It’s unlikely gaining huge numbers result in backing support for the competitive scene
Valve has been making changes in the Dota 2 battle pass system for quite some time, as of now, the most recent change is splitting it into two discrete parts for the first time and distributing the content over five months. The company’s choice appears to have proven handsomely. A recent tweet from Team Secret reads Battle Pass revenue to have crossed over $ 293M from September 1 to January 12 (2022-23). Even with all at hand, Dota 2 is facing criticism because of their minimalistic investment of only $ 18.9M in the TI11 competitive scene. Read below to find more.
What was the criticism all about?
Every year, Valve invests 25% of the overall amount of all battle pass-related expenditures back into the game, which raises the prize pool for The International (TI) competitive season. TI11’s prize pool did receive the customary 25% kickback from Valve, but only for the first part of the battle pass. After that, Valve kept all of the money earned from the battle pass for themselves. Since the first TI in 2011, every iteration has beaten its predecessor’s total prize pool; nevertheless, that 10-year streak was broken with TI11.
Providing the largest prize pool each year is excellent, but making it so profitable while skipping to support the rest of the scene more extensively could be devastating to Dota.
Part I (From September 1, 2022 – November 2, 2022)
After Part I, the TI11 prize pool equalled $18,930,775, which comprised the base $1.6 million that Valve always delivers as well as the $17,330,775 crowdfunded sum. That was far below the record-breaking $40,018,400 total reached by TI10, ending the unprecedented streak and leaving the fans to imagine what could have been another way.
Part II (From November 3, 2022 – January 12, 2023)
As of Part II Valve announced that they are not going to give any of the Part II battle pass profits towards TI. Dota 2 elites are believed to have their way in alternatively. However, based on the current listings and estimates for each Dota Pro Circuit regional league, as well as the Majors in 2023, it seems that has not happened either, they all have the same prize pools as the prior year.
Conclusion
Considering the amazing heights that Dota 2 Battle Pass has been covering, it is destined to grow furthermore in the future. It’s feasible that Valve will rethink its approach towards TI in the future, but it is questionable given the company’s recent actions that are underway.