The Shanghai Major Group Stage has been an Unmitigated Disaster

A hugely disappointing event so far.

For a Valve sponsored event, the Shanghai Major's group stage has been an unmitigated disaster, plagued by production troubles, drama, and serious lack of professionalism from a multi-billion dollar company and its managing director. It is always worrying when the events surrounding a tournament distract from the games played, but the scale of the, and let's be frank here, shit-storm surrounding the Shanghai Major is unprecedented.

Group stage production troubles can usually be forgiven as they're often fixed by the time of the main event, but for Valve to hire KeyTV again after their utter incompetence at the Nanyang Championship is absurd. They've now been fired, as has tournament host James "2GD" Harding, who has been publicly branded an "ass" by Valve managing director Gabe Newell.

A disappointingly unprofessional statement from the head of a multi-billion dollar company regarding  a multi-million dollar tournament.

You can read James' statement on the situation HERE and it's hard not to sympathize with him. Like him or loathe him, 2GD is responsible for much of the popularity esports currently enjoys. It was his hosting, along with Bruno, at TI2, TI3 that made Dota 2's professional scene appealing, and his work with The GD Show introduced many to the idea of professional esports broadcast.

When you hire 2GD you know what you are getting. You know his personality, hosting style, and the work he does behind the scenes to ensure a quality experience for the viewer. Our article covers his strengths, so we won't repeat ourselves. His removal from the event has started a chain reaction that has turned a slightly shonky event, with personality, into an absolute disaster.

Mannnnnnnn proud of my brother @follow2GD handled that with class imo. Asked him to be himself and then fired him + insult him.. sick.

— Geoff Robinson (@EGiNcontroL) February 27, 2016

"So I’m fired. But honestly I doubt Gabe even knew that I was told to be myself. And just didn’t like how i was representing his event and my style, so probably thinks… I am ‘an ass’. Plus on top of all the other problems they were having, I can only imagine that things were quite stressful for people at Valve. But they… put themselves in this situation. It’s no ones fault but theirs. They agreed to the contractors and so on for this 3 million dollar prize pool tournament. ultimately It is their responsibility at the end of the day." - James "2GD" Harding

It is baffling that a host of a multi-million dollar tournament has been fired for doing his job. Again, fan or not of his style, James was hired and told to "be himself." According to his statement, he was warned for making jokes about pornography, which he then explained and agreed not to do again. He was then fired for a different reason entirely.

"I peer at his phone he is holding, He has an email open, I can quickly read The mail is  from Gabe Newell, That much I saw. I cannot read it, but it appears to be about 3-4 sentences. I looked at his phone because for a brief moment he was just staring at it in disbelief. So.. I joined in.

I ask why?
Bruno: Bottom Bitch Joke, Disrespectful towards players…

For the record the Bottom Bitch joke was about Waga/Sing, personal friends of mine who have both contacted me for support. So for me it wasn’t out of place." - James "2GD" Harding

The reaction from the community has been almost universal in its support of 2GD.

The majority of the community have sided with 2GD, as have many epsorts personalities. The remaining hosts and casters at the event appear understandably drained; the stream is totally devoid of humour and energy. It would be a safe bet to assume the remaining casters would be afraid of criticizing teams if James was fired for being "disrespectful towards players."

The Shanghai Major has a negative, almost depressing, atmosphere and its reputation is in tatters. The only hope is that it gets better because it can't get any worse. For a Valve sponsored, multi-million dollar tournament, it has been an unmitigated disaster.