Valve remind TOs it’s supposed to be an “open” circuit

Valve are a mysterious beast. Ever the absent father of CS, they work in the shadows compared to Riot and Activision who are the classic helicopter parents of their esports.

So when they do give us some attention, it’s probably important.

Which they did at the BLAST.tv Paris Major — several pros were invited to their booth during the playoffs, and Richard Lewis is now reporting that talks were had there with TOs regarding the partner league system in CS:GO.

The open circuit is one of the few things Valve really care about, and in a bid to actually make some money ESL and BLAST have tried to push back against that principle in recent years.

For ESL that comes in the Louvre agreement for ESL Pro League Spots, and BLAST even stricter buy-to-attend spots for their BLAST Premier circuit.

These partner leagues give the teams guaranteed money, both in the literal revenue sharing and in guaranteed eyeballs for your gambling sponsors.

But it’s come at a cost: Majors are upset machines, we have to watch meaningless games at EPL and Spring/Fall groups, and fresh teams like Apeks are forced to wait for Majors for a fair chance at a prestige event.

Valve have been against exclusivity for years, whichever TO made a play for it. And the blind eye they’ve shown to BLAST and ESL since their partner systems is now firmly focussed on them.

Now, though, Richard Lewis’ impeccable sources have told him that Valve have “raised concerns” about the “state of the competitive landscape.”

We’re sure the partner agreements will survive — they’re one of the few ways teams can make money.

But it seems like they’ll have to be watered down slightly, and what that means for the scene remains to be seen.