Strict rules for coaches affects the emotional connection in the game. The community is not pleased with Valve. Teams have been warned that PGL will strictly enforce these rules in the Legends Stage.
The PGL Stockholm Major is well underway and a new rule for coach-player interaction has come into the spotlight. These rules prevent CS: GO coaches from freely interacting with players, including no touching the players or shouting. Coaches are not allowed to even say ‘nice’ according to Zonic’s tweet. The community’s reaction to these mid-tournament changes has been largely critical of the game developer.
The Challengers Stage is now over and eight teams advance to the New Legends Stage. As we see the teams compete on stage, PGL has informed players that they will strictly enforce Valve's rules on coach-player interaction.
Stricter Rules for CS: GO Coaches
The tournament organizer had already informed teams that physical contact between coaches and players was not permissible. However, the teams have received reminder warnings that CS: GO coaches should refrain from shouting, something that many do out of pure passion. If the coaches flout these rules, PGL will ask them to leave the tournament area.
"Valve has instructed us to have stricter rules for coaches. NO touching the players except for timeout. NO shouting at all. Coaches can not even say "nice". They have to be quiet or we will have to tell coaches to leave the tournament area."
Community Reacts to Valve’s new Directive
The community reaction, not surprisingly, has been less welcoming. Several players and coaches have spoken up against the rules, in what they say subdues pure passion and emotions in the game.
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Why did Valve change the rules for the CSGO Major?
CS: GO has been riddled with integrity problems ever since the game had to shift online due to COVID. CS: GO coaches abusing the visual bug resulted in many receiving ESIC bans and even an investigation against the Heroic players. The players were subsequently found not guilty (apart from Niko who received a light punishment).
Esports referee Michal Slowinski points out that CS: GO coaches have used visual gestures and random vocal outbursts to help their players during a game.
Most of the times tournament organizers can only control what is being said in English-speaking teams. It becomes difficult to maintain the game’s integrity in a Non-English speaking team.
Even as teams are preparing for their upcoming matches, CS: GO fans sitting at home (and even at the venue) will probably see a lot less interaction between players and coaches.
Stay tuned to esports.gg for the latest CS: GO news and updates.
