A logo change for the Brazilian esports organisation Imperial has been reversed by Valve for the upcoming Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, following community scrutiny over the design’s resemblance to a sponsor’s branding.
The organisation’s announced sticker featured a design which the community quickly identified as being identical to the logo of its naming sponsor, the crypto casino Gamdom. This new logo was initially approved and featured as the team’s sticker for the Budapest Major. However, Valve has since updated the in-game items, reverting Imperial’s logo back to its previous, original version.
The swift reversal suggests the initial approval may have been an oversight on Valve’s part, though the developer has not made any public statement on the matter.
The situation underscores the delicate balance organisations must strike between securing vital commercial revenue and adhering to the specific sponsorship guidelines set by game publishers for their flagship events. This event serves as a recent reminder that while organisations have creative freedom with their own branding, any design intended for use in Valve’s official ecosystem is subject to final approval and must not function as a direct vehicle for sponsor advertising.
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