Into The Breach(ITB) Announces That it is Leaving Dota 2

Dorjee Palzang
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<div class="paragraphs"><p>Into the Breach Dota 2</p></div>
Into the Breach Dota 2

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ITB

Highlights
UK-based esports organization Into The Breach (ITB) disbanded its Dota 2 roster following the discontinuation of the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC)
Key factors behind the decision included Valve's DPC discontinuation, challenges in finding and nurturing talent, difficulties in building a fan base in Dota 2, and financial demands for success within the European Dota 2 scene.
While ITB hinted at a potential return to Dota 2 in the future, they are currently redirecting their focus to support other esports divisions, such as CS:GO and Rainbow Six, after achieving notable success during their tenure in the European Dota 2 scene.

Into The Breach (ITB), a prominent UK-based esports entity has unveiled its decision to disband its Dota 2 roster. This announcement follows the discontinuation of the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) season, during which ITB secured a 5th-place finish in DPC WEU 2023 Tour 2: Division 2. 

ITB’s Dota 2 roster at the time of disbandment was:

  • Tamás "lowskill" Kaszás

  • Ondřej "Supream^" Štarha

  • Andreas "Xibbe" Ragnemalm

  • Yurii "Merlin" Belkin

  • Egor "RESPECT" Procurat

In an official statement released on their website, ITB's CEO, Sam Macedonio, explained the reasons behind this decision, citing key factors.

Why ITB Disbanded Dota Lineup

Navigating the DPC Transition

One significant factor in ITB's departure is Valve's decision to discontinue the DPC after the 2022/2023 season. This decision has left tier 2 and tier 3 teams in a precarious position, as they grapple with the loss of a stable and predictable source of income and competitive opportunities.

Challenges in Talent Acquisition

Macedonio addressed the organization's struggle to discover and nurture fresh talent within the European Dota 2 arena compared to other regions like North America and South America. He stated that it wasn't sustainable for smaller organizations in Europe.

Fan-Building Hurdles in Dota

Furthermore, Macedonio highlighted the intricate task of cultivating a dedicated fan base within Dota 2, particularly for tier 2 and tier 3 teams. This challenge stems from the game's pronounced dominance by a handful of elite teams such as OG and Secret, prompting fans to hesitate in endorsing teams they perceive as having limited prospects for victory.

Financial Demands for Success

Macedonio emphasized the financial burdens placed on teams seeking success in the European Dota 2 ecosystem, with top-tier teams commanding substantial budgets which smaller organizations like ITB could not match.

While Macedonio hinted at ITB's potential return to the Dota scene, he affirmed that the current situation didn't align with the organization's European objectives. In the meantime, ITB will focus on supporting its other esports divisions, including CS:GO and Rainbow Six.

Despite challenges, ITB achieved commendable placements in DPC tournaments and developed talented players like Xibbe, Supreme^, Kidaro, and Ari.

ITB's disbandment, following Hydra Esports' dissolution earlier this month, highlights the obstacles faced by tier 2 and tier 3 teams. It will be interesting to see if more organizations follow suit, heading into next year.

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Dorjee Palzangtwitter_link
Dorjee is an avid Dota enthusiast, he has been playing the game since it was just a map in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne back in 2009, he transitioned to Dota 2 in 2014 and can't stop playing ever since!
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