Last year’s International DOTA 2 tournament, which was hosted by Valve when it took place in Seattle last year, was a triumphant success for both the company and its fans, as players battled for four days before Chinese team Newbee was awarded the top prize of $5 million – the highest ever given in an eSports-related tournament.
Now, it looks like Valve is ready to do it all over again. Polygon has reported the official dates for the next International DOTA 2 tournament, which will take place once again in Seattle from August 3rd through the 8th – an expansion of six days over the original tournament’s four.
Once more, 16 teams will take part in sessions surrounding the MMO-based DOTA 2, with a chance to win big money and prizes. Team invitations are expected to be sent “shortly after” May 1st, according to the company.
Although venue details and a prize pool weren’t mentioned as of yet, the high popularity of the original event could see an even bigger amount of money offered as the grand prize to the best DOTA 2 team. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the top honors granting something along the lines of $7 million – or perhaps even more.
Valve hasn’t provided ticket details as of yet, but the International is likely to be broadcast online again for those who want to watch the action. The company has already provided the release date “so that you’re able to start making room in your schedules.”
One interesting fact with the International 2015 is that it will coincide with another popular game event, the Gamescom convention, which takes place in Cologne, Germany around the same time this year. The original International tournament, also hosted by Valve, originally took place at this venue back in 2011. (Obviously, it’s a much, much bigger deal now.)
There’s no question that this year’s International will once again push the growing activity of eSports to a whole new level, just as 2014’s tournament did.
