The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 kicked off with a rocky start as technical issues plagued the tournament’s opening day. From audio mishaps to abrupt halts in the first round of matches, the event faced significant challenges that tested the patience of players and fans alike.
Audio Glitches Disrupt Broadcasts
The opening show was marred by audio problems, as viewers were unable to hear the desk hosts and analysts discussing the initial matches. Meanwhile, background music continued to play, causing confusion. Reports suggest that the issues were particularly noticeable on YouTube and Twitch streams, while the Kick stream remained unaffected. During a match between M80 and B8, commentators Chad ‘SPUNJ’ Birchill and Alex ‘Machine’ Richardson were inaudible, and even after some fixes, echoing in-game audio further hampered the experience.
A Lengthy Interruption
In the early moments of the FaZe Clan vs. Lynn Vision Gaming match, the main broadcast went dark, leaving fans without updates on critical game moments. This led to jokes about it potentially being the longest match in FaZe CS history. After a two-hour delay, broadcasts resumed to complete the opening matches. “Power issues, you need that to play video games,” remarked SPUNJ humorously.
What’s Next?
As FaZe Clan battles Lynn Vision Gaming and Fnatic takes on RED Canids, the delays threaten to disrupt the schedule for the second round of matches. Despite the setbacks, the second Major of 2025 is regaining its momentum, though it’s uncertain how closely the original timeline can be followed. StarLadder has yet to comment on the causes behind these unexpected issues.