Valve has publicly admitted to an “unfortunate miscommunication” regarding the Major seeding process, sparking debates across the esports community. The issue emerged during coordination with Perfect World, the organizers of the upcoming Shanghai Major, where discrepancies in team placements raised concerns over fairness and clarity.
Root of the Controversy
The dispute centers on how tournament seeding was determined for the Shanghai Major’s Elimination Stage. While the Perfect World Valve communication initially suggested using the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) for placements, a contradictory rulebook stated that results from the Europe RMRs would decide the seedings. This inconsistency came to light after the Europe RMRs had already commenced, leading to confusion and the subsequent cancellation of the fourth-place decider match in RMR A.
Valve’s Response
In a statement to HLTV, Valve admitted that the error stemmed from outdated language in the supplemental rulebook and misaligned messaging. “We had some unfortunate miscommunication and crossed wires early in the process of answering Perfect World’s questions about the Major,” the developer said. Valve also accepted responsibility for failing to rectify these issues sooner.
While the rule change had minimal impact on RMR A, it significantly disrupted RMR B, where teams like BIG had already celebrated advancing to the top-16 stage. However, due to the updated Shanghai Major seeding approach, such teams will now start in the Opening Stage instead.
Historical Context and Mitigation
This isn’t the first instance of seeding adjustments creating friction. Valve highlighted that the shift to VRS-based seeding was made to address past criticisms, such as those surrounding the Paris Major. The same system had been used successfully for the Copenhagen Major to ensure better matchups.
Despite the frustration caused, Valve remains committed to its decision, citing the long-term benefits of a more structured seeding approach. “We opted to trade some frustration now with having better matchups at the Major,” Valve stated.
Looking Ahead
To ensure transparency, Perfect World will release an updated Valve Regional Standings following the conclusion of the RMRs. This update will finalize the eight teams advancing directly to the Elimination Stage and the Opening Stage matchups. Valve has pledged to improve communication and avoid similar controversies in future events.
The miscommunication between Valve and Perfect World has drawn attention to the complexities of Major tournament team placements. While the issue caused immediate disruption, it highlights Valve’s effort to refine its seeding methods and prioritize long-term fairness. The forthcoming Shanghai Major now stands as a litmus test for these updated protocols, offering a chance for Valve to rebuild trust with teams and fans alike.
