The International (TI), the premier tournament for the Dota 2 esports community, is set to take place in 2023 in Seattle. While the event has historically been known for having one of the largest prize pools in the esports sector, projections for 2023 suggest a declining trend. This article will delve into the numbers and factors affecting the prize pool, scrutinizing the Compendium/Battle Pass system and the community’s contributions.

Historical Context: Prize Pool from 2013-2021

VALVE : TI12 could feature the lowest prize pool in years of the tournament’s history.

Between 2013 and 2021, Dota 2’s The International experienced an almost continual increase in its prize pool. This upward trend was made possible largely through the introduction of the Compendium/Battle Pass structure in 2013. By allowing the community to contribute, the prize pool saw substantial growth year-over-year, reaching its peak in 2021.

The Sudden Drop: Comparing 2022’s Prize Pool

However, 2022 saw a drastic reduction in the prize pool, plummeting from over $40 million to a relatively modest $18.9 million. This unexpected decrease has raised many questions about the future of the event and the factors contributing to this decline.

The International 2023: Current Status of the Prize Pool

In preparation for the 2023 event, Valve released TI12’s Compendium. The initial response, however, has been less than favorable. Compared to previous years, the Compendium this year lacks several cosmetic items and traditional Battle Pass features. The following data outlines the current prize pool:

  • Current Prize Pool: $2,987,071
  • Basic Prize Pool: $1,600,000
  • Contributed Prize Pool: $1,387,071

So far, the community has contributed only 46% of TI 2023’s $2.98 million total prize pool. This sluggish growth has put the event behind all previous TIs since 2015.

Future Projections: Sales and Event Date

Valve has confirmed that the Compendium sales will continue until November 17, 2023. Moreover, 25% of the Compendium’s proceeds are allocated to TI12’s prize pool. But given the current rate of growth, the prize pool is unlikely to reach the heights it once did.

Factors Influencing the Prize Pool

Several factors can be attributed to the decreasing prize pool:

  1. Lack of Cosmetic Items: One of the major reasons for the slowdown appears to be the absence of cosmetic items, which are usually a big draw for community contributions.
  2. Missing Battle Pass Features: Previous versions of the Battle Pass included features that were much appreciated by the community, the absence of which has led to decreased enthusiasm for contributions.

Final Thoughts

The decreasing prize pool of Dota 2’s The International 2023 is indicative of a broader issue that warrants attention from both Valve and the community. With fewer incentives in the Compendium and a growing sense of disappointment among fans, the premier Dota 2 event risks losing its status as one of the most lucrative esports tournaments.

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