Our annual The Worldwide weblog posts at all times began with TI lauded because the “largest 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 complicated on-line recreation there’s and we imagine that that is nonetheless true. Nonetheless, it’s unattainable to disclaim that this yr TI was a bit lacklustre and at present we want to focus on some issues that might 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 sides and the rise within the map measurement made the sport significantly extra attention-grabbing to play in any respect ranges. It additionally led to some stability points and we really feel like there are two predominant 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 nicely. Making a “good” patch is unattainable, however striving for it over the course of the yr to culminate in a Match 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 price.
The issue with this method is that it results in a moderately stale pub meta and no new content material updates. Personally, we imagine that balancing across the skilled scene is nice for the skilled scene, nevertheless 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 the direction of the common gamers, so maybe the gradual and regular route merely isn’t an choice.
In that case, possibly having a TI-specific patch, launched very near the match begin might be an answer. Skilled gamers are the quickest to adapt and being versatile is certainly one of many extra essential abilities in Dota. Let flexibility and adaptation be the primary focus, moderately than the execution of one of the best technique.
We firmly imagine {that a} new, Main patch launched every week or so earlier than the match may end in a really bizarre, however a really attention-grabbing 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. Wouldn’t it 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 significantly enjoyable to observe.
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 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 nicely deserved. From a spectator facet 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 recreation to observe, there’s nothing significantly unsuitable with it, however having Group Stage matter extra is definitely 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 imagine that crucial sequence of the match deserves its personal day. Sure, it’ll considerably get rid of the higher bracket benefit and sure, it’ll lengthen the match. Nonetheless, it’s a compromise that needs to be not less than thought of.
Final time we had a wonderful TI Grand Finals sequence was again in 2021 and at this level now we have 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 would like our athletes contemporary and at their finest, not fatigued. It may nonetheless result in a sweep, it may all nonetheless finish in a boring sequence, however not less than we’d make sure it’s as a result of one workforce is that a lot better, not as a result of one workforce 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 trustworthy, we don’t suppose it’s what issues to TI. It’s positively a Match standing factor and possibly some gamers are higher motivated by greater rewards and possibly they might be taking part in higher, however we don’t imagine 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 group comes collectively to benefit from the highest potential degree of aggressive play. The one factor the prize pool modifications is the comparability to different video games and doubtlessly the viewership numbers from folks testing 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 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 Greatest Esports Occasion of the 12 months much more attention-grabbing and entertaining.
