With the arrival of the Riyadh Masters and the promise from tournament organizers to bring the prize pool in esports history, the future of the DOTA 2 prize pool is inspiring, with substantial prize tournaments bigger than what has been seen in TI history.
It could set a new precedent for esports as a whole. With the interest in Dota2 bitcoin betting increasing, too, it’s an exciting time to be a fan to see what the new schedule will bring.
With that in mind, what have been the biggest DOTA 2 prize pool, and how have these helped change the esports landscape?
For this, stick to the end of this GamePike and get the history of the biggest tournament, the DOTA 2 prize pool.
The DOTA 2 International
The DOTA 2 International, or TI for short, is the pinnacle of DOTA 2 competitive gaming. It is an annual competition in which the most outstanding teams worldwide battle for massive cash awards.
TI is a novel fundraising mechanism that distinguishes TI, in which the prize pool is crowdfunded through in-game sales. Some proceeds from selling the “Battle Pass” go straight into the prize pool.
While DOTA wasn’t the first game to adopt this method of crowdsourcing a prize fund, it has undoubtedly been the most successful to do so.
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The Evolution of Prize Pools
The International prize pool has steadily increased since its beginning in 2011. The first International had a prize pool of $1.6 million, a large sum.
However, successive years saw a tremendous increase in community contributions, propelling the prize pool to astronomical proportions, with 2021 seeing a $40 million prize fund up for grabs.
With many different esports still relying on the tried and actual competition circuit with smaller prize funds, DOTA 2 has set itself apart from others. It could be considered the next step for many other esports to take.
Astronomical Figures: TI9 and TI10
The International 9, which took place in 2019, established a new milestone for esports prize pools.
The prize pool grew to an incredible $34.3 million because of the community’s passionate support, making it the highest esports reward pool. The main reward was a whopping $15.6 million, granted to the victorious team, OG.
Following this historic event, The International 10, initially set for 2020 but pushed back to 2021 due to the global pandemic, broke all prior records.
The prize pool for TI10 surpassed $40 million, cementing DOTA 2’s place at the pinnacle of esports in terms of prize money. With future Riyadh Masters tournaments hoping to surpass these figures, plenty could be up for grabs soon.
The Impact of Community Contributions of DOTA 2 Prize Pool
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of community contributions to the prize pool. DOTA 2 fans look forward to the release of each year’s Battle Pass, which includes exclusive in-game items, challenges, and awards.
A significant amount of Battle Pass sales directly feeds the tournament’s prize fund, giving players a way to contribute to the competitive ecosystem they enjoy.
1. Distribution of Prizes
The International prize fund is split among the participating teams based on their final results.
The winning team often receives the lion’s share of the prize pool, frequently getting over 40% of the overall reward pool.
The remaining prize money is divided among the top-ranking teams, providing a significant incentive for vigorous competition.
2. Effect on the Esports Landscape
The massive prize pools of DOTA 2 tournaments, notably The International, have significantly impacted the esports landscape.
They have drawn top-tier talent to the game and brought mainstream esports recognition. Competitive gaming allows players to earn life-changing sums of money, inspiring a new breed of esports athletes.
The DOTA 2 International’s continuously record-breaking prize pools demonstrate the DOTA 2 community’s incredible enthusiasm and dedication. They highlight esports’ bright future as a viable and financially rewarding employment option for young gamers.
Conclusion
DOTA 2 prize pool, being the biggest in esports history, is a testament to the remarkable growth and success of the game and its associated competitive scene.
As DOTA 2 evolves and captures the hearts of fans, we can only expect even more incredible prize pools in the years to come.