StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 hasn’t even started, yet it already sparked its first major wave of hype: HLTV and 1xBET have, for the first time, allowed fans to choose the official design of the MVP medal. Three options — A, B, and C — instantly turned social media and HLTV threads into a battlefield as the community began debating style, symbolism, color balance, symmetry, readability, and what truly “feels” Major-worthy. What should have been a simple design poll suddenly became a meta-topic of the entire tournament.
Three Concepts — Three Design Philosophies
HLTV presented three completely different medal concepts:
- A — “Lightness and Modernity”
Option A grabbed attention immediately with its clean lines, balanced shapes, and bright, “breathing” look. Fans call it the most modern, readable, and best integrated into CS2’s visual identity.
- B — “Minimalism and Symmetry”
Option B is the only one that leans into elegant restraint. It’s praised for neat composition but often criticized for “lack of personality.” Supporters of B insist that its minimalism reflects what a premium award should look like.
- C — “Classic and Heavy Relief”
Option C is the visually heaviest medal, with deep relief and striking contours. It’s described as old-school, weighty, and “a true Major medal.” Its scale and monumentality quickly made it a favorite for a large segment of fans.
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Social Media Explodes: From Jokes to Trolling — Fans Are Already Picking Their Sides
Twitter/X: quick takes and mini-debates
Reactions on X show that the choice is not just technical — it’s emotional:
- PcTechFps: “In my humble opinion, B reflects it ”
- CS.FAIL: “i got my pick locked in”
- Bot Ronnie: “just pick the one m0NESY likes the most” — implying MVP will “choose” the medal anyway
- Another comment turned into a meme: “Can’t you see the leftmost and rightmost?” — hinting that the real battle is A vs C.
Option B has its own loyal supporters, but the main polarization is clearly between A and C.
HLTV Forums: Full-Scale Battles With Hundreds of Upvotes
On HLTV, the debate instantly escalated into a classic “forum war.” Some quotes already spreading across social media:
- #30: “C is goat MVP ngl” (+227)
- #32: “We think A clears. C is taking the 2nd place.” (+113)\
- #81: “A and C are fine, B has 0 personality”
- #82: “A is a winner for me. It’s light. B & C feel muffled and heavy.”
- #98: “You’re entitled to your wrong opinion.” — peak HLTV culture
- #109: simply “C” — short but powerful
This is no longer just a design discussion — it’s a full social phenomenon. Each option already has its own subculture.
Where Does the Community Lean Right Now?
The overall sentiment looks like this:
- A — favorite among fans who prefer modern, clean aesthetics
- C — favorite among those who want a heavy, premium, “true Major” look
- B — a stylish outsider attracting minimalism lovers, but not dominating discussion
Analytically, this resembles many CS-community votes: two strong contenders fight for the top spot, while the third gathers a small but loyal camp.
Context and Meaning: Why Does Everyone Care So Much?
Budapest Major is the final and most important Major of the year. Unlike the previous three events (Austin, Cologne, Chengdu), this medal will symbolize the end of the season — and the fans will decide what the MVP lifts in front of tens of millions of viewers. Possibly:
- ZywOo
- donk
- m0NESY
- molodoy
- or a completely unexpected new hero
Whoever wins will forever cement the chosen design in CS2 history.
Voting Rules and Deadline
HLTV clarified that:
- only users registered before the article was published can vote
- voting ends on November 24
- the winning design will be revealed before the playoffs, in a large preview segment
This means the community directly influences what trophy will appear in the iconic award ceremony shot inside the MVM Dome.
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The First Budapest Major Hype Is Already Here
The MVP medal vote has transformed from a fun poll into the Major’s first big storyline — and a vivid demonstration of how passionate and diverse the CS2 fanbase is.
- A — modern
- C — majestic
- B — elegant and underrated
Some call it a “battle of aesthetics,” others — a “war of taste,” but one thing is already clear: this choice will become a part of Major history, no matter which design wins.
