From his own experience of perennially reading the language of Dota and perennially being surprised by new signs and symbols. When BSJ tells you that 50% of the macro game will remain arcane to you, the casual viewer, it’s not from any meanness to the newbie. Part of what makes him a strong commentator, coach, and communicator is that Dota’s depth excites him more than it daunts him. Turns out, even at the basic level, Dota’s hard as fuck to read.īut BSJ rarely seems put off by it. “And 5 of those are things you’ll never understand.” “For everyone watching TI, there are probably ten things in a Dota game that tells you who’s winning.” BSJ gives a brief, casual pause. This is the widest, simplest view of the game - points, HP bars, stocks - how you can tell who’s winning and who’s losing. To get started in any competitive outlet, there’s a basic literacy. So, what proceeds is half an answer to “What the hell is a Dota 2?” and half an answer to “Why the hell is a Dota 2?”īasic literacy in a game that’s hard to read But more importantly, I learned why people love Dota 2 and from there, why people love the broken, complex, illegible system that it embodies. In the hour and a half long interview, I did learn Dota 2. So rather than create a linear journey through his career, I planned to build a twisty, curvy viewer’s guide - a sort of “Dota 2 for those who don’t know what’s going on and are too afraid to ask.” Within that, I hoped to show who BSJ is through what he does. His player spotlight fittingly arrived with Dota’s biggest tournament - The International - so it made bizarre sense to literally take this interview as a learning experience. (Credit it where it's due, the first I saw this comparison was from YouTube commenter "Peter Winkelmann.") He’s brutally frank and occasionally spicy but he’s also good-humored, genuinely savvy, and eager to share his craft. He’s one of the game’s top commentators, content creators, and educators and he speaks from the authority of once being a pro and still being high up on the ranked ladder. Lucky for me, Brain “BananaSlamJamma” Canavan’s job is to help people pay those dues.ĭota 2 for those who don’t know what’s going on and are too afraid to askīSJ has been called the Gordon Ramsay of Dota 2 - and it kind of fits. But it is an institution and it demands its due. The terrain can be destroyed, there are day and night cycles, heroes have insane powers, and everyone is teleporting everywhere and turning invisible all the time.ĭota 2 may be chaotic, complex, and jarring. It is full of heroes (who are full of features and abilities) and items (which are also full of features and abilities). I don’t normally fear learning new things, but Dota 2…ĭota 2 is immense and old and angry. Before I was a freelancer, I was an ESL (English as a second language) teacher. When I was a freelance writer, I survived off of being able to learn esports quickly. I’ve learned about a lot of esports and a lot about learning in general. What in the Hell is a Dota 2? This is a question I’ve been avoiding for a while. What in the hell is a Dota 2? (BSJ will tell you)
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