Valve Changes VRS Rules, s1mple’s Team Could Miss Singapore Major

The Valve Regional Standings (VRS) became the focus of a debate over whether Counter-Strike 2 teams could reshape their rosters, switch regions, and pursue Major invites through a less competitive regional ranking.

On Tuesday, October 6, Valve added a three-month restriction to the rulebook and confirmed to HLTV that it will apply to the Singapore Major.

To receive a regional assignment, a roster must not have appeared on another region's VRS list in the preceding three calendar months. The rule was added to Valve's official rulebook. The developer told HLTV the restriction applies to Major invites, but does not prevent teams from receiving VRS invites to other tournaments.

s1mple's BC.Game Among Teams to Exploit the VRS Loophole

Sashi, BC.Game and WW made roster changes that gave their lineups an Asian majority. By keeping at least three players from the core that had already earned VRS points, they could retain those points.

In the Asian ranking, the same points put them closer to positions that could earn Major invites than they were in Europe. We explained the strategy in more detail in our previous report on the VRS.

After the rule circulated on social media, BC.Game posted a tweet captioned simply: “What?”

Valve told HLTV that teams that attempted to switch regions ahead of the Singapore Major are out of the Major race unless they contact the developer and find a solution. The three-month period begins with Valve's official monthly VRS updates, which are released on the first Monday of each month.

The rule limits region changes in the race for Major spots, but teams remain eligible for VRS invites to other tournaments.

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Featured image credit: ESL

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