Our annual The Worldwide weblog posts at all times began with TI lauded because the “greatest esports occasion of the yr”. It was at all times a celebration of Dota, the showcase of the best degree of play within the deepest, most advanced on-line sport there’s and we consider that that is nonetheless true. Nonetheless, it’s unattainable to disclaim that this yr TI was a bit lacklustre and right this moment we want to talk about some issues that would return it to its former glory.
The frequency and the sheer measurement of updates the final couple of years had been superior. The introduction of aspects and the rise within the map measurement made the sport significantly extra fascinating to play in any respect ranges. It additionally led to some stability points and we really feel like there are two principal methods to deal with this.
One is to methodically and meticulously stability a patch, beginning a while in the past earlier than a TI. This was the method taken beforehand and to a sure extent it was the method this yr as properly. Making a “good” patch is unattainable, however striving for it over the course of the yr to culminate in a Event with excessive hero and technique variety is feasible. This yr roughly 17% of heroes had been utterly ignored, with a number of heroes having 90%+ contest fee.
The issue with this method is that it results in a moderately stale pub meta and no new content material updates. Personally, we consider that balancing across the skilled scene is nice for the skilled scene, however it doesn’t essentially make for a greater sport for us, the gamers. Valve’s method the final couple of years, one we totally welcome, is to cater in direction of the common gamers, so maybe the gradual and regular route merely isn’t an choice.
In that case, perhaps having a TI-specific patch, launched very near the match begin could possibly be an answer. Skilled gamers are the quickest to adapt and being versatile is certainly one of many extra essential expertise in Dota. Let flexibility and adaptation be the primary focus, moderately than the execution of the very best technique.
We firmly consider {that a} new, Main patch launched per week or so earlier than the match might end in a really bizarre, however a really fascinating TI, with a conflict of many concepts and playstyles. Would the extent of play be the identical, as when groups get months to arrange? Actually not. Wouldn’t it be extra entertaining? Presumably, and it’s a danger value taking in our opinion.
The Group Stage this yr was similar to the Group Stage we had in The Worldwide 2023 with one key distinction — there have been much less groups. In our opinion it made the Group Stage very low stakes and never notably enjoyable to look at.
In years prior, with solely two teams, the seeding was the primary focus and due to it they had been thrilling, whereas additionally permitting for extra video games. Final yr, the teams had been thrilling as a result of one of many groups would get eradicated.
This yr, we had neither. 4 teams of 4 battling it out for nothing, however an opportunity to pick out an opponent for a single BO3 to determine their seeding is only a bizarre format. It’s not “unfair” by any means and each single victory and loss had been properly deserved. From a spectator aspect of expertise, although, it simply felt like busywork: video games performed for the sake of video games being performed.
Given how it’s Dota and it’s positively a enjoyable sport to look at, there’s nothing notably fallacious with it, however having Group Stage matter extra is actually one thing we need to see subsequent yr.
Lastly, there’s a query of Grand Finals and it’s been stated earlier than, however we firmly consider that a very powerful sequence of the match deserves its personal day. Sure, it’s going to considerably get rid of the higher bracket benefit and sure, it’s going to prolong the match. Nonetheless, it’s a compromise that must be a minimum of thought-about.
Final time we had a wonderful TI Grand Finals sequence was again in 2021 and at this level we have now to confess that coming right into a BO5 doubtlessly exhausted after the decrease bracket finals is simply not good for Dota as a spectator sport.
We wish our athletes recent and at their finest, not fatigued. It might nonetheless result in a sweep, it might all nonetheless finish in a boring sequence, however a minimum of we might make sure it’s as a result of one crew is that significantly better, not as a result of one crew simply needed to undergo nearly three hours of intense Dota for an opportunity to play extra Dota.
We intentionally didn’t contact on what many take into account to be an elephant within the room — the prize pool. As a result of, if we’re being sincere, we don’t suppose it’s what issues to TI. It’s positively a Event standing factor and perhaps some gamers are higher motivated by larger rewards and perhaps they might be enjoying higher, however we don’t consider it has a significant affect on the extent of play.
The Worldwide is a competition of Dota. It’s when historical past is made, when the champions are topped and when the group comes collectively to benefit from the highest doable degree of aggressive play. The one factor the prize pool adjustments is the comparability to different video games and doubtlessly the viewership numbers from individuals testing what all of the fuss is about.
For us as Dota gamers, although, does it actually matter whether or not there are extra individuals watching? Does having extra viewers improve the precise expertise of seeing what unimaginable performs the very best gamers on the earth handle to tug off and what loopy methods they attempt to utilise? Personally, I don’t suppose so, however I do suppose there are methods to make the Largest Esports Occasion of the Yr much more fascinating and entertaining.
