Valve has announced an update for its popular game, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), addressing significant changes to the sticker artwork for Imperial Esports. In response to community feedback, the Brazilian esports organization’s sticker no longer features the Gamdom logo, which was part of its original design.
A Response to Community Concerns
The update, released on November 14th, reintroduces Imperial Esports’ original logo, effectively removing the online gambling platform’s influence from the Budapest Major sticker collection. This change follows the noticeable backlash from the community regarding the sticker design. While Valve has not officially explained the alteration, it coincides with widespread criticism from fans and players alike.
In addition to the sticker update, the patch also resolves an issue where the Budapest 2025 in-game coin was missing from the scoreboard during matches. The process for approving sticker designs remains a contentious topic within the Counter-Strike community, with many players voicing their frustrations over rejected submissions.
Stickers play a crucial role in the economic ecosystem of Counter-Strike’s Major tournaments, providing revenue streams for esports organizations and players. Despite the controversy, Gamdom continues to sponsor Imperial Esports and supports their Counter-Strike initiatives. In a recent move, both parties expanded their operations with the launch of a European academy roster.
The Major Approaches
Scheduled from November 24th to December 14th, 2025, the StarLadder Budapest Major will cap off the CS2 competitive season. Imperial Esports will be among 32 teams competing in Budapest, each vying for a share of the $1.25 million prize pool. This Major also introduces a significant change to its format, featuring a best-of-five Grand Final for the first time.