Great news for Southeast Asian Dota 2 players – the Chinese players have finally left the SEA server after migrating away from the CN server in 2021.
This is a positive step as the impact of this migration has left both servers in disarray.
Somnus and Ame (Image credit: LGD)
Chinese Pro Players in the SEA Server
It’s important to understand why Chinese pro players were playing in SEA servers initially. In 2021, a wave of Chinese pro players stopped playing in their own region due to match-fixing in high-rank Immortal matches.
Pro players were being blackmailed by allies threatening to throw matches. With a limited player pool in high MMR matches, these players consistently matched with pro players. Match-fixing in Chinese Dota 2 leagues made the competitive scene unplayable, prompting the migration to SEA servers.
Reasons for Chinese Players Returning to CN Server
After three years of playing on SEA servers, top Chinese pro players like Lu “Somnus” Yao led a movement for Chinese players to return to the CN server. Other players like Du “Monet” Peng, Yin “Aq” Rui, and Yang “Chalice” Shenyi supported the move, along with Wang “Ame” Chunyu. Somnus emphasized the need to correct the decline in Chinese Dota’s quality caused by the migration.
SEA Players Embrace the Change
SEA pros and high elo players celebrated the news. Though Chinese players are respected for skill, their behavior on the SEA server was more toxic than the region’s usual standard. Chinese players often forfeited matches, displaying poor perseverance not seen in other regions.
Ame’s Conflict with SEA’s Top Guild
Ame clashed with SEA pro players from the “Kukuy” Guild, including Gabbi, Gabbi’s Twitch channel, Armel, Natsumi-, and others. Misunderstandings in matches led to tension between Ame and the SEA players.
Impact on Chinese Dota 2 Servers
With the return of Chinese players to the CN server, there is hope for a revival of competitiveness. Recent declines in Chinese pro teams at international events may be attributed to the absence of Chinese players in their home servers to enhance skill levels.
