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[smackababy]

Has anyone told you that you are a complete Debbie Downer on everything related to Dota?

Heh, guess when I can't really complain about the games themselves, I gotta find something else.

Reality is I just expect a tournament with a $3,000,000 prize pool to be perfect, or at least very close. Compared to tournaments that are either community run (like FCG events) or things like Dreamhack, which are "smaller" by comparison of the payout, TI3 was lacking in a lot of places it shouldn't have been.

Pretty much all the games themselves were amazing (except maybe that 96 minute one). Thankfully, this is only the third TI and Valve is improving a lot with each one. If they want TI3 to be the superbowl of the MOBA world, they need to step up production value; just offering more money isn't going to cut it.

 

[BergeLSU]

Heh, guess when I can't really complain about the games themselves, I gotta find something else.

Reality is I just expect a tournament with a $3,000,000 prize pool to be perfect, or at least very close. Compared to tournaments that are either community run (like FCG events) or things like Dreamhack, which are "smaller" by comparison of the payout, TI3 was lacking in a lot of places it shouldn't have been.

Pretty much all the games themselves were amazing (except maybe that 96 minute one). Thankfully, this is only the third TI and Valve is improving a lot with each one. If they want TI3 to be the superbowl of the MOBA world, they need to step up production value; just offering more money isn't going to cut it.

You'd be shocked to see how awful last year's production was in comparison.

 

[smackababy]

You'd be shocked to see how awful last year's production was in comparison.

Yeah, I've looked up a few videos and they certainly have improved a great deal. I know they will keep improving, and I hope the panel is either gone or has much better people.

 

[Juddog]

Open a ticket on Steam for this. I read that if you completed the predictions or fantasy team early, you had to change one item to get the item for it, which means it was bugged.

I opened a ticket with steam, but it hasn't been replied to yet.

This is exactly what I did - set all the predictions the first day I had my compendium, before the bird whistles started going out. I read afterwards that if you change one prediction you'd get the bird, but you had to do that while it was still unlocked, so unfortunately I didn't do it in time thinking that Valve would have fixed it internally somehow.

 

[Peter Nixeus]

Keep in mind this is only the "THRID" International DOTA 2 World Championships... I hope it gets so big, that they have to book something like the Staples Center or Los Angeles Convention Center (Los Angeles) so it will be much easier for me to attend! :awe:

 

[smackababy]

Keep in mind this is only the "THRID" International DOTA 2 World Championships... I hope it gets so big, that they have to book something like the Staples Center or Los Angeles Convention Center (Los Angeles) so it will be much easier for me to attend! :awe:

I'd figure they would either do it in Seattle or move it to Las Vegas. Until they actually need to accommodate 80,000 people, a hotel conference room in Vegas should be just fine.

 

[BergeLSU]

Yeah, I've looked up a few videos and they certainly have improved a great deal. I know they will keep improving, and I hope the panel is either gone or has much better people.

**Some Grand Finals Spoilers**


Dota has a very small pool of casters. That's just the truth. And getting new casters is even more difficult. Lumi know a lot about Dota, but he made a huge mistake in the broadcast. s4 only interrupted 1 TP at the end of the game, not 3 (I learned this from reddit). Dendi actually went into [A]'s base without a TP. While it was a still a great play, Na'Vi really threw it in the end. But Lumi made it out that he interrupted 3 TP's because he was trying to show the audience that [A] had NP pushing the top, and CK+Io pushing the bottom lane.


Tobi isn't going anywhere because he is a fan favorite. Ayesee seems to be 50/50 in the community.

tl:dr - Getting better casters is a LOT easier said than done. Also, the panel would need coaching to get better, and who would pay for coaching for one week a year.

 

[smackababy]

Well, S4 force staffed (almost called it a push book >_> ) someone in the base (canceling the TP I assume) and then caught TA and someone else near bot rune trying to TP with his ult. I don't recall who was all trying to TP (or even could) when they were split pushing the rax though, because I was focused on the rax.

As far as casters, they should go with 1 shout caster and 1 professional. In the grand finals, there were a ton of players who understand the game better than any of the casters available to step in, and I'm sure quite a few would be more than happy to. Having a hype generator is nice, but having someone who can actually give real insight into the drafts and the plays is better. With how the format was, they weren't having overlapping matches (at least in the finals, I didn't watch the group stages).

 

[KaOTiK]

Well, S4 force staffed (almost called it a push book >_> ) someone in the base (canceling the TP I assume) and then caught TA and someone else near bot rune trying to TP with his ult. I don't recall who was all trying to TP (or even could) when they were split pushing the rax though, because I was focused on the rax.

As far as casters, they should go with 1 shout caster and 1 professional. In the grand finals, there were a ton of players who understand the game better than any of the casters available to step in, and I'm sure quite a few would be more than happy to. Having a hype generator is nice, but having someone who can actually give real insight into the drafts and the plays is better. With how the format was, they weren't having overlapping matches (at least in the finals, I didn't watch the group stages).

I agree the casters are so so at best, but you make it sound so easy to just replace them and it isn't anywhere near that easy. A big big part of good caster is being able to speak well not stumbled over their words and going uhm and oh and other nonsense like that. Also having a very clear speaking voice and not feeling anxiety in front of crowds.

While it is true without a doubt many fans have more knowledge of the game than the casters, I bet you most would not be able to cast well at all. In fact, in many cases the fans that know the most are the exact ones you don't want to cast because they tend to be the most socially awkward in many cases. Look at all the interviews during the tournament, the level of awkwardness is through the roof with nearly every single person. There was only a few that were ok to decent, that is the community that follows games at a hardcore level like this.

 

[BergeLSU]

Well, S4 force staffed (almost called it a push book >_> ) someone in the base (canceling the TP I assume) and then caught TA and someone else near bot rune trying to TP with his ult. I don't recall who was all trying to TP (or even could) when they were split pushing the rax though, because I was focused on the rax.

Force staff won't cancel TPs. I don't think the second Coil was as important because I'm pretty sure the game was over even if they finished their TPs.

 

[smackababy]

I agree the casters are so so at best, but you make it sound so easy to just replace them and it isn't anywhere near that easy. A big big part of good caster is being able to speak well not stumbled over their words and going uhm and oh and other nonsense like that. Also having a very clear speaking voice and not feeling anxiety in front of crowds.

While it is true without a doubt many fans have more knowledge of the game than the casters, I bet you most would not be able to cast well at all. In fact, in many cases the fans that know the most are the exact ones you don't want to cast because they tend to be the most socially awkward in many cases. Look at all the interviews during the tournament, the level of awkwardness is through the roof with nearly every single person. There was only a few that were ok to decent, that is the community that follows games at a hardcore level like this.

Oh, I know it isn't easy to find good casters, but it should be looked into. There really can't be that big of a lack of pros with charisma.

Force staff won't cancel TPs. I don't think the second Coil was as important because I'm pretty sure the game was over even if they finished their TPs.

I am pretty sure Force Staff does cancel TPs, any movement should cancel your casting. And if Dendi had made it back with a bit of support, I think they had a chance of stopping the throne. By being delayed, it ensured the win. The first cancel of TPs (during the split push on the racks) was a huge play. If they had gotten back, Alliance might have backed and not taken either. I really wonder if they had made the decision to try and stop the TPs and s4 happened to make the play, or if it was an on the fly decision.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Oh, I know it isn't easy to find good casters, but it should be looked into. There really can't be that big of a lack of pros with charisma.



I am pretty sure Force Staff does cancel TPs, any movement should cancel your casting. And if Dendi had made it back with a bit of support, I think they had a chance of stopping the throne. By being delayed, it ensured the win. The first cancel of TPs (during the split push on the racks) was a huge play. If they had gotten back, Alliance might have backed and not taken either. I really wonder if they had made the decision to try and stop the TPs and s4 happened to make the play, or if it was an on the fly decision.

It doesn't. There was a fail of the week where Bloodseeker FS'd someone to try cancel their TP and it didn't work.

FWIW, Vengeful Spirit Swap does cancel TP.

 

[Phobic9]

I have never played DOTA and have no desire to play DOTA but I have to say as a total noob that hardly knows anything about the game, The International 3 was actually pretty fun to watch. Props to Valve for the great production and kudos for them hiring a professional news reporter that did an amazing job all around. Just have to give credit where it's due.

 

[velillen]

Bring a caster in a game like dota is going to be harder than people realize. You have 10 players to watch. The major action lasts 10-15 seconds with tons of spells and items being used. All while trying to watch everyone. It's harder than it sounds especially saying like o he is using bkb while that was 2 seconds ago and you are seeing him use his ult or to or whatever and trying to keep up.


As for those who think it was bad he got the three tp thing wrong.....I'd love to know how many actually saw that live and not in a replay.

 

[BergeLSU]

As for those who think it was bad he got the three tp thing wrong.....I'd love to know how many actually saw that live and not in a replay.

I was using that as an example that almost NO ONE caught it until people started watching the replay. Trying to look at 3 corners of the map, knowing Na-Vi needed to TP back, and seeing them all Coiled, Lumi made an assumption that they all had their TPs interrupted. It was a reasonable assumption that no caster was able to dispute.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I think Ayesee is excellent at calling plays like a traditional sportscaster. This is great because he is easy to understand, sounds very professional and clearly calls out action for the more casual viewer. Personally I think his analysis is fairly lacking but that's okay. They need to pair him up with better color commentators and I think that would be a good duo. Luminous/LD might be knowledgeable but I just don't think they're very good casters. Ultimately this is the problem w/ all esports though and I don't think it's going to get much better any time soon.

 

[smackababy]

I was using that as an example that almost NO ONE caught it until people started watching the replay. Trying to look at 3 corners of the map, knowing Na-Vi needed to TP back, and seeing them all Coiled, Lumi made an assumption that they all had their TPs interrupted. It was a reasonable assumption that no caster was able to dispute.

Yeah, I didn't see your post as calling him out for being wrong. Casters make mistakes all the time. I heard a few players being called the wrong names.

And that is stupid if Force Staff doesn't cancel TP, it really should.

 

[smackababy]

I think Ayesee is excellent at calling plays like a traditional sportscaster. This is great because he is easy to understand, sounds very professional and clearly calls out action for the more casual viewer. Personally I think his analysis is fairly lacking but that's okay. They need to pair him up with better color commentators and I think that would be a good duo. Luminous/LD might be knowledgeable but I just don't think they're very good casters. Ultimately this is the problem w/ all esports though and I don't think it's going to get much better any time soon.

I don't think this is the case at all. I watch quite a few other eSports, and they all have very good commentary. Dota 2 is just young as far as high production goes, so they haven't found that perfect pair yet or embraced the community of competitors.

 

[BergeLSU]

And that is stupid if Force Staff doesn't cancel TP, it really should.

It makes the Staff a bit too strong. Eul's Scepter and Abyssal Blade are the only two items I can think of right now with an active that can interrupt a TP.

Being moved by another player's active doesn't end channels (though nothing in Dota is absolute. I'm sure there are exceptions).

A neat trick I've seen on Top 10 is a Pudge hooking an allied Sand King when he is sandstorming. The sandstorm stays in place, but SK is now where Pudge is. The other team spent a full minute getting dust and sentries, expecting a kill.

KotL's Blinding Light also won't interrupt a TP.

 

[smackababy]

Scythe should interrupt TP, as should Orchid. If Pudge's hook doesn't, then something is seriously wrong. But, they also have still things like Chen sending Pudge back, and if he hooks you before he goes, you can be hooked into the fountain from across the map. I hope Puck's silence also cancels TPs.

 

[SockHaser]

Scythe should interrupt TP, as should Orchid. If Pudge's hook doesn't, then something is seriously wrong. But, they also have still things like Chen sending Pudge back, and if he hooks you before he goes, you can be hooked into the fountain from across the map. I hope Puck's silence also cancels TPs.

Orchid doesn't. If you know so little about the game I dont know if you should be commenting on this stuff :\

 

[smackababy]

Orchid doesn't. If you know so little about the game I dont know if you should be commenting on this stuff :\

Yeah, I shouldn't comment on stuff that happened in Dota not happening in Dota 2... Force Staff canceled TP in Dota and I am pretty sure Orchid did as well.

 

[Zeze]

Yeah, I shouldn't comment on stuff that happened in Dota not happening in Dota 2... Force Staff canceled TP in Dota and I am pretty sure Orchid did as well.

I'm sure you're wrong. FS never cancelled anything in Dota 1. Same goes for Orchid. Orchid is just a silence, you need stun.

<-- played most Dota in Dota 1.

 

[smackababy]

It makes the Staff a bit too strong.

I don't think so. It is an item for supports, and 2k gold on a support is significant. Having it cancel TPs doesn't really add a lot more value to it. Supports will still pick it up because of the fairly cheap build up and the utility. The added bonus of canceling a TP would be just that, a bonus. How often are you canceling TPs? Does it not cancel Engima's ultimate?

 

[smackababy]

I'm sure you're wrong. FS never cancelled anything in Dota 1. Same goes for Orchid. Orchid is just a silence, you need stun.

<-- played most Dota in Dota 1.

I am pretty sure it did cancel it. I wish I could search for more, but work has pretty much everything blocked.