Swisher on IEM Cologne's sticker system: "I think everybody suffered"
In an interview with HLTV, M80 player Michael "Swisher" Schmid discussed his team's recent performance and the new sticker system unveiled by Valve at IEM Cologne. The American professional shared a sentiment common among many in the pro scene regarding the recent changes.
The core of the issue lies in the shift from the old capsule-based system to the purchase of individual stickers at a higher price point. Previously, fans could unbox capsules where a rare sticker might be worth significantly more than the capsule itself. The revamped system removes this element of high-value potential for collectors.
Swisher highlighted the difficulties this poses for smaller organizations, stating, "I think everybody suffered, especially tier-two, tier-three orgs." He also expressed concern that the system might remain unchanged, noting that Valve is not known for frequently reversing its decisions.
However, the player remains hopeful that the developers will consider the community's feedback and adjust the system accordingly to address the concerns raised by the professional ecosystem.