In a shocking turn of events for the Chinese Dota 2 scene, Holy Grail, a team once seen as a rising star, is now under intense scrutiny following explosive match-fixing allegations during The International 2023 (TI12) China Qualifier.
AFKGaming reports that Bilibili content creator Jie Chu Ge, the esports watchdog who previously exposed the misconduct of Knights, dropped a bombshell video implicating Holy Grail.
The accusations extend beyond Holy Grail, suggesting possible involvement by Team Bright and Team Disillusion (now Dark Horse). It is a scandal sending shockwaves through the gaming community, raising questions about the integrity of one of Dota's powerhouse regions.
Allegations Unveiled
Jie Chu Ge's video meticulously unveils a web of deception, with recorded voice communications from Holy Grail players during the TI12 China Qualifier.
The evidence paints a disturbing picture of match-fixing discussions, revealing planned in-game actions like intentional losses at specific moments. The video also highlighted talks of distributing betting payouts among team members and management.
Gameplay Under the Microscope
The heart of the allegations lies in dissecting Holy Grail's gameplay during the qualifier matches.
One standout moment occurs at the 35-minute mark, where, despite a substantial 12K gold advantage, Holy Grail inexplicably opts to contest Roshan instead of capitalizing on their lead.
This baffling decision ultimately led to their defeat, leaving spectators scratching their heads and fueling suspicions of foul play.
Read Also: Modern Warfare III Receives Poor Reviews Due to Bugs and a Lackluster Campaign
Team Bright and Team Disillusion Implicated
The scandal takes a darker turn as the recordings suggest threats against Jie Chu Ge for exposing the match-fixing activities.
Holy Grail's players went as far as threatening harm to the content creator's life should their illicit activities be brought to light.
Esports.gg reports that the video, now shared in tens of thousands, reached a number of key Chinese Dota 2 casters - commenting on the legitimacy of the evidence.
The sinister backdrop amplifies the gravity of the situation, turning a spotlight on the toxic underbelly of competitive gaming.
As the dust settled, it was revealed that Holy Grail might not be alone in this scandal. Team Bright and Team Disillusion (now Dark Horse) are entangled in the controversy.
The allegations hint at a potential collaboration to manipulate matches for betting purposes, casting a broader shadow over the competitive integrity of Chinese Dota 2.
Investigations Launched
Jie Chu Ge wasted no time reporting these explosive findings to Perfect World, ESL, and Valve. The gaming giants have initiated investigations into the matter, promising a thorough examination of the allegations.
The esports community now awaits the outcomes, hoping for swift justice and a restoration of faith in the competitive integrity of the Chinese Dota 2 scene.
The aftermath of this revelation will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the esports landscape, reshaping the narrative of Chinese Dota 2 for seasons to come.
Earlier this year, two companies banned 46 players from the Chinese Dota 2 scene. Twenty-one received lifetime bans, preventing them from ever participating in Valve or Perfect World tournaments.
The reasons for the bans and their varying lengths were not specified other than citing "esports integrity violations."
Related Article: Forza Motorsport Players Experience a Myriad of Issues Following Game's Recent Update