A fan at IEM Cologne hit the jackpot during a live broadcast: During a high-stakes match between FaZe and SAW, the lucky spectator unboxed an ultra-rare Factory New Doppler knife.
The lucky viewer brought his laptop to the stands and took a cheeky spin at a CS:GO skin gambling site that gifted him the super rare item. The crowd went wild, but not everyone was cheering.
The unboxing was commentated live by esports commentator James Banks. Fans in the stadium and online went crazy at the astronomical odds of the drop. The knife is extremely rare and is easily worth $600 when sold on the web. The prize’s value may not impress, but the win’s timing on camera certainly does.
The timing couldn’t be more ironic. Just yesterday, a Twitch analyst tweeted a comment on the current epidemic of skin gambling endorsements on Twitch. While the online community condemned the wide spread of gambling endorsements, real-world fans seem to love the thrill of spinning the skin reel.
Skin gambling has long been an issue in the CS:GO world. Players spend real money on loot boxes, hoping to score valuable weapon skins. These skins allow players to create a virtual economy through trading or selling.
Unfortunately, the ads also reach a lot of underage viewers that are prone to gambling issues. Many worry about the impact on younger players and those vulnerable to addiction.
Valve, the company behind CS:GO, has faced scrutiny over these mechanics. Some countries have even taken steps to regulate or ban loot boxes, viewing them as a form of gambling. Yet, the allure of rare skins remains strong as we saw at this year’s IEM. Professional players and streamers often open loot boxes live. This viral clip will only add to the hype around the boxes.
The IEM Cologne perfectly shows how divided the community is. Undeniably, fans love opening boxes and it has become an integral part of the game and the community. It remains to be seen if Twitch or Valve will actually take measures against them.