Dota 2 is one of the largest eSports in the world. Prize pool wise, The International has broken multiple records with how much money they’ve awarded to teams.
Owned by one of the most beloved gaming companies out there, Valve, Dota 2’s support from gamers is astoundingly large. Often revered as the MOBA with the hardest learning curve, the skill cap is incredibly high.
Valve is loved because of the CEO, Gabe Newell. The man who has managed to connect with the public on so many levels, has opened himself up to defamation lawsuit. Taking to /r/DotA2, Newell announced on a public platform the firing of the caster, James ‘2GD’ Harding, and the production cast. This wouldn’t be wrong in itself, until Newell goes on to say that “James is an ass”.
Putting the announcement up as two different points, the first was on 2GD. “James. We’ve had issues with James at previous events. Some Valve people lobbied to bring him back for Shanghai, feeling that he deserved another chance. That was a mistake. James is an ass, and we won’t be working with him again.”
Gabe went on to announce that they would be firing the entire production team working on the Shanghai tournament. They will be ‘replaced’, according to him. Although production was certainly lacking for the tournament, the question is, was everyone at fault from the production team?
Since the post, Caster James Harding responded to the thread. He has also responded with a extensive Google Document, explaining that reasons for the firing could of been personal.
For some insight as to why Newell is calling James an ass, you can check out the VoD via Twitch. The clip starts at 55:10, with a segment that was OK’d from the production company. At this point, the situation is largely ‘he said she said’ circumstances.