Valve Runs the Show: Thoughts and Interviews May 27th, 2015 03:10 GMT Text by gaijindash Valve Runs the Show





Text and Interview by Gaijindash. Interviews courtesy of







Valve Running The Show: What it means for Teams and Tournaments



As I was lying in bed this morning, bleary-eyed, waves rolled through my Twitter feed. I was confronted with what seemed to be the Twitter equivalent to end-times for Dota 2.



The cause? An article released by the















Though this writer has been forbidden from using Twitch memes, I can’t help but feel much of the ‘We Riot now’ sentiment echoed across the Twittersphere draws attention to the parallels this new system might have to the LCS system in League of Legends, and Riot games’ monopolistic control over top tier tournaments in LoL.







Drama aside, what does this new system actually mean for professional Dota 2? Will Valve dropping three major tournaments into an already packed calendar edge out smaller tournaments? Or will new found stability help Dota 2 flourish at all levels of play?







I managed to catch LGD gaming’s business manager Orrin Xu on his way to Beijing on business for a few words on the matter:



Many people are worried the new Major system will take over pro Dota 2, does this mean the death of smaller tournaments?



The problem isn't the death of them in the first place, but the market will be much less competitive. Fewer organisers will be willing to get into the market as the cost of running an event will be driven up. Teams get more picky since you only really need to play the Majors to qualify for TI.



With tier 1 teams potentially focusing only on the majors now, how do you think this new system will affect tier 2 teams and other up and comers?



I think there will be more breathing room for tier 2 teams to flourish; like I said, tier 1 teams will be more picky. Chinese Dota is different though, in my experience Chinese teams tend to play everything, and I don't see that changing. Chinese Dota is pretty cutthroat like that.



Do you think more control from Valve will bring stability? How does this system compare to Riot’s way of doing things?



I like what we had but it just needed some clarification of where other tournaments fit in the ecosystem of the new Majors. Actually, the original plan [to have outside organizations run the majors] seems better and more in line with Valve’s philosophy, as tournament organisers need to create good events and think about the long term to have a shot of getting approved.



As business manager for a tier 1 team, how do these changes affect you and your team going forward?



Well it doesn't really affect teams like ours, since teams like us get to pick and choose what tournaments they attend anyway. Maybe things will run smoother with Valve in control but who knows.



You can find Orrin at







COO of Avant Gaming, James ‘Lionberg’ Irvin is a long time Dota player and community member in the Australian Dota 2 scene. Although Avant Gaming has a primary focus on LoL, CoD and CS:GO, with the recently announced Majors system, organisations such as Avant are shifting their focus towards potentially forming Dota 2 squads:



Tell me, Jaime, how do you think the new Majors system will impact the way Dota tournaments are run?



Well, I think the new system with Valve would be a lot more stable. A lot of the time, even with larger events, a lot of the staff are working on a volunteer basis. I can't imagine Valve would have much of this, apart from maybe a few referees. This means more stable and consistent business for everyone who is involved in the tournament, not just the main organisers.



It will probably also bring in a lot more hype from the community, at the moment CS:GO events are done by other tournament organisers and while they still bring a lot of hype and attention for the community you can't deny that an official event run by Valve would be a lot larger.



That’s a great way of looking at things, so does this mean Avant could still be looking to pick up a Dota 2 squad going forward?



Well personally, I would be more attracted to an official event run and managed by Valve rather than an event contracted to a different organisation. Although it might start some hate, you can't deny Riot has the best esports system at the moment. They support the teams, the players and the organisation while showing complete stability. I feel like this change from Valve could be a step in that direction. I have always maintained the point of view that a system like this would be more beneficial for growing esports as a whole rather than just one huge event per year.



You can find James at







Maybe things don’t seem so bad after all. In this writer’s opinion, at least, Valve pumping more money into Dota 2 can’t be a bad thing. Esports is in a transition period, where structured systems and big money can only further our trajectory to becoming like traditional sports. Having a ragtag selection of basement-run tournaments might be more true to Dota’s roots- a game that survived through the passion and dedication of the community. Eventually, though, it’s time to mature and move on in life- no one wants to hang out with that thirty year old who still lives with their parents.



The new Majors system may indeed spell the death of smaller tournaments, but running Dota tournaments is a business, not a charity. Furthermore, I don't see organisations such as BTS or ESL going out of business anytime soon. If anything, Valve will look to bring them on board somehow, as up and coming teams will need a way to earn their stripes, to move on to the Majors. Regardless, any angst is likely the result of organisations' hopes for Major status being crushed; we should not view this as foreshadowing of what is to come for pro Dota 2 as a whole.



Speaking of tier 2 teams, it has already been mentioned by many that as tier 1 teams shift their focus to the Majors, space will be given to these teams to really flourish. And this new system will not harm that- perhaps Valve’s full control will give tier 1 teams even more incentive to focus on the majors, allowing tier 2 teams the space to really prove themselves as worthy to move up in the world of pro Dota.



Once again, our community has jumped the gun before really considering the impact of Valve’s choices. As a final note, I would like to point out that Valve is yet to disappoint us with their ability to bring a great game we all love (for free, no less), and to provide us with tournaments that truly do it justice. I don't see that changing anytime soon.



Source:





CREDITS

Writer: gaijindash

Editors: tehh4ck3r, TheEmulator

Graphics: TheEmulator Text and Interview by Gaijindash. Interviews courtesy of @LGDnite and @AvLionberg As I was lying in bed this morning, bleary-eyed, waves rolled through my Twitter feed. I was confronted with what seemed to be the Twitter equivalent to end-times for Dota 2.The cause? An article released by the Daily Dot concerning Valve’s rumored decision to bring their newly announced ‘Majors’ system in house; squashing the dreams of many tournament organisations hopeful of a 'Major' status for their tournaments.Though this writer has been forbidden from using Twitch memes, I can’t help but feel much of the ‘We Riot now’ sentiment echoed across the Twittersphere draws attention to the parallels this new system might have to the LCS system in League of Legends, and Riot games’ monopolistic control over top tier tournaments in LoL.Drama aside, what does this new system actually mean for professional Dota 2? Will Valve dropping three major tournaments into an already packed calendar edge out smaller tournaments? Or will new found stability help Dota 2 flourish at all levels of play?I managed to catch LGD gaming’s business manager Orrin Xu on his way to Beijing on business for a few words on the matter:You can find Orrin at @LGDnite COO of Avant Gaming, James ‘Lionberg’ Irvin is a long time Dota player and community member in the Australian Dota 2 scene. Although Avant Gaming has a primary focus on LoL, CoD and CS:GO, with the recently announced Majors system, organisations such as Avant are shifting their focus towards potentially forming Dota 2 squads:You can find James at @AvLionberg , and Avant Gaming at avantgaming.com.au Maybe things don’t seem so bad after all. In this writer’s opinion, at least, Valve pumping more money into Dota 2 can’t be a bad thing. Esports is in a transition period, where structured systems and big money can only further our trajectory to becoming like traditional sports. Having a ragtag selection of basement-run tournaments might be more true to Dota’s roots- a game that survived through the passion and dedication of the community. Eventually, though, it’s time to mature and move on in life- no one wants to hang out with that thirty year old who still lives with their parents.The new Majors system may indeed spell the death of smaller tournaments, but running Dota tournaments is a business, not a charity. Furthermore, I don't see organisations such as BTS or ESL going out of business anytime soon. If anything, Valve will look to bring them on board somehow, as up and coming teams will need a way to earn their stripes, to move on to the Majors. Regardless, any angst is likely the result of organisations' hopes for Major status being crushed; we should not view this as foreshadowing of what is to come for pro Dota 2 as a whole.Speaking of tier 2 teams, it has already been mentioned by many that as tier 1 teams shift their focus to the Majors, space will be given to these teams to really flourish. And this new system will not harm that- perhaps Valve’s full control will give tier 1 teams even more incentive to focus on the majors, allowing tier 2 teams the space to really prove themselves as worthy to move up in the world of pro Dota.Once again, our community has jumped the gun before really considering the impact of Valve’s choices. As a final note, I would like to point out that Valve is yet to disappoint us with their ability to bring a great game we all love (for free, no less), and to provide us with tournaments that truly do it justice. I don't see that changing anytime soon.Source: Daily Dot



Writer Courage does not always roar, sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says 'I will try again tommorow'

FHDH Profile Joined July 2014 United States 7023 Posts #2 Nothing is less relevant than Gerg's opinion on Dota2. I feel less strongly about Nahaz's but it's still pretty zzzzz. После драки кулаками не машут (Don't shake your fist when the fight is over)

TheEmulator Profile Joined July 2010 12999 Posts #3 Personally excited to see valve run them and I think other orgs can focus on their own stuff. Idk though I don't have much of an opinion on it yet. Administrator

mnck Profile Joined April 2010 Denmark 691 Posts #4 On May 27 2015 12:14 FHDH wrote:

Nothing is less relevant than Gerg's opinion on Dota2. I feel less strongly about Nahaz's but it's still pretty zzzzz.



I'm going to agree with this. I'm going to agree with this. @Munck // Proud Member of Bunny's Cheer Squad

Heyoka Profile Joined March 2008 Temple of EE-Sama 2467 Posts #5 I do think people are jumping the gun a bit with the doom and gloom stuff but this whole thing has so many variables, we can't make much of a judgement either way until things start rolling. Hopefully it's good, I suspect it will be more positive than negative but we won't find out for a long time. @RealHeyoka | DreamHack StarCrafty Man

andyrau Profile Joined December 2010 9884 Posts #6 i was about to ask why you didnt just embed the tweets instead of using screenshots but it looks like you fixed it "Zai is legitimately not as good as bulba." | kaipi ti3 champions

Heyoka Profile Joined March 2008 Temple of EE-Sama 2467 Posts #7 I got your back, andy. All for you. @RealHeyoka | DreamHack StarCrafty Man

mnck Profile Joined April 2010 Denmark 691 Posts Last Edited: 2015-05-27 03:35:38 #8 I don't care, all that matters is what is best for the players. Valve cares more about the players than some tournament organizers. I am sure this is for the best. @Munck // Proud Member of Bunny's Cheer Squad

Evander Berry Wall Profile Joined June 2014 United States 1137 Posts #9 So many unknowns here. I can't jump to an opinion. I'm thinking more of exactly what the questions it raises are.



Will this system create a more attractive environment for pro gaming organizations or less of one? This will relate to how much Valve asks of participants compared to how much Valve provides to competitive Dota by backing these tournaments.



What determines who gets into the Majors to begin with? If the Majors substantially draw energy away from other tournaments, then will that mean we have less activity farming newer, competitive teams who might enter the Majors? Or can the other tournaments survive just fine even if the attention of the top teams with the big sponsors are drawn away?



Continuing on that subject, there seem to be some very specific ideas about how this will affect the quality of "tier 2 teams" however those are defined, and lower. I think the question here is do tier 2 teams improve more from being allowed to develop amongst themselves or from getting to compete against the tier 1 teams?

stuchiu Profile Joined June 2010 Fiddler's Green 6419 Posts #10 I'm only against this if they lock in regions so they cant play each other.



Hate the idea of segregation by regions in video games. Writer

Seek75 Profile Joined October 2013 United States 20 Posts #11 On May 27 2015 12:14 FHDH wrote:

Nothing is less relevant than Gerg's opinion on Dota2. I feel less strongly about Nahaz's but it's still pretty zzzzz.



I don't know, Grant's is pretty damn far down there. I don't know, Grant's is pretty damn far down there. Børkbørkbørk

FHDH Profile Joined July 2014 United States 7023 Posts #12 On May 27 2015 12:42 Seek75 wrote:

Show nested quote +

On May 27 2015 12:14 FHDH wrote:

Nothing is less relevant than Gerg's opinion on Dota2. I feel less strongly about Nahaz's but it's still pretty zzzzz.



I don't know, Grant's is pretty damn far down there. I don't know, Grant's is pretty damn far down there.

At least Grant has a basis for his nonsense.



At least Grant has a basis for his nonsense. On May 27 2015 12:41 stuchiu wrote:

I'm only against this if they lock in regions so they cant play each other.



Hate the idea of segregation by regions in video games.

This would contradict the entire point of having the majors.



This would contradict the entire point of having the majors. On May 27 2015 12:31 Heyoka wrote:

I do think people are jumping the gun a bit with the doom and gloom stuff but this whole thing has so many variables, we can't make much of a judgement either way until things start rolling. Hopefully it's good, I suspect it will be more positive than negative but we won't find out for a long time.

There's no reason to expect it won't be good, the only question is whether or not it will be as good as the alternative. And we will never know: if this is the course Valve takes there's no way of knowing how the other strategy would have worked. There's no reason to expect it won't be good, the only question is whether or not it will be as good as the alternative. And we will never know: if this is the course Valve takes there's no way of knowing how the other strategy would have worked. После драки кулаками не машут (Don't shake your fist when the fight is over)

tehh4ck3r Profile Joined August 2013 Magrathea 5918 Posts Last Edited: 2015-05-27 04:12:36 #13 It's really far too early to pass judgement on 99% of this stuff; my gut feeling is that it will probably be better in the long run but that's nothing more than a gut feeling. Administrator In those days, spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women, and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri.

Dracolich70 Profile Joined May 2011 Denmark 2895 Posts Last Edited: 2015-05-27 04:18:09 #14 Hopefully it will create solidarity amongst casters and organisers that build the scene. I always found it peculiar that Valves aim has always been paradoxical - both working to control "their" scene, and destroy it, on many levels for years.



This is no surprised to me, but I had hoped it had been at the expense of TI.



I guess we will figure out if the grassroots and newcomer organisers are in it for the green, or have a deeper purpose. If the former, they will be blackholed by Valve, if the latter, they will be forced to stick it to the man, I reckon, which incl. casters.



If they were just in it for the money, who is gonna care that Valve destroys the eco-system, that tried to live in the shadow of the International?



Valve showed their hand years ago, removing from the moral compass company to be much the same as any other American capitalistic company that has way too much money. Community helped them, and themselves to get to this point.



Maybe it is a warning to other gold diggers. LiangHao

gaijindash Profile Joined January 2015 Japan 376 Posts #15 On May 27 2015 13:12 tehh4ck3r wrote:

It's really far too early to pass judgement on 99% of this stuff; my gut feeling is that it will probably be better in the long run but that's nothing more than a gut feeling.



Definitely is too early. Im wondering how similar the system will end up being to LoL and LCS. Definitely is too early. Im wondering how similar the system will end up being to LoL and LCS. Writer Courage does not always roar, sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says 'I will try again tommorow'

Plansix Profile Joined April 2011 United States 44957 Posts Last Edited: 2015-05-27 04:25:39 #16 We currently know zero beyond valve is doing more. It will be good for dota for valve to be more involved. And as the article said, dota isn't a charity. I have the Honor to be your Obedient Servant, P.6

Verator Profile Joined June 2010 United States 63 Posts #17 On May 27 2015 12:54 FHDH wrote:

Show nested quote +

On May 27 2015 12:42 Seek75 wrote:

On May 27 2015 12:14 FHDH wrote:

Nothing is less relevant than Gerg's opinion on Dota2. I feel less strongly about Nahaz's but it's still pretty zzzzz.



I don't know, Grant's is pretty damn far down there. I don't know, Grant's is pretty damn far down there.

At least Grant has a basis for his nonsense.



Show nested quote +

On May 27 2015 12:41 stuchiu wrote:

I'm only against this if they lock in regions so they cant play each other.



Hate the idea of segregation by regions in video games.

This would contradict the entire point of having the majors.



Show nested quote +

On May 27 2015 12:31 Heyoka wrote:

I do think people are jumping the gun a bit with the doom and gloom stuff but this whole thing has so many variables, we can't make much of a judgement either way until things start rolling. Hopefully it's good, I suspect it will be more positive than negative but we won't find out for a long time.

There's no reason to expect it won't be good, the only question is whether or not it will be as good as the alternative. And we will never know: if this is the course Valve takes there's no way of knowing how the other strategy would have worked. At least Grant has a basis for his nonsense.This would contradict the entire point of having the majors.There's no reason to expect it won't be good, the only question is whether or not it will be as good as the alternative. And we will never know: if this is the course Valve takes there's no way of knowing how the other strategy would have worked.



How would having 4 TI-like tournaments defeat the point of the majors? It selects the best global players, not just the best players in China, or NA, or Europe.



Also, there's a lot of precedent for things getting worse, namely Starcraft's WCS system. That stifled the scene so much, and forced out so many events, that the game basically fell apart. if Valve's majors end up taking up so much time of the year that a ton of events are effectively forced out, you might just totally remove the low tier of dota, because no small events bother to run tournaments anymore. No more up and coming teams or new talent, just the same pro crew until the game gets boring. TI dominates an entire month for Dota, if the majors are all similar, that removes quite a lot of time from the year for tournament organizers. December, January, March, April aren't often good times to have events, and teams likely will take time off after TI while the roster shuffle happens. How would having 4 TI-like tournaments defeat the point of the majors? It selects the best global players, not just the best players in China, or NA, or Europe.Also, there's a lot of precedent for things getting worse, namely Starcraft's WCS system. That stifled the scene so much, and forced out so many events, that the game basically fell apart. if Valve's majors end up taking up so much time of the year that a ton of events are effectively forced out, you might just totally remove the low tier of dota, because no small events bother to run tournaments anymore. No more up and coming teams or new talent, just the same pro crew until the game gets boring. TI dominates an entire month for Dota, if the majors are all similar, that removes quite a lot of time from the year for tournament organizers. December, January, March, April aren't often good times to have events, and teams likely will take time off after TI while the roster shuffle happens. So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence. -- Bertrand Russell

Dracolich70 Profile Joined May 2011 Denmark 2895 Posts Last Edited: 2015-05-27 04:29:30 #18 On May 27 2015 12:31 Heyoka wrote:

I do think people are jumping the gun a bit with the doom and gloom stuff but this whole thing has so many variables, we can't make much of a judgement either way until things start rolling. Hopefully it's good, I suspect it will be more positive than negative but we won't find out for a long time. I can see trying to destroy the eco-system, can be fear inducing to those that benefitted a little and invested at risk, and now has to up the stakes even further, where it might not be economically plausible.



It might be good for viewers, Valves pockets, and teams looking to be served better.



Whether it will turn out good or bad, is probably not on peoples minds, but the signal it sends to a community that created so much content and money, that Valve benefited from, doing little. Perhaps they hope it stimulates picking up the glove, and be competitive, strengthening "Valves" Dota 2 scene. Perhaps it is just more monetizing on once grassroots, like they would do with mods.

I can see trying to destroy the eco-system, can be fear inducing to those that benefitted a little and invested at risk, and now has to up the stakes even further, where it might not be economically plausible.It might be good for viewers, Valves pockets, and teams looking to be served better.Whether it will turn out good or bad, is probably not on peoples minds, but the signal it sends to a community that created so much content and money, that Valve benefited from, doing little. Perhaps they hope it stimulates picking up the glove, and be competitive, strengthening "Valves" Dota 2 scene. Perhaps it is just more monetizing on once grassroots, like they would do with mods. LiangHao

[Erasmus] Profile Joined September 2010 Australia 56 Posts #19 Since when is Avant even a respectable organisation? Let alone not even being in dota2. how is it worth talking to them as a source for a dota article. Seriously way below standard.

gaijindash Profile Joined January 2015 Japan 376 Posts #20 On May 27 2015 13:28 [Erasmus] wrote:

Since when is Avant even a respectable organisation? Let alone not even being in dota2. how is it worth talking to them as a source for a dota article. Seriously way below standard.



Are you sure you even know anything about Avant, who runs it, what they are involved in or their potential involvement in Dota in the future? If you have had any involvement in Australasian Dota then you would know Jaime, and the reach Avant has in an open market like Australasia. Maybe you should review the context of the interview.



Are you sure you even know anything about Avant, who runs it, what they are involved in or their potential involvement in Dota in the future? If you have had any involvement in Australasian Dota then you would know Jaime, and the reach Avant has in an open market like Australasia. Maybe you should review the context of the interview. Writer Courage does not always roar, sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says 'I will try again tommorow'

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