From Valve: the biggest prize in the history of eSports

But will a little background h4> As many know, at one time, Gabe and Co. have begun drafting Dota 2 , with the involvement of the current Developer Map modification Defence of the Ancients - IceFrog'a. After litigation with Blizzard on copyright, Valve received the final green light for the development of the sequel of the popular card- Fashion for the original Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.

And here the fun began. H5> in 2011 was "world championship", as he was baptized community, and whom he now, after the fact, and is the discipline Dota 2, «The International». At that time, the organizers have been declared a fantastic prize at that time in the 1000000 $ for the first place in the tournament. Won their team Natus Vincere of Ukraine (currently consisting of 3 Ukrainian, German and Estonian captain). Masthead community and pro-original Dota players were involved in the Beta-test and replanted on a still damp then Dota 2.

Every year the number of tournaments multiplied as the number of players, however, to get into the beta can be either bought it for 20 $ , or receiving direct invite from Valve after filling form- questionnaire. He looked (invite) like so:



The next major tournament of the year on Dota 2, The International 2, 2012 the Chinese team won the IG, a victory that plunged the world into an era of professional DotA "China", which the players differ fantastic endurance and teamwork. Asians do not forgive mistakes and do not accept the game "On Courage».



And over the fat guy Chuan (nickname Chuan), probably one of the most charismatic pro-players.

Well, except for the mustachioed American IXmike88, of course.



After the tournament in 2012 Dota 2 as cyber-discipline went uphill. Prize pools in other tournaments grew, but did not go to any comparison with the main tournament of the year from the developers, where last prize money has brought more than a victory in any of the tournaments of the season
End of beta-testing, and выход to release dramatically increase the number of unique visitors, tournaments began to grow like mushrooms after rain, and sponsorship by such technological giants like Asus, Razer, Intel and HP significantly increased the starting prize, which began to reach 80000 - 100 000 $
And here we come to the point of this article. In 2013, a The International 3 Company Valve released the Compendium of the tournament , is placed in the player's profile bought it (the cost of 9.99 $ ). Players have the opportunity to bid, forecasts, players collect cards and other mercy. But most importantly, that with every purchase $ 2.5 (25%) are listed in the prize fund , that and the other organizers adopted subsequently. Then, in the provision of $ 1.6 million in prize money from the Valve community to increase it to the amount of $ 2,874,407 shopping alone "books» Valve still has not moved all the characters in the original DotA Dota 2 ). < br />
We all know what people will vote. I>



But failed.

But this year, Valve outdid themselves. Assess the activity of the users and taking into account the errors of the first "compendium" this year they released its new version.

Cost is still 10 $ , and the owners can charge (2, 5, 5, and $ 10 is not limited Donat, 50 levels worth $ 20) "pump" level book that gives extra. Bonus battle points (experience) the results of the fight. Bonuses are summed between players in the battle, and for each level the player gets a random thing, change the appearance of the hero (main article Donato in Dota 2). For each specific LVL new compendium owner also receives bonuses. Pleasant thing.

Sales began a few days ago , and the tournament will start after qualifying and qualifying in 2 months. At the time of writing, the total amount of the prize fund amounted to nearly 4 500 000 $ in view of starting 1 600 000 $. On the first day of sales Community replenished prize pool of more than 100 000 $ per hour. The amount collected for all of last championship was reached less than a day this year. Awesome.



Just in the comments comrade. dimkagfx provide a link to growth chart < / a> prize The International 4.



Google said that the biggest prize in the history of eSports provided the company Riot Games, developer of the popular MOBA League Of Legends, which amounted to 5 million $. B>

Interesting fact: The main developer and creator of ideas is one of the first developers of Dota map in WC3, Guinsoo. B>

At this point, no one doubts that the Valve using community surpass this figure , because fees only for the first day of sale Compendium TI4 were higher than sales for the entire period of the first version of the "book". By the way, here's what a progress bar with a description of the current sales of buns for the next take the "het" prize fund.



Why Valve made a success with this project? They take into account the wishes of potential community and do the following:

1. Full Port game mechanics of the original maps with improved interface and control. (For very old school players, such as the author, so you can save the use of assorted buttons from WC3, instead of the usual all QWER-management skills that can easily be switched tick in the game settings).
2. Low system requirements.
3. Contact with the community (some discussions and petitions from pro players that alters the balance of work and the ability of some characters).
4. Lack of forced Donata ​​b>, which can affect the balance of power in the course of the game.
5. Involvement of the current Developer original DotA - IceFrog'a 6. Create a all conditions for the development of professional tournaments and watching games directly from the game client.
7. Creating fully functional for commentators , graphs, statistics and other hotkeys "out of the box».
8. Well, of course, they set an example to the organizers, creating a The International
What can be learned from this? As we can see, the company Valve has taken the most adequate position in the market Donata Free To Play games. Donat is cosmetic and does not affect the gameplay, however, the introduction of the unique things, event counters for them and other innovations make the investment in the project is not tedious occupation, as in many games, but enjoyable and fun. Just loyal community can be assessed and the rate of sales growth and a prize fund of the tournament expected in the discipline of the year.

As mentioned in the documentary titled the first The International , removed by the Valve, we stand on the threshold of a new era, the era of e-sports. Children who spend time in clubs and at home PCs have grown up, the new generation of players is approaching its financial independence and ability to pay, and we can observe the birth of the entire entertainment industry. More spectacular and dynamic than any sporting event in the history of mankind.

Because developers fantasy has no limits.

UPD: Taken in het 4 500 000 $. B>



UPD2: at the moment are the qualification of North America, covers their team SLTV. See , games start from 20:00 GMT.

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