The rapid rise of e-sports continues this July with the biggest and most lucrative tournament held to date. The fourth Dota 2 International takes place in Seattle's 17,000-seat Key Arena, where the world's best teams are competing for a share of a spectacular $10.5 million prize pool, highlighted by a first place award of over $4.8 million.The majority of that funding comes from Dota 2's highly engaged and committed players, who've been buying in-game Compendiums of goodies and rewards that in turn have directly funded the TI4 prize pool. With a new, much larger venue, a prize pool that vastly outstrips anything that's come before, and a comprehensive set of online streaming options, The International 4 promises to be a seminal moment in the history of e-sports.
Aug 31, 2014
Dota 2 is on the front page of today's New York Times
The Gray Lady is taking e-sports seriously
Jul 30, 2014
More than 20 million people watched the most lucrative video game tournament ever
The 'Dota 2' International 2014 had 2 million people watching at once
Jul 21, 2014
These video game players just won $5 million
Valve hands out the grandest prize in video game history to the winners of The International 4
Jul 21, 2014
Meet the pro 'Dota 2' gamers competing for $10 million
E-sports are turning silly teenagers into disciplined professionals
Jul 11, 2014
Vlad Savov and Sam Byford
Can video games be sports?
With millions of fans and millions in prizes, are e-sports living up to their name?
Jul 10, 2014
Valve's quest to take e-sports mainstream
The 'Dota 2' version of the World Cup is bringing pro gaming to the fore
Jul 8, 2014
The biggest e-sports tournament ever starts today and you can watch for free
There are lots of ways to watch all of the 'Dota 2' action
Jun 27, 2014
Fan-funded video game tournament reaches insane $10 million prize pool
Dota 2 is free to play, yet making a ton of money
May 20, 2014
Valve and 'Dota 2' fans raise $6 million prize pool for video game tournament
The rapid rise of e-sports continues