Complexity CS2 Basic Supervisor, Graham ‘messioso’ Pitt has taken to Twitter/X to criticise the timing of the choice to vary the way in which prize cash is handled at sure VRS occasions. The Brit later made it clear that he was not criticising HLTV, whose determination led to the change being enacted.
The change now means early phases of occasions rely the cash from eradicated groups because the prize pool, reasonably than the qualification slots because the prize, as was beforehand the case for a number of occasions. On this occasion, the discordance comes not from whether or not the change is right, however from the timing of the applying.
As Pitt argues, the change means organisations have already determined to just accept or reject invitations primarily based on now inaccurate details about the VRS worth of phases of occasions. Whether or not a sudden change like this needs to be allowed in a system constructed to offer continuity to the Counter-Strike circuit is extremely questionable.
Counter-Strike groups had been made to make choices with incorrect VRS data
messioso’s tweet reads, “HLTV modified the prizing on their occasion pages for Stage 1 of IEM Cologne from ‘Slots to subsequent stage’ to a $28,000 worth. Let me clarify why this variation, particularly the timing, is a gross integrity subject.” He continues, “This downside has been identified for over a yr, it’s been spoken about publicly and privately. This variation didn’t must occur proper this second, it may have occurred months in the past.”
For context on this level, HLTV’s Editor-in-Chief appears to have initially most well-liked that the choice be made with phrase from Valve, however the web site later modified how prize pool labored after on-line debate on the topic.
“2. This has a big influence on the worth of matches on the occasion because of the Occasion Weight mechanic. Beforehand with ‘slots’ because the prizing, the occasion weighting was solely 0.143 (14.3%). Now those self same matches are price 0.392 (39.2%). So roughly a 25% swing of things affected by this…”
Occasion Weight is a modifier that impacts the VRS factors earned by wins in occasions. As prize cash is now greater for earlier phases, corresponding to Stage 1 of IEM Cologne, wins at these phases at the moment are price extra.
“3. If we assume now that every one future occasions are going to have this variation shifting ahead, HLTV have now primarily instantly manipulated the VRS ecosystem AFTER groups have declined invitations to occasions that this may now have an effect on. That could be a MASSIVE downside…?”
The Brit went on to query whether or not this variation may have an effect on previous occasions, because the Austin Main additionally featured phases earlier to the principle occasion.
Stage 1 and Stage 2 weren’t thought-about the principle occasion on HLTV, and due to this fact, their prize pool was adjusted to be qualification slots to later phases. Professional League, IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne all featured early phases which will probably be modified by the choice.
HLTV haven’t communicated any intention to backdate the change, which might profit any workforce that gained video games on the early phases of these occasions, together with Complexity.
“4. Will this be backdated to incorporate occasions that will meet the identical standards? Does Austin Stage 1 and a couple of get occasion weighting elevated now? Does Katowice? EPL S21? How this variation might be quick and never introduced 3-4 months upfront, so no present invites are affected, is past me.”
“If groups can’t navigate the ecosystem with out third events altering the enjoying discipline in a single day, we’re in a really darkish timeline.“
Messioso later posted, “I simply need to clear one factor up right here. I don’t blame HLTV for these points arising from their information getting used because the supply for the VRS. HLTV are their very own entity and needs to be entitled to course of and current information on their web site nonetheless they select to. They’re put in a troublesome place by additionally being the info supply and balancing their very own pursuits vs what’s subsequently contributing to VRS.”
This echoes the sentiment the Brit shared in an interview with Esports Information UK, the place messioso advocated for Valve to take the match information underneath their umbrella, in a similar way to their DotA 2 system, permitting for Valve to have management of the VRS system, as a substitute of leaving it to the decision-making of a third-party entity.
Within the interview, messioso offered the next quote: “I really feel like Valve is leaning on HLTV greater than they need to be. I feel they’re able to bringing that a part of the equation in-house, and that wouldn’t detract from what HLTV is offering. It will be a separate factor that’s purely for the rating, and it might imply that their protection could possibly be extra in depth. Their management could possibly be extra in depth. I feel each of these issues are fairly important for what they’re attempting to attain.”
Darragh Harbinson is an esports author specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports Information UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.
