When asked by Fragster.de about the differences in DotA and Dota 2 times concerning structure and professionalism, he praises the improvements, the teams have made: "Professionalism as improved a lot, but still has to get better." The price money has increased and it has become easier, according to HolyMaster, to find sponsors for your team. Although realizing improvements concerning the players' behaviour, he is not happy yet: "Delays and the amount of stand-ins still are a big problem in Dota 2."
"The International is also part of the problem"
HolyMaster says, part of the problem is The International: "Of course, it is almost a perfect tournament, but unfortunately it also hurts the other tournaments, because online tournaments are hardly taken seriously by the top teams anymore." It has become tricky to make your own tournament a highlight for the teams: "You can now only excite the top teams with offline tournaments."
Concerning The International itself, he lists EHOME as his favorite team: "I have the feeling, EHOME is holding back in online tournaments lately and saves surprise strategies for The International." However, he says it could as well just be any other team, be it Na'Vi or another Chinese team: "There are many favorites, in principle; the teams are much closer to each other this time."
How did the tournaments change in Dota 2 compared to DotA concerning structure and professionalism?
HolyMaster: "The price money has increased drastically and it has become significantly more easy to find good sponsors. The professionalism has increased, but has to become even better. Some steps were made, but I am still not completely content. The delays and also the large amount of stand-ins are still a big problem in Dota 2.
Part of the problem is also The International. It's of course an almost perfect tournament, but unfortunately it also hurts the other tournaments, because online tournaments are hardly taken serious anymore by top teams. We from joinDOTA are playing within the top as online tournament organizers, but even we have only limited power over the absolute top teams. For them, even such large tournaments like The Defense are no highlight anymore and you can only excite them with nice LAN-tournaments. You can't say "be in time, or we will disqualify you" to teams like Na'Vi, because if you really disqualify them, you'll hurt yourself more than them."
[...]
Who is your favorite at The International?
"I think it's EHOME. The Chinese in general have better and more professional teams, which can prepare better for such an event. Na'Vi would be a team to beat them, but I could imagine Na'Vi is no longer motivated one hundred percent, as they have already won the million Dollars.
In contrast, you get the feeling with EHOME, that they hold back in online tournaments a but and save their surprise strategies. EHOME also has insanely intelligent players. Of course, it could just be another Chinese team winning. In my mind, there are relatively many favorites; the field is much closer together."
HolyMaster: "The price money has increased drastically and it has become significantly more easy to find good sponsors. The professionalism has increased, but has to become even better. Some steps were made, but I am still not completely content. The delays and also the large amount of stand-ins are still a big problem in Dota 2.
Part of the problem is also The International. It's of course an almost perfect tournament, but unfortunately it also hurts the other tournaments, because online tournaments are hardly taken serious anymore by top teams. We from joinDOTA are playing within the top as online tournament organizers, but even we have only limited power over the absolute top teams. For them, even such large tournaments like The Defense are no highlight anymore and you can only excite them with nice LAN-tournaments. You can't say "be in time, or we will disqualify you" to teams like Na'Vi, because if you really disqualify them, you'll hurt yourself more than them."
[...]
Who is your favorite at The International?
"I think it's EHOME. The Chinese in general have better and more professional teams, which can prepare better for such an event. Na'Vi would be a team to beat them, but I could imagine Na'Vi is no longer motivated one hundred percent, as they have already won the million Dollars.
In contrast, you get the feeling with EHOME, that they hold back in online tournaments a but and save their surprise strategies. EHOME also has insanely intelligent players. Of course, it could just be another Chinese team winning. In my mind, there are relatively many favorites; the field is much closer together."
You can read the full interview at Fragster.de. It is now available in English language.
Source: Fragster.de
