After a match day at IEM Kraków 2026, discussion in the CS2 community shifted away from results after a brief backstage clip showed NAVI’s makazze passing by Parivision gamer xiELO. The moment was quickly exaggerated on social media, with some users claiming a “push” or tension where none existed.
makazze’s explanation: calm, direct, and without subtext
makazze addressed the situation shortly after, giving a clear and composed explanation in a NAVI vlog, later quoted by fan accounts:
I think he just didn’t have enough space to pass by me. I later saw the clip that was posted — no, he didn’t say anything. He was tilted. There was simply no room to get past, so he came closer to pass. Nothing serious.
The key point: makazze directly denied any conflict or verbal exchange. According to him, it was purely a technical moment caused by limited space and constant movement behind the scenes.
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Footage from another angle: what the Bilibili video shows
The discussion was effectively put to rest after a video from Chinese streamer CSboy surfaced on Bilibili. The clip was recorded during an interview with Aleksib and accidentally captured the interaction from a different angle.
The footage clearly shows:
- makazze slowing down and adjusting his movement to get through;
- both sides remaining calm and neutral;
- no aggressive gestures or verbal interaction.
This alternative angle fully supports makazze’s explanation and dismantles the idea of any “incident.”
Community reaction: “nothing burger” and fatigue with manufactured drama
Once the full footage became available, the tone of the discussion shifted noticeably. A large portion of the community openly dismissed the story as overblown:
- “He was just walking past — have you never done that before?”
- “There’s no push at all, he was just standing in the way.”
- “Making something out of nothing.”
- “Nothing burger.”
Some users also criticized attempts to drag political or national narratives into the discussion, which sparked backlash against those comments rather than against the players involved.
LAN backstage reality: why moments like this are normal
Context matters. IEM Kraków 2026 features a tight schedule, constant interviews, and nonstop movement of players, analysts, and production staff through narrow technical areas. Situations like this are routine at major LAN events, especially around analyst desks and mixed zones.
What would normally go unnoticed can easily turn into “drama” on social media when a few seconds of footage are taken out of context.
How a Normal Backstage Moment Turned Into Social Media Drama
The makazze–xiELO situation is a textbook example of how quickly online noise can outweigh facts. Direct comments from the player, full footage from another angle, and the broader community reaction all point to the same conclusion:
there was no conflict — just an ordinary backstage moment at a major tournament.
