The International’s (TI) prize pool for 2023 has set the Dota 2 community abuzz. The total prize pool for this year has having decreased compared to its previous years. As of now, it stands at a mere $2.72 Million USD, marking only a 70.52% increase from its base of $1.6 Million USD.
Jonathan “Loda” Berg is a renowned Dota 2 champion who led Alliance to victory at TI in 2013. He recently expressed his concerns over this sharp decline. Loda’s championship year saw a prize pool close to $3 million, but recent years have seen an explosion in TI’s financial rewards.
Taking to Twitter, Loda remarked:
As a person who won TI when the prize pool was far lower than its been in the past few years, I really don’t think we need 30 mil $ prize pool but it’s a serious problem if TI is not the biggest tournament of the year.
— Jonathan “Loda” Berg (@LodaBerg) October 1, 2023
His concerns bring to light the importance of TI’s status as the premier Dota 2 event.
Loda also touched upon the significance of the Compendium, a feature that was instrumental in expanding the prize pool in past years.
“My team is not even at TI. I don’t want everything to be team or player-branded. Might sound selfish but I’d rather have a cool skin than player cards. My own experience using the Compendium has been just as important as knowing that I’m supporting the prize pool.”
Loda
Such candid insights have emphasized the need to strike a balance between supporting teams and players while also maintaining the essence of TI as a global Dota 2 celebration.
The issue isn’t solely about the prize pool’s decline, but also the nature of the Compendium itself. Popular Dota 2 streamer Janne “Gorgc” Stefanovski hinted at a bleak outlook for the TI12 prize pool. He suggested that even a $5 million target would be ambitious.
While the Compendium for 2023 had less time to raise funds, its lack of significant content has left many players feeling let down. Valve’s shift in focus from the Battle Pass to Gameplay Updates has translated into reduced sales and enthusiasm.
A stark indicator of this shift in sentiment is highlighted by the spending habits of a Saudi prince. He famously splashed over $6,000 on The International 2020 Battle Pass, acquiring more than 10,000 levels. In contrast, this year, the same player has invested a mere $200.
The sentiment within the community is visible in the shifting landscape as well. While the financial figures are of concern, the underlying call is for a deeper connection with the fans and a celebration of Dota 2’s core spirit.
Peter “ppd” Dager is another influential figure in the Dota 2 community. He posed the question, Time to rebuild teams with fans at the center instead of the players?” A sentiment Loda promptly endorsed, he replied by saying, “Yes, fans first.”
Back in 2018, I dreamt of a grander vision for Dota 2 esports. We settled for what Valve offered instead. With the DPC chapter closed, can we seize our true potential this time?
— Peterpandam ⌐◨-◨ (@Peterpandam) October 3, 2023
Would you back a player-led tournament initiative? #dota2 #esports pic.twitter.com/C0bUKdSumZ
As the esports landscape continues to evolve, there is a call from the Dota 2 community to prioritize fans’ experiences and connections to the game. This reaffirms the fact that the heart of Dota 2 lies in its global community of supporters.