In the world of Dota 2 Esports, buyout contracts and transfer fees are not uncommon, especially for exceptionally talented players. Wang “Ame” Chunyu is a rare exception in the Chinese professional scene, as his skill has warranted a contract buyout fee, showcasing his legendary status among his peers.
Wang “Ame” Chunyu (Image credit: EPICENTER XL)
Speculation on Ame’s Transfer Fee
The discussion around Ame’s contract buyout price gained attention after talks about a million-dollar buyout for Matthew “Ari” Walker by Team OG. Dota 2 veterans Lu “Somnus” Yao and Yang “Chalice” Shenyi speculated on the transfer fee Xtreme Gaming might have paid LGD Gaming to secure Ame’s buyout, estimating it to be around half a million dollars. Despite being benched in LGD Gaming’s line-up, Ame’s value as a legendary player remains undeniable.
This discussion not only highlights Ame’s value but also sheds light on the competitive Chinese scene’s current situation.
Are Dota 2 Player Buyouts Common?
Chalice attributed the declining trend of buyouts in the Chinese Dota 2 scene to various factors, including the downturn of the competitive scene in China compared to its peak between 2016 and 2019. Issues like a lack of support for emerging young players and financial sustainability challenges have plagued the scene, leading to instances of match-fixing and integrity concerns. The response from organizations like PerfectWorld and Valve has been criticized for contributing to the dwindling Dota 2 scene in China.
Looking ahead to 2024, Valve’s disbanding of the Dota Pro Circuit has left third-party organizers in charge of running the competitive scene from scratch.
Notable Dota 2 Player Buyouts
The conversation expanded to include other high-profile buyouts in the Dota 2 scene, showcasing that Ame is not the only player with a high buyout value. Examples such as the $1 million buyout price set for Nuengnara “23” Teeramahanon and Evil Geniuses’ acquisition of Roman “RAMZES666” Kushnarev for $75K were highlighted.
Ame’s return to competitive play with Xtreme Gaming, alongside Zhao “XinQ” Zixing, at the BetBoom Dacha Dubai 2024 was highly anticipated. Despite a lackluster performance in the group stage and a 7-8th place finish, Ame’s comeback showcased his enduring skill and the high expectations surrounding his gameplay.
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