When it comes to pro-gaming, it seems that the more popular it gets and the more prize money involved, the more people are willing to use all sorts of weird and wonderful advantages to try and get ahead. While a good number probably get away with their antics, it's far from certain and the penalties for being found out are life-changing for those that have put years into honing their craft.
The latest crack down comes from SMITE developer Hi-Rez studios, which has brought the ban-hammer down on five professional players who were found to be using lower level dummy accounts which they shared among themselves.
Most received bans of a few days, with Tocketty getting away with just a three day suspension. The rest have been banned for two weeks, though Mask, from team COGnitigive Gaming has been banned from playing in any SMITE tournaments or competitions for a whole year.
What's quite interesting about this case however, isn't necessarily that the players have been banned, but the other gamers' reaction to it. Many consider them over the top for the infraction, with others suggesting that smurf or shared accounts don't have any real negative impact on the game and that Hi-Rez is being over the top by considering bans at all.
That said, the rules are pretty clear cut. Shared accounts are now allowed.
Do you think it matters though?
