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Re:Dungeons and Dragons Is a Case Study in How Capitalism Ki... by dgb23 on Friday November 05, 2021 @08:45AM (#29118412)
It was however only after DotA was handed[0] to the design/balancing BDFL IceFrog where it became the competitive game that we think of today. Before that, it was really just another yet popular "fun-map". He took advice from the best players and a trusted circle, but was known to have the last word on things.

There is something to say about the quality of a competitive game that is balanced around hardcore play versus a game that is balanced around a profit motive.

[0] I don't remember how the transition came to be.

Re:Dungeons and Dragons Is a Case Study in How Capitalism Ki... by Jensson on Friday November 05, 2021 @09:15AM (#29118743)
5.54b was the last version before Icefrog, and then Icefrog took over development and the game slowly became the clean and interesting e-sport it is today. Was still just hobbyists doing it for fun though. People still don't know who Icefrog is, even after being hired by Valve he remains anonymous.