Insania wants to return to the ESL tournament again

The ESL One Bangkok 2024 tournament, held from December 9 to 15 in Thailand, was a spectacular event for Dota 2 fans. Packed stadiums and passionate supporters created an unforgettable atmosphere, as players from around the globe shared their experiences. However, amidst the celebratory mood, the esports community grapples with serious challenges facing the Dota 2 scene.

Player Delight: Southeast Asia as a Hub for Esports

Team Falcons player Andreas "Cr1t-" Franck Nielsen expressed his gratitude to the region’s fans, sharing his thoughts on social media platform X:

"I absolutely love events in Southeast Asia—there’s always such an incredible crowd and so many supporters. I had a fantastic time in Thailand and hope to return here again."

His sentiments were echoed by Team Liquid’s Aydin "iNSaNiA" Sarkohi:

"Another magical event in Southeast Asia. This region always creates incredible memories. I can’t wait for the next tournament here. Thank you to everyone who attended ESL Bangkok!"

These comments affirm that Southeast Asia remains a vibrant and inspiring region for global esports, with fans contributing to its unparalleled atmosphere.

Concerned Reflections on the Scene’s Future

Not everyone, however, shared the same optimism. Commentator Alexey "Lex" Filippov took to his Telegram channel to voice concerns about the global future of Dota 2:

"At first glance, the consistent presence of teams or players from Eastern Europe in major tournament finals seems like a triumph for the region. However, beneath the surface lies a troubling trend: global competitive Dota is gradually declining, and the dominance of one region is merely a symptom of the scene’s overall crisis.

North America has already bowed out, followed by China. Southeast Asia, despite its vibrancy, is on the brink of decline. The only region still experiencing active esports development is Eastern Europe, but this doesn’t address the global issues. If the situation remains unchanged, The International could turn into an annual showdown between the same teams."

Filippov also pointed out that Western European teams increasingly rely on veteran players, with a lack of fresh talent further exacerbating the scene's stagnation.