Dota 2’s TI 2023 Earns Title of Worst Tournament, According to RAMZES
The International, Dota 2’s prestigious annual tournament, was renowned for its record-breaking prize pools in previous years. However, this trend came to a halt in 2022, and Valve, the game’s developer, made significant changes for the 2023 edition. These changes included replacing the Battle Pass, which had been a key contributor to the prize pool, with a Compendium. Unfortunately, these alterations appeared to have a negative impact on The International 2023, with many players and fans expressing their disappointment.
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Roman “RAMZES666” Kushnarev, a prominent Dota 2 player, openly criticized TI 2023, labeling it as the worst tournament of the year. He voiced his dissatisfaction on 9Pandas’ YouTube channel, stating that the tournament failed to capture the essence of The International. RAMZES had participated in three previous TIs (2017, 2018, and 2019), during which the prize pool repeatedly broke records. The absence of this excitement, along with the Compendium’s lack of cosmetics and interactive game modes, shattered the illusion of “Dota Christmas.”
Furthermore, the tournament lost its title as the “highest paying Dota 2 event of the year” to Riyadh Masters. Another professional player, Alexey “Solo” Berezin, echoed RAMZES’ sentiments, describing TI 2023 as a “chill and fun tournament.” The International 2023’s prize pool struggled to surpass $3 million, and its growth trajectory appeared to be stagnating following the disappointing Compendium 2023 update. The Dota TV issues during the initial group stage days added to the disappointment, with many Dota 2 players feeling disrespected by Valve’s decision to replace the TI12 Battle Pass.
Despite these issues, 9Pandas remained determined to win the tournament and faced off against regional rivals, BetBoom Team, at 3 pm CT. The changes and criticisms surrounding The International 2023 have raised questions about the future of the event and the importance of maintaining the elements that made it a celebrated spectacle in the world of esports.
The International 2023 marked a departure from the tradition of record-breaking prize pools, leaving both players and fans disheartened by the changes, especially the replacement of the Battle Pass with the Compendium. These alterations led to a decrease in the tournament’s allure and hype. The fate of future Internationals now hangs in the balance, raising concerns about maintaining the event’s legacy in the Dota 2 community.
