The recent controversy at FISSURE Playground 2 has reignited conversations about competitive integrity in esports, with professionals across the scene demanding stronger security measures at live tournaments.
The incident unfolded during the semifinals between Team Falcons and FURIA, where Falcons player Kyxsan repeatedly wiggled his crosshair through smoke at suspected enemy positions, relying on crowd reactions to guide his decisions on Nuke. The tactic quickly spiraled out of control, forcing organizers to disable the X-ray spectator feature mid-match to prevent further abuse.
Industry voices were quick to criticize the situation. Complexity general manager Messioso made his stance clear: “Crowd cheating is one thing. Players enticing the crowd into cheating for them by wiggling their crosshair into smokes or walls is significantly worse and should be punished severely.” His words highlighted just how damaging intentional crowd manipulation can be for the credibility of top-level competition.
Mild take
Crowd cheating is one thing.
Players enticing the crowd into cheating for them by wiggling their crosshair into smokes or walls is significantly worse and should be punished severely.
Disgraceful behaviour.
— Graham Pitt (@messioso) September 20, 2025
This problem is not new to Counter-Strike. The 2018 Boston Major saw Olofmeister engage in similar antics, though back then, the community largely laughed it off. The climate in 2025 is different, with multiple CS2 events this year facing crowd-related controversies; the issue is now systemic rather than isolated.
Tournament organizers are exploring several fixes. Some events have tested separating audiences from players, while others have leaned toward stricter penalties for disruptive spectators. As seen at FISSURE, protocols now allow for cutting off spectator features like X-ray when necessary, though such measures raise concerns about the overall viewing experience.
Discussions are also emerging around standardized penalties for players who deliberately exploit crowd reactions, though the industry lacks a unified regulatory framework. With more international tournaments approaching, each boasting massive prize pools and global audiences, pressure is mounting to strike a balance between maintaining fairness and preserving the electric atmosphere that makes live esports so compelling.
IEM Chengdu is set to feature crowds during the group stage as well. Photo via ESL
Ironically, despite the controversy, FURIA pushed through the distraction, taking both the semifinal and eventually the championship. Their victory reinforced that disciplined execution can still prevail, even when external factors threaten to tip the scales. The incident, however, has left the esports community with pressing questions about how to safeguard integrity while keeping the live spectacle alive.
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