This is a rather disappointing news for the Dota 2 fans in Southeast Asia as yet another esports organization is leaving the scene.
Blacklist International has officially released its Dota 2 division after a disappointing season. Despite the team having a lot of potential, the team failed to deliver the expected results and thus, they bid their farewell to the Dota 2 competitive scene.
The Disbandment of Dota 2 Division of Blacklist International
In their statement, Blacklist International announced the disbandment of its Dota 2 team, which had been in partnership with Rivalry for two years. During this period, the team saw several milestones and featured a lineup of top-tier talent, including:
- John “Natsumi-” Vargas
- Abed “Abed” Yusop
- Kim “Gabbi” Santos
- Timothy John “TIMS” Randrup
- Jaunuel “Jaunuel” Arcilla
Although the team had some significant accomplishments, including representing SEA at ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023, Elite League Season 1, and the Riyadh Masters 2024, the team never rose to the level that was expected of them. However, Blacklist continued to be a force to reckon with in the Southeast Asian region and would participate in regional qualifiers from time to time.
What’s Next for Blacklist’s Roster?
While the team had some good performances, most people think that the team had the potential of performing much better than what they did. This squad looked set for success with Abed, Gabbi, and Tims among its players. Abed, for example, is famous for his Storm Spirit plays when he was playing for Evil Geniuses, while Gabbi and Tims are considered to be very reliable and capable of making big plays.
To date, there is no information on whether the players will continue to play in the team or seek personal contracts. However, with such talent, these players will most probably be in demand in the competitive Dota 2 scene as they are now.
Blacklist International’s roster had already booked their slot in the PGL Wallachia Season 2 before the team was disbanded. Fans may still be able to see this lineup perform but it will most probably be under a different name or an unsponsored name unless another organization is signed in before then.
The Future of SEA Dota 2
Blacklist International’s exit further fuels the issues that plague the Southeast Asian Dota 2 scene, which has been declining in terms of performance and sponsorship. Although Blacklist is not the first team to experience hardships, their departure is a loss to the already difficult region. SEA Dota 2, which was once a powerhouse region, is now in a state of transition as more teams fail to make an impact on the global level.
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