Multi-tasking to reach the next level - Profile about DOTA gamers

Not many people can slay an enemy, eat, smoke, listen to music, type and do abnormally large amounts of clicking at the same time. This group of gamers have mastered the art and are challenging their way to the top.

It is full-blown war as you walk into the darkness with blue flickering lights. The air is filled with smoke and it feels as if you have five lit cigarettes dangling in your mouth.

“I’m struggling in safe lane,” an injured soldier cries for help.

“We need to gang Tidehunter in the lane,” the captain shouts.

“They’re farming too hard, Top Lane,” shouts another.

“I’m coming now,” is the reply from the support.

Other than these few short cries for help and commands from the captain, the room is quiet but not silent.

Distant voices can be heard through ear phones and there is a constant clicking sound.

“Fuck man!” Another soldier dies.

20 minutes of this gruelling battle and the fight is over. They have been defeated, now they have to wait till next time…

09:00 on a Sunday morning people are working outside in their gardens, walking into church or preparing a big Sunday lunch. But in a suburban home in Stellenbosch there are soldiers preparing to fight a battle and their preparations have just begun.

They arrive wearing comfortable clothing and they are equipped with their weapons of computer screens, headphones, cables and the most vital of all: the mouse.

Each one brings support equipment of cigarettes, chips, energy drinks and milk for the coffee.

As they enter one by one they take up their posts and start to prepare. Computer screens are connected, headphone chords are untangled, curtains are closed and the humming sounds of computer fans fill the air.

Once everyone has set up they huddle at the sliding door, each with a ‘rollie’ in the one hand a cup of coffee in the other.

The room has a layer of smoke hanging over it and you soon realise the smoke you smell is not only cigarette smoke as some of the players feel the need to calm down.

The captain soon breaks the relaxed and casual thoughts. “Listen guys don’t expect much, I’ll try my best in drafting but I don’t think we’re gonna win.” CJ Bortslap looks at his team members with a serious look on his face.

This statement is not met with the same tone as the team members all laugh and agree with his grim premonition.

Caiden Lemmer, Nick Muntigh, CJ Bortslap, Jacques Olivier and Bradley Slater (who is only known as ‘Brad’) are all sitting by computers with looks of concern, anger and undisturbed concentration as they enter their war.

This war takes place in another world, a world in which they all become members of TheWho (We Hang Out) consist of RideTheTiger, Django, Laxus, KG-Solomon5000 and OhMyBrad.

Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) is their ulterior world and they enter it as often as time allows them.

A professional game will last about 40 minutes but these are planned events which only happen when they wish to move up in the ranks.

Otherwise they just convene to practise and perfect their skills – through whole days of lanning. In one LAN the team will play about 30 games, which can last between 20 to 80 minutes each.

Right now a professional game is what lies ahead.

They are about to face the best in South Africa, ‘BVD’ (Bravado Gaming). “They were very good. They played big overseas teams; even guys that were actually in final in the world cup,” says Caiden.

BVD have challenged and at times defeated teams who played in The International, which is the world championship for Dota2.

The winning team at the international in 2014 received $5 008 128, with five players in a team each member received $1 001 625, 60 each.

This is where this group of young heroes want to be and they are now fighting their way to the top.

The captain prepares his team for the battle as they get serious and discuss their plan of action or ‘drafting’.

“Caiden you’re playing number 1 today as usual. Brad you’re number 2, middle-lane. I will be playing number 3. Jacques and Nick you will be number 4 and 5.”

The hierarchy is clear – captain CJ Bortslap and Caiden Lemmer discuss what they think will work best and once this is done the captain turns to the other two. “I’ll play whatever you feel like drafting,” Caiden says to CJ.

There is one member not in the circle and that is Bradley Slater who joins the team from Durban, his voice can be heard as he is included in the negotiations through TeamSpeak.

“If we play a competitive tournament, we go on another program called TeamSpeak. It’s like a chatroom just for your team so everyone can talk there,” explains Caiden.

It’s clear CJ takes in the information and then considers each suggestion. Once each player has made their suggestion he gives his instructions.

CJ turns to Nick, “do you want to play Enigma?” Nick nods and takes a drag from his rollie.

The captain then turns to the computer screen to ask Brad if he will play Magnus.

Something goes wrong as CJ looks concerned and then goes quiet for a moment. Brad has said he can’t play Magnus so a reshuffling of the roles takes place, “okay Brad you will play Meepo.”

Jacques is relaxed and just accepts the instructions which are handed out to him. He has been told to play Crystal Maiden.

Once the roles are assigned they put out the rollies and resume their positions behind the screens, with headphones on.

“Hi guys, what’s up” is typed by CJ and Jacques as they enter the ‘arena’. Nick and Caiden do not partake in the formalities; they are serious and face their screens.

“Ah man I really wanted to play them full strength,” is heard from Caiden as he looks towards his team mates. TheWho are very disappointed to find out BVD are only four people because their last guy just didn’t pitch.

“Maybe we can actually win now guys,” CJ consoles the team as their disappointment becomes clear.

Once the negotiating is done it goes quiet and the war begins.

 Every now and then one of the team members shakes his head and laughs. Soon they are all doing the same.

“We were laughing because it was just ridiculous to see how good these guys were,” said Nick.

The game lasted 24 minutes. Nick died first.

Nick is the smallest team member but what he lacks in stature he makes up for in swearing and blaspheming.

 They debrief after the game and evaluate how well each one did.

Jacques declared that he thought that was “a waste of time”.

“It could be 4 versus 10 and we would still lose,” says Caiden in disbelief.

“I take it very seriously and I like winning the games,” says Nick.

“He likes doing it but he doesn’t do it often,” replies Caiden.

As the screens are switched off, the lights go on and they leave the world of war defeated.