Valve Bans 12 Dota 2 Players Over Integrity Breaches
12 Dota 2 players, including five who have received lifetime bans, are facing sanctions from Valve and the Chinese tournament organizer, Perfect World, for what has been deemed “integrity violations.” This move, announced on May 17 via Perfect World’s official social media account, underscores the ongoing commitment of Valve to maintain competitive integrity within the Dota 2 esports landscape, particularly in China, a crucial market for the game.
Overview of Sanctions
The sanctions consist of:
- Lifetime Bans for five players.
- Two-Year Suspensions for seven additional players.
While the exact nature of the violations has not been disclosed, the severity of the penalties reflects Valve’s stringent stance on maintaining fair play and competitive integrity.
Lifetime Bans
The following players have received lifetime bans:
- Lv “L’enfer” Yubin
- Chen “Small.kk” Zhichao
- Liew “Eren” Jun Jie
- Hu “molasses” Jiaxing
- Li “X1aOyU” Qian Yu (Myth Avenue Gaming)
Two-Year Suspensions
The players receiving two-year suspensions include:
- Zhu “V” Lianfa
- Feng “killa” Bonian
- Li “RanFuDao” Xinyuan
- Liu “mmmm” Junhui (also known as Manic)
- Wang “marblue” Heng
- Yu “Tz” Chengwei
- Wan “59” Tao
Among these players, only Liu “mmmm” Junhui had been actively competing at a notable level prior to the bans, participating in the Asian Champions League 2025 just a day before the announcement. The remaining players either had not competed recently or were affiliated with less prominent teams.
Context and Implications
This recent wave of bans marks the first significant disciplinary action by Valve since 2023, when over 40 players received bans related to match-fixing and other unethical behaviors. This earlier crackdown contributed to a considerable disruption within China’s DPC Division 2.
The current actions are particularly timely as the Dota 2 competitive season heats up, with qualifiers for prestigious events like the Riyadh Masters underway. Although Valve has not released specific evidence regarding the integrity violations, the seriousness of the imposed bans suggests severe infractions have occurred.
As the region remains central to Dota 2’s global esports ecosystem, these sanctions could have far-reaching effects on team compositions and the overall integrity of competitive play. As we approach high-stakes tournaments such as the Esports World Cup, ongoing vigilance and stringent regulatory measures will be essential to uphold the standards of integrity in esports.
Conclusion
The recent bans signal Valve’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a level playing field in competitive gaming. As the Dota 2 landscape continues to evolve, adherence to integrity policies will be crucial for preserving the trust of players, fans, and stakeholders. The impact of these decisions will likely resonate throughout the esports community, highlighting the importance of accountability and ethical conduct in the vibrant world of Dota 2.
