Valve bans Kuku from Chongqing Major, Dota 2 community stirs up

We finally have the answer to the Kuku – Chongqing Major controversy.

Valve was also forced to speak up, but with a somewhat harsh judgment: TNC will lose 20% of its current DPC points for not handling the situation properly. More importantly, Kuku will be banned from the Chongqing Major. Here is the full information:

TNC and the Chongqing Major https://t.co/n1Na44gDP5

— DOTA 2 (@DOTA2) December 3, 2018

After everything that’s happened in the past few weeks, this seems like a silly decision from Valve. Here is an excerpt of the cause of the penalty:

TNC contacted Valve on Tuesday to ask if they would be penalized for DPC points if they replaced Kuku; We say they won’t be fined. Valve assumes that TNC is planning to replace Kuku with another player. However, it seems that TNC is not responsible for its own actions, along with the team’s intentional cover-up, so we now have to intervene directly and ban Kuku from the event. To be clear, TNC is not the victim in this case. Coverage is unacceptable, as well as avoiding responsibility and passing it on to the community. We believe they will disagree with this.

Assumption? A company like Valve can’t be explained by hypotheticals. It is obvious that TNC, as a stakeholder, will consider all options before making a decision. Just because TNC asked what would happen if the team used a stand-in, doesn’t mean they will use a stand-in. The community completely opposes this decision.

Seems like a sweep under the rug.

If you want to make DPC penalties – then write a goddam rulebook; don’t just randomly decide on a penalty. The lack of transparency on that front still sucks. https://t.co/Bp28avSwpM

— Ben Steenhuisen (@followNoxville) December 3, 2018

Dota 2 analyst, Noxville, made a reasonable point. This ban suddenly appeared without any basis. There’s nothing wrong with the way TNC handled the situation. Kuku has apologized twice on Facebook, and the team has announced on Twitter that they want to make the matter as quiet as possible. TNC also mentioned that Kuku will be punished for his behavior:

It is our best interest to educate our players to own up on their mistakes, take full responsibility and correct their wrong actions. To clarify the term “penalty/fine” we posted last time, 50% of Kuku’s winnings from KL Major, Chongqing Major (if we qualify) 1/4

— TNC Predator (@TNCPredator) November 25, 2018

Let’s go back to the starting point. On November 24, Team Secret’s manager, Cyborgmatt, had this to say:

It’s not a rumor. Skemberlu and Kuku are both banned from attending the Chongqing Major. Col and TNC were both contacted prior to the event and were asked if they wanted to kick the players.

There is still a chance that this ban can be extended and block them from attending TI9.

— Matthew Bailey (@Cyborgmatt) November 24, 2018

This is not a rumour. Skemberlu and Kuku were both banned from the Chongqing Major. Col and TNC were both contacted prior to the event and asked if they wanted to kick the players.

It’s still possible that this ban will be extended and ban them from participating in TI9.

From November 24 to December 3 (when Valve officially spoke up), it has been more than 10 days. Why does Valve take so long to state their opinion? Valve said it only intervenes when the parties cannot handle this situation. Valve should have intervened in the first place. Paul ‘Redeye’ Chaloner is happy that Valve is in and in control of everything, but mentions they should have done it sooner before things turned into drama. Redeye also mentioned that Valve should prioritize releasing an official set of rules.

I agree with the viewpoint here, TNC could have handled this entire thing much better.

I’m also happier that Valve make a decision on whether he is banned or not, this makes much more sense than leaving it to the local govnt or organiser.

We still need a rulebook… https://t.co/IARkCOfXTk

— Redeye (@PaulChaloner) December 3, 2018

I’m personally pleased Valve stepped in. I think they should do so more often and take more of a lead on esports. I do however wish it hadn’t taken all the drama for it to happen.

I hope now we can all move on, unite against racism in any form and get back to great dota.

— Redeye (@PaulChaloner) December 4, 2018

The Dota 2 community is heavily criticizing Valve on Reddit. r/Dota2 is upset about Valve’s decision. TNC has not yet responded to Valve’s decision. Let’s wait and see who they will replace Kuku with.

According to VPEsports