On the night of March 16, Valve announced the cancellation EPICENTER Major 2023 and OGA Dota PIT Minor 2023 due to the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. Many e-sports figures noted that this is an unpleasant, but logical and correct decision – so none of the players, casters and fans will be exposed to an additional risk of infection.
Valve posted a message around midnight Moscow time. The developers of Dota 2 noted that they have not yet decided whether they will hold the final championships of the season.
“After a thorough analysis of the current situation and the development of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, as well as the risks associated with this for players, employees, and fans, we decided to cancel the fourth major and major of the DPC 2019/2020 season.
Given the constant changes in the spread of the virus and security policies in countries, we will continue to monitor the situation for several weeks to resolve the issue with the final pair of tournaments of the season. ”
Commentator David LD Gorman reminded that at the moment, the most important thing is to take care of health – Dota 2 will not go anywhere after the coronavirus retreats. Agreed with him Rustam Adekvat Mavlyutov.
“It’s a shame, but this is the right decision from Valve. Health and safety come first. Dota 2 will not go anywhere even after we overcome this crisis. I love you all, please take care of yourself. “
A difficult time for all of us. Take care of yourself and loved ones in the first place, and no one has canceled DotA online yet! https://t.co/59wuiuhB5E
– Rustam Mavliutov (@AdekvatTV) March 15, 2023
Vladimir Maelstorm Kuzminov suggested that in addition to EPICENTER Major 2023 can cancel and ONE Esports Singapore Major 2023.
“In general, the decision to cancel the fourth DPC cycle is clear. We need to somehow play the third major. According to its outcome, you need to start qualifying for the next cycle. The third major is delayed, which means that the qualifications for the fourth are delayed. As a result, if the third major takes place in April, the teams will not have time to qualify for it, especially considering the visas, and also the major needs to be carried out.
Is this the last major canceled this season? Not a fact, but I hope the latter. “
Trainer Og Titan Sockshka Merlotwho stood as a team standin on EPICENTER Major 2019, noted that he would like to return to the tournament this year. However, he also pointed out the validity of Valve’s decision.
“I have good memories from last year. I was waiting for EPICENTER in this. But still a great solution. “
Valve was much more frustrated with some decisions – the coronavirus has already canceled too much:
To be honest, it’s such a depressing feeling that life was paused. First, the major was canceled, then the bootcamp, now the kwals, well, hello???
– Marie Gunina (@gunina_ok) March 15, 2023
Epicenter: ((((How is it 🙁 until recently I believed.
– Mila Alieva (@Mila_Alieva) March 16, 2023
ESports organizations, including Virtus.pro, HellRaisers and Nigma, hastened to appeal to their fans. Everyone agreed that the most important thing in this period is security.
“Unfortunately, we will not have the opportunity to meet our fans and compete for the championship in the home arena in May, but safety is most important right now. We hope that the organizers will find a way out of this situation, and we will stay in touch and talk about the lives of the players, despite the absence of offline tournaments. Take care of yourself and your loved ones”.
“The other day we stopped at a bootcamp in front of a major and, to put it mildly, were shocked by this news tonight. Many questions immediately arise – what will happen to TI, the DPC season, other majors and minors. In any case, safety comes first.
Regarding the nearest plans, there is still little information. Now, as I understand it, there will be many championships online, and we will use this period to strengthen the roster with the newcomer RodjER (several have already confirmed their participation). We have a busy schedule and schedule at the bootcamp, and we won’t change anything yet. ”
“Sad news, but we completely agree with this decision and respect it. The safety of everyone involved in eSports should be above all. Take care of yourself”.
CEO Team unique George drAmer Faleev noted that the abolition of majors is an excellent occasion to test the new system of regional leagues. They just plan to spend online.
IMHO Valve should conduct a test league instead of the major that they plan next year, and it is even possible to play the n-amount of prize money. And the players will be occupied and the format will be rolled back.
– Georgy Faleev (@follow_drAmer) March 16, 2023
Egor Ark Jabotinsky asked Valve to transfer part of the prize from the majors to the next season to play this money in the same leagues.
“Valve, add some of the prize from the fourth major and minor to the leagues, thank you.”
Meanwhile Yorin Sheever van der Hayden already missed the professional Dota 2 – she offered to conduct more tournaments online.
“We need at least some online tournaments.”
Given the situation with the abolition of majors, analyst Ben Noxville Steenuisen proposed a new format for identifying participants The international 2023. Read more about his idea here.
Ofleiner Og Zheng MidOne Yek Nai also upset because of the cancellation of Dota 2 majors, and Daryl koch iceiceice pei xiang and in this situation found its advantages.
“Damn, coronavirus is not a joke. I hope that everything will work out soon and I will be able to play tournaments again. ”
“It’s time to go through all the randomly purchased games on Steam that have accumulated over recent years.”
Due to the spread of coronavirus, a number of other eSports competitions and game shows have already been canceled or rescheduled. Find a complete list of such events here.
