Dota 2 is heading to the East, again, for the third Dota 2 Major. Valve announced not too long ago that the next installment of the Dota 2 Major series will take place in Manila, Philippines in the Mall of Asia. Tickets go on sale on March 12th and in today’s announcement, things are already looking better.
We’ve barely had time to recover from Shanghai and Valve are already on the ball for the next Major. The real announcement I wanted was an apology from Valve, but I won’t hold my breath. There is a glimpse of hope, however, which was attached to the announcement – The Manila Major will be produced by PGL, easily one of the best eSports production studios in the world. PGL have always been in a league above the rest when it comes to eSports broadcasting, and already this is a breath of fresh air for harsh critics (everyone) of the Shanghai Major.
Teams have three weeks to finalize their rosters, with teams being locked on March 27th. Valve instated the roster lock for their Major’s in an effort to promote stability in the competitive scene. Before each Major, there has a transfer period after which teams would remain on that roster till the next window. The difference, this time, is that these roster locks beginning March 27th will be in effect until The International later this year.
The Manila Major qualifiers begin on May 3rd and run till the 6th, with Open Qualifiers beginning on April 29th till May 2nd. The Manila Major will crown the final victor before the Regional Qualifiers for the International start in June with the tournament set for August 2016.
After the Shanghai Major, it became clear that the Western teams are currently reigning supreme, but it was Southeast Asia (and South Korea) who stunned crowds in Shanghai. The Manila Major, on home soil, could mark a momentous occasion as SEA continue to show their abilities in the international community. Who will be the Manila Champion, and who will raise the Aegis of the Immortal at The International 2016?
Last Updated: March 8, 2016
Pariah
March 8, 2016 at 10:33
It’s no Secret who will win.
Guild
March 8, 2016 at 11:36
XD
RinceThis
March 8, 2016 at 10:34
Here we go again…
Guild
March 8, 2016 at 11:36
where we going?
Kromas untamed
March 8, 2016 at 10:37
Why does Valve need to apologize for something that was clearly out of their hands? That’s like SARU apologizing for the something going wrong with the broadcast at the London world cup.
Pariah
March 8, 2016 at 10:48
Valve need to make some kind of announcement though, the Shanghai Major was a disaster.
HvR
March 8, 2016 at 10:49
More like the IRB will have to apologize in that scenario. In this situation Valve takes the profits and appoints the production companies so the buck stops with them.
BakedBagel
March 8, 2016 at 12:29
We have had problems with SARU and the IRB in the past, SARU/IRB is an ass and we wont be working with them again
CongoKyle
March 8, 2016 at 14:43
The chain of command was broken. It was clear the Valve employees on site were not fit to deal with the problems at hand, and according to comments made Gabe Newell was perhaps a bit uniformed as what the real problems were.
Fans were not happy with the Major, players are still lashing out on Twitter. I think they owe some sort of explanation at least, or a comment on how these issues will be avoided in the future.
Kromas untamed
March 8, 2016 at 14:49
China will be boycotted in the future as an event location most likely.
Weerwolf
March 8, 2016 at 16:25
They did kinda apologize:
http://blog.dota2.com/2016/03/the-shanghai-major-champions/
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 8, 2016 at 10:42
I read that too quickly & thought you said Vanilla Major.
Pariah
March 8, 2016 at 10:47
Ice Cream on a day like today? Bit cold, don’t you think?
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 8, 2016 at 11:05
It’s never too cold for ice cream.
RinceThis
March 8, 2016 at 11:11
Comes from having an ice-cold heart.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 8, 2016 at 11:12
On the plus side, I never get heart burn.
HvR
March 8, 2016 at 10:50
Sounds like a setup for an Just as white as the Oscars joke.
Pariah
March 8, 2016 at 11:00
Prison is white? You sure?
RinceThis
March 8, 2016 at 10:51
Sigh.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 8, 2016 at 11:06
LE SIGH Rince-ning.
RinceThis
March 8, 2016 at 11:07
You’re a ding a ling!
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 8, 2016 at 11:10
HvR
March 8, 2016 at 10:52
Also
#All_hail_Avo
Commander Admiral Chief
March 8, 2016 at 10:55
FFS
Pariah
March 8, 2016 at 10:59
Yeah. Ban him.
Mossel
March 8, 2016 at 11:17
3rd installment! O_O
They learned to count to 3!
Mossel
March 8, 2016 at 11:17
3rd installment! O_O
They learned to count to 3!
Commander Admiral Chief
March 8, 2016 at 11:17
O_O
Commander Admiral Chief
March 8, 2016 at 11:17
O_O
CongoKyle
March 8, 2016 at 14:44
Confirmed.