In the high-stakes world of professional Dota 2, where millions of dollars and legacies are forged, a third-place finish at The International is, for most, a career-defining achievement. Yet, for Vladimir “No[o]ne” Minenko, the esteemed mid-laner for PARIVISION, his team`s recent bronze at The International 2025 was nothing short of a profound disappointment. In a candid interview, No[o]ne laid bare a competitive mindset that offers a stark reminder: in esports, second best is often just the first loser.
The Unforgiving Pursuit of Gold
Held from September 4th to 14th in Hamburg, Germany, The International 2025 brought together 16 elite teams vying for a prize pool exceeding $2.8 million. PARIVISION, with No[o]ne at its core, navigated the brutal brackets to secure a third-place finish after a hard-fought 1:2 loss to Xtreme Gaming in the lower bracket final. Objectively, it marks No[o]ne`s personal best performance at the revered tournament – a feat many would consider a triumphant milestone.
“Were there positive emotions after TI14? Well… it`s hard to say. When you lose, it`s tough. I don`t care about top-3 at all. For me, top-3 or top-2 – it`s all the same, like top-12 in general. Just a higher spot. There`s still no money; before, top-3 used to be valued, it felt like. For me, if it`s not top-1, then it`s a lost tournament. Of course, it`s my best result in all these years at TI, but in the end, it`s just one won Bo3 in the upper bracket, it means nothing at all.”
No[o]ne`s words cut through the usual platitudes of “we did our best” and “proud of our performance.” His perspective is an unvarnished testament to the intense psychological pressure and unyielding ambition that defines top-tier competitive gaming. For him, anything less than holding the Aegis of Champions is a missed opportunity, a tournament un-won.
A Shifting Landscape: Prestige vs. Payout
The veteran mid-laner also touched upon a significant shift in the perception and value of high placements. “There`s still no money; before, top-3 used to be valued, it felt like,” he remarked. While $2.8 million is a substantial sum, the distribution of The International`s prize pool heavily favors the champions, creating a steeper drop-off for subsequent placings. This observation highlights a prevalent sentiment among seasoned players: as the esports scene matures and prize pools grow, the gap in prestige and financial reward between first place and even second or third has widened dramatically.
Where a top-three finish once guaranteed a substantial return and immense bragging rights, it now, for some, feels more like a participation award in a winner-takes-all spectacle. This isn`t merely about greed; it speaks to the intrinsic value placed on ultimate victory, which often defines a player`s career narrative and secures lucrative sponsorships. For players like No[o]ne, who have dedicated years to the grind, the emotional return on investment from a “mere” third place simply doesn`t justify the relentless effort if it`s not the top spot.
The Unyielding Spirit of a Veteran
Despite the palpable disappointment, No[o]ne`s competitive fire remains undimmed. He recently confirmed that he has no plans to retire from the professional scene in the coming year. This steadfast commitment, even in the face of such deep-seated dissatisfaction, paints a vivid picture of the sheer dedication required to compete at Dota 2`s highest echelon.
For No[o]ne, The International 2025 might have been his best personal showing, but it serves only as fuel for future endeavors. His journey continues, marked by the singular goal that drives every true champion: absolute, undisputed victory. Anything less, as he bluntly put it, is simply not enough.
Finley Holt