April 21st, 2008 Thyton/ArchsageVal
Tonight we see a delayed match between SK and WG for the DotaLeague Pick League Division 1. The game is between SK-Gaming and Wolker-Gaming. After the loss against MYM yesterday SK will be on a warpath. SK was a bit lost yesterday without their ingame leader Loda, however we still saw that SK is a great team with their comeback during the 2nd map. Tonight we will see SK in their full potential as Jonathan ‘Loda’ Berg equipped his Swedish army uniform!
Tune-in tonight at 21.00 CET for the shoutcast done by Dominique ‘Domi’ Vanhove.
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April 21st, 2008 Thyton/ArchsageVal
ENADC is currently in Round 3, this round will end in 2 days (April 23). The games that were not played by then will be defaulted on 5:00 PM CET April 23rd.
Winners in bold.
ENADC Round 3
50|Calibre vs Meet Your Makers
I Got Game vs 7 State
Avid Gaming vs Mousesports
e-Domain of Pain vs Excello.DotA
Maple Leaf vs SK-Gaming
Storm Games Clan `iR vs Apteka
eMazing Gaming vs Xero Skill
Virtual Sports vs C00L DotA
Thanks to SoloMidPlz for reporting the winners!
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April 20th, 2008 Thyton/ArchsageVal
Although filled with controversy this year, the 2008 Summer Olympics will be happening this year in China. With a deal from Razer two professional WarCraft III players are going to be torch bearers as the torch makes its way to Beijing.
It is a great honor to be chosen as a torch bearer and it is good to see eSports stars taking part in the International event. GamesIndustry.biz has a short article about it and some comments about the torch bearers:
XiaoFeng “Sky” Li and Jaeho “Moon” Jang were chosen to join Team Razer from among ten professionals selected by the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games.
“Team Razer extends hearty congratulations to Sky and Moon, and we are just as excited as they are,” said Robert Krakoff, president of Razer.
“Being a torch bearer at the Olympics is a momentous event, and this is a historic moment which will remain etched in their memories.
“This is symbolic of how much e-sports has grown and is great for the advancement of e-sports not only in China, but around the world,” he added.
It is great to see both players being picked to represent the eSports scene, much less WarCraft III, in such an International spotlight. We wish the best of luck to Moon and Sky as they are honored to take the Olympic torch on it’s way to China.
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April 20th, 2008 Thyton/ArchsageVal
Best Polish DotA players from recently disbanded Xero Skill joined up with a new team. Which one? Of course the only sponsored one in Poland - PGS Gaming.
Radek Darky- Sobczyk apart for being known to be one of best PotM players in the DotA World is also the Captain of the Polish National Team. Filip Fanat1c Boguszewski is said to be one of the best players in the world, and of course the number one in Poland.
Here is a short translation of their statements for PGS Gaming
Fanat1c: ‘I am really glad to join PGS.DotA. I feel our presence in PGS.DotA will make Polish DotA scene more noticeable on the international scene. GO DOTA!’
Darky-: ‘Shortly after XsK disbanded I knew that PGS would eventually offer us a spot in their Team. After few days of consideration we have come with Filip (Fanat1c) to a conclusion that a single nation team gives a huge edge. We decided to help the, as yet, best Polish team, which I would like to see being part of the top10 of international scene.’
PGS is, undoubtfully, excited about the new additions, who can boost up teams recent performance, mostly under the expectations. Good luck for both players in their new Team!
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April 20th, 2008 Thyton/ArchsageVal
The leading CPU and motherboard company INTEL partners up with MeetYourMakers.
- Joining forces with MYM brings us much closer to the gaming community, says INTEL’s Nordic Reseller Manager Christian Bohn.
On March 4th, Intel stopped their partnership with SK-Gaming, who was replaced in SK’s sponsor list by AMD. INTEL was still active on the gaming market, being a big partner of Electronic Sports League and Team Dignitas. Now INTEL storms the gaming community again by signing with MeetYourMakers, home of the well known StarCraft, WarCraft 3 and DotA teams.
MeetYourMakers have been sponsored by INTEL before, back in 2003, but was given a better offer from AMD and changed when the contract ran out.
We are very satisfied with welcoming INTEL as our new official main sponsor. INTEL’s specific strength - compared to its competitors in the chip business - is that it is highly specialized within its field since this is the company’s key product. It gives INTEL a greater in depth knowledge in the area of chipsets than any other company working with the same kind of products. And of course this is a clear advantage for our professional players who will thus be equipped with the very best gaming gear in the market when it comes to CPU’s and motherboards, says Mark Peter Fries, COO of MYM.
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April 20th, 2008 Thyton/ArchsageVal
Do you see the connection between a known DotA squad, a canadian multigaming clan and a Disney movie? If not, consider reading on!
One of the most famous North-American clans made yet another big step into the RTS genre, after adding a new CS and CoD4 team the leadership of the canadian multi-gaming organisation Evil Geniuses (EG) took over the DotA squad of eMazing Gaming. With signing a DotA division EG is reacting on the big succes, that DotA is having all around the world.
“”While it is somewhat sad to part ways with eMg, and on a more personal level Matt Marcou, we look forward to work with someone as intelligent and experienced as Alex Garfield, and we’re ready to prove ourselves worthy of the Evil Geniuses name.”
- Pu “Whisper” Liu
Even though parting ways with eMg was no easy task for the players they are looking forward to their future with EG and the numerous sponsors like Intel and Razer, which will make them able to compete in various online and offline tournaments like the ENADC or Dreamhack!
To bring you the Evil Geniuses a little bit closer and let you know how what Alex “chibsquad” Garfield and Pu “Whisper” Liu feel about their new colaboration and the DotA-scene in general we caught up with them for an interview:
Hi Whisper, recently it seemed like you did have some roster problems with your team since some players left and it surely was hard to get good replacements for them, how did you manage to keep the team alive and motivated for the running tournaments?
EG|Whisper: Well, roster issues are nothing that we’re new to. We’ve had them before as WaC, we’ve had them before as verGe, and as eMg we just took them in stride.
For the full interview check out the spoiler!
Hi Whisper, recently it seemed like you did have some roster problems with your team since some players left and it surely was hard to get good replacements for them, how did you manage to keep the team alive and motivated for the running tournaments?
EG|Whisper: Well, roster issues are nothing that we’re new to. We’ve had them before as WaC, we’ve had them before as verGe, and as eMg we just took them in stride. We looked at several options, weighed several hard decisions, and did what we had to do, as we always have and always will. We found what we feel to be a good long-term fit for the team in Lopi, who we’re excited about. Also, we manged to lure OrgA back into the mix of things. OrgA has always been one of my favorite people in the community, and having him back with us makes me super fantastically happy. We got those two to help fill the holes, but another shake up happened as Remstar and Hitomi both wanted to rejoin the team, and Rwar left due to completely separate circumstances. So now, we’re more or less back to where we started, with the strong additions of Lopi and OrgA, and minus our favorite Frenchie Rwar whom we wish the best of luck. I will love you forever, Jamal, even if you only wanted me for my anus.
Looking at the big DotA events and the community of competitive DotA clans nowadays, it is significant that the most successful clans are all located in the European area with a rapidly growing DotA scene in Asia, did North America get pushed out of the focus in this game which is gaining more popularity every day?
EG|Whisper: I don’t think that North America is getting pushed out of the focus. The game itself has been and continues to be developed in North America. That alone makes the North American scene crucial to the game of DotA. As much as we, competitive DotA gamers, would like to see changes to the game to benefit competitive play, the map is constantly being changed and rebalanced with not only competitive play in mind, but also the casual, public play. This public play is heavily influenced by the North American players. However, it is somewhat disappointing that the North American competitive teams have kind of taken a step backwards. Honestly, I think it’s just that there’s been a spark lacking in the United States. Hopefully, the continuation of the Fire in Ice events will help to provide this spark, but up until now, North American sponsors have been quite disappointing in the amount of support lent to competitive teams. Most successful clans are located in Europe and Asia, but I attribute this fact to the inability of North American sponsors to provide their players with satisfactory support. A successful team needs stable, reliable support, and it’s both fortunate and unfortunate that we’ve been the only DotA team in North America that’s gotten it.
Hello Alex, since EG is a ‘new face’ in the DotA scene, may i ask you to introduce your clan briefly?
EG|chibsquad: As much as I’d like to, I take no credit for the founding of EG. Evil Geniuses originated as a Quakeworld clan waaay back in the 1990’s, and became most well-known in the early 2000’s for our performances in Counter-Strike 1.6. We quickly earned the label, starting around 2002, of Canada’s #1 Counter-Strike team, and we’ve upheld that title for the past five years. Starting in late 2006, though, we also began to bring Americans onto the team, and now, 1 1/2 years since then, we have the #1 or #2-ranked teams in North America in virtually every relevant PC game: CS 1.6, Quake, UT, WoW, COD4, and now DotA.
EG|Whisper: EG has a super cute CS 1.6 girls team too np.
New clan always means some fresh air in the system, I’m sure that there are several projects that either you or EG would love to see getting started in the closer future, but since I’m an European I need to ask if you plan to attend LAN events like Dreamhack or Asus Open.
EG|Whisper: EG is not known as one of the best organizations in the world for no good reason. We will be attending Dreamhack Summer 2008 under the EG flag, and have applied to the ESWC Masters in Paris event with intentions of doing the same. I’m very excited to go to Dreamhack, and see Papa Drayich play nude in person. I also have an interest in meeting his son and turning him against his daddy Dray.
Alex, one multi gaming clan taking over a team from another one hasn’t been seen in DotA so far, apparently DotA is taking huge steps towards becoming a serious E-Sport with players that might eventually turn their hobby into the profession one day, do you think that DotA is able to gain as much profesionality as SC:BW or CS1.6?
EG|chibsquad: I don’t know that I’m qualified to provide commentary on the growth of the game internationally, but I do have a strong opinion on it in the North American scene. In the past, analyzing RTS in North America was always a bit tricky; it’s not that the scene isn’t strong, because games like WC3 and SC:BW have sold millions and millions of copies. But at the same time, North America, with some notable and choice exceptions, hasn’t had the biggest successes internationally as far as bread-and-butter RTS goes. By all accounts, though, DotA has just spread like wildfire across this continent. I’ve been to LAN centers that used to be CS hotbeds and are now swarming with DotA players around the clock. Furthermore, as EG.DotA and some other teams have already demonstrated, there’s a reasonable amount of international parity; which I think makes more a more exciting global community.
The tournaments for DotA made an incredible evolution from being a total mess with chaotic schedules and a few mousepads as reward, the prizes obviously did change and nowadays some leagues and tours offer prizes of several hundred to several thousand dollars, do you think that the evolution of the tour management has been up to par with the prizes and the level of the players?
EG|Whisper: I think tournament admins have been doing a fantastic job. It’s hard work; I had an experience with administrating at the Fire in Ice 2007 LAN, and it made me appreciate even more the work done by S1rro and other admins of DotA tournaments and leagues, especially those conducted online. As much as some people disagree with certain decisions, I think that the professionalism of most administrations has been nearly flawless. I commend everyone who’s helped this game grow through hours of effort, and hopefully they can keep it up!
So overall, what is the main thing your missing in DotA?
EG|Whisper: I think all that DotA’s missing is the support from the large organizations. With ESWC stepping forward, a big step for DotA is being taken. Hopefully WCG will follow suit, and maybe someday, when the game has been adequately changed to fit time constraints, DotA will edge its way into CGS.
Since DotA is still a very young e-sport the team-leaders have taken responsibility for their teams actions and have held all privileges in their own hands wich made them grew into true experts with their team, is it hard to fit such persons in the big picture of a multigaming clan or is it a chance to learn from each other?
EG|chibsquad: I think that there is a certain amount of accommodation required, yes, but it’s not very much. Most squads go through a period of getting used to how things work on an organization like EG, regardless of their game of choice. I’m not concerned about it.
Closing statement: I’d just like to thank our sponsors, Intel, Razer, Stoked, Kingston, and Killer NIC for their support, and for enabling us to pick up this powerhouse DotA team. We’re really excited about adding them to the family!
EG|Whisper: I think that team leaders are like the Lion King. There is always an evil lion brother who’s trying to usurp power. So beware of the stampede. And protect your Simba. He is the future. It is, after all, the circle of life. And it moves us all.
Thank you and shoutouts go out to Emazing Gaming and Jim Tyler for the support we’ve received with eMg, and our new sponsors at EG: Intel, Razer, Stoked, Kingston, Killer NIC. Special shoutouts to Rwar, our longtime French teammate. Good luck with whatever you decide to do, mate. And finally, to Matt Marcou. You will ALWAYS crank that souljah boy in my mind.
EG will surely manage to take DotA in North America to a whole new level and we are looking forward to see the Geniuses perform on an even higher level in future competitions!
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April 20th, 2008 Thyton/ArchsageVal
Recent manager and player addition weren’t enough to keep the team running - Xero Skill disbands due to ‘inactivity and reallife problems’.
XsK added recently former SK-Gaming player, KwoM - were supported by Metro as their manager - defeated eMg to take third spot in ESL I - came second in E-challenge after mouz.
GG-UtherX caught Fanat1c for confirmation and clarifying about the upcoming XsK match.
About XsK - your team disbanded?
Yes, we disbanded.
And also I want to ask you about your match vs SK for DotA Ballers League - will you play it or forfeit?
We forfeit.
GosuGamers wishes best of luck to all XsK players.
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April 20th, 2008 Thyton/ArchsageVal
Warcraft 3 is no longer part of the WCG 2008 Asian Championship games list. However, DotA All-Stars will again be a discipline this year in Singapore.
The WCG announced the official games for the 2008 Asian Championship. Surprisingly, Warcraft 3 is removed and will no longer function as a discipline. It’s presumably the dominance of Korea in the former edition’s that made the organization remove the game.
The Asian version of the Samsung European Championship will again take place in the vibrant city Singapore. Just like the last year, Asia’s largest regional cyber gaming tournament will be held at the International Convention & Exhibition Centre Suntec Singapore.
While Warcraft 3 isn’t, DotA All-Stars will again be a part of the WCG 2008 Asian Championship. Last year China obtained the Gold Medal in the DotA All-Stars competition and they will again be part this year to prolong their title.
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April 20th, 2008 Thyton/ArchsageVal
DotA Ballers League, one of the hottest events at the moment is proceeding fast with Playoffs. We already had few surprises in early rounds to spice up the tournament in it’s ending phase!
Winner Brackets
Round 1 results
mKvL < XsK
w4sp < TeG
MYM > vTs
srs > x6 (hi2u)
WBG < eMg
SK < rSky
mouz > xLo
SGC-_-iR > CID
Round 2 results
XsK < TeG
MYM vs srs
eMg < rSky
mouz > SGC-_-iR
Semifinals
TeG vs MYM TBD
rSky vs mouz 1
Winner brackets
Best of three format in winner brackets, unfortunately there was quite a number of reloaded games, so not every match has full replay coverage. Most noticeable results from first round include SK losing to rSky and srs defeating freshly sponsored hi2u now known as x6. vTs played a very good match against MYM, although being defeated, they have put up a solid fight against one of the best teams in the world.
Semifinals are coming, only one game to finish up the pairs. mouz after defeating xLo and SGC-_-iR will face rSky, who after winning versus SK also pulled a straight 2-0 victory against eMg. TeG played a long three game match against w4sp, then overcoming XsK. Now they await the better from game MYM versus srs.
Loser Brackets
Round 1 results
mKvL < w4sp
vTs < x6 (hi2u)
WBG < SK
xLo > CID
Round 2
SGC-_-iR > w4sp
eMg > x6
SK vs srs TBD
XsK > xLo 1
Loser brackets
Things are run much faster here. Games are only best of one to prevent prolonging of the tournament. It is of course not a fault of the teams - loser brackets generally slow up progression, hence the solution by DBL Admins seems to be a good and working idea.
Last Asian team, mKvL has ended it’s appearance, defeated by w4sp. vTs after their great performance against MYM unfortunately forfeited their games against x6. SK is still in the tournament and will surely want to prove they are a force not to be treated lightly, ending the journey of WBG and now awaiting the loser from MYM/srs game. Ukrainians from xLo yesterday conquered CID and will now face a tough opponent - XsK. All American eMg vs x6 and european clash between SGC-_-iR and w4sp close the list of upcoming games. Be sure to check out all the replays of your favourite teams, links to respective games are available on the right of the match in tables.
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April 20th, 2008 Thyton/ArchsageVal
Biggest and most prestigious online DotA tournament has made it to a two digit number. This PriDe is the first one officially announced as PDL qualifier, the elite league that only six best teams will qualify to in order to fight for some big cash.
Changes
Last league stable map will be the one used, 6.48b, but hero bans are limited only to Dark Seer, Faerie Dragon and Templar Assassin. PriDe has quit with the group stage formula, and after qualifiers will run again a bo1 single elimination preliminaries before double eliminations bo1 playoffs. A change that sure is worth a notice is a bo5 final, that will surely be a festival of top class DotA.
Seedings
Standard seedings - all the teams that reached playoffs of last PriDe are seeded and qualify directly for the preliminaries:
Seeded teams
MYM WG VP TeG
Q SK Ks XsK
nEph eMg x6 tPD
mouz LOMiki Met DoP
Qualifiers
Four qualifiers, from each 8 teams qualify to preliminaries. West Europe is together with Africa, American is second, East Europe third and Asian, Australian and mixed teams are the fourth one. Altogether four playdays that are scheduled to finish 9th of April. Tight schedule, let’s hope it runs smoothly.
Prizes
Nothing changed since last PriDe, except that six best teams get a chance to fight for bigger money in Prime Defending League.
Let’s hope for another great tournament and wish best of luck to all participants!
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