Valve Issues Permanent Bans to 10 Dota 2 Players Following Match-Fixing and Integrity Breach Investigations

Valve Corporation, in coordination with Southeast Asia Dota Pro Circuit organizer Beyond the Summit, has imposed permanent competitive bans on ten professional players from all Valve-sanctioned events moving forward. This decisive enforcement action resulted from two distinct investigative processes that uncovered systematic integrity breaches within the competitive ecosystem. The severity of these violations prompted one of the most significant disciplinary measures in recent Dota 2 esports history.

The initial investigation revealed that competitors from Team Orca deliberately utilized account credentials belonging to roster members of Apex to participate illegitimately in SEA DPC qualification matches. Team Orca had previously achieved third-place standing in the second division of SEA DPC during the 2022 competitive season, while Apex represented a newly formed competitive organization established in February.

A subsequent comprehensive inquiry uncovered compelling evidence of coordinated match manipulation by Team Orca participants during the BTS Pro Series and multiple additional third-party organized tournaments throughout the competitive calendar year. These findings demonstrated a pattern of competitive integrity violations that extended beyond isolated incidents.

The dual nature of these offenses—account sharing for qualification advantages coupled with match-fixing for potential financial gain—represented one of the most severe breaches of esports ethics protocols documented in the SEA region. Following conclusive evidence from both investigative processes, Valve exercised its authority to permanently exclude all ten identified players from both organizational rosters from future competitive participation.

This enforcement action highlights the critical importance of maintaining competitive purity in professional esports. Organizations and tournament operators increasingly face challenges detecting and preventing sophisticated schemes designed to circumvent fair competition principles. Understanding these patterns can help competitive integrity officers identify similar violations earlier, much like analyzing gameplay patterns in our Class Guide helps identify optimal strategic approaches.

Cheng “vtFαded” Jia Hao, a prominent Team Orca competitor, publicly acknowledged that certain team members participated in account sharing practices but maintained his personal innocence regarding these actions. He further contested any involvement in match-manipulation activities and expressed determination to demonstrate his compliance with competitive standards to Valve’s satisfaction.

VtFαded represents one of the more recognizable competitive figures in the Southeast Asian Dota 2 scene, having previously competed with established organizations including Chaos Esports Club, EHOME, and Cloud9. Historical precedent exists where Valve reversed competitive bans for three players following additional investigative review, potentially offering limited hope for sanctioned competitors seeking redemption.

Navigating competitive rule violations requires understanding the full scope of consequences, similar to how mastering game mechanics in our Complete Guide helps players avoid common pitfalls. The appeal process typically demands substantial evidence of non-involvement and demonstrated commitment to competitive integrity principles.

Players Subject to Permanent Competitive Bans:

• Cheng “vtFαded” Jia Hao
• Lai “AhJit” Jay Son
• Wong “Gy” Kok Guan
• Zhou “Yif” Yifu
• Wang “闷油瓶”‘ (mèn yóu píng) Liang
• Pang “BrayaNt” Jian Zhe
• Bùi “hunghung” Văn Hùng
• Nguyễn “Datbb” Thành Đạt
• Namir “QWE” Mohammad
• JJ

The comprehensive nature of these bans demonstrates Valve’s commitment to preserving competitive integrity across all tiers of professional Dota 2. These enforcement actions serve as a stark reminder that competitive violations carry severe consequences, affecting not only immediate tournament participation but long-term professional careers. Understanding proper competitive conduct is as essential as mastering technical skills, similar to the weapon proficiency covered in our Weapons Unlock strategies for optimal performance.