It’s been seven long years since the legendary James “2GD” Harding left the Dota 2 commentating scene. The Shanghai Major was the last time fans saw this controversial caster before GabeN decided to fire him. In his absence, much darkness has descended upon the fandom. 2GD’s sudden return has graced Singapore with one of the game’s most beloved casters.
According to the man himself, the decision by Valve to fire him in 2016 was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Though Harding had been a beloved commentator for many years, his rapport with Valve was not quite so rosy. The differences between them were primarily over compensation for talent and their handling of event production. This was going on for some time before 2016, but as recent events have shown it’s still a problem. However, that was just the foundation. The real fulcrum of the decision was bad blood between him and a senior Valve production employee.
However, it’s undeniable that Harding’s unique style of casting also played a role in the decision. While it lead to him becoming popular with fans, it also did the opposite for organizers. His boisterous personality meant that he was always a risky horse to bet on if a successful one. Thus, the perfect storm of discontent came together at the Shanghai Major, and Dota history was made. While all agree that the Major was a disaster, opinions on 2GD’s role in it differ. Some say he was the only good part, while others call him a contributor to its failure. But wounds heal with time, and 2GD has had a lot of time.
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The departure from Valve was the end for 2GD. Instead, it was merely a change in trajectory. All the way back in 2012 he created a solo project called The GD Studio. Originally an esports commentary company, they pivoted to game development in 2016, the year Harding split with Valve. 2GD was a professional Quake 4 player before he was a commentator, leading him to create his own shooter. He felt that in his experience there was a divide between developers and pro players across the industry. Diabotical, The GD Studio’s arena shooter, aimed to fix that and create a more harmonious esports environment. The game, which surpassed its Kickstarter goal, was designed with players rather than profit at the center. It refined the classic Quake formula with few frills and a free-to-play business model. As of this writing, Diabotical is currently only available on the Epic Games Store, but that may change.
2GD’s sudden return is likely partly out of necessity for Valve. Their new version of the Battle Pass has not been popular, and neither has their handling of The International. While PGL’s performance hasn’t been as bad as Perfect World’s, the event they’re producing is much more important. Additionally, the pushy integration of gambling into the event has earned the ire of a great many fans. Valve needed something (or someone) to earn back community trust, so they brought back their best caster. 2GD’s return is a breath of fresh air in a time dominated by profit over players. It seems that this is not a one-time cameo but a full-fledged return to glory. Hopefully, 2GD can outshine PGL and make this International one to remember fondly.
