For every MOBA player living on this planet, Dota 2 and The Internationals mean the same thing. Everything directly or indirectly related to The Internationals is so hyped and anticipation kicks in months before the tournament.

Dota 2 was released at TI1. The development of Dota meant success for Valve Corporation in every means. Since its release, Dota made way into every major tournament around the world like the Blizzcon and World Cyber Games. Soon it took over the Korean, Chinese, European and American gaming communities by storm. Leagues and tournaments popped up for teams to show their prowess in the greatest game of the time.

Dota 2’s 111 heroes of different skills and purposes, nearly endless strategies and complicated team planning have all contributed to the high stature of the game. Plays were even distinguished on regional basis like the defensive play is known as the ‘Chinese Dota’, then there’s ‘Rat Dota’ where you destroy the turrets slowly, aggressive ones are referred to as ‘American Dota’ and the list goes on.

The hardware manufacturers got their cut when requirements rose for high end products for the tournament. In 2015 NVIDIA was signed as the official hardware supplier. It was not that the usual products didn’t meet the needs, but the idea of super smooth gaming by making the products 10 times better.

The Internationals and Dota 2 were set in for all kinds of attractions, the media, programmers, hosts, live broadcasting and what not. The prize money out of all remains one huge factor that pulls the crowd and the stardom. The game already broke its own previous record of 18 million. With The Internationals, Dota made quite a rapport and a band of loyal players and viewers across the world. Valve in return made sure that their community got the best from them.

Valve’s Erik Johnson believes that the tournament will get even bigger in coming times and the only goal was to make Dota better and better. After the success of TI1, Valve released the first of its kind documentary Free to Play which featured three pro gamers and their journey to The Internationals. This act of Valve completely changed the mindsets of those who looked differently at the gaming community.

Rival Riot Games released League of Legends which was well inspired from Dota 2 and still remains their toughest opponent in terms of players and viewership. The $2.5 billion Valve Corporation looks to expand by releasing something for every year with new games and updates.