Every year, our annual blog posts about The International always highlighted TI as the “biggest esports event of the year”. It has always been a celebration of Dota, showcasing the highest level of play in the most complex online game. While this remains true, it’s hard to ignore that this year’s TI felt somewhat lackluster. Today, we want to discuss ways to bring it back to its former glory.
In recent years, the frequency and size of updates have been impressive. The introduction of facets and the expansion of the map added depth to the game. However, this also led to balance issues. There are two approaches to address this. One is to meticulously balance a patch leading up to TI, aiming for high hero and strategy diversity. The downside is a stale pub meta with no new content updates.
Alternatively, having a TI-specific patch released close to the tournament could promote flexibility and adaptation. A new major patch right before the event could result in a unique and interesting TI, albeit with less preparation time for teams.
The Group Stage this year lacked stakes due to a larger number of teams. In past TIs, seeding was the focus, leading to more exciting matches with higher stakes. Moving forward, making the Group Stage more meaningful for teams and spectators is important.
Regarding the Grand Finals, we believe the most important series deserves its own day to ensure teams are at their best. Exhaustion from preceding matches can impact the quality of gameplay. Giving the Grand Finals its own day could lead to a more competitive and exciting conclusion.
The prize pool, while significant, is not the defining factor of TI. It is the pinnacle of competitive Dota, where history is made and champions are crowned. Ultimately, the focus should be on enhancing the overall experience for players and viewers through improvements in gameplay and format.
