There was extra dangerous information for Dota 2’s TI11 occasion after it was revealed that the overall prize pool didn’t meet the goal. The TI prize pool is decided primarily based on the variety of Dota 2 battle go purchases, and with Half I out of the way in which, it was confirmed that the brand new prize pool hit simply shy of $19m.
That is particularly surprising contemplating the TI10 managed a prize pool of $40,018,400, the very best in TI historical past. To fall down so drastically, and never even go previous TI5 when it comes to prize is extraordinarily regarding. That is additionally the primary time that the earnings by way of battle go for TI have been decrease than the predecessor.
TI11 Viewership Document Was Additionally Alarming
TI11 additionally had one of many lowest peak viewership within the competitors’s latest historical past, clocking decrease numbers than not simply TI10, but in addition TI9. For comparability’s sake, TI9 had 88,202,849 hours watched, and peak concurrent viewership of 1,965,328; TI11 had 67,692,105 hours watched, and peak concurrent Dota 2 viewership of 1,748,392.
Seeing the numbers drop on two counts shall be very regarding information for the likes of Valve, and is likely to be time for them to tackle board a number of the complaints which were coming their approach within the final yr or so from followers. On the entire. These numbers are nonetheless a number of the finest amongst most esports, but it surely’s a transparent indicator that Dota 2 is now not the one huge fish within the esports pond.
Would possibly Be Time To Evolve
A few of the points could be directed again to the sport itself, with the likes of Fortnite, Valorant, and different video games taking over a lot of the previous Dota 2 viewers. The likes of CS:GO, LoL, and Dota 2 will all the time retain some loyalty, however they’ve received to watch out, and never take that as a right.
A whole lot of complaints concerning the occasion itself have additionally made their strategy to Valve’s door. The manufacturing values for the TI11 had been known as into query by followers on Reddit, and a few groups additionally complained in regards to the soundproofing points within the recreation. All of those minor points can accumulate, and paint a unfavourable picture of Dota 2. Valve have gotten to be sure that this doesn’t spiral into one thing worse.
The sport itself has all the time been a bit complicated, and youthful avid gamers would possibly look to alternate options. There’s an existential menace right here, which is why it is likely to be time for the sport to evolve, however the evolution shouldn’t come at the price of one thing which may change the core of the sport – the basics that received so many people to like these video games.
Valve Has Received Some Again-Up Plans For Now
Valve has additionally launched TI11 Swag Bag lately, and a number of new content material lately, but it surely gained’t be sufficient to compensate for the drop in numbers in the long term. Regardless of Valve’s finest efforts to pump up the numbers on the ultimate days, it was clear that this iteration wasn’t the success followers had been hoping for. Valve additionally reaffirmed its dedication to the pro-scene final month, which isn’t probably the most reassuring information for followers, but it surely’s higher than nothing.
Valve has received to rid itself of all this speak quickly, nonetheless. If the drop in viewership and prize pool continues subsequent season, Dota 2 would possibly simply need to hit the panic button. Groups and gamers would possibly begin different esports for alternatives, but it surely has not come to that but. For now, issues are nonetheless salvageable.
