ESL blocks streams that compete with ESL’s Facebook stream channel

ESL failed on the first day of exclusive Facebook streaming of Dota 2 ESL One Genting 2018. Soon after, ESL reacted fiercely and pushed the debate to a climax. In October, just two months ago, Valve made it clear about match reporting. It seems that Valve’s words are still not enough.

With streamers like Henrik “AdmiralBulldot” Ahnberg and Peter “ppd” Dager, their DotaTV reporting gets 10 times more viewers than mainstream Facebook streams (most of the reasons for not following the main channels). system due to poor quality, lack of design and very little device support). These indie streamers have both received critical acclaim as well as heavy criticism. But the criticism goes against what Valve has announced to everyone.

AdmiralBulldog is famous for his slow, calm streaming style

Epic Esports Event (EPICENTER) CEO Mark “March3llo” Averbukh and Russian analyst Yaroslav “NS” Kuznetsov posted tweets with very harsh language accusing AdmiralBulldog of ‘infringing’ copyright (NS later sorry for his words). These are the forcings that happened two months ago. AdmiralBulldog decided to end the stream soon after, to see if this would help increase views on ESL’s official channel on Facebook, but it didn’t work.

Well so far after ending my stream the main english streams viewership increased by 1400. And the caster volume balance is also way off. SeemsGood

— Henrik Ahnberg (@AdmiralBulldog) January 23, 2018

“After finishing the stream, ESL’s stream channel increased to 1400. And the caster volume was too loud. Very good.”

On day two of ESL One Genting, the tournament was again covered on DotaTV by others: Brian “BananaSlamJamma” Canavan, MLP Dota and RawdotaTV. ESL decided to publish the official document about “other stream channels”. This decision has been counterproductive from the community. People refuse to support ESL in any way, not only not through the official ESL stream, but also to return tickets purchased and cancel ESL item purchases.

[penci_blockquote style=”style-2″ align=”none” author=”Jonas “bsl” Vikan, Giám đốc giải đấu ESL”” font_style=”italic”]Hi, A lot of people have questions about other streaming channels. Here’s what I can say for today and the days to come: Anyone can stream Dota, as Valve said after TI7, as long as they do it for the community and don’t intend to commercialize it: http ://blog.dota2.com/2017/10/broadcasting-dota-2 In compliance with these regulations, and our contract to cover ESL One, we will not allow any streams to compete with those The stream channel is in ESL’s primary language and we will not allow streams to monetize this tournament. Best regards,[/penci_blockquote]

Both BananaSlamJamma and MLP Dota’s streams, as well as BTS’ Portuguese channel, have been closed on Twitch for violating “Valve rules”. However, these provisions can be interpreted in many ways and are not clear, the behavior of ESL may have been based on the statement below.

[penci_blockquote style=”style-2″ align=”none” author=”Valve về việc tường thuật Dota 2″ font_style=”italic”]We believe that anyone can report a match on DotaTV for their viewers. However, we don’t think they should be commercialized or in a way that can compete directly with the tournament’s stream channel. This means no ads/no branded wallpapers, and no sponsorships.[/penci_blockquote]

Did we not have this issue about 2 months ago and then valve said stop it mr organizers but now its happening again anyways? Valve said we can watch games from dota tv but it gets people banned? DansGame Explain.

— Henrik Ahnberg (@AdmiralBulldog) 24 January 2018

[penci_blockquote style=”style-2″ align=”none” author=”AdmiralBulldog” font_style=”italic”]We also had the same situation 2 months ago and then the valve asked the organizers to stop, but now it continues? Valve says we can watch matches from DotaTV but bans them? Household explanation.[/penci_blockquote]

Responses to the current situation are not all about ESL. Evil Geniuses’ former manager Charlie Yang, along with economics professor and Dota 2 analyst Alan “Nahaz” Bester, also Criticize the overreaction from the community.

Do we actually contribute so little that it was worth it for ESL to switch to what we perceive to be such a shitty platform rather than retain viewership on Twitch?

— Charlie Yang (@CharlieYang) January 23, 2018

In just the past two days of these events, one thing is clear: Valve’s regulations and the call to “play nice” are not meant for going up against big boys like ESL. Adjustments and re-confirmations are made to reorient Dota 2 narrative.

It’s always a good thing for people to try new things, as long as they learn quickly from their mistakes and have them corrected.

— Invictus Gaming (@invgaming) 24 January 2018

[penci_blockquote style=”style-2″ align=”none” author=”” font_style=”italic”]Everyone should try new things, as long as they learn from their mistakes early on and correct them.[/penci_blockquote]