What should you be watching in the Dota 2 scene this week? We DON'T suggest Games of the Future taking place in Kazan, Russia. 

Every Monday for the last few months GosuGamers has published a weekly piece giving fans ideas on what to watch in the Dota 2 scene. There is always something to watch, some action to catch, somewhere across the globe —whether it be a LAN, qualifiers, a league or even a tier 2 online event. 

This week the action moves to a city in Russia, Kazan. But we won't be recommending it to watch. 

Yes, we support and still love our favourite teams and players attending. Yes, we still love and support Dota 2 competitive scene. No, we don't support an event created as political propaganda. 

  • Read When esports and politics collide

What is Games of the Future?

Games of the Future — an experimental tournament blending sports and esports called ‘phygital’ sports — a combination of esports, physical activity, and other nascent tech like VR and drones – boasts a $10 million prize pool across the featured games. 

The event is directly supported by the Russian government and is sponsored by sanctioned companies. 

At the heart of the project is Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia for Tourism, Sport, Culture and Communications, the ministry in charge of Games of the Future. Chernyshenko is currently sanctioned by the US, EU, and UK amongst other countries. 

Additionally, several Russian media outlets, known for promoting hatred and justifying Russian military actions against Ukraine over the past years, are among the information partners of the series.

At a forum appropriately titled ‘Russia – a sports power’ in 2021 first announcing the event, Chernyshenko reportedly presented Games of the Future’s ‘phygital’ concept as an alternative to the Olympic and sporting establishment that has rebuked Russia for its succession of scandals and transgressions over the last decade. (Russia has also been suspended from the International Esports Federation for undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty.)

Sources told Sports Business Online.ru that Chernyshenko wanted to create a sports movement from which Russia couldn’t be “thrown out.” A Russian Games of the Future press email, reviewed by Esports Insider, also claimed the Games were a response to Russia being ‘ignored’ in serious sporting competitions.

What is at stake?

Besides the entire event not sitting well with viewers and potential participants around the world, there is more at stake than ‘only’ integrity and taking a political stance. 

Esports Charts has previously announced they would not be covering or collecting statistics from the event. 

The organization explains one of the rationales behind there decision as 

“One of the reasons behind our decision is that the data collected and published during the event may be utilized by organizers and sanctioned sponsors for purposes that could potentially aid in circumventing sanctions. The tournaments will not be included in viewership totals for teams and esports titles, nor will they affect prize money standings in our database: millions of dollars in prize money across gaming titles will not be considered.”

In addition, there are also chances of repercussions to players and organizations that participate. Risks and potential consequences apply to broadcast studios, casters, analysts, and desk hosts.

 Participants of the event may indirectly become subjects for propaganda materials favouring the aggressor country: media coverage from tournaments, including brand displays, will highlight sanctioned companies, and player photos featuring these companies may be utilized in public media. This could lead to scrutiny and punitive action from international regulators. 

And how about transactions then for prize money awarded? 

EU rules for example state that transactions with states or entities which are subject to EU sanctions is a criminal offence.

Leonid Shmatenko, Senior Associate at international law firm Eversheds Sutherland, told Esports Insider that sanctions would make it difficult — both legally and logistically — for Western teams to receive and convert prize money.

“Sanctions from the US, UK, and EU have targeted GazpromBank and other financial institutions, restricting their international banking operations,” he explained. “Consequently, converting or transferring prize money out of Russia in Rubles could be problematic.”

So while we cheer for and enjoy seeing Dota 2 in any competition, we will not be supporting (via adding to broadcast numbers/viewership, coverage, or hype) this event. 

Instead, give your time, support and even money (indirectly, of course) to your favourite streamer, or just get lost in some pubs.