Dota has been in the heart of many gamers for years, described as a rich tapestry of exciting plays, legendary moments, and revered esports idols. But recently a gamer named B4AP brought up a subject indicating a shift in the Dota dynamics. B4AP expressed a sense of longing for the old days in his post titled ‘At what point did Dota pro scene stopped being glorious?’
Summary
- The author feels that the culture of Dota peaked during TI9
- According to B4AP, the Dota scenes lack hype as compared to previous times
- Changes in the game’s core style could be a reason for decreased interest
- B4AP suggests that Dota players now lack the heroism that elevated them in the eyes of the gamers
Nostalgia or Change?
We saw a wide range of feelings in the responses towards B4AP’s post. ‘Taha_EZ’, for instance, claimed to miss old elements like ‘True Sight’, indicating nostalgia playing a significant role in shaping this sentiment. Contrastingly, ‘kevinlch’ pointed out how the large prize pools lead to the departure of top players, thereby reducing competitiveness. ‘Kiritowy’, on the other hand, threw light on the maturing tactics of Dota pros which results in fewer spectacular mistakes, thus reducing drama and clout.
Money Talks or Skill Walks?
Some intriguing insights came from ‘AlpineStrategist’ who highlighted the impact of esports economies. He suggests that it’s the shift in revenue models and crowdfunding of the prize pool for insane amounts that has disrupted the spirit of competitive gaming in Dota. Everyone remembers the time when ‘Miracle’ hit the 10,000 mark, making news across gaming communities; these are the moments that fans will always hold dear.
Age of the Anti-Hero?
The introduction of items like aeon disk and wind waker and changes to Dota’s core game style have definitely changed how the game is played, and maybe how it’s perceived. Yet, perhaps B4AP’s most poignant idea is contained in the phrase ‘Dota players stopped being heroes’, suggesting a cultural shift within the community from glorifying players to focusing on the strategy and mechanics of the game. We can only wait and see what the future holds for Dota and its esports scene.
In summarizing, the sentiment within the Dota community seems to be a mix of longing for the past, acknowledgement of game’s evolution and concerns over the future. The transition from the age of ‘echo slams’ and ‘patience from Zhou’ to the now prevalent aeon disk and wind waker centric gameplay resonates strongly for those who long for ‘glorious’ times. On the other hand, for some, the change is welcome or at least inevitable and they enjoy the challenging game mechanics it brings. One thing is clear, the heartbeat of Dota continues, albeit to a different rhythm.
