BC.Game's CEO Ali "Ako" Muhanned recently appeared on the All About Counter-Strike podcast to discuss the rollercoaster experience his organization faced following Valve's Major rulebook changes. The team initially lost their shot at Major qualification due to region-swapping penalties, only to receive a special exception just one day later.
Speaking with hosts James "BanKs" Banks and Jonatan "Devilwalk" Lundberg, Ako shared details about his communication with Valve. He praised HLTV's Milan "Striker" Švejda for facilitating contact with the developer, emphasizing the journalist's neutral stance and helpful guidance throughout the process.
According to Ako, BC.Game's circumstances differed fundamentally from the exploitative practices Valve aimed to eliminate. The organization demonstrated that they weren't manipulating dual citizenship loopholes or mistreating players through contract terminations. Instead, they showed Valve their long-term commitment, revealing that their Asian roster members hold the longest contracts on the team.
When asked about his public offer to restart in the Asian qualification circuit from scratch, Ako stated it proved BC.Game's genuine intentions. The CEO emphasized that making the Major wasn't their primary concern—maintaining integrity and fair treatment mattered more.
Ako also addressed why he proposed restarting in Asia rather than returning to Europe. The decision centered on protecting Tyson "asap" Paterson, whom Ako had promised a roster spot. Switching back to European competition would have required removing asap, something Ako refused to consider despite the potential Major opportunity. He stressed that BC.Game's financial stability allows them to prioritize keeping promises over tournament qualification.
