Player accused of using “illegal ways to gain advantage” in Counter-Strike Grand Final

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GO player, Blagoi ‘oxygeN’ Dimitrov, is under suspicion for employing unlawful tactics to secure an edge, after his team, 500, clinched victory against Partizan at CCT Season 2 Europe Series #17.

500 emerged victorious in the tournament on February 15th, winning against Partizan Esports in a thrilling 2-1 Grand-Final match. However, the authenticity of this result has been challenged by B8’s player Artem ‘kensizor’ Kapran. He posted video clips from 500’s semi-final encounter with B8 and their final game against Partizan Esports, raising doubts about the fairness of the tournament outcome.

Kensizor wondered why oxygeN seems to know where the opponent is positioned at all times, providing several video examples that suggest both the B8 and Partizan players strategically position themselves at different angles during clearing operations.

Describe to me how someone consistently predicts an enemy’s location and leaps over the obstacle (AVP) when it’s on the kt (checkpoint). Four different scenarios, or performances, occur, but is this just fantasy?

— kensizor (@kensizor771) February 15, 2025

Jovan Mijailović, head of Partizan Esports, spoke directly about the clips, saying “We were defeated in the CCT Tour Finals because it appeared that the opposing team was exploiting illegal tactics to gain an edge in the game. It’s unfortunate that they are allowed to participate in Counter-Strike ranked tournaments. We think the organizers should investigate this matter. However, I am incredibly proud of my team!

Unfortunately, we fell short in the @cctour_gg Finals as our opponents appeared to employ unlawful tactics for an advantage. It’s disheartening to see such behavior go unchecked in ranked CounterStrike tournaments. Hopefully, the organizers will investigate this matter further. Despite the outcome, I am incredibly proud of my team!

— Jovan Mijailovic (@Jovan_PAR) February 15, 2025

In response to the allegations, Counter-Strike caster Josh ‘Emenjay’ Martin countered, suggesting that the clips might be due to in-game processes or information 500 had during the rounds. He further stated, “It’s possible for anyone to extract out-of-context clips from a stream with x-ray and claim they are suspicious.”

Josh ‘Emenjay’ Martin, a Counter-Strike caster, argued against the accusations by suggesting that the clips might be a result of in-game protocols or information 500 had during the rounds. He concluded that it’s easy to take out-of-context clips from a stream with x-ray and claim they are fishy.

Community response

Across various social media platforms, well-known figures within the Counter-Strike community voiced their thoughts following the circulation of controversial clips, suggesting possible unfair actions.

Previously ranked as a semi-finalist and now representing BC.Game Esports, Joakim ‘jkaem’ Myrbostad expressed his concerns about player 500, saying “To be honest, something didn’t feel right after playing against him three times over the past ten days. I tried not to complain, but these videos have me questioning if there might be an issue at play. I’d appreciate some insight from him directly, as I’ve noticed some questionable comments from his side rather than clarifications.

As a seasoned gamer, I’d rephrase Lukas ‘gla1ve’ Rossander’s statement like this: “Man, I can’t believe this is being presented this way! Surely it must be a misunderstanding?

Bro please tell me this is somehow taken out of context because wtf is this

— Lukas Rossander (@gla1ve_cs) February 16, 2025

Community concern over ranked events

Instead of dwelling on the accusations, some people found themselves contemplating the overall health of the Counter-Strike competitive scene due to the shared clips. Since Valve has set rules requiring only specific tournaments to be considered ‘ranked’, these events now carry a greater responsibility for upholding high standards of competitive fairness.

Previously Liquid’s coach, Luis ‘peacemaker’ Tadeu, highlighted that Valve’s revised ranking system makes it even more detrimental to lose against potential hackers because “you don’t just lose to a player who might be cheating, but you also lose rank and opportunities for invites by being compelled to participate in these Online Cups.

If finding success in the Valve Ranking is proving challenging for you…

It’s not necessarily the system that requires an overhaul, it might be your approach or skills. After all, even though you may encounter a player suspected of cheating, don’t forget there are numerous other players who are genuinely skilled and worthy opponents. 🎯

Sometimes, these Online Cups can feel like a stumbling block, leading to lost points and invites. Just remember, they provide an opportunity for growth and improvement in Counter-Strike, and every defeat is another step towards mastering the game. 💪

— Luis Peacemaker (@peacemaker) February 16, 2025

Neo ‘Ne0kai’ Caine and Spanish pro player Alejandro ‘mopoz’ Fernández expressed similar opinions, suggesting that although the videos don’t prove cheating, they serve as a warning for tournament organizers to tighten their rules. This includes requiring cameras to monitor players’ PCs, ensuring the competition results are fair and trustworthy.

In my opinion, it’s crucial in the long run for developers of online games (TOs) to enforce correct camera placements and possibly cameras focused on player setups. This is because out-of-context gameplay clips can sometimes appear suspicious, as they lack the accompanying communication that provides a complete understanding of the situation.

— Ne0kai (@Ne0Kai) February 16, 2025

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2025-02-16 19:23