Complexity CS2 Normal Supervisor, Graham ‘messioso’ Pitt has taken to Twitter/X to criticise the timing of the choice to alter 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 choice led to the change being enacted.
The change now means early levels of occasions depend the cash from eradicated groups because the prize pool, moderately 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 appliance.
As Pitt argues, the change means organisations have already determined to simply accept or reject invitations based mostly on now inaccurate details about the VRS worth of levels 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 have been made to make selections 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 modification, particularly the timing, is a gross integrity subject.” He continues, “This drawback has been identified for over a yr, it’s been spoken about publicly and privately. This transformation didn’t should 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 major affect 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 value 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 larger for earlier levels, comparable to Stage 1 of IEM Cologne, wins at these levels at the moment are value extra.
“3. If we assume now that every one future occasions are going to have this modification transferring ahead, HLTV have now basically immediately manipulated the VRS ecosystem AFTER groups have declined invitations to occasions that this could now have an effect on. That may be a MASSIVE drawback…?”
The Brit went on to query whether or not this modification may have an effect on previous occasions, because the Austin Main additionally featured levels earlier to the primary occasion.
Stage 1 and Stage 2 weren’t thought of the primary occasion on HLTV, and subsequently, their prize pool was adjusted to be qualification slots to later levels. Professional League, IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne all featured early levels which can be modified by the choice.
HLTV haven’t communicated any intention to backdate the change, which might profit any crew that gained video games on the early levels of these occasions, together with Complexity.
“4. Will this be backdated to incorporate occasions that may meet the identical standards? Does Austin Stage 1 and a couple of get occasion weighting elevated now? Does Katowice? EPL S21? How this modification 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 area 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 knowledge getting used because the supply for the VRS. HLTV are their very own entity and needs to be entitled to course of and current knowledge on their web site nonetheless they select to. They’re put in a tricky place by additionally being the information 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 knowledge underneath their umbrella, in a similar way to their DotA 2 system, permitting for Valve to have management of the VRS system, as an alternative 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 believe they’re able to bringing that a part of the equation in-house, and that wouldn’t detract from what HLTV is offering. It could be a separate factor that’s purely for the rating, and it will imply that their protection may very well be extra in depth. Their management may very well be extra in depth. I believe each of these issues are fairly important for what they’re attempting to realize.”
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.
