We spoke with G2.iG's carry player Monet at The International 2024 about all things related to China's Dota 2 scene and the team's chances to win TI13.
To say that China has not been having the best few years in Dota 2 is an understatement. Once dominating the scene, the region now struggles to reestablish itself as a major force in international competition. With a lack of emerging talent in China, G2.iG signed three Malaysian players to team up with the Chinese veterans Du "Monet" Peng and Ye "BoBoKa" Zhibiao.
Their top-four finish at PGL Wallachia Season 1 was their best result of the year, but it wasn't enough to secure a direct invite to The International 2024 – Xtreme Gaming was the only Chinese team to receive one. The rest of China's hopefuls were left to fight their way through qualifiers, with iG earning their spot after finishing second in the Chinese closed qualifiers, just behind Team Zero.
Monet, a seasoned veteran who began his career in 2015, has attended The International four times—2017, 2019, 2021, and most recently in 2022, where he placed fourth with Team Aster. We caught up with the Chinese star ahead of the Group Stage at TI13 to discuss the state of the Chinese Dota 2 scene, G2.iG's progress, and his goals for this year's tournament.
*note: This interview was conducted in Chinese and translated by GosuGamers.
Hi Monet, thanks for taking the time ahead of the event to chat with us. You must have so much on your mind to focus on right now.
This is not your first TI. In fact, it is your 5th and you have had varying results so far. How prepared and confident are you heading into this year’s event compared to the last few times?
Due to my team’s results for the past year, I did not set a very high expectation for TI. However, we have performed better recently and based on our scrim results I think it is possible to have better results at TI now.
The team’s results from this year have ranged. You seem strong within the region but then at the international level at LANs, it seems to really vary – what do you think is the reason for that?
It might be because we were still trying to figure out our team’s synergy and did not gel too well at the start based on playstyles. From a player perspective, I think it may also be due to the coaching staff not having the optimal plans and strategies that worked for us.
This year only three Chinese teams are playing at TI – such a small amount compared to previous years when China seemed to be dominating. Does that put more pressure on the team to perform?
For me personally, it does not really matter. If more Chinese teams were participating in TI together, it would definitely give us more confidence, encouragement, and motivation as a whole region. But ultimately what really matters is our own team’s results and performance. There is definitely a bit of pressure to bring glory back to China. *Laughs
China hasn’t won the Aegis since 2016… what do you think is happening and will this be the year it comes back home? It is an even number year!
From my own personal view, every single time that I participate in TI, I am here to win the Aegis and will try my best to.
What does China need to do to attract newer players again?
This is a problem that is hard to resolve. As a whole in China, the people who are playing PC games are not as many as those who are playing mobile games in the first place. Mobile games are dominating our market and everyone else prefers playing mobile. It is something that is absolutely difficult to resolve, as it is really hard to attract new players unless the game publisher commits resources to building the scene here. You will see fewer new players coming from this region let alone pro players.
What do you think of 7.37 and did the small balance updates have changed things up enough?
I think the new updates will not change the state of gameplay too much.
What do you think of the format this year, compared to previous years and formats? Which do you like the best and why?
This is my first time trying this format, the previous 4 times I only experienced the round-robin group stage which is very common. This new format is refreshing and find it interesting.
Obviously, you would want to win it all, but if you don’t who do you think will? Which place would you be satisfied with?
I try not to think of this too much, since our results this year haven’t been the most ideal. I would prefer to take it one step at a time. I have not thought of a particular placement as well. If it is not us [G2.IG] winning TI this year, I would probably guess Gaimin Gladiators, perhaps?
More interviews from The International 2024
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