How Valve’s VAC ban policy shift nearly cost Valorant one of its top professional players
Rising Star’s Career Obstacles
Team Liquid’s standout player Elias ‘Jamppi’ Olkkonen recently disclosed how close he came to abandoning Valorant for a CS:GO comeback during 2021’s competitive season.
The Finnish esports professional faced a critical career decision when Valve modified their competitive eligibility standards, creating an unexpected pathway back to his original game.
Jamppi initially emerged as a CS:GO prodigy in 2019, demonstrating exceptional mechanical skill and game sense that marked him as a future star. However, his rapid ascent encountered a significant barrier when a historical VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) prohibition rendered him ineligible for Valve-sanctioned tournaments, including the prestigious Major championships that represent career pinnacles for Counter-Strike professionals.
Following his benching from ENCE in early 2021, the talented Finn executed a strategic pivot to Riot Games’ Valorant, securing a position with Team Liquid as the replacement for Adam ‘ec1s’ Eccles. This transition represented both a practical solution to his competitive restrictions and an opportunity within an emerging esports ecosystem.
The Game-Changing Eligibility Update
Just as Jamppi began establishing himself within Valorant’s competitive landscape, Valve issued a competitive ruling that nearly reversed his career trajectory completely. The developer’s policy adjustment created immediate reconsideration of his professional future.
Prior to April 2021, competitors with VAC-banned accounts faced permanent exclusion from Valve-organized events. The revised eligibility framework introduced a five-year limitation on competitive restrictions for VAC infractions, effectively creating expiration dates for previously lifetime bans. This policy evolution reflected growing industry standards around redemption and second chances in professional gaming.
For Jamppi, whose restriction originated in 2015, the updated guidelines immediately restored his eligibility for CS:GO Majors. The esports athlete publicly acknowledged this development on Twitter, expressing gratitude toward Valve for modernizing rules that had previously prevented his transfer to OG in 2019.
Officially… Unbanned… Thank you @CSGO ❣️🙏
— Liquid Jamppi 🇫🇮 (@Jamppi_) April 15, 2021
The immediate consequence of this policy shift was so substantial that Jamppi actively contemplated departing both Team Liquid and Valorant competition to resume his CS:GO career.
Career Crossroads and Final Choice
(Timestamp starts at 4:38 for mobile viewers)
“I formally notified Liquid and my coach, Sliggy, about my intention to exit Valorant and return to Counter-Strike,” Jamppi revealed during his Dexerto interview.
“Following several days of deliberation, I reached out to family members and trusted colleagues seeking guidance. After extensive reflection and strategic analysis, I ultimately determined that remaining with my current organization and game represented the optimal path forward.
Shroud hits back at Counter-Strike community after he mocks iconic map returning to CS2
T1 beat G2 to win VCT Masters Bangkok: Recap, schedule, teams & more
Moses: Why Valve is failing CSGO community with Jamppi’s ban
“My assessment concluded that Counter-Strike’s fundamental mechanics and competitive structure would remain relatively stable moving forward. Should I desire to return later, that opportunity would persist. Conversely, I anticipated that Valorant would undergo substantial evolution and growth.”
Valorant Success and Future Outlook
Having reaffirmed his commitment to Valorant, Jamppi contributed significantly to Team Liquid’s competitive achievements, including impressive performances during VCT Stage 2 Masters and the Valorant Champions tournament.
The team subsequently qualified for VCT 2022 Stage 1 Masters Iceland in April, securing participation following FunPlus Phoenix’s unexpected withdrawal from the event.
Jamppi’s career trajectory offers valuable insights for aspiring professional gamers facing similar cross-game decisions. His experience demonstrates the importance of evaluating both immediate opportunities and long-term developmental trajectories when navigating esports career paths. The Valve policy change created a rare scenario where a professional could realistically choose between established and emerging competitive landscapes, with Jamppi’s decision ultimately validating the potential of newer esports titles.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Team Liquid’s Jamppi reveals he almost quit Valorant to return to CS:GO How Valve's VAC ban policy shift nearly cost Valorant one of its top professional players