Veteran Dota 2 caster Alexey “Lex” Filippov has publicly shared his initial impressions of the Riyadh Masters 2025 tournament following the conclusion of its group stage. His remarks, posted on his Telegram channel, indicate a notable lack of enthusiasm for the event`s current state, particularly concerning the level of play exhibited by many teams and the overall tournament organization.
“It doesn`t feel like the EWC is one of the main tournaments of the season yet,” Lex stated candidly. This observation is significant, given the immense scale and considerable prize pool associated with the Esports World Cup and its constituent tournaments like Riyadh Masters.
Filippov suggested that a number of top teams appear to be playing on “autopilot.” He offered specific examples: Parivision seemed “lost,” while Heroic surprisingly presented themselves as a “top-6 team,” a performance level not widely anticipated. Team Liquid, in his assessment, maintained a stable level of play, potentially being the sole team consistently meeting their expected standard. Regarding Virtus.pro (VP), Lex offered a brief, telling comment, opting not to elaborate on their struggles and invoking the phrase, “don`t beat a man when he`s down,” which serves as a clear, if understated, critique of their performance.
Beyond the competitive aspect, Lex also directed criticism towards the event`s logistical and technical execution. He characterized the tournament`s organization as “raw,” drawing a comparison to events from “back in 2015.” Highlighting what he perceived as numerous “flaws,” he commented that despite the undeniable scale of the Riyadh Masters, it currently feels like it lacks “soul.” However, he expressed a degree of optimism, hoping that the event would “pick up the pace” and improve during the playoff stage.
The Riyadh Masters 2025 Dota 2 tournament is a key part of the broader Esports World Cup 2025 festival hosted in Saudi Arabia. Scheduled from July 8 to July 19, this specific Dota 2 competition features 16 teams vying for a substantial $3 million prize pool. This prize pool contributes to the overall Esports World Cup fund, which totals an unprecedented $70 million distributed across more than 20 disciplines over the festival`s duration (July 8 – August 24). Lex`s critical perspective underscores the high expectations placed upon both teams and organizers at such a high-profile and financially significant event, suggesting that the initial phases have, in his view, fallen short of delivering a truly premier experience.
Gilbert Pendleton