Dreamhack lifts the ban on iBuyPower players and more

It looks like DreamHack is the newest organizer to align itself with the Esports Integrity Coalition’s recommendations and rules against cheating in esports, and thus will lift the ban on players banned before Feb 2015 such as the famous iBuyPower roster.

Match-fixers and cheaters who were banned prior to Feb. 15 of that year are now able to compete in future DreamHack events. The list includes former iBuyPower players—Joshua “steel” Nissan, Braxton “swag” Pierce, Sam “DaZeD” Marine, and Keven “AZK” Lariviere—as well as Epsilon Esports players Kevin “Uzzziii” Vernel, Joey “fxy0” Schlosser, Robin “GMX” Stahmer, and Morgan “B1GGY” Madour. Former Team LDLC player Hovik “KQLY” Tovmassian is also eligible as he was banned for cheating in 2014.

“All previously issued indefinite lifetime bans [related to cheating and match-fixing/betting fraud] issued prior to Feb. 15th, 2015 have been lifted,” DreamHack said in its statement.

ESL was the first tournament organizer to recognize ESIC rules Couple of months ago, and now DreamHack has also officially become the second to follow its sanctions. A change was not made with other large but smaller tournament organizers, such as ELEAGUE, StarLadder, and PGL.

Despite DreamHack’s announcement regarding ESIC, Valve’s general rulings on match-fixers and cheaters are still to be considered, as they’re the ones followed in Major championships. This means that the former iBP and Epsilon players will still not be able to compete in Valve Majors. Aside from that, many members of the community will be excited to see these players in more upcoming CS:GO events.