The Riyadh Masters 2025, a significant Dota 2 tournament anchored within the ambitious Esports World Cup framework in Saudi Arabia, is well underway. Featuring a substantial prize pool and assembling many of the world`s elite teams, expectations for high-calibur competition were naturally sky-high. However, as the group stage concluded, not all observers have been left entirely impressed. Veteran Dota 2 caster Alexey “Lex” Filippov recently shared his candid thoughts, suggesting the event, thus far, hasn`t quite hit the expected mark.
According to Lex, the most striking observation from the group stage was the perceived level of play, which he found surprisingly underwhelming for a tournament positioned as one of the season`s highlights. He noted a distinct feeling that many top-tier teams appeared to be running on “autopilot,” lacking the sharp execution, innovative strategies, and sheer intensity typically associated with competitive Dota 2 at this level. While acknowledging some teams like Heroic showed unexpected promise, he felt others, including established powerhouses, seemed notably off their game. Team Liquid was cited as a rare exception, seemingly maintaining a consistent, high standard amidst the variable performances of their peers. This assessment paints a picture of a competitive environment that, in its initial phase, perhaps didn`t fully reflect the `best-of-the-best` standard the participant list might suggest.
Lex`s critique extended beyond the gameplay itself to the organizational aspects of the event. Despite the enormous scale and financial investment underpinning the Esports World Cup – an event promising a staggering $70 million across various titles – he described the Riyadh Masters setup as feeling somewhat “raw.” In a rather pointed comparison, he remarked that certain facets felt reminiscent of tournaments from “2015,” implying a noticeable lack of modern polish or the presence of avoidable technical or logistical shortcomings. This perspective adds a layer of irony, contrasting the tournament`s grand aspirations and lavish resources with a perceived operational crudeness.
The context of the event underscores the significance of these observations. Hosted in Saudi Arabia, the Esports World Cup 2025 spans several weeks, but the Dota 2 component, the Riyadh Masters 2025, runs specifically from July 8th to 19th with a dedicated $3 million prize pool. With 16 teams vying for this substantial sum, it stands as one of the most important non-The International tournaments on the calendar. Given the high stakes and the event`s stated goal of elevating esports, criticisms regarding both performance intensity and organizational quality become particularly pertinent.
Looking ahead, the narrative is far from over. Lex, like many in the community, holds hope that the transition to the playoffs will ignite the tournament. The knockout stage format often breeds heightened pressure, strategic adaptation, and more spirited contests, potentially allowing teams to shed the `autopilot` feel and for the event`s execution to find its peak stride. Whether the Riyadh Masters 2025 can elevate its performance and organizational flow to truly match its monumental scale and prize pool remains a key storyline heading into the decisive final rounds.
Finley Holt