Our annual The Worldwide weblog posts all the time began with TI lauded because the “largest esports occasion of the yr”. It was all the time a celebration of Dota, the showcase of the best stage of play within the deepest, most advanced on-line recreation there may be and we consider that that is nonetheless true. Nevertheless, it’s unimaginable to disclaim that this yr TI was a bit lacklustre and at the moment we wish to focus on some issues that would return it to its former glory.
The frequency and the sheer dimension of updates the final couple of years have been superior. The introduction of aspects and the rise within the map dimension made the sport significantly extra fascinating to play in any respect ranges. It additionally led to some steadiness points and we really feel like there are two fundamental methods to handle this.
One is to methodically and meticulously steadiness 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 effectively. Making a “excellent” patch is unimaginable, 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 have been fully ignored, with a number of heroes having 90%+ contest price.
The issue with this method is that it results in a somewhat 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 recreation for us, the gamers. Valve’s method the final couple of years, one we absolutely welcome, is to cater in direction of the common gamers, so maybe the sluggish and regular route merely isn’t an possibility.
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 necessary abilities in Dota. Let flexibility and adaptation be the principle focus, somewhat than the execution of one of the best technique.
We firmly consider {that a} new, Main patch launched per week or so earlier than the match may lead to 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 organize? Actually not. Would it not be extra entertaining? Presumably, and it’s a threat 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 principle focus and due to it they have been thrilling, whereas additionally permitting for extra video games. Final yr, the teams have 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 isn’t “unfair” by any means and each single victory and loss have been effectively 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 undoubtedly a enjoyable recreation to look at, there may be nothing notably flawed with it, however having Group Stage matter extra is actually one thing we wish to see subsequent yr.
Lastly, there’s a query of Grand Finals and it’s been mentioned earlier than, however we firmly consider that crucial sequence of the match deserves its personal day. Sure, it can considerably get rid of the higher bracket benefit and sure, it can lengthen the match. Nevertheless, it’s a compromise that must be at the very least thought-about.
Final time we had a wonderful TI Grand Finals sequence was again in 2021 and at this level we’ve 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 greatest, not fatigued. It may nonetheless result in a sweep, it may all nonetheless finish in a boring sequence, however at the very least we’d make certain it’s as a result of one crew is that significantly better, not as a result of one crew simply needed to undergo virtually 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 undoubtedly a Event standing factor and perhaps some gamers are higher motivated by greater rewards and perhaps they’d be enjoying higher, however we don’t consider it has a significant affect on the extent of play.
The Worldwide is a pageant of Dota. It’s when historical past is made, when the champions are topped and when the neighborhood comes collectively to benefit from the highest doable stage of aggressive play. The one factor the prize pool adjustments is the comparability to different video games and doubtlessly the viewership numbers from folks trying out what all of the fuss is about.
For us as Dota gamers, although, does it actually matter whether or not there are extra folks watching? Does having extra viewers improve the precise expertise of seeing what unbelievable performs one of the best gamers on this planet handle to drag 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 Greatest Esports Occasion of the 12 months much more fascinating and entertaining.
