Why I Stopped Playing Dota 2

[alfaZero]

I've been passionate about DotA since the early days of Warcraft 3 DotA, playing from 2005 to 2009 and even beyond, experiencing the vibrant community on platforms like Garena. When DotA 2 was released, I eagerly jumped in around 2013, though my skills had waned compared to my younger self. It was both amusing and frustrating to be outplayed by my younger brother, whom I had once taught the game.

A few years ago, I rekindled my love for the game, but this coincided with the heartbreaking escalation of Russian aggression in Ukraine. As the world responded by cutting off services to Russia, I was disheartened to see Valve continue to prioritize profits over principles, allowing Russian players to remain active on Dota 2 servers.

This isn’t just about politics; it’s about humanity. We can’t ignore the devastating reality faced by Ukrainian civilians. Children are dying, families are torn apart, and yet, Russian players continue to enjoy their gaming experiences as if nothing is happening. It’s a moral failing on Valve’s part to turn a blind eye to this suffering.

I understand that not all Russians support the war, but the apathy and hatred prevalent among many Russian players in the Dota 2 community are alarming. They frequently express disdain for the West, yet still use European servers to spread their toxic views. This perpetuates a cycle of ignorance and hatred, influencing the younger generation in Russia to adopt a skewed worldview.

Valve, it's time to take a stand. If you can’t shut down Russian servers, at least use your platform to educate players about the horrors of terrorism and war. Make it clear that what’s happening in Ukraine is unacceptable.

Here are just a few of the heartbreaking headlines from recent days:

BBC: "Ukraine’s Largest Children’s Hospital Hit" - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cl4y1pjk2dzo
Reuters: "Ukrainian Air Defence Engaged in Repelling Russian Missile Attack" - https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-air-defence-engaged-repelling-russian-missile-attack-kyiv-officials-2024-07-08/
Al Jazeera: "Anger Towards Russia Rages as Children's Hospital is Hit" - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/8/as-ukraines-largest-childrens-hospital-is-hit-anger-towards-russia-rages
CNN: "Russian Strike on Children's Hospital" - https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/08/europe/ukraine-russian-strike-childrens-hospital-intl/index.html

Let’s not be silent. Let’s use our voices and our platforms to demand change. For the sake of humanity and the future of our global community, we must act now.

[Hopeless]

Steam Discussions & Comment Threads:

Interactions with other players should not be abusive, disparaging, or inflammatory, nor create an environment that is unwelcoming.

* Trolling or baiting arguments
* Discrimination
* Public accusations towards others

[massacre]

E

[FinalBossKaren]

If a company were to prioritize morals and doing what is right, where would the profit lie? Once you are employed, you will realize the extent to which they value human rights. It all boils down to money, with over half of their income coming from Russia. Even if they were to refuse that money, someone else would gladly accept it. Furthermore, no one wants to expose children, especially those from a video game company, to the horrors of war. It is best to have a designated platform for such information. The most they can do is implement stricter chat restrictions.

[Don Vincenzoo 57]

it is a game. no politics not russia harassement please

[76561198384306089]

because don't upload act 3

[alfaZero]

Originally posted by WhereismineHawkTuhhGirl:

If a company were to prioritize morals and doing what is right, where would the profit lie? Once you are employed, you will realize the extent to which they value human rights. It all boils down to money, with over half of their income coming from Russia. Even if they were to refuse that money, someone else would gladly accept it. Furthermore, no one wants to expose children, especially those from a video game company, to the horrors of war. It is best to have a designated platform for such information. The most they can do is implement stricter chat restrictions.

Gaming is an unparalleled platform for educating young minds. DotA 2, in particular, can serve as a powerful tool to enlighten youth about the insidious ways in which their governments use propaganda to manipulate and brainwash them, fostering passivity and discouraging them from standing up against "evil." These young people are the next generation who might be led to approve of "special operations" in other countries without fully understanding the moral implications.

VALVE has a moral duty (like other companies or people) to address this issue, even if it means losing old players, but possibility to get new players. The gaming community has become a breeding ground for an aggressor mentality, and it's crucial to confront and change this narrative. By doing so, VALVE would be taking a brave stand, prioritizing ethical responsibility over profit, and helping to shape a generation that thinks critically and acts with integrity.

[alfaZero]

Originally posted by Don Vincenzoo 57:

it is a game. no politics not russia harassement please

It's war (before it was special operation)—now even terrorism—and far beyond mere politics. This narrative is perilously beneficial for aggressors. Innocent children are dying. How can Russians be harassed for the truth when these are simply undeniable facts? Children are losing their lives, and yet the Russian community is dehumanizing them, calling them "kochols," wishing cancer upon them, and threatening other players with chilling statements like, "Wait, we will come to your country."

How can we describe this? I have countless screenshots that testify to this horrifying behavior. This toxicity is deeply ingrained in the DotA 2 community, making it incredibly hostile and driving away a vast number of players. The impact is devastating, not just for the game but for the integrity and humanity of its community.

[﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽]

Originally posted by alfaZero:

I've been passionate about DotA since the early days of Warcraft 3 DotA, playing from 2005 to 2009 and even beyond, experiencing the vibrant community on platforms like Garena. When DotA 2 was released, I eagerly jumped in around 2013, though my skills had waned compared to my younger self. It was both amusing and frustrating to be outplayed by my younger brother, whom I had once taught the game.

A few years ago, I rekindled my love for the game, but this coincided with the heartbreaking escalation of Russian aggression in Ukraine. As the world responded by cutting off services to Russia, I was disheartened to see Valve continue to prioritize profits over principles, allowing Russian players to remain active on Dota 2 servers.

This isn’t just about politics; it’s about humanity. We can’t ignore the devastating reality faced by Ukrainian civilians. Children are dying, families are torn apart, and yet, Russian players continue to enjoy their gaming experiences as if nothing is happening. It’s a moral failing on Valve’s part to turn a blind eye to this suffering.

I understand that not all Russians support the war, but the apathy and hatred prevalent among many Russian players in the Dota 2 community are alarming. They frequently express disdain for the West, yet still use European servers to spread their toxic views. This perpetuates a cycle of ignorance and hatred, influencing the younger generation in Russia to adopt a skewed worldview.

Valve, it's time to take a stand. If you can’t shut down Russian servers, at least use your platform to educate players about the horrors of terrorism and war. Make it clear that what’s happening in Ukraine is unacceptable.

Here are just a few of the heartbreaking headlines from recent days:

BBC: "Ukraine’s Largest Children’s Hospital Hit" - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cl4y1pjk2dzo
Reuters: "Ukrainian Air Defence Engaged in Repelling Russian Missile Attack" - https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-air-defence-engaged-repelling-russian-missile-attack-kyiv-officials-2024-07-08/
Al Jazeera: "Anger Towards Russia Rages as Children's Hospital is Hit" - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/8/as-ukraines-largest-childrens-hospital-is-hit-anger-towards-russia-rages
CNN: "Russian Strike on Children's Hospital" - https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/08/europe/ukraine-russian-strike-childrens-hospital-intl/index.html

Let’s not be silent. Let’s use our voices and our platforms to demand change. For the sake of humanity and the future of our global community, we must act now.

Valve don't care bro all they care about is money just like what their CEO owner Gaben

Russia is main playerbase and market for most of the Valve's multiplayer games such as CSGO/CS2/Dota2/Tf2 almost every single one of them

If you're from USA go call your local politician and report companies for evading sanctions against Russia outside USA just don't anything from Valve

[Taweret]

the thing is that the ukrainians are also playing on these russian server, you cant label all people typying with russian letters as "russians", since other nations also use them.

even these from eastern europe who dont type in russian sometimes use russian servers, because it makes faster to find games for them.
even if they wanted to restrict russians from the game i dont think there is a way for valve to detect who is russian and not without hurting other minority populations that even live in russia territory.

so in reality maintaining "russian server", isnt directly supporting russians, only all people from this region including ukrainians to have lesser ping.

[Yoloswaggins]

cringe political grandstanding topic bro

[James Pond]

Originally posted by alfaZero:

I've been passionate about DotA since the early days of Warcraft 3 DotA, playing from 2005 to 2009 and even beyond, experiencing the vibrant community on platforms like Garena. When DotA 2 was released, I eagerly jumped in around 2013, though my skills had waned compared to my younger self. It was both amusing and frustrating to be outplayed by my younger brother, whom I had once taught the game.

A few years ago, I rekindled my love for the game, but this coincided with the heartbreaking escalation of Russian aggression in Ukraine. As the world responded by cutting off services to Russia, I was disheartened to see Valve continue to prioritize profits over principles, allowing Russian players to remain active on Dota 2 servers.

This isn’t just about politics; it’s about humanity. We can’t ignore the devastating reality faced by Ukrainian civilians. Children are dying, families are torn apart, and yet, Russian players continue to enjoy their gaming experiences as if nothing is happening. It’s a moral failing on Valve’s part to turn a blind eye to this suffering.

I understand that not all Russians support the war, but the apathy and hatred prevalent among many Russian players in the Dota 2 community are alarming. They frequently express disdain for the West, yet still use European servers to spread their toxic views. This perpetuates a cycle of ignorance and hatred, influencing the younger generation in Russia to adopt a skewed worldview.

Valve, it's time to take a stand. If you can’t shut down Russian servers, at least use your platform to educate players about the horrors of terrorism and war. Make it clear that what’s happening in Ukraine is unacceptable.

Here are just a few of the heartbreaking headlines from recent days:

BBC: "Ukraine’s Largest Children’s Hospital Hit" - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cl4y1pjk2dzo
Reuters: "Ukrainian Air Defence Engaged in Repelling Russian Missile Attack" - https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-air-defence-engaged-repelling-russian-missile-attack-kyiv-officials-2024-07-08/
Al Jazeera: "Anger Towards Russia Rages as Children's Hospital is Hit" - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/8/as-ukraines-largest-childrens-hospital-is-hit-anger-towards-russia-rages
CNN: "Russian Strike on Children's Hospital" - https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/08/europe/ukraine-russian-strike-childrens-hospital-intl/index.html

Let’s not be silent. Let’s use our voices and our platforms to demand change. For the sake of humanity and the future of our global community, we must act now.

How do you know who is the good guy and who is the bad guy?
You were working in geopolitics? No.
Geopolitics is morning News retardification For people like us

[Captain Plan it]

Ukraine disinformation cant wait for the country to fight to the last man and then replace its population with north Africans

[GiM0]

Originally posted by ﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽﷽:

Originally posted by alfaZero:

I've been passionate about DotA since the early days of Warcraft 3 DotA, playing from 2005 to 2009 and even beyond, experiencing the vibrant community on platforms like Garena. When DotA 2 was released, I eagerly jumped in around 2013, though my skills had waned compared to my younger self. It was both amusing and frustrating to be outplayed by my younger brother, whom I had once taught the game.

A few years ago, I rekindled my love for the game, but this coincided with the heartbreaking escalation of Russian aggression in Ukraine. As the world responded by cutting off services to Russia, I was disheartened to see Valve continue to prioritize profits over principles, allowing Russian players to remain active on Dota 2 servers.

This isn’t just about politics; it’s about humanity. We can’t ignore the devastating reality faced by Ukrainian civilians. Children are dying, families are torn apart, and yet, Russian players continue to enjoy their gaming experiences as if nothing is happening. It’s a moral failing on Valve’s part to turn a blind eye to this suffering.

I understand that not all Russians support the war, but the apathy and hatred prevalent among many Russian players in the Dota 2 community are alarming. They frequently express disdain for the West, yet still use European servers to spread their toxic views. This perpetuates a cycle of ignorance and hatred, influencing the younger generation in Russia to adopt a skewed worldview.

Valve, it's time to take a stand. If you can’t shut down Russian servers, at least use your platform to educate players about the horrors of terrorism and war. Make it clear that what’s happening in Ukraine is unacceptable.

Here are just a few of the heartbreaking headlines from recent days:

BBC: "Ukraine’s Largest Children’s Hospital Hit" - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cl4y1pjk2dzo
Reuters: "Ukrainian Air Defence Engaged in Repelling Russian Missile Attack" - https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-air-defence-engaged-repelling-russian-missile-attack-kyiv-officials-2024-07-08/
Al Jazeera: "Anger Towards Russia Rages as Children's Hospital is Hit" - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/8/as-ukraines-largest-childrens-hospital-is-hit-anger-towards-russia-rages
CNN: "Russian Strike on Children's Hospital" - https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/08/europe/ukraine-russian-strike-childrens-hospital-intl/index.html

Let’s not be silent. Let’s use our voices and our platforms to demand change. For the sake of humanity and the future of our global community, we must act now.

Valve don't care bro all they care about is money just like what their CEO owner Gaben

Russia is main playerbase and market for most of the Valve's multiplayer games such as CSGO/CS2/Dota2/Tf2 almost every single one of them

If you're from USA go call your local politician and report companies for evading sanctions against Russia outside USA just don't anything from Valve

[safetyF1rst]

Now u can try sims.

[@realDTrump]

Damn, too much fake news dude(