Community Criticizes Cameraman at IEM Dallas 2025

During IEM Dallas 2025, instead of enjoying the debut of s1mple , viewers were forced to watch extremely close-up shots of players' faces. The camera operator zoomed in to the max: noses, pores, tattoos, and someone's hands flashed on the screen.

This was particularly unpleasant during technical pauses when the camera lingered on an unidentified hand without explanation. Many found this puzzling—viewers wanted to see the player, emotions, and atmosphere, not inspect the players' skin details. We hope ESL hears the criticism and makes adjustments.

Reddit users didn't hold back in their assessments and harshly criticized the operator's work.

Many complained about the camera's intrusive nature.

This operator is just a creep, bro, I can see every pore on their faces.
Zarmos

Some ironically noted that they learned more about the players' skin conditions than they wanted to.

I realized some players need to update their skincare routine and exfoliate. Nonetheless, ESL operator, I didn't want to know this, please step back 50 steps.
u/TheSpiffingBrit

There were even claims that this was the worst thing they had seen in CS.

"This is the worst thing I've seen in all my time watching CS, the whole chat is in shock, lol.
gloriouq

Some ironically pointed out that this was the only entertainment during pauses.

This is the only thing entertaining us when we have to wait 5 minutes due to technical pauses."
No_Passion4274

And some are calling for radical solutions.

Please fire him, it's hard to watch.
xRoadToDawn

IEM Dallas 2025 takes place from May 19 to 25 in Dallas , United States, with a prize pool of $1,000,000. You can follow the news, schedule, and tournament results via the link.