Pro League Incident Involving the Use of Banned Technology

During a match in the ESL Pro League, a team found themselves in a difficult position after one of their players was caught overstepping the rules. The team, called Heroic, was playing against another team, Ninjas in Pyjamas or NIP for short. It was during their first match that the story began to unfold.

The match kicked off, and Heroic managed to secure a solid victory of 13:10 on the first map, Ancient. However, their celebration was short-lived as issues soon arose. The team’s success was promptly reversed when it came to light that one of their players breached the game’s rules.

The controversy started when it was discovered that an illegal feature had been enabled by one of the team members during the game. This feature, known as Snap Tap, is found on the most recent models of Razer keyboards. There was immediate backlash, as the use of Snap Tap is strictly banned in professional play.

The Controversial Feature: Snap Tap

Snap Tap is a feature that gives its user certain advantages during gameplay. Specifically, it allows players to change direction instantly – a massive help in games requiring reflexes and quick decisions. The function works by prioritizing the last key a player presses, removing the need for the gamer to fully release the preceding key before switching.

In fast-paced games, especially First-person shooter (FPS) games, having the ability to switch directions swiftly and without much effort can indeed prove to be a significant advantage. Actions are sped up, milliseconds are saved, and competitive edges are gained – aspects that can turn the tide in intense, high-stakes games.

Therefore, to maintain a level playing field, the use of technologies like Snap Tap is frowned upon in professional gaming. Leagues and organizers aim to ensure fair competition, so they prohibit such features from being used in tournament matches.

For Heroic, unfortunately, the unauthorized use of Snap Tap resulted in their victory being nullified. This controversy serves as a harsh reminder that fairness and respect for game rules are critical in professional gaming. This incident also emphasizes that all teams – regardless of their skill level or stature – are subject to the same regulations, and any infractions can lead to severe consequences.