Tag: DOTA 2

DOTA 2 tournament faces backlash for not having sound-proof booths

The massive DOTA 2 International tournament is well underway, but several professional teams aren’t happy about Valve’s stage setup.

DOTA 2‘s International 2022 tournament is in full swing, but developer Valve is facing heat from the community regarding the stage setup. Most notably, the lack of sound-proof booths seemingly impacted the playoff match between Gaimin Gladiators and Fnatic. 

After Fnatic’s elimination on Thursday, CGO Patrik Sättermon announced that the company had filed a formal complaint claiming that Gaimin Gladiators could hear arena commentators during the match — suggesting that there was an unfair advantage.

“As a former player, I am very frustrated that such integrity issues are still not prevented, especially on the absolute biggest stage of the sport,” Sättermon said on Twitter. “Our intention is solely to raise awareness about something that can be as game-breaking as dream-crushing for the athletes.”

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Typically massive esports events have either noise-canceling headsets for competitors or place teams in sound-proof environments. The reason being is hearing commentators or crowd reactions means a team could learn what their opponents are doing and adjust strategies accordingly. 

According to DOTA 2 pro player Anton “Dyrachyo” Shkredov, every athlete wore noise-canceling headphones at last year’s International championship in Stockholm, Sweden. Shkredov had weighed in on the 2022 controversy via Reddit translation.

“Scary thing is that you hear absolutely everything. Everything that the casters say,” Shkredov said. “You hear every smoke, every rune.”

As of the time of this post, Valve hasn’t publically addressed Fnatic’s report. With DOTA 2‘s International being one of the biggest esports events, many fans believe this commentary fiasco damages the credibility of everyone involved.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.

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Valve cancels Winter Major for DOTA 2 and nobody is happy about it

The event isn’t happening at all anymore.

Valve has canceled DOTA 2’s  first Winter Major for the current competitive pro circuit.

In a statement on DOTA 2’s  blog, Valve explains its reasoning for doing so is due to potential dangers that may arise from COVID-19 variants.

“As the Winter Tour of the DOTA Pro Circuit 2021-2022 season draws to a close, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel the first Major,” Valve said. “While hopes were high that we could host an international LAN event, the discovery and spread of new strains of COVID-19 and the resulting increase of travel restrictions has made it unfeasible for all qualified teams to gather for a LAN tournament.” 

It’s not the first time Valve has made drastic, last-minute changes to a tournament. Last fall, the studio  canceled ticket sales for The International  mere days before the event was to take place. While it’s understandable that Valve wouldn’t want to hold an in-person event because of the pandemic, the DOTA 2 community is upset about it, and for fair reasons.

The common sentiment among pro players, esports organizations, and fans is that cancellation notice came far too late. That Valve isn’t respecting the pro scene’s time and money. Especially since the first Winter Major is not being rescheduled at all.

Take a look at the reactions below to see just a bit of the anger that’s swallowing up DOTA 2 diehards. 

Last week, the Entertainment Software Association  canceled its annual Electronic Entertainment Expo  for the same reasons.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.

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Vladimir Putin praises ‘DOTA 2’ International champions

The President of Russia congratulates Team Spirit for winning it all in DOTA 2.

Vladimir Putin, the current President of Russia, just congratulated Moscow-based Team Spirit for winning DOTA 2’s  2021 International tournament.

Over on the Kremlin’s website, Putin had nothing but kind things to say about Team Spirit taking home a cool $18 Million — the biggest prize pot in esports history. 

“Congratulations on your well-deserved victory at The International 2021 – the DOTA 2 World Championship,” Putin  said. “For the first time in history, the Russian team of the Team Spirit won these prestigious competitions. Well done!”

It would seem that Putin may have actually watched The International 2021, too, as he added some specificity to the statement.

“On the way to the final, you demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and solidarity,” Putin said. “In the decisive duel, which became a real test of skill and character, you managed to concentrate and seize the initiative from strong opponents at the most crucial moment. They have proven in practice that our esportsmen are always goal-oriented and capable of conquering any peaks.”

It’s certainly not every day that a world leader comments on esports, but given how huge The International 2021 was, it’s not surprising either. Valve recently caught flack for canceling ticket sales for the event shortly before competitions were to take place. Though it would seem that did not hinder mainstream attention at all.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

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‘Dota 2’ team takes home biggest esports prize ever — $18 million

Team Spirit has landed the Aegis trophy after being crowned champions of Dota 2’s The International 2021. The win sees the team take home a cash prize of $18.2 million from a prize pool of $40 million — the largest in esports history. 

Team Spirit has landed the Aegis trophy after being crowned champions of Dota 2’s The International 2021. The win sees the team take home a cash prize of $18.2 million from a prize pool of $40 million — the largest in esports history. 

The prize is funded by Dota 2 developer Valve, as well as community contributions that come from a percentage of in-game purchases of the Compendium and Battlepass.

Team Spirit, based in Moscow, is the first Eastern European team to win since Ukraine’s Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) won the inaugural tournament in 2011. That first tournament — played in Cologne, Germany — had a prize pool of $1 million. 

For the last few years, The International has been dominated by teams based in the European Union, but the tournament took a year off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That hiatus saw 2020’s prize pool transferred to this year. 

Dota 2 is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) where two teams of five players battle for control of their enemy’s base while trying to defend their own. Each playable character comes with a range of unique skills, which allows for strategic team composition and unexpected plays. There’s a high skill ceiling and a massive learning curve for anyone who hopes to get good. 

Despite not having a live audience as it usually does, this year’s International tournament was broadcast live, with play-by-play commentary across multiple languages. Chinese team PSG.LGD took home the runner-up’s prize — a measly $5.2 million. 

Written by Kirk McKeand on behalf of GLHF. 

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Valve cancels ticket sales for ‘DOTA 2’ International

Just days before competitions were to begin, too.

Valve Software made the difficult decision to refund all tickets for DOTA 2’s The International mere days before the tournament begins on Oct. 7 due to rising COVID-19 cases in Romania.

“We have been carefully evaluating the continued rise of Covid rates in Romania, as well as the resulting introduction of new local restrictions in Bucharest,” Valve said on DOTA 2’s blog. “To ensure the safety of all players, talent, and production staff participating in the event, we have decided to refund all ticket sales for The International 2021.”

The statement continued: “We wanted nothing more than to welcome fans live to the event, but we can no longer do so in a way that allows us to prioritize the health and well-being of both audience members and participants. Those who purchased tickets will be issued a full refund automatically.”

President of PGL Esports, the company that helps Valve organize The International, said that he believes tournaments of this scale can only return if all attendees are vaccinated. So no doubt that they have taken this situation seriously from the beginning. It’s a shame, though, that some DOTA 2 fans who traveled across to watch The International live are only just getting this news now, though. 

It’s certainly risky to plan any travel during the pandemic.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

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PGL Esports president believes big LAN events can only return if all attendees are vaccinated

PGL Esports will require proof of vaccination for guests to attend live events.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, esports events have been hurting, and PGL’s president believes massive tournaments can only return if all attendees provide proof of vaccination. Insisting that future events put on by PGL Esports will indeed require everyone attending will need to be vaccinated. 

PGL Esports is responsible for organizing and producing some of the biggest competitive gaming events in the world. From Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Apex Legends majors to DOTA 2’s The International, the organization has loads of experience and know-how on what is required to make these things a success. Silviu Stroie, CEO at PGL, wants those grandiose events to return, and the organization is being proactive about it. 

“I firmly believe the only way to bring back massive LAN events is to require complete vaccination of attending players, talent, spectators,” Stroie said on Twitter. “This will be a requirement for all upcoming PGL 2022 events.”

PGL Esports is helping organize DOTA 2’s 2021 The International tournament, of course, and a ticket sales post on DOTA 2’s blog confirms vaccination is required to get into the event.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

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Valve commemorates late ‘DOTA 2’ commentator with moving in-game tribute

Aldrin Paulo “Dunoo” Pangan is now forever part of DOTA 2.

In the most recent update for DOTA 2, developer Valve Software added a tribute to the late Aldrin Paulo “Dunoo” Pangan. The legendary Filipino commentator that recently lost his life to COVID-19.

“We were saddened to hear recently of the passing of Aldrin Paulo ‘Dunoo’ Pangan, an icon of the Filipino casting community,” Valve said on the DOTA 2 blog. “As a tribute, for the next season, the selected chat wheels feature some of his most iconic lines.”

The platinum-tier chat wheel lines include:

  • “Easiest money of my life!”
  • “Lakad Matataaaag! Normalin Normalin.”
  • “The next level play!”

Even if you’re not familiar with DOTA 2, Pangan’s energy during matches was unparalleled. Check out a clip of him going wild for yourself below

DOTA 2’s community is still processing the grief that comes with Pangan’s passing as well.

Now, Pangan is part of the game that he loved so dearly.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

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