The DRK Dota Weekly Cup can be considered the biggest event for the aging Dota scene in our country in 2020. With 4 online qualifying rounds and 1 on-site event in Da Nang, the tournament is a positive stepping stone for the community before competing at SEAGAME 31 – where Vietnam will be the host country.
However, the name DRK is still quite new and has not appeared throughout the flow of esports in Vietnam. So, who are they, and what made DRK decide to organize a large-scale tournament for a community that is not exactly “trending” like DOTA 2? Let’s meet Huỳnh Đức Vân, also known as Kao Van – the first investor of DRK.
Interviewer: Hello Kao Van, thank you very much for taking the time to answer this interview today. First of all, I and the readers are very curious, what is DRK?
Kao Van: Do you know Bitcoin (BTC)? Do you know Ethereum (ETH)? If the answer is yes, then DRK is a coin with quite similar Blockchain technology. However, DRK has its own advantages, where the technology of BTC and ETH has not yet filled the gap.
Interviewer: That’s really interesting. So, what promise does a technology project like DRK see in the esports sector to decide to invest here?
Kao Van: We are pioneers in the Blockchain field in Vietnam with over 6 years of companionship and development. With national pride, we want Vietnam to become an esports powerhouse, and the first step will be to win the upcoming SEAGAMES 31.
In my younger days, I also competed in Dota and achieved my own championships, enough to leave unforgettable marks in my heart with this discipline. From a player’s position, I understand the potential of esports as well as the difficulties and hardships faced by Vietnamese gamers until now. That is why I am determined to “go big” by investing in competitive teams and organizing large-scale tournaments.
Interviewer: So, before this DOTA 2 tournament, DRK has already made preliminary moves in the esports market. Can you share with the readers about the genres that DRK has previously implemented?
Kao Van: DRK Esports took its first steps with 2 genres: PUBG PC and PUBG Mobile. Currently, both of our teams are in second place nationally, but I believe with the training efforts of the young DRK boys, the goal of being number 1 in Vietnam and expanding to the region and even international tournaments is not far away.
Interviewer: As a young and successful investor, as well as someone very attached to Dota in the past, can you share what led a busy person like you to return to this game in 2020 with the readers?
Kao Van: My passion for Dota comes not only from successes but also from the days of my youth striving hard. Therefore, this game has always been linked to my youthful memories for over a decade. I believe that anyone who has experienced those fiery years in the Vietnamese gaming scene shares similar feelings.
My bond with Dota in particular and the gaming community in general is the first step that led me back to esports. Additionally, I also see the potential of this investment area as the world’s interest in esports is growing. Just in 2020, Dota broke the crowdfunding record with over 40 million USD in prize money, while League of Legends achieved 139 million hours of views during the World Championship.
Interviewer: The on-site round in Da Nang is truly a wonderful idea, as the community and teams haven’t had a chance to come together like this for a long time. Can you briefly introduce the gaming house and the venue for this tournament?
Kao Van: I believe that deep down, every gamer has strong ambitions and a desire to win. Moreover, the hardships in training and the pressures from family and society are burdens that these young men must bear on their own. Understanding this, I invested in the DRK Esports Gaming house as luxurious villas and hotels. I believe that with such different living and training conditions, my boys will have more motivation and abundant energy to actively try hard, aiming for success ahead.
With the hope that this DOTA 2 tournament will bring a positive effect in the community, my colleagues and I are ready to organize a grand on-site round, even showcasing Hologram technology. DRK demonstrated this technology at the gathering event on December 4th for over 1000 attendees.
Interviewer: What plans does DRK have for DOTA 2 in 2021 and esports in general?
Kao Van: I always hope that one day DRK will truly explode and develop with Vietnamese esports, surpassing the molds and barriers of current society. Therefore, all current investments are just the beginning, as this is a long-term process of effort and struggle, not just one or two years.
With the knowledge and success in realizing advanced technologies of the future into today’s life – economy, DRK’s goal in esports is to fulfill the uncompleted dreams of youth, bringing victories that make our nation proud.
Interviewer: Thank you very much for answering these questions this time. I wish you and DRK’s future projects continued success.