BREAKING: Blacklist International Leave Dota 2 Esports, Disbands Team

It was not on the BINGO cards of many SEA Dota 2 fans. Blacklist International saddened fans with shocking news announcing their departure from the Dota 2 competitive scene. The decision was revealed on September 18, 2024, stating that the organization’s Dota 2 team has also disbanded.

Already a fixture in regional Dota 2 leagues, the Southeast Asian esports organization has cut its journey to global prominence short after failing to qualify for The International 2024 (TI13), Dota 2’s most prestigious annual tournament. 

End of an Era for Blacklist

Blacklist International, a Philippines-based esports organization, entered the scene two years ago under Tier One Entertainment. The team was also called Blacklist Rivalry due to its partnership with Rivalry, a Canada-based betting operator. From its inception, Blacklist quickly established itself as one of the top teams in Southeast Asia, dominating the local scene. Throughout their two-year career, the team has consistently finished at the top of  regional qualifiers and represented Southeast Asia in international tournaments, including the Esports World Cup in Riyadh where they finished 15th-16th.

However, despite success after success in regional leagues, Blacklist struggled to make a big breakthrough in the international scene. The team experienced a crushing 0:2 loss to TNC Predator in the The International 2024 closed qualifiers, ending their dreams to compete in the esteemed tournament this year. 

Blacklist’s Official Statement

After two years of working with Rivalry to bring Blacklist to the Dota scene, this chapter of our history is coming to a close.

Our redemption story has been followed by the community in all our ups and downs. From the first version of our squad when we brought together the… pic.twitter.com/nJa4nDXuLT

— BLACKLIST INTERNATIONAL 🌸 (@BLACKLISTINTL) September 18, 2024

In their official announcement in X (formerly Twitter), Blacklist International stated, “Our redemption story has been followed by the community in all our ups and downs. From the first version of our squad when we brought together the legendary names of Philippine Dota, to being able to do what the community said was impossible by bringing one of the best Filipino players home in Abed Yusop.”

The organization expressed their gratitude to their fans and supporters for following them throughout their journey. They also thanked and recognized the players and coaches who have been part of the team. By the end of the statement, Blacklist International said that they “decided to reassess [their] future in the scene and allowed [their] players to explore their options.” 

https://x.com/BLACKLISTINTL/status/1836269421020807582?t=GaGzSioWkf-7w0mDDnaezg&s=19

Reasons for Departure

While the team did not disclose the specific reasons for this surprising move, there are a few factors that likely influenced their decision. Coupled with their TI qualifiers defeat, the increasingly evolving Dota 2 landscape has also proved challenging for teams. This may have prompted Blacklist to step back and reevaluate their strategies.

Blacklist International isn’t the first SEA organization to leave the scene, with Geek Slate and Fnatic’s Dota division also announcing their departure in the past 18 months. Teams in the SEA region rely mostly on tournament invites and regional qualifiers to get to the international stage, making it hard for them to achieve global renown. 

Financial issues in maintaining a competitive Dota 2 roster is also likely to have played a role in this move to leave. Due to the difficulty with limited international opportunities, organizations rarely ever get back from prizes the investment they put into the teams’ continued presence. In connection to this, Blacklist International may have made a strategic decision to allocate their funding toward their esports teams with strong performances in other games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

What’s Next for Blacklist Rivalry?

The future remains uncertain for the roster of John “Natsumi-” Vargas, Abed “Abed” Yusop, Kim “Gabbi” Santos, Timothy John “TIMS” Randrup, and Jaunuel “Jaunuel” Arcilla. As said in the official statement, Blacklist International has allowed them to explore other options outside the organization as they officially step away from Dota 2. Given the talent and experience of Blacklist Rivalry members, it’s likely that it wouldn’t be long before they find new opportunities in the competitive scene.

A Journey to be Remembered

Two hopeful years have now come to a close. Blacklist International’s exit from Dota 2 leaves void in SEA esports, passing the torch to teams like Talon, BOOM Esports, Bleed, and Execration. Blacklist’s journey may have now concluded, but the Southeast Asian scene will surely remember their lasting impact. Fans are eager to see the former members play for new teams, where an international breakthrough may finally be in reach. The closing of this chapter for Blacklist Rivalry may be just their opportunity to make bigger marks.