Quinn: “I think Dota 2 is an incredible work of art.”
Professional players Michael “miCKe” Wu and Jingjun “Sneyking” Wu, along with analyst Quinn Callahan, spoke about Dota 2 in an interview at BLAST SLAM VIII.
On getting started with the game
Quinn: I think what makes Dota 2 special is that it’s an incredibly complex game. No one has ever played it perfectly, and that’s really cool. You can never perfect your gameplay. I think that’s exactly what keeps people coming back again and again—because there’s always the feeling that you can get better. A friend of mine had a key to the Dota 2 beta. I’d never heard of the game before and didn’t even know what a MOBA was. He gave me the key, and I thought, “Okay, why not give it a try?” I remember that in my very first game, I didn’t even know how to move the camera. I sat by the fountain for about five minutes, trying to figure out the controls.
miCKe: My uncles introduced me to DotA, back when it was still the first game. As a kid, I’d watch them play, but they wouldn’t let me try because I was too young and wasn’t very good. One day they let me play some custom game mode, though I don’t remember which one exactly. I just remember picking Crystal Maiden and buying recipes because I thought they were ready-made items.
Sneyking: I remember my first encounter with DotA. It was back in the Warcraft 3 days. My cousin was playing with his high school friends and introduced me to the game. I think my first hero was Faceless Void. I had absolutely no idea what was going on and just hit enemies with basic attacks. I didn’t know anything about last-hitting creeps or anything like that. I just started playing, and it was a really fun experience.
On the competitive aspect of the game
Quinn: I think competition is one of the coolest things in life. You put everything on the line, and everyone else does the same. It’s an incredibly emotional process that touches you on the deepest level. After all, you’re essentially sacrificing an entire decade of your life. Most professional players devote their twenties to it—the best years of their lives.
miCKe: I think there’s nothing better than winning The International alongside the people you’d most want to share that victory with. It was especially great to achieve this together with Insania and Boxi before Insania left competitive Dota 2. It’s the best thing that could have happened.
Sneyking: The main difference between the small tournaments of the past and those of today is that there’s much more at stake now. These days, people treat competitions as a job, not a hobby. Back then, we’d just get together as a group of enthusiasts to have fun and enjoy the game. Of course, losing is unpleasant, but it didn’t feel like the end of the world. Now, when your job is to compete and win, the stakes are much higher. Results matter much more, and with that, the pressure grows.
Advice to My Younger Self
Quinn: I think my main piece of advice to my younger self would be to just talk less. Back then, I had absolutely no self-control when it came to speaking my mind, and that came back to bite me way too many times.
miCKe: What would I say to my younger self if I could go back in time? Probably to work harder. To be honest, for a significant part of my career, I was pretty lazy. So I’d tell myself, “Work harder—and you’ll succeed.”
Sneyking: I’d advise my younger self to focus more on myself and my own development as a player. On a team, you often try to help your teammates get better and do everything you can to improve the team’s performance. But ultimately, the only constant factor is yourself. That’s what you need to work on first and foremost.
What Dota 2 Means to Them
Quinn: Basically, a significant part of my life has revolved around Dota 2 over the past decade. Yes, it’s very important to me. I think I’ve made almost all of my friends through this game. Aside from my immediate family, Dota is one of the things that means the most to me. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this game. I still cry every year when I watch The International finals because it really means so much to me. Yes, I believe Dota 2 is an incredible work of art.
miCKe: What does Dota 2 mean to me? Honestly, it means everything to me. I’d say 70–80% of my life revolves around it—and everything surrounding it. Without Dota, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Sneyking: You try to surpass yourself, you learn, and you strive to reach new heights. Along the way, you meet lots of people who share your passion. It’s really great to interact and compete with all of them. It’s an incredibly exciting game.
Earlier, BLAST SLAM VIII participants listed the Dota 2 heroes they’d like to buff and nerf, and also shared their thoughts on the current balance of Bristleback, Medusa, Wraith King, and Lone Druid.
Photo by Adam Lakomy, ESL.
