Cheaters are never successful. But the thing is, there will always be dishonest players who seek to win quickly, just like in any other sport or game. However, is it really so horrible that cheating was discovered even among elite esports players?
Much like traditional sports, esports faces its own share of cheating. This article ventures into the realm of esports deceit, shedding light on notable cases that have rattled the competitive arena.
Atun (Dota 2)
After being exposed utilizing macros during a qualification match for The International 2018, Dota 2 player Atun’s Dota career took a blow in 2018. His team, Thunder Predator, was kicked out of the competition for using macros.
Although Atun’s squad insisted it wasn’t cheating, the incident nevertheless caused many to wonder where Dota 2 draws the line between legal and illegal automation.
KQLY (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive)
In 2014, a CS:GO star named KQLY imploded his career when he received a VAC ban. The lack of details about whether the ban applied to online or LAN events left fans reeling. As the first major CS:GO pro banned, KQLY shattered the community’s trust. This made the community become hyper-vigilant, with suspicion on other players.
KQLY’s exile reminds that esports has zero tolerance for cheating. Even the most skilled players can fall victim to bans.
iBUYPOWER Match-Fixing Scandal (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive)
A dark history tainted the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive scene in 2014. The formerly reputable professional gaming squad was found guilty of manipulating a match to get paid by bettors.
This match-fixing scandal sent shockwaves through the esports community. This leads to permanent bans for the players involved.
As a result, stricter regulations were implemented, a stark reminder of the constant battle for fair play and the ever-present need to safeguard the integrity of esports.
Life (StarCraft 2)
StarCraft 2 star player Life’s career crashed in 2016 when he was caught match-fixing. This serious offense, where players throw games for financial gain, resulted in a harsh punishment.
Life faced an 18-month suspended prison sentence and a lifetime ban from StarCraft 2 competitions. This event served as a stark reminder of the importance of fair play in esports and a strong deterrent against future match-fixing.
SF (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive)
Pro CS:GO player SF’s career took a sharp turn in 2014 after he was caught using hacks. Valve responded swiftly with a permanent ban from the game and disqualification from the prestigious DreamHack Winter event.
This blatant act of cheating infuriated the CS:GO community and brought attention to how dangerous it is to use such unapproved software during competitive play.
Conclusion
Cheating in esports and in general must not be tolerated. Cheating undermines the fairness of competition, compromises integrity, and diminishes trust among community members. Who would want to watch a game of a cheater while others are working hard?
