TL;DR
- Jamppi confirms permanent switch to Valorant despite Valve lifting his CSGO tournament ban
- The 2015 VAC ban created career obstacles that influenced his decision to seek fresh opportunities
- Valve’s policy change came too late, highlighting timing issues in esports regulation
- Mental freedom and competitive potential were key factors in choosing Valorant over CSGO
- His Team Liquid debut at VCT Masters Reykjavik marks a new chapter in tactical shooter esports
During a recent live broadcast, Finnish esports professional Elias “Jamppi” Olkkonen made a definitive announcement about his competitive gaming future, confirming he will not resume his Counter-Strike: Global Offensive career despite recent regulatory changes.
The pivotal moment in Jamppi’s career trajectory occurred in 2015 when he received a Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) ban that permanently excluded him from all Valve-sanctioned CSGO tournaments. This restriction forced his removal from OG’s roster due to tournament eligibility requirements, significantly hampering his professional development during critical growth years. Despite ENCE taking a chance by signing him afterward, Jamppi engaged in continuous legal proceedings with Valve that ultimately failed to restore his major tournament participation rights.
Understanding VAC bans is crucial for aspiring professionals – these permanent account restrictions detect cheating software and prevent participation in secured servers, creating career-long consequences that extend beyond individual tournaments.
As 2021 progressed, it became increasingly clear that Jamppi’s extensive efforts to overturn his account restriction were yielding no meaningful progress. Faced with this reality, the Finnish first-person shooter specialist made the strategic decision to completely transition away from CSGO. He communicated this career shift through a Twitter video published in late January, explicitly stating the ban left him with “no remaining options.” This prompted his recruitment to Team Liquid’s emerging Valorant competitive division.
“I’m optimistic that Valorant presents no comparable barriers like permanent bans. This represents a significant psychological advantage – I can compete without restrictions and pursue becoming a top-tier competitor in this new ecosystem,” Jamppi explained during his announcement.
Hello guys, i hope you understand my english, and my decision! Terkkuja !
pic.twitter.com/kHhT7F6RDj— Elias Olkkonen (@Jamppicsgo)
January 26, 2021
CSGO losing pro players to Valorant
While Jamppi’s transition to Riot Games’ new tactical shooter was logically justified, the CSGO community has voiced significant disappointment about losing another promising professional to a competing title. Valve subsequently revealed in April that only competitors receiving VAC restrictions within the previous five-year window would face tournament disqualification. This policy adjustment theoretically reopened Jamppi’s CSGO competitive pathway.
During a follow-up streaming session, audience members inquired whether the Finnish player might reconsider returning to Counter-Strike competitive play.
“Please don’t be angry, everyone, but I’ve decided to remain committed to Valorant,” Jamppi clarified in response.
He emphasized that returning to CSGO was “definitely not happening” currently. Although characterizing the choice as “exceptionally difficult,” Jamppi noted his hope that most supporters would respect his professional decision.
Jamppi and his Team Liquid colleagues are scheduled to compete at the Valorant Champions Tour Masters Reykjavik LAN competition beginning May 24. This event marks the inaugural in-person Valorant tournament since the game’s competitive framework launched.
The migration of established CSGO talent to Valorant represents a broader industry trend where professionals seek environments with clearer competitive pathways and reduced historical baggage. For players considering similar transitions, understanding each game’s competitive structure, publisher support systems, and long-term viability becomes essential for career planning.
This pattern mirrors historical esports transitions, where established professionals often pioneer new competitive scenes, bringing valuable experience while facing adaptation challenges in different game mechanics and meta-strategies.
Action Checklist
- Research both games’ competitive structures and publisher support before transitioning
- Analyze transfer timing considering rule changes and career stage
- Evaluate mental health benefits of fresh competitive environments
- Monitor industry policy changes that might affect career decisions
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Jamppi says he won’t return to CSGO despite Valve rule change Jamppi's definitive move to Valorant reveals the complex dynamics between CSGO bans and esports career decisions