In a unique and humorous crackdown against rule-breaking, Valve has taken a distinct approach by sending in-game gifts disguised as "seasonal rewards" that actually contain a virtual lump of coal, resulting in permanent bans for smurf accounts in Dota 2. The move affected both regular and professional players, with Dota 2 streamer Mason "mason" Venne being one of the high-profile bans after opening the deceptive gift. Valve has intensified efforts to monitor player behavior and has been permanently banning smurf accounts to improve the overall gaming experience. Valve's strict enforcement extends to behavior infractions, with penalties ranging from behavior score deductions to outright bannings of main accounts. The company aims to ensure fair play and promote positive player interactions within the community as they move into the new year.

How is Valve handling smurf accounts in Dota 2?

Valve is handling smurf accounts in Dota 2 by sending out deceiving in-game gifts that appear as seasonal rewards but contain a virtual lump of coal which triggers an immediate permanent ban on the recipient's account. They are also stepping up their player behavior monitoring and implementing a vigorous ban wave to tackle smurfing and other negative behaviors.