Esports commentator fired from Dota 2 Shanghai major

Gimpymoo · 29 Feb 2016 at 11:07

Valve has unceremoniously fired esports commentator James Harding from its Dota 2 Shanghai major.

Harding, whose "2GD" persona is known for irreverence and off-colour jokes, was let go a day and a half into the tournament, though the company did not cite a specific reason.

CEO Gabe Newell explained the decision via Reddit, saying the company had "had issues" with Harding previously, and that Harding was "an ass."

Harding posted a lengthy response to the decision, saying that he was told by Valve that his description of a player as a "bottom bitch" was "disrespectful."

Further jokes about porn and masturbation were also cited.

Harding said that Valve's desired tone for commentary was similar to that of traditional sports, whereas he believes esports should be different.

"I'm angry we are pretending to be sports when we are not," he said.

Valve also fired the production company that has been broadcasting from the event, as the major had been suffering from dropouts, sound errors, and stuck cameras.

The Dota 2 Shanghai major runs until the 3rd of March.

http://www.gameplanet.com.au/news/g...commentator-fired-from-Dota-2-Shanghai-major/

I am not condoning what was said BUT dare I say, is Gabe wrong for wanting eSports to be broadcast as a regular "sporting" event or should it be different?

What next, presenters wearing suits and ties?

Also, dare I say, Gabe himself was not professional running to Reddit like he always seems to? He says nothing about major Steam issues but goes public on firing someone?

Harding maybe went too far and if the sport is to ever become mainstream, that kind of commentary will not help get mainstream sponsorship/publicity, and will always be "kids playing games" in the eyes of the general public.

HOWEVER, I do think a more "relaxed" style would help (Obviously, not this kind of relaxed

), especially when you think about the demographic watching these events.

HAz · 29 Feb 2016 at 11:11

Gabe is so fat.

Rroff · 29 Feb 2016 at 11:14

Always going to be a little more casual than mainstream traditional sports but other games like quake 3 and other competitive shooters, eve online, etc. manage it with a reasonable level of maturity in the commentary - there isn't really a need for excessive smack talk and irreverence, etc.

Shamikebab · 29 Feb 2016 at 11:29

Pretty disgusted at Valve. Asking James to hold off on his statement then posting one of the most unprofessional comments I've ever seen from a company while he was asleep. James was saving their joke of a tournament.

Mynight · 29 Feb 2016 at 11:40

That's pretty low. I don't really have an opinion on the content but posting a reason for firing someone on Reddit especially referring to them as an ass is wrong imo.

Ayahuasca · 29 Feb 2016 at 11:42

Thorin wouldn't last 10 minutes

Moothead2 · 29 Feb 2016 at 11:49

They hired someone who's known as an Ass and told him to be himself, then fired him for being an Ass. Then Gabe proceeds to look like even more of an Ass himself by being completely unprofessional about it.

No1newts · 29 Feb 2016 at 14:44

Poor form by valve in my opinion but they rarely cover themselves in glory, wasn't it steam crashes which started the delays? This put the bloke in a position of having to talk about very little and keep the audience engaged, all right he was smack talking a little heavy but the audience (in the main) wants that so he delivers.

HR4 · 29 Feb 2016 at 14:59

HAz said:
Gabe is so fat.

Now there's 'fat'

or

there is 'fat & loaded'

He falls into the latter, therefore he doesn't give a **Fully Star out all swearing**

Jolteh · 29 Feb 2016 at 15:13

The rights and wrongs of it are irrelevant really. Gabe gives zero effs what reddit thinks, because despite all of the 2GD support threads, everyone will keep watching the Major and buying the hats. He's in a position of power and therefore he can say what he wants and fire whoever the hell he wants.

I like 2GD. I subscribe to his twitch and watch him pretty regularly, but he played this situation completely wrong. I think most people in the community where surprised that he even got another shot after how he was at TI4.

In reality, this guy is in his mid 30s and this is basically his career. He was lucky to get another gig on this level with Valve, and he should have taken it slow at the start, rather than opening with a joke about beating off to disabled Chinese porn in his hotel room. He might have been told to 'be himself' by Icefrog, but that's pretty vague and he should have tested his boundaries better.

Twirlywoos · 29 Feb 2016 at 15:25

He will be forgotten about within a few days whereas Gabe is everlasting.

I like how Gabe doesn't succumb to media tactics and isn't willing to bend over to Reddit unlike many people, companies.

ALL HAIL GABE!!!!

Mynight · 29 Feb 2016 at 15:25

HR4 said:
Now there's 'fat' and ugly

or

there is 'fat & loaded' and attractive

He falls into the latter, therefore he doesn't give a Removed

Slight edit.

Edit: oops I didnt even notice that

. Bad HR4

.

UberGinge · 29 Feb 2016 at 15:41

I can see what the chap is getting at, but I think there still needs to be some level of professionalism in what he does. Including things like memes and inside jokes relating to the game at hand is probably alright, but off-colour jokes and the like might be better suited elsewhere.

Nasher · 29 Feb 2016 at 15:51

The PC police strike again

Gimpymoo · 29 Feb 2016 at 15:57

Nasher said:
The PC police strike again

Gabe?

D3K · 29 Feb 2016 at 16:02

Gabe should if he's going to die prematurely and won't be able to swim in his pool of dolla bills as an old man.

Smrtka · 29 Feb 2016 at 16:51

he is a victim like Richard Lewis on Dreamhack

linktoinsanity · 29 Feb 2016 at 17:30

To be honest, if you want esports to take off, filling it with too many off-colour jokes and unprofessionalism is not be a smart move and I think Valve see that. Think of a large share of the audience who will watch it, kids. You have to be reasonable careful or the parents will not let the kids watch it, robbing you of some of your audience.

I'm with Valve on firing him, but calling him an ass on twitter is unprofessional as well.

mortals · 29 Feb 2016 at 20:47

linktoinsanity said:
To be honest, if you want esports to take off, filling it with too many off-colour jokes and unprofessionalism is not be a smart move and I think Valve see that. Think of a large share of the audience who will watch it, kids. You have to be reasonable careful or the parents will not let the kids watch it, robbing you of some of your audience.

I'm with Valve on firing him, but calling him an ass on twitter is unprofessional as well.

I agree with this.

I just found a video of highlights of Shanghai Major Panel / Analyst.
The language and overall awkwardness of the broadcast seems terrible.

Not really surprised why they said they were also dropping the production team involved.

olivier renault · 1 Mar 2016 at 09:56

About time if you ask me. You're not on your personal broadcast. You're on 'TV'. And you're not 15 anymore.

Valve wants to clean it up for larger audience, it's their prerogative and that's fine by me. If it's too squeaky clean, watch the games on some random Twitch channel. Like 2GD's I guess, from now on.