eSports have taken off in recent years. It’s hard not to appreciate the buzz in the arena, the tension of the players, the cheers of victory, amongst the players with their headsets competing to be the last man standing.
If you’re a fan of eSports, no doubt you’ll be looking up everything you can about the ongoing DOTA 2 Internationals 2021. The tension is palpable as more and more teams are put out of the running to take their place at the top. For all the details, read on.
What is DOTA 2?
DOTA 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena game that sees players compete in a gladiator-style rumble. Two teams of five players are pitted against each other with their own base on the map to defend.
Made by Valve initially as a World of Warcraft mod, the free to play game was quickly accepted as the game to play in eSports.
DOTA (or Defense of the Ancients), was one of the key players in the growth and acceptance of eSports as it was emerging, with Valve themselves hosting their own DOTA tournaments since 2011 initially as a means to market the sequel. With its player-versus-player arena gameplay and the fact that it is free to play, it has become the game of choice for eSports, naturally paving the way for its sequel, DOTA 2 to become even bigger amongst eSports fans.
Featuring epic battles in ancient lands, players can imagine taking part in the Battle of Helm’s Deep with all the high fantasy elements offered. Choose your hero from the ragtag options of mythical creatures and more humanoid magical beings who each offer their own perks and disadvantages.
Are you one for using the brute strength of Brewmaster with his useful habit of splitting into three elemental spirits with their own perks to use, or would you rather use telekinetic powers like the Ancient Apparition to mentally punish your enemies?
Strategy and tactics are a big part of the game, so it takes a skilled player to join the tournament. Some players would be best trying out some of the New Casino games to grab some exciting free spins promotions, because the players admitted to the tournament are on another level. Players are given their own roles, mainly core and support. Cores start out weak and will grow throughout the game, allowing them to carry the team to victory, while supporters deal heavy damage but have no ability, causing them to be the frontrunners at the start of each battle.
What about the tournament?
2021 will see the 10th anniversary of the tournament that catapulted the eSports industry. The DOTA Pro Circuit sees players from all around the globe competing for the one goal: victory at The DOTA 2 International.
This year there will be a single competitive season spanning throughout the year, with games having started in autumn and will conclude in the summer of next year. The season is made up of three tours, in which teams must survive to compete in the one major tournament in the summer. Based on their DPC scores while competing, the top 12 teams at the end of the three tours will then be invited on the road to The International.
The International is the Superbowl of eSports. The crowning event sees the teams compete for the DOTA Pro Circuit finale and triumph to raise the Aegis of Champions and take home a huge cash prize, which this year has gone up to over $18,000,000 for first place.
The last team who got the privilege of lifting the Aegis of Champions were team OG from Europe and that was their second consecutive win. Can they do it again? They are back this year, as well as previous winners Evil Geniuses, who won in 2015, and 2013 winners Alliance.
Where can I watch?
Held in Bucharest’s Arena Națională, in Romania, the players compete at this very moment. However, if you can’t get to Romania right now, never fear, because the whole tournament is live-streamed from the DOTA 2 website, as well as posted on YouTube.
At the moment the upper bracket quarterfinal is wrapping up, which means we have a bit to go until The International is on our doorstep. The upper bracket semi-finals will take place on October 14th with Invictus Gaming vs Team Secret and PSG.LGD against a team that has yet to be determined. The timetable is updated every day as the previous games conclude so check the DOTA2.com website for an accurate account of future games.
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