The Regeneration of DotA2 Pro-Players in Indonesia
By: Awien Sinatrya
Tags: Dota 2, Esport, Gamer, Games

Recently there are so many talks about DotA2 pro-player regeneration in Indonesia. Despite the amid of Covid19 pandemic, in the last 2 or 3 years, I haven’t seen any significant positive changes in Indonesian DotA2 scene. What I have witnessed that there were so many teams disbanded their DotA2 division. EVOS, RRQ, and The Prime (TP.NND) for example are not small teams in the DotA2 competitive scene but they disbanded the DotA2 division.

We all know that mobile games are dominating right now and you can’t deny it. All people can get access and try to be a professional esports player. From a blue-collar family until a white-collar family have the same chance to get into a competitive esports league through their smartphone. Unlike DotA2, if you can’t afford a proper PC you need to go to an internet cafe to play. We can see the difference here but that is not an excuse to leave this game. The pandemic is hard and I believe not only esports teams in SEA region but in all region, NA, EU, and CIS affected by this pandemic.

The question is how you get new players for the professional teams? This question has been running around in my head for too long. Because in every DotA2 tournaments whether it’s worldwide or SEA only, BOOM esports is the only team represented Indonesia. I feel disappointed because we used to have more than 2 teams representing this country.

I’ve been looking for the answers and have these possibilities and still not satisfied because there are so many holes that can’t be covered.

First, we need help from Valve as the game developer.

The annual competition, The International has been cancelled this year because of the pandemic. I believe it is better to use the prize pool with the amount of $40.018.195 to make some tournaments in every region. Not only for the tier 1 teams in every region but also for the tier 2, even amateurs. How can it be a lifesaver for DotA2 players regeneration in Indonesia? There are so many teams that will compete, the pro teams can scout the talents, offer a trial, so when their main rosters leave they have a new backup. It sounds simple but we all know reality is hard. With 34 provinces in Indonesia, we know how there are tons of differences in development. The internet access in the region that outside of Jakarta might be slower, the amount of proper internet cafe might not as much as Jakarta and that could be a problem.

Second, the pro teams make an academy

Let’s use the concept of how to get a formal education. The student pays the tuition fee to the school, or even if you’re in a football academy you have to pay for it, right? The teams can open registration with some requirements to be a member of this academy, let’s say for 10 people or two youth teams. The member of the academy will be taught how to play DotA2 according to the playstyle of the team itself. Each of them will try every role in DotA2 and the coach will decide what’s best for them. A class with the main rosters, scrimmage etc. So the teams have a depth squad and ready to have a backup if one of the main rosters leave.

Again, sounds simple but the teams also have to afford another coach for the youth teams. Pep Guardiola is not responsible for the U23s teams but if there are players that are worth to be promoted to the first team, they can have a trial. Also, they have to afford another HQ for the youth teams live. It would be easier to maintain the progress of the youth teams and keep them focused on DotA2 and bonded as a team.

Third, the community movements

We as a community have a huge role to keep this scene alive. You can’t put all the weights to Melondoto, InYourDream, Liga Game, and all the talents you know in DotA2 scene in Indonesia. We have to move together. How? support the teams that representing Indonesia in any tournaments, support every team in any local tournaments, if you and your friends have a team join a tournament even if you have to face professional players, stream your games on twitch or youtube even if you’re a terrible player just stream it for fun tell the world that DotA2 scene in Indonesia is still alive. Just stop comparing it with another game because DotA2 is already special to me personally and I know for you as well. Don’t you want to see all the hype from 2016–2018 tournaments where you can’t wait to see EVOS facing BOOM? because I want to see it again.

I might not a professional analyst or talent in this scene but as a fan, casual 2K players, loyal viewers of this game I want to see this scene especially in Indonesia to be up there again. I want to see many teams representing Indonesia in Minor, Major even The International. And I know you want it too.