Ame: "Never Give Up" - Exclusive pre-GOTF 2026 interview
Wang “Ame” Chunyu is one of the most successful and consistent carry players in Dota 2 history. Since turning pro at 18 with CDEC Youth, he has become a captain and leader of one of the world's top teams. Ame has finished as runner-up at The Internationa three times (2018, 2021 and 2025). Despite those near misses, he remains focused on winning Dota 2 top titles.
Now, he's bringing that passion to Astana. From July 31 to August 5, Ame and his trusted teammate, xNova, will represent Xtreme Gaming in the MOBA PC Dota 2 discipline pool at the Games of the Future 2026, as. Together they will fight for a share of the US$1 million prize pool.
With a packed training schedule ahead of the tournament, we caught up with Ame for a quick chat.
Ame, throughout your career you've reached Game 5 of The International Grand Final three times - in 2018, 2021, and now again in 2025. How have you learned to deal with that pressure mentally, and has your attitude toward trophies changed over the years?
Just try to aim my focus on the in-game contents and hone my own skills, my attitude toward trophies had not really changed.
You've taken several breaks from professional Dota 2 and stepped away from competition, yet you've always returned as one of the world's elite carry players. What's harder for you: maintaining world-class form or finding the motivation to come back with the same hunger every time?
They are about the same level regarding the 'hardness', and it's really quite hard.
You're often described as the "perfect carry" - the player who always finds his farm no matter the situation. But Dota 2 is a team game. Which teammate understood your movements, decision-making, and playstyle better than anyone else?
That is Jian Wei “xNova” Yap. We played together at The International in 2018 and 2025, and we will be competing together at the Games of the Future 2026.
The GOTF 2026 in Astana is about to begin, and the tournament's unique feature is its phygital format. How would you and your team react if, alongside Dota 2, you also had to complete a physical challenge?
Love the idea of that but feels like almost impossible for me as I have no physical stamina at all!
What are your expectations for the atmosphere in Astana? How important is the energy of a live crowd to you, especially at a completely new tournament like this?
We are really looking forward to the audience that cheer for us, it brings lots of energy to us, we'll definitely get more confidence.
Top esports players compete for enormous prize pools. If you had the opportunity to dedicate a significant personal donation to one cause, what would you choose?
Helping children, because they are the future of this planet.
The community knows about your passion for anime, which contrasts with your calm and composed image in-game. Does immersing yourself in that world help you completely reset mentally between long, exhausting tournament seasons?
Yes, watching some anime during breaks and off-seasons helps me relax and adjust my momentum, it helps me totally forget the pressure of playing Dota2
You're the all-time world leader in both professional games played and victories on Terroblade and Sven. If Valve asked you personally to rework or buff one of those heroes in the next patch, what change would you make?
Bring "Vanquisher" back to Sven!
Imagine that the GOTF 2026 in Astana become the moment of your defining victory. What message would you want to share with young players who are just beginning their esports journey and are afraid of their first major setbacks?
Let's goooooo! Never give up and keep trying!
