NS unexpectedly defended Valve after the disappointing 2024 Compendium

Yaroslav "NS" Kuznetsov, a streamer and former esports player, unexpectedly defended Valve after widespread criticism regarding the failed 2024 Compendium.

NS shared a post addressing the Dota 2 community in his Telegram channel.

"The complaints about the Compendium are both amusing and surprising. I still can't understand how many people haven't realized that the old Battle Pass is now Crownfall, and it's practically free, just as Valve promised. All the chests, Immortals, Arcanas, and other goodies are there, while the Compendium is now a different story (since last year, actually)"

He explained that Valve had already released the Battle Pass, which is now Crownfall, and emphasized that this Battle Pass is nearly free, offering skins and many other rewards. Moreover, he believes that Valve is intentionally dividing Dota 2 between casual players and esports fans.

"And all of this is not accidental. Valve has a plan they are sticking to. The plan is quite clear and logical: to separate casual gaming from esports within the game and to reduce the TI prize pool so that it doesn't feel like there's only one tournament a year, with the rest being just 'fun events'"

According to him, even the reduction in The International 2024 prize pool is not a mistake but a deliberate move to make the World Championship more comparable to an average Dota 2 tournament and to level their importance.

This statement indeed surprised fans, as almost everyone - players, commentators, and esports professionals - criticized the 2024 Compendium, claiming it was nearly empty and lacked the expected rewards.