I don't know how to feel about NTH's performance today. They won, but it seems like the other teams defeated themselves in many ways. Trixie went full tilt and fed Admiral Bulldog in the Fanatic game, and that was really the only way i saw them winning that game because the aggressive trilane did not work very well imo. Na'Vi did their typical thing of trying random shit when the match is not that important, so I can't really say much about those games. NTH was definately more aggressive than usual, but that agression seemed really sloppy at times and I think we will have to wait a bit longer before we can really say how the new lineup is doing.

Kawa

United States36 Posts

March 06 2013 13:04 GMT

#826

Hey guys!

I've read a few comments so far and wanted to pop in and say hello and be a bit more active with this thread.

So far the LAN finals will be in Poland and at the beginning of next week when the rest of the staff get back from CeBiT, I will have an exact location for you guys. Katowice would be ideal of course, but you should all know within the next few days

The North American teams will be confirmed next week also. joinDota posted an article about it here My buddy Eosin is currently on top with his team, TL, Fnatic.NA, and EG so hopefully Dignitas will start going to work in the next 5 days to make it to the top as well.

In terms of production and casting, I will be taking over relatively soon/ next season with creating content in the studio. Once I got here, I had one week to prep and learn how the studios worked with Dota 2 (our setup is having issues at the moment with in game broadcasted audio for instance) so since I was in a pretty rushed position we decided to do work with jD and so far things have been working out really nice in terms of numbers, support, etc. The forth cup will start soon and then we will get into the playoffs immediately.

I have plans for quite a few things to come up especially if people here wanted to see what the office looks like or things within Germany in general. I started filming last week and when my PC arrives from the US I will start doing some editing and post something here for you guys if you were interested. Also, have something else that I've been planning for months that will be coming soon! ;D

-Kawa

P.S. If you guys had any recommendations for additions to the broadcasts let me know. I am currently juggling the possibility of interviewing players between matches, tobi or myself talking with you guys, getting more gear for giveaways, etc. Also would like to add some videos in the future explaining A-Series/ our tournament more in depth.

SilverStar

Sweden18511 Posts

March 06 2013 21:51 GMT

#827

Thanks Kawa. So far the games were good but I think you really need to establish yourself more. At the moment it is just outside organistations running the games. Anyway good luck with the event.

teapoted

United Kingdom24425 Posts

March 06 2013 21:58 GMT

#828

There are too many things to improve at the moment so no real point in commenting until you actually set up an ESL production.

As for you personally Kawa you really just need to cast a lot more games. I like that you're doing research and seem to have a good grasp on the teams and what they've played recently, but the inexperience in actually casting is pretty evident. You're also always casting with like Tobi/Epi/Sheever. Who are all play-by-play and it makes for a really awkward cast.

AwfuL_

Netherlands6976 Posts

March 06 2013 22:20 GMT

#829

My main problem with ESL (EMS whatever) is that I don't understand anything of their tourney format (formats?). I keep hearing TL and EG are at the top of something (A series?) but they don't appear in any list or standing anywhere on their site. Just how the hell does their stuff work

-e- Thanks to Liquipedia I understand their format quite a bit better. Still don't get why TL and EG don't appear on their site or matchticker. According to this reddit post TL just played a match one hour ago, but there's nothing to be found.

Dubzex

United States6994 Posts

March 06 2013 22:23 GMT

#830

Fnatic.na is still a team? I could have sworn they disbanded with only one player remaining on the roster.

crms

United States11933 Posts

March 06 2013 22:25 GMT

#831

they made a new team around hannah_montana and some others.

motbob

United States12546 Posts

March 07 2013 01:23 GMT

#832

It took some digging, but I found the A-series thing that TL has been participating in.

http://www.esl.eu/eu/dota2/5on5/aseries/rankings/divisions/1/

http://www.esl.eu/eu/dota2/5on5/aseries/rankings/divisions/2/

It would not be difficult for a team like Dignitas to swoop in and pass all of the other NA teams in the standings. It would only take 5-6 straight wins, which would be easily doable (for them) against the competition on that ladder.

Kawa

United States36 Posts

March 07 2013 08:31 GMT

#833

Thanks for the feedback so far guys.

@awful_ Im trying to get a video done for next season to make things more understandable for you guys out there. The format is indeed confusing at first and viewers dont have a chance to keep up with their favorite NA teams so I definitely am making that video a priority. In between casts it wouldn't hurt to have.

@teapoted That actually helps out the most so far. Im awaiting the green light to start producing and also am really looking forward to casting with my own PC again as well as other casters and players. Thanks for the criticism man Im pretty glad I got to see this.

SilverStar

Sweden18511 Posts

March 07 2013 09:12 GMT

#834

On March 07 2013 10:23 motbob wrote:
It took some digging, but I found the A-series thing that TL has been participating in.

http://www.esl.eu/eu/dota2/5on5/aseries/rankings/divisions/1/

http://www.esl.eu/eu/dota2/5on5/aseries/rankings/divisions/2/

It would not be difficult for a team like Dignitas to swoop in and pass all of the other NA teams in the standings. It would only take 5-6 straight wins, which would be easily doable (for them) against the competition on that ladder.

I'm not sure why they make such a cool EMS site only to hide these tournaments somewhere in the ESL site.

D.Devil

Germany227 Posts

March 07 2013 13:30 GMT

#835

On March 07 2013 18:12 SilverStar wrote:

Show nested quote +

I'm not sure why they make such a cool EMS site only to hide these tournaments somewhere in the ESL site.

I can explain that: The A-Series is not directly a part of the EMS One. It serves as a qualification for it, but it's more than that, it's a fully-fledged league/ladder system itself. Therefore, it's not included on http://dota2.raidcall-emsone.com. The fact that US teams directly qualify for the playoffs through A-Series is an exception.

SilverStar

Sweden18511 Posts

March 07 2013 14:24 GMT

#836

On March 07 2013 22:30 D.Devil wrote:

Show nested quote +

Okay makes sense. Thanks for the reply.

D.Devil

Germany227 Posts

March 11 2013 17:45 GMT

#837

whoop whoop, time for some more RaidCall EMS One! Last cup for this season. Here's the bracket: http://dota2.raidcall-emsone.com/season1/cup-4/ – everyone's there but NAVI. I personally hope to finally see a few real, major upsets this time.

SilverStar

Sweden18511 Posts

March 11 2013 17:45 GMT

#838

Cup #4 happening tonight again. Tobi will be streaming:

http://dota2.raidcall-emsone.com/season1/cup-4/

motbob

United States12546 Posts

March 11 2013 17:54 GMT

#839

The top four NA teams in the A-series, and therefore the teams that should qualify for the Ro16, are:

Eosin +4
Fnatic.NA
Team Liquid
Infinity Gaming Black

This list might change. I can't see Eosin +4 or Infinity Gaming Black making the trip to Europe if they get past groups, so ESL might want to replace those teams. Dunno.

teapoted

United Kingdom24425 Posts

March 11 2013 18:11 GMT

#840

I'm going to say semi-finals are

Nth vs Empire
Mouz vs VP

This list might change. I can't see Eosin +4 or Infinity Gaming Black making the trip to Europe if they get past groups, so ESL might want to replace those teams. Dunno.

I was under the impression that ESL pays for the trip.