Valve Still Silent on Last Chance Qualifiers for TI12, N0tail and Ceb Express Concerns

In a recent episode of the OG Monkey Business Podcast, Johan "N0tail" Sundstein and Sébastien "Ceb" Debs delved into a discussion about the absence of Last-Chance Qualifiers for The International 12 (TI12). While uncertainty looms, both players speculated that Valve might not include the qualifiers this year since no official announcement has been made. Their remarks touched upon their hopes for a slight fan uproar, expressing disappointment in the cancellation of this crucial tournament stage.

The last chance qualifiers (LCQ) prior to The International 11 (TI11) were highly regarded by fans, often being referred to as a "mini-TI" due to the intense level of competition showcased. The LCQ provided teams with a final opportunity to secure a spot at the prestigious tournament, and the matches were fiercely contested. The excitement surrounding the LCQ reached its peak when Team Secret and Team Liquid, the two teams that advanced from the qualifiers, went on to secure remarkable 2nd and 3rd place finishes at TI11. This success fueled the anticipation among fans, leading them to believe that the LCQ format would make a return for TI12, eager to witness another round of intense battles and unexpected upsets.

In their discussion, Ceb raised the question, recalling the past, "Oh yeah right, right. Last time, the last chance qualifiers also happened on time, right?" This prompted N0tail to express his uncertainty, saying, "There's no last chance qualifiers this time, right? I believe no,"

The absence of official announcements regarding the qualifiers led them to speculate that there might not be any this year.

"I mean it hasn't been announced and they probably would have had to announce it sometime soon. I hope there's an uproar about it. I hope people become slightly upset. It was so impactful last year and it was something that Valve always used to preach. I feel like they should stick with it now that it worked last year," N0tail said.

"I was under the impression that they were happy with the last chance qualifiers as in terms of the competition," Ceb said.

"I heard it was a big nuisance logistically to have to deal with extra staff and it was easier just to not deal with it," N0tail added.

RELATED: List of Dota 2 Teams That Have Qualified for Bali Major 2023

Both players' concerns revolve around the absence of last-chance qualifiers, an event that provided excitement and gave teams a final opportunity to secure a spot at TI. As fans eagerly await further updates and Valve's decision, the hopes of N0tail and Ceb reflect the sentiment of many, longing for the return of this significant stage in the Dota 2 competitive landscape.