To some, Dota 2 is just a video game. To Peter “PPD” Dager, it’s a career. Watch as PPD prepares for the biggest video game tournament to ever take place, The International 4: a 10 million dollar gaming tournament in Seattle where the best Dota 2 teams in the world compete for the largest e-sports prize in history.
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Many people will view this video not knowing the challenges that face video game players to reach this level. They all posses skill and a mental aptitude that is very unique. In addition, they all have to have a unique psyche to withstand the constant turmoil of roster changes, inconsistent sponsors and the personalities of various cultures. It is not uncommon for teams to have three and even four different nationalities playing together.
I will add to the video what in my opinion was a defining moment in Peter’s career. I was an undiscovered observer looking out the kitchen window. It occurred outside of video games when the neighborhood sports star who happened to be faster, stronger and much more popular got corned by Peter in a squirt gun, of course with Super-Soakers) fight cornered him. The neighborhood boy looked Peter right in the eye and said, “don’t you dare shoot me.” It was even intimidating to me, as an observer. Peter, hesitating only slightly, unloaded the super-soaker into the boy. I thought at the time, that not only was he fearless but it said a lot about Peter’s will to win.
Peter’s will to win certainly helped propel his career and get him where he is today. However, what stood out to me in the video was the moment after the final loss where Peter is signing autographs. There are few people that could appreciate what it took for him to stay there and do that. He may have had to overcome his biggest challenge, his self. To stay around and control all of his other emotions after losing said an awful lot to me. I salute PPD and his efforts in becoming a champion in more ways than just on the playing field.