Less than a month before StarLadder Major Budapest 2025, Valve has sparked a new controversy. The company rejected dozens of player autograph stickers without clear reasons. Players from all over the world were affected — KSCERATO, YEKINDAR, siuhy, Sonic, Snow, hallzerk, slaxz-, headtr1ck, REZ, Qikert, and VINI.
“StickerGate Budapest” — when creativity meets corporate filters
The story began with KSCERATO’s emotional Telegram post:
Please accept my new sticker @valvesoftware @CounterStrike its not AI. I used to be an artist 😭
— KSCERATO (@kscerato) October 31, 2025
Soon, social media filled with similar complaints. Dozens of pros revealed that their stickers were also rejected. According to players, Valve offers no feedback, doesn’t explain the decision, and refuses resubmissions.
The reason likely lies in stricter checks for AI or font traces. Although most autographs were handmade, Valve now applies extremely tight standards to avoid another public scandal.
Who faced rejection:
- KSCERATO (FURIA) — accused of using AI despite confirming his design was hand-drawn.
- YEKINDAR (Liquid) — his creative truck-style drawing was labeled “unacceptable.”
- Sonic (NRG) — said Valve rejected his design even though it followed every rule.
- Snow (paiN Gaming) — explained that his sticker was a tribute to his grandfather, yet Valve declined it.
- siuhy (Liquid) — denied for the second Major in a row, forced to reuse his old signature.
- headtr1ck (B8) — showed his rejected version with a crosshair symbol.
- REZ (GamerLegion) — confirmed that his new attempt failed as well.
- Qikert (MIBR) — faced his second rejection, the first dating back to IEM Rio Major 2022.
- slaxz- (M80) — joked: “My old one sucks. Why can’t I submit a new design?”
- hallzerk (Passion UA) — his minimalist “HALLZERK” signature didn’t make it through either.
- VINI (Imperial) — another Brazilian player rejected without explanation.
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Players call the process “unfair and unclear”
Sticker recusado novamente kkkkk, tentei fazer uma homenagem pro meu vô e pro meu pai mas n aceitaram q tristeza 🥲 pic.twitter.com/CbSyx63mq7
— paiN Snow ❄️ (@Snowzincs) November 2, 2025
Many professionals openly criticized Valve for its lack of communication. Sonic wrote that “everything was hand-made, no AI, completely within the guidelines” — yet it was still denied.
Snow added that it was “painful on a personal level,” as his signature carried emotional meaning. siuhy joked that “he’ll have to play with the chicken design again instead of a new one.”
It seems Valve has adopted an overcautious approach: any potentially “creative” or “stylized” element is automatically treated as a red flag.
Community reaction
After waves of posts on X, the issue became a trending topic in the CS2 world.
Journalist ThourCS2 wrote:
Man, I wasn’t expecting this many signatures getting rejected. The Major starts in 22 days.
Analyst Ozzny commented:
We’re only going to get boring stickers no one will care about.
The post went viral. CSGORoll called it “terrible news” and shared the rejected stickers from siuhy and Sonic. Fans reacted with humor and frustration:
- “At this point, players should record themselves signing to prove it’s not AI.”
- “Just use Arial next time.”
- “Valve doing Valve things — no logic, no reason.”
Some speculate Valve feared copyright claims, especially for Sonic’s iconic “hair” or certain stylized fonts. CSGOLD summed it up:
Sticker designs are now copy-paste from the last Major.
Most fans agree — strict rules destroy the creativity and personality that made CS stickers special.
last two majors, both of these stickers got rejected. just so they don’t go to waste, i will enjoy them here. i can’t upload a new one so i’ll have the same as last time 😶🌫️ pic.twitter.com/MGTVegUuHf
— Kamil Szkaradek (@siuhycs) November 2, 2025
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Context and aftermath
Sources suggest Valve now uses an automated system to detect “non-authentic” signatures. The goal is to block AI or font-based work. Yet this system may hurt the charm of the stickers. Fans buy them for style and individuality, not for plain, generic autographs. With Budapest Major 2025 starting in three weeks, this controversy already damaged trust between Valve and the CS2 community. Players like siuhy and Sonic have hinted they might stop submitting new designs if nothing changes.
“StickerGate Budapest” shows the growing gap between Valve’s strict control and the community’s desire for freedom and creativity. If Valve doesn’t rethink its process, Budapest Major 2025 could become one of the dullest events visually — despite its global importance.
