A recent incident in the world of Dota 2 has caught the attention of the gaming community. Valve, the developer of the popular game, has taken action against players using smurf accounts or sharing accounts with others. This crackdown has resulted in the banning of several accounts, including that of professional player Steven ‘StingeR’ Vargas.

StingeR, the captain of the Mad Kings Dota 2 team, found himself in the midst of a match when his account was banned by Valve. This unexpected development occurred during the South American qualifier for Dreamleague Season 22, specifically in the match between Mad Kings and Thunder Awaken. As a consequence, Mad Kings suffered a default loss in the series, leading to their elimination from the tournament.

Had Mad Kings emerged victorious in the qualifier, they would have secured a spot in Dreamleague Season 22, which boasts a substantial prize pool of $1 million. Therefore, the ban on StingeR’s account has potentially had significant consequences for both him and his team.

While Valve is yet to officially confirm the ban wave, numerous reports from high-level players have indicated a substantial number of account bans. The primary targets appear to be smurf accounts and those involved in account sharing. In StingeR’s case, his teammate David ‘Parker’ Nicho Flores was reportedly using StingeR’s account, a violation of the Steam terms of service.

It is worth noting that last year, Valve announced that professional players would no longer be immune to smurfing bans. The recent wave of bans, which has affected several pro players, suggests that Valve is following through on this commitment. The company’s decision to crack down on smurfing, after years of leniency, has been viewed positively by the gaming community.

While the ban has raised eyebrows due to its timing, it signals a significant shift in Valve’s approach to tackling smurf accounts. This move is likely to have a positive impact, emphasizing fair play and integrity within the Dota 2 community. Although it may temporarily disrupt high-level players’ ability to find competitive matches, it is a necessary step towards maintaining the game’s integrity and fairness.