By Sagar V. Mankar Valve, the company behind Counter-Strike 2, has just revealed new rules for CS2 esports events organizers.
Titled ‘Open Season‘ these rules include several major changes, seeking at how tournaments are organized and ranked.
These changes will come into effect in 2025 and aim to make professional Counter-Strike more open and fair.
It will end the semi-franchised partner model that many major tournament organizers like ESL and BLAST have been using over the years.
Let’s dive into the key changes and what they mean for the future of competitive CS2.
Ranked vs. Unranked Events
All CS2 events will now be classified as either ranked or unranked.
- Ranked events are considered the major leagues. They are the tournaments that contribute to Valve’s Regional Standings (VRS), which ultimately decide who receives the prestigious invitations to the Majors.
- Unranked events, on the other hand, are more like the minor leagues. They will not impact the VRS but they’re still important for teams looking to gain experience and exposure. However, there’s a catch…….prize pool cap.
Prize Pool Cap for Unranked Events
Here’s where things get interesting. Valve’s put a ceiling on the prize pools for unranked events.
The total compensation (including prize money and any other perks) for an unranked event can’t exceed $100,000. And if a tournament organizer runs multiple unranked events in a year, the total compensation across all events is capped at $250,000.
This might seem like a bummer for smaller tournaments, but it could lead to a more sustainable esports ecosystem in the long run.
For ranked events, there’s no explicit cap mentioned in the rulebook. However, these organizers must publish comprehensive information about all forms of compensation, including prize pools and any other payments to teams or players.
New Tiers in CS2 Competitive Events
Valve has officially adopted the commonly used terminology “Tier System” for events:
Tier 1 Events
Tier 1 events are the top leagues, requiring invites to top-ranked teams and hosting a large number of participants.
- Organizer must invite from the top-ranked team in the VRS
- A minimum of 16 invited rosters in the qualifying stage, feeding at least 8 into the main event
- Can include winners of recent Tier 2 events in the closed qualifier
Additionally, organizers can invite Wildcard teams to compete, although these teams cannot go directly to the main event.
- For tournaments with 8 or more rosters in the main event, organizers can invite two teams as Wildcards, plus two more for every eight teams.
- Wildcard teams cannot directly join the main event.
- Organizers can host one Wildcard event for every three Tier 1 events created.
Tier 2 Events
- Tier 2 events are designed to give up-and-coming teams a shot at the big-time
- Organizers of these events must invite teams ranked 9th or lower in the Regional Standings (VRS).
- Organizers can use a combination of Direct VRS Invites and Open Qualifiers
Invitation Rules for Teams
Valve has introduced strict guidelines for the number of teams directly invited to events.
For Tier 1 events, organizers must invite teams from the top rankings of the VRS and ensure at least 16 teams compete in the main event.
Direct VRS Invites
- Organizers invite 1.5 times the number of teams needed for the main event
- Invites are based on the VRS
- For roster eligibility, at least three players must remain from the invite date
Wildcard Invites
- Available for events with 8 or more teams in the main event
- Two wildcard invites are allowed, plus two more for each additional 8 rosters
- Wildcard teams must meet specific criteria, such as recent top performances or major wins
Advanced Announcement Deadlines
Valve’s putting the squeeze on last-minute tournament announcements to ensure a stable and predictable event calendar. Here’s the timeline:
- For events in 2025: Announcement deadline is September 1st, 2024
- For events in 2026: The announcement deadline is January 1st, 2025
- For events in 2027 and beyond: Announcements must be made two years in advance
Major organizations such as BLAST and PGL have already announced their schedules for 2025 in line with the 2023 announcement. It appears that most of the major organizers have scaled down the CS2 Tournament for 2025. However, these new rules seem to have instilled confidence in emerging organizations, as evidenced by StarLadder’s return to the CS2 Esports scene with a lineup of tournaments for 2025.
How Does This Affect Competition and Integrity?
These new rules are set to create a more structured, transparent, and potentially more sustainable CS2 esports ecosystem:
- Organizers can’t restrict teams from participating in other events, except during their own tournament dates
- Any agreements or financial support must be non-discriminatory and identical for all teams
- Tournament organizers must disclose and get approval for any business relationships with participating teams
How Will These Changes Affect Top-Tier Teams?
The new rules seem to favor high-ranking teams, ensuring they receive invitations to Tier 1 Ranked events.
This could lead to more consistent participation from top squads, potentially raising the overall competitive level of premier tournaments.
However, it may also make it more challenging for up-and-coming teams to break into the upper echelons of competitive play.
For more information, be sure to check out the official Valve website. And hey, don’t forget to subscribe to Gaming Foodle for all the latest and greatest in gaming news!