The controversy surrounding the 2024 Games of the Future has ignited a fervent debate within esports communities, particularly among Dota 2 enthusiasts, with calls for teams to withdraw from the event backed by the Russian government.
Against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the impending major esports event scheduled in Kazan next month has become a focal point of concern within the gaming community. What initially began as dissent within the Dota 2 sphere has now reverberated beyond, capturing the attention of observers both within and outside the esports domain.
Recently, Ukrainian sports journalist Vitalii Volochai has emerged as a prominent voice in this discourse, issuing a stark ultimatum to teams slated to participate in the 2024 Games of the Future in Russia. Through his official Twitter account, Volochai threatened to disclose the personal information of participants, including players and staff, potentially jeopardizing their ability to secure visas for European Union and United Kingdom countries.
“I will personally do whatever it takes to mail to all EU countries the personal data of your players and staff after you visit Government funded Russian tournament, so your players will have visa issues in future,” he cautioned.
Notable teams like LGD Gaming, Invictus, Beastcoasts, and Nouns Esports have been singled out by Volochai, and there are others such as Boom Esports, Azure Ray, and Thunder Awaken who garnered similar criticism for their stance. With sizable fan bases at stake, it is anticipated that these teams will face mounting pressure to address the situation imminently.
The ramifications of this discourse extend beyond the realm of Dota 2, with implications expected to permeate other communities which boasting huge fanbase such as MLBB and CSGO.
