Why was iBUYPOWER banned?

iBUYPOWER is a well-known and respected name in the world of professional gaming and esports. The company was founded in 1999 and has since become a leading manufacturer of high-performance gaming computers and peripherals. However, in 2015, iBUYPOWER was hit with a major scandal that resulted in the company being banned from participating in professional esports tournaments. This ban sent shockwaves through the gaming community and left many wondering why such a reputable company would be banned. In this article, we will delve into the details of the iBUYPOWER ban and explore the reasons behind it.

The iBUYPOWER ban was a result of a match-fixing scandal that took place in 2014. The scandal involved a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) match between iBUYPOWER and NetcodeGuides.com. In this match, iBUYPOWER was heavily favored to win, but they ended up losing to NetcodeGuides.com in a shocking upset. This raised suspicions among the community, and it was later revealed that iBUYPOWER players had placed bets against themselves and intentionally lost the match.

The evidence of match-fixing was brought to light by a former iBUYPOWER player, Derek “dboorn” Boorn, who had been kicked off the team before the match took place. He provided screenshots of conversations between himself and other iBUYPOWER players discussing the bets they had placed against themselves. This evidence was enough to convince Valve, the developer of CS:GO, to launch an investigation into the matter.

Valve’s investigation found that four iBUYPOWER players – Sam “DaZeD” Marine, Braxton “swag” Pierce, Keven “AZK” Larivière, and Joshua “steel” Nissan – had indeed placed bets against themselves and had intentionally lost the match. As a result, Valve issued lifetime bans to these players, as well as a ban to iBUYPOWER as an organization. The players were also banned from participating in any Valve-sponsored events, including the popular CS:GO Major Championships.

The decision to ban iBUYPOWER and its players was met with mixed reactions from the gaming community. Some believed that the punishment was too harsh, while others felt that it was necessary to maintain the integrity of professional esports. Valve’s decision to ban the players and the organization was based on their belief that match-fixing undermines the competitive nature of esports and damages the trust of the community.

The iBUYPOWER ban also had a significant impact on the company’s reputation and business. As a result of the scandal, many of their sponsorships and partnerships were terminated, and they were no longer able to participate in major esports events. This not only affected their revenue but also damaged their image as a reputable and trustworthy brand.

In the years following the ban, iBUYPOWER has made efforts to distance themselves from the scandal and rebuild their reputation. They have released statements apologizing for their actions and have implemented stricter policies to prevent any future incidents. However, the ban remains in place, and it is unlikely that Valve will reverse their decision.

In conclusion, the iBUYPOWER ban was a result of the company’s involvement in a match-fixing scandal that shook the esports community. The decision to ban the players and the organization was based on the belief that match-fixing undermines the integrity of professional gaming. While the ban has had a significant impact on iBUYPOWER’s reputation and business, it serves as a reminder to all players and organizations that fair play and sportsmanship are crucial in the world of esports.