Chinese Dota 2 Professional League Launched Despite Reservations

China and Esports are hardly out the news at the moment and the country has hit the news once again today with the announcement that ImbaTV has confirmed that it will soon start the first season of its previously mooted China Dota 2 Professional League.

Additionally, ImbaTV have also confirmed that the China Dota 2 Development League, which was revealed back in July, will also run for a second season after what organisers feel was a pleasing inaugural competition.

Sign Up with Stake.com now!
1
250,000gold coins
PLUS $25 Stake Cash
Over 200 Slots + Live Dealer Casino-Style Games
10,000 GC + $1 Stake Cash Daily Bonus
Partnerships with Drake, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake, Everton FC and more! 
Use Promo Code: EBETS

Overall Aim of China Dota 2 Pro League

With the first season of the Development League, ImbaTV’s latest tournament announcement is designed to strengthen and develop the Dota 2 scene within China. Part of the strategy for the tournament is for organisers to continue to develop a new generation of talented young Chinese Dota 2 players.

The aim is to produce a conveyor belt of talent that will play through these regional tournaments and then go on to play for bigger teams in the larger Dota 2 events, such as the Dota Pro Circuit Major and Minor events and The International.

Read Also: DREAMLEAGUE SEASON 12 FAVORITES AND DARK HORSES

League Structure and Changes

The two teams that finished top of the Development League last season, Typhoon and iG Vitality, will be promoted to take part in the professional league alongside some familiar names from the Dota esports community.

In another change of team in the Development League, Royal Never Give Up’s second string squad, Royal, has been replaced by a brand new team SAG.

PSG.LGD, Vici Gaming, Keen Gaming, Newbee, Team Aster, Royal Never Give Up, Invictus Gaming and EHOME will compete alongside the promoted two teams for a prize pool of 1.5 million RMB, the equivalent of around £166,350.

The new league from ImbaTV is being seen as the natural successor to Mars Media’s Dota 2 Professional League, which ran in China from 2016 through to December 2018 when the event organiser pulled the plug on the original event and talked about organising a new one.

Reservations About Regional Leagues

Despite the seemingly positive move for the Chinese Dota 2 esports community, some commentators have expressed their concern that smaller regional tournaments like the aforementioned China Dota 2 Professional and Development Leagues, will struggle to pique the interest of the top teams.

With the Dota 2 esports community primarily focused on the far higher prize pools available in the Dota Pro Circuit Majors, and The International, which is still by far the richest tournament in esports, many feel that teams are not particularly willing to invest a great deal of effort in smaller regional events.

Reas Also: DOTA SUMMIT BETTING GUIDE

This could lead to teams fielding second string teams in these events, or even electing to pull out of them altogether if they don’t feel it is worth their time to play in them.

However, that may well precisely be the point of regional leagues. With Valve’s Major and Minor tournament system in place, these tournaments are generally contested by the best of the best, which leaves little room for developmental tournaments for the next tier of players to develop.

That is what ImbaTV and China hope their new tournament system can help them develop.

 

Ian John
Ian John

Since: August 10, 2015

Ian is a regular contributor to EsportsBets. Ian is well-versed in the world of esports betting and casino gaming and has written extensively on the online gambling industry. Ian brings fresh insight into all facets of gaming.

See all articles from this author