“The Dark Carnival” and The International 2026 qualifiers—highlights from Not For Broadcast #69

Commentators Avery “SVG” Silverman and Austin “Cap” Walsh discussed the “Dark Carnival” in-game event and cosmetic items on the Not For Broadcast podcast, and also assessed the performances of LGD Gaming, Vici Gaming, and Natus Vincere in the qualifiers for The International 2026. Here’s a quick rundown of the highlights in our article.

SVG gave “Dark Carnival” a positive review, noting that he likes low-key updates where Valve doesn’t spend time on large-scale PvE modes like “Aganim’s Labyrinth.” Cap, on the other hand, called the event a side show, considering it a rehash of “The Fallen Crown” with old assets. That said, Austin added that the community’s satisfaction at least temporarily puts an end to player complaints.

However, both commentators agreed that the event completely kills the pre-tournament hype. According to Avery, the casual atmosphere gives “zero percent” of a sense that TI is approaching, and Valve itself is doing almost nothing to promote the tournament. Walsh agreed and added that such events are better released closer to Christmas so that all attention in the summer is focused exclusively on the main championship of the year.

Cap praised the quality of the new hats, custom creeps, and towers, and also highlighted the excellent commercial potential of the idea of robot heroes. At the same time, Silverman expressed concern that this was a “slippery slope.” In his opinion, following the automatons and the Dark Willow set, the developers might move on to inappropriate crossovers, which would ultimately completely erode Dota 2’s visual style.

Discussing the qualifiers, Cap drew attention to the upper bracket final, where LGD Gaming coach Igor “kaffs” Furtado Guimarães Estevão unexpectedly abandoned a successful Beastmaster in favor of Grimstroke in the third map, contrary to the entire team’s expectations. SVG strongly supported this decision, stating that a true drafter must possess firm authority rather than being a “bot that caters to the players’ wishes.” According to Silverman, a coach’s outside perspective is more objective and valuable, which helps the team perform more effectively in the long run

SVG named Vici Gaming support Zhao “XinQ” Zixing as China’s most valuable player over the past two years. He emphasized that it was XinQ, as the communication leader, who was the key factor in VG’s qualification for The International, making decisive plays even when he wasn’t at his best.

Commentators, however, assessed the situation surrounding the Natus Vincere roster as critical. SVG noted that after failing in several qualifiers and losing to L1GA TEAM (HULIGANI), the team appears to be in “disbandment mode.” In his opinion, the team is regressing rather than improving, and now faces either an inevitable collapse or major roster changes.

Earlier, Avery “SVG” Silverman and Austin “Cap” Walsh discussed the lack of buzz surrounding the upcoming The International 2026, in-game revenue streams for teams and organizers, and the four European slots at the year’s flagship tournament.

Photo — ESL.