OG talks prize money, TI drafts, and Topson’s chad status at TI10
Even after two The International championships, OG is still the most playful team in Dota 2.
WIN.gg had the opportunity to speak with 2021 lineup of OG at TI10. After
suffering an early loss
in the upper bracket to Team Secret, OG is fighting for the three-peat from the lower bracket. Through the press conference, OG answered questions about the $40 million prize pool, the legacy of carry Io, and Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen’s status as one of Dota 2’s icons.
WIN.gg – The central theme of TI10 is the $40 million prize pool. You guys have already won so much from Dota, does the money still mean the same as it used to? Is it more about prestige now?
Sébastien “Ceb” Debs:
“I feel like, for us, it has never been about money. It has always been about prestige, in a way. About competition, about achieving something together, about so many things. We used to compete with the same fire and the same drive when we were promised, like, headsets for winning a tournament. And we actually forgot the headsets, they’re still waiting. But we had the same drive and energy. Of course the stakes have grown bigger and you get so much more from winning. It’s an amazing thing and it’s life-changing, but it has never had anything to do with it. It hasn’t shifted our focus in any capacity.”
A lot of fans are hoping to see another crazy, off-the-wall pick. Something to match core Io from The International 2019. Do you feel pressure to come up with crazy strategies?
Johan “N0tail” Sundstein:
“We already picked core Io again, just gonna stick to the theme.” (Laughs)
Ceb:
“No, we don’t feel any pressure in that sense. It matches well with the fact that we like being creative with the game anyway. It just comes naturally. There is no pressure.”
This one’s aimed at Topson. It’s been passed around from player to play since, but you were the first big icon that the Dota 2 community declared “The Gigachad.” How do you feel about being Dota‘s biggest chad?
OG:
(Laughs)
Ceb:
“That’s awesome.”
N0tail:
“Could be worse.”
Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen: “I don’t really care about any of this. If people have fun with it, I don’t mind. I don’t care.”
Syed “SumaiL” Hassan:
“That is what a chad would say.” (Laughs)
N0tail:
“That’s so what a chad would say. (mimicking Topson) I don’t care.”
Hey Saksa, is there anything you want to say to your supporters at home?
Martin “Saksa” Sazdov:
“Thanks for the support. I hope you keep watching the games and enjoy them. I’ll do my best.”
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