Johan Sundstein

Humans have been in competition with computer-based Artificial Intelligence for over 80 years in different games — chess, Go, poker, Jeopardy! — a span that tracks the evolution of computing itself. The latest field of battle are hugely popular multiplayer online games that are worldwide sensations, including one of the most lucrative esports of all — Dota 2. A passionate team of Silicon Valley engineers at San Francisco-based OpenAI is challenged to develop an artificial intelligence bot capable of defeating the world champions of Dota 2 — and given only one year to do it. The outcome could alter the way we think about the frontiers of machine learning and of humanity’s ultimate relationship with AI.

Sébastien Debs, a retired French professional Dota 2 player, returns from retirement to step in for an ESL One Stockholm Major. Having Ceb back on the team gave the younger players the confidence to come out swinging, as he encouraged and pushed them to play like never before. OG started picking up momentum in the Group Stage, finishing second overall and heading into the Main Event with unparalleled energy. Eventually winning the entire tournament and lifting the trophy high, the influence of Ceb the legendary player, and the flexibility and hard work of the new squad produced a result that shocked everyone.

This is the journey of five Dota players and a coach, who, just two months before, had never played together. In 2018, OG were at rock-bottom, hit by painful departures and scrapping in qualifiers for Dota 2's TI8. Against the Odds is the fairytale of this broken team's shot at Gaming’s biggest prize.

Get an inside look at the lives of gaming's most prominent personalities. Focusing on a different player every episode, the series reveals how they rose to fame and what keeps them motivated.