BLAST plans to improve integrity by implementing two new regulations.
Published: Nov 2, 2020
The BLAST Premier is strengthening their integrity for online matches after 37 coaches were sanctioned on the CS:GO pro scene. The two new regulations will address the spectator bug scandal and provide an increased level of accountability for the coaching staff of the pro teams.
New Rules
BLAST’s esports operations manager, Robert Mulgan, posted a tweet outlining the two new rules that will be in effect for all future online matches.
- Coaches are required to stream their POV into their discord channel provided during all matches.
- Coaches are required to have MOss running during all matches. Within 30 minutes of the completion of their matches, Coaches must upload their file to the GDrive provided.
MOss is an anti-cheat software developed in 2010 by Nohope92. It will constantly monitor the coach’s PC and will take random screenshots throughout the match. This software has never been used in the professional scene until now and it will work alongside the POV stream to make sure that they are not taking advantage of any bugs or glitches.
Why do we need them?
Integrity in the CS:GO has become a hot topic in recent months after the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) investigation into the spectator bug scandal wound up sanctioning 37 coaches. The ESIC poured over 15.2 terabytes of footage and found the bug being deliberately being used on 96 different occasions. As a result of the sanctions, the individuals are banned from joining official match game servers, communicating with players 15 minutes before or after a match, and participating in the map veto process.
Not only were 37 coaches sanctioned for the spectator bug, but the integrity of the scene was also compromised by a match fixing scandal that rocked the Australian Mountain Dew League (MDL). The organisation suspended 7 pro players from the Australian scene for betting on their own or other players matches, a practice that is a clear violation of the ESIC corruption code.
Integrity at BLAST
Speaking with Esports Insider, Robert Mulgan, commented on the role BLAST is playing in the attempt to improve integrity.
“Since the Counter-Strike world has had to move online due to the on-going global situation we have been working hard on ways for BLAST to be an active participant in upholding the competitive integrity of the scene during online events.
“Our operations team has introduced the use of MOss, which is aimed at more effectively tackling potential stream snipping issues. It will allow us to tell if a coach has the stream open on their PC or maybe accessing information via HLTV.
“This system is used in combination with other features such as player cams, TeamSpeak and audio recordings to help provide as much evidence both in flagging concerns and as importantly, when reviewing incidents post-event. We hope these changes will help provide a platform for fair and exciting Counter-Strike.”
What happens next?
These new rules have been introduced during the BLAST Premier Fall Series that began on October 16th. These new rules should ease the nerves of anyone concerned about placing bets on what may have been a rigged game.
If more tournament organisers follow suit and invest in the future integrity of online matches, there will be a lot more confidence in the online CS:GO scene as the world continues to grapple with the pandemic.
Featured Image Credits: BLAST Premier Series
