The International 2023, Dota 2’s top tournament, introduced some significant changes in its format.
The International 2023 Format
In this year, the group stage received a substantial change. Rather than the conventional two groups of ten teams, TI12 featured four groups of five teams.
This shift aimed to make every group stage game more meaningful, with the bottom team in each group being eliminated. The goal was to intensify the competition and maintain audience interest.
The second notable change was the removal of best-of-one lower bracket matches. These intense and emotionally charged matches were part of what made The International special.
Emotional investment is crucial in sports, as research has shown that fans identify with teams and absorb their emotions. Removing such high-stakes matches created a distance between spectators and players, potentially diminishing the viewing experience.
The International 2023 Schedule
Valve aimed to make The International more accessible by scheduling all games on weekends in October. This allowed viewers at home and those attending the tournament to follow the matches with ease. The schedule included a weekend for the group stage, playoffs, and the finals.
This shift addressed concerns about the previous weekday schedules, which often clashed with viewers’ time zones, work or school commitments, and other responsibilities. The packed schedules left little room for catching up on missed games.
With the new schedule, fans could adjust their lives around live matches, utilize the long breaks to watch VODs, and enjoy more content and storylines.
The previous format created an immersive experience for die-hard fans. Comparatively, this new format had some downsides, such as decreased emotional momentum and hype due to extended breaks.
Unraveling Pros’ Perspective
But what did the professionals think? Two-time TI champion Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov expressed his displeasure with the new format. He found the extended breaks between matches and the group stage format to be frustrating, making it feel more like a DPC series.
Miposhka wasn’t alone in his sentiment, as other players shared similar concerns. Many felt that the breaks were unnecessary and that the format could be improved to maintain a steady rhythm of competition.
In summary, the changes to The International 2023’s format and schedule had their pros and cons. While the new group stage format aimed to intensify competition, it removed some emotionally charged matches.
The shift to weekend scheduling made the tournament more accessible to viewers but had drawbacks for die-hard fans. The professional players had mixed feelings about these changes, with some expressing dissatisfaction.
Ultimately, whether these alterations were a “yay” or “nay” depends on one’s perspective and priorities.
For more e-sports content, follow our YouTube channel!