The growth of an idea, especially that of a competitive nature, must be supported by those fundamentals of credibility, stability and direction. The world of professional esports is no different.

The idea of a towering business model of esports reaching the same soaring heights as those of football or formula one is nothing but illusions of grandeur if the build is based on rotten foundations. What I am trying to say is, there must be rules, regulations and affirmations that everything is legitimate before progressing too far to easily make a change.

We have all seen how hard an unforeseen scandal can rock the competitive scene, with the match fixing situation throwing the results of games into uncertainty, and VACations leaving fans unsure who they can trust. This is why from the beginning, clear rules must be set for the conduct of fair play in our game. Along with these rules must come regulations, ensuring the rules are enforced and serious repercussions if they are to be broken.

This leads us onto our latest topic, Doping in esports. A topic we’ve seen many times in the past, whether it be linked to cycling, baseball or fighting has now found it’s way to the attention of some of CSGO’s biggest tournament providers. While many have spoken about it as of late after some interviews, ESL are the first to make a move, setting the precedent for the rest of the scene.

Adderall, the drug in the spotlight for esports (Image: hipsxxhearts)

A currently unknown list of drugs, performance enhancing and otherwise, will be banned with immediate effect by ESL, with tests going into immediate effect from ESL One Cologne this August (2015). From there, ESL have promised to meet with the Nationale Anti Doping Agentur and the World Anti Doping Agency to continue to improve their list, techniques and overall coverage of their substance ban. This ban is in no way exclusive to CSGO either, with ESL promising to “encompass all players participating in competitions organized, hosted or produced by ESL “

This quick and serious reaction from ESL will hopefully cause other organisations to follow suit, already the teams are promising to hold their players accountable with the general reaction being positive.

ESL are looking to combat doping before their next major, ESL One Cologne in August 2015

“The anti-doping/banned substance rules ESL are implementing are in fact real. We will hold our players accountable. I can promise that.” – @hastr0 the Managing Director at Team EnVyUs

“Props to ESL for being the first eSports body to test for performance enhancing drugs at events.” – @RNGMonteCristo co owner of Renegades

Here at Ninjas in Pyjamas the reaction is no different, we fully support the substance ban and it’s follow on effects, helping to secure the legitimacy of our esports. The CEO of NiP, Per Lilliefelth had this to say on the matter.

“My view on performance-enhancing drugs of any type is simple, its cheating , and as bad as using wall hacks, aimbots or any other means to get unfair advantages.

We in NiP will have ZERO tolerance towards this , always.”

Per Lilliefelth, CEO of NiP affirms our zero tolerance policy

All in all, the esports industry has identified something that, if not already an issue, could easily become a rampant one that would be incredibly damaging and difficult to uproot. Once identified we as a whole community are taking the steps necessary to combat the issue in a fair and controlled way, to ensure the continued credibility of the scene. As with any implementation of new rules or practices, the patience and cooperation of fans, organisations and players alike is important to the smooth transition and progression of the sport.

Again, as an organisation we would like to reitterate that we do not condone the use of performance enhancing substances and will cooperate fully with any nesseccary procedures to ensure the scene is clean.

www.nip.gl