I couldn’t play my account for causes, and I went to his account to start out training, as a result of I’ve a group and I’ve an opportunity to qualify.
— David Nicho Flores (@ParkerDota2) January 17, 2024
The ban occurred throughout a match between Mad Kings and Thunder Awaken within the South American qualifiers for DreamLeague S22. StingeR, serving because the captain of Mad Kings, was disconnected from the sport. His teammates subsequently revealed within the in-game chat that his account had been banned. The match broadcast was paused quickly after, and Mad Kings have been assigned a default loss for the second sport of the sequence, resulting in their elimination from the event.
This consequence doubtlessly price Mad Kings an opportunity at collaborating in DreamLeague S22, which boasts a $1 million prize pool.
Valve’s stance on multi-account customers since December 2023
Although official affirmation is pending, stories recommend that a number of skilled gamers have confronted bans, totally on their smurf accounts. StingeR’s state of affairs is seemingly distinctive as his principal account was banned.
Final 12 months, Valve communicated its choice to the skilled gaming group, stating that professional gamers wouldn’t be exempt from smurfing bans, a coverage that now seems to be in full impact.
Valve’s Strict Coverage in opposition to smurfing
Valve’s current actions display a agency stance on smurfing. By making use of this coverage universally, which incorporates skilled gamers who historically preserve a number of smurf accounts. Their goal is evident, to discourage boosting and smurfing, whatever the account’s meant use.
Different Professional Participant Bans
StingeR’s mid-game ban is unprecedented, however different skilled gamers have additionally confronted bans for holding a number of smurf accounts. For instance, Dota 2 streamer Mason “mason” Venne obtained a everlasting ban and a “Extremely Poisonous Lump of Coal” in the course of the Frostivus 2023 occasion.
![](https://www.esports.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/frostivus-valve-ban-1-e1702655974178.jpg)
A Extremely Poisonous Lump of Coal is presented to accounts-to-be-perma-banned (Picture credit: Valve)
Moreover, Russian streamers, together with rostislav_999 and others, have been banned for smurfing in low rank video games and exhibiting poisonous habits. These gamers with excessive MMRs have been discovered smurfing in considerably decrease brackets, starting from 1K to 4K MMR.
Whereas StingeR and his group felt that the ban was unwarranted, it actually contrasts the overall Dota 2 group. Actually, the transfer to successfully deter smurf accounts was properly obtained.