Aug 1st, 2019

Aug 1st, 2019

Popular Dota 2 production house Beyond the Summit started off as a passion project which grew into the broadcasting powerhouse that it is today.

With small beginnings as an English only Dota 2 broadcaster, Beyond the Summit has since expanded into different game titles with broadcasting studios in both Brazil and Peru covering esports content in Portuguese and Spanish.

The driving force behind the scenes is Aussie David 'Godz' Parker. Like millions of other Australians, Parker always had a keen interest in games growing up.

But while others considered gaming just a hobby, he took his passion and turned it into a career.

David Parker 'Godz' and Beyond the Summit - Dota 2 (Nine)

"I started out playing a lot of games growing up, particularly when I lived in Singapore as a kid and had school friends who introduced me to the LAN cafe culture there." Parker told Nine's Wide World of Sports.

"I was actually in my first semester at Melbourne University studying biomedicine when I got a job offer in Thailand to pursue this passion so I found myself on a plane a week later and then have been working in esports as a commentator, event organizer, creative producer, etc ever since."

Parker gave WWOS his insight in the current Dota 2 scene both internationally and domestically, but believed the Australian scene still has some ways to go before it could match the behemoth of international markets.

"Interest and excitement around Dota 2 continues to remain strong every year," he said.

"Dota 2 remains a constant force in the esports scene year after year with consistent viewership and interest in the game.

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"For Australia, the esports and Dota 2 scene is still catching up to some of the bigger markets in Asia, North America, & Europe.

"Over the past few years there has been an emergence of new esports organizations fielding teams competing in Dota 2 nationally in various tournaments and leagues including several teams representing Australia in International events such as WESG.

"New companies and teams are constantly emerging, and our flagship event, The International, has a growing prize pool every year that is supported by the community."

The International or TI9 is Dota 2's main event which pools in millions of dollars in prize money, and Parker says Team Secret and Vici Gaming are looking the early front runner's in this year's race.

"Team Secret & Vici Gaming have looked the most impressive this year," he said.

"These two teams account for 4 of the 5 major championship titles in the Dota 2 Pro Circuit and are probably two of the scariest teams everyone is looking at right now.

"TI has a way to surprise everyone as we saw last year with OG's miracle run, and the amount of pressure and intensity at TI is like nothing else throughout the year.

"Team Secret and VP have developed a reputation for their disappointing results at The International, and fans often find themselves wondering how certain outcomes happen.

"I'd also give a definite nod towards TNC & LGD as slight outsiders who I could see lifting the Aegis in August.

With a healthy social media presence, when asked to comment on how to take the perfect selfie, Parker had this to say:

"If I knew, I'd have more Instagram followers!"