shira
Member
July 21st is the Grand Finals
Stream starts:
Newbee vs VG
Winner:
Current standings and results
Official link with "no-spoiler" reveal button (scroll way down and unspoiler by clicking button)
Alternate link - full spoilers
Alternate link - full spoilers
How to watch
1. Install Steam, Install Dota 2, watch in-game
2. Watch here: http://www.dota2.com/international/watch/July20/
3. Go to twitch.tv, click Dota 2, click The International streams:Main Channel, Stream 1, Stream 2, Stream 3, Stream 4 (Protip: Combine multiple streams using multitwitch.tv)
4. Valve has added a beginner friendly stream with explanations and less jargon for newcomers to MOBA games and casual fans: http://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti_noob.
The Full Schedule: via Reddit with casters, mobile friendly
WHAT
The International is the grandest tournament of the year. Valve pulls out all the stops to invite all the top fans, players, casters, and personalities to Seattle for a huge prize pool and accommodation at the finest hotels. Players are treated like royalty while they are battling it out for Dota supremacy. The first 3 Internationals have all started with a $1.6 million dollar prize pool, but Valve has managed to maximize their crowd funding techniques to increase the prize pool almost 10x over.
The Compendium is a digital book filled with incentives and prizes for purchasers willing to complete challenges and earn or buy extra points. The Dota community has managed to increase the prize pool to eclipse real sports events like golf's US Open prize pool
WHY
Winning the International means that you will be immortalized in the game, given the Aegis of the Immortal trophy, and bragging rights until the next International. Most players have said that the money is not a big issue and that the validation of years of training and the pride of winning is more than mere dollars could ever achieve, but in essence each player on the winning team will become a millionaire on July 21st. This large prize pool also has been noticed by traditional forms of media including major newspapers and Swedish TV. The sheer size and magnitude of the prize pool and has great implications for potential sponsors, the future of e-sports, and the future of gaming.
Approximate prize money $USD
1st - 5M
2nd - 1.47M
3rd - 1.0M EG
4th - 816k: DK
5/6th - 640k: C9 & LGD
7/8th - 517k: Navi & iG
9/10th - 49k: Liquid & Titan
11/12th - 38k: mouz & Alliance
13/14th - 22k: Empire & Fnatic
WHEN/WHERE
Phases 1-3: The Playoffs (Bellvue Westin) - July 8-14, 2014
- Matches start 9AM PST and end around 8PM PST
- July 8th also includes the 1v1 championships.
- Spectators include the players, guests, casters, and VIP ticket holders
Phase 4: The Main Event (Key Arena) - July 18-21, 2014
- Matches start 9AM and end 8PM PST
- Saturday July 19th includes the All-Star challenge
- Spectators include a sold out crowd of 10,000
- July 21st Grand Finals start after an interview session scheduled at 9AM PST and ends at 5PM PST
HOW
There will be three main ways to watch the International.
1. Watch live or download the matches via the in-game client
2. Watch live or VODs on Valve's Dota2 homepage
3. Watch live or VODs on twitch.tv and youtube.com
Swedish fans will also be able to watch the main event on TV6
WHO
This year we have descriptions of each team written by fellow DotaGAF. Please to enjoy!
Natus Vincere
Navi.US
Stream starts:
Newbee vs VG
Winner:
Winner=Newbee
Current standings and results
Official link with "no-spoiler" reveal button (scroll way down and unspoiler by clicking button)
Alternate link - full spoilers
Alternate link - full spoilers
How to watch
1. Install Steam, Install Dota 2, watch in-game
2. Watch here: http://www.dota2.com/international/watch/July20/
3. Go to twitch.tv, click Dota 2, click The International streams:Main Channel, Stream 1, Stream 2, Stream 3, Stream 4 (Protip: Combine multiple streams using multitwitch.tv)
4. Valve has added a beginner friendly stream with explanations and less jargon for newcomers to MOBA games and casual fans: http://www.twitch.tv/dota2ti_noob.
The Full Schedule: via Reddit with casters, mobile friendly
WHAT
The International is the grandest tournament of the year. Valve pulls out all the stops to invite all the top fans, players, casters, and personalities to Seattle for a huge prize pool and accommodation at the finest hotels. Players are treated like royalty while they are battling it out for Dota supremacy. The first 3 Internationals have all started with a $1.6 million dollar prize pool, but Valve has managed to maximize their crowd funding techniques to increase the prize pool almost 10x over.
The Compendium is a digital book filled with incentives and prizes for purchasers willing to complete challenges and earn or buy extra points. The Dota community has managed to increase the prize pool to eclipse real sports events like golf's US Open prize pool
WHY
Winning the International means that you will be immortalized in the game, given the Aegis of the Immortal trophy, and bragging rights until the next International. Most players have said that the money is not a big issue and that the validation of years of training and the pride of winning is more than mere dollars could ever achieve, but in essence each player on the winning team will become a millionaire on July 21st. This large prize pool also has been noticed by traditional forms of media including major newspapers and Swedish TV. The sheer size and magnitude of the prize pool and has great implications for potential sponsors, the future of e-sports, and the future of gaming.
Approximate prize money $USD
1st - 5M
2nd - 1.47M
3rd - 1.0M EG
4th - 816k: DK
5/6th - 640k: C9 & LGD
7/8th - 517k: Navi & iG
9/10th - 49k: Liquid & Titan
11/12th - 38k: mouz & Alliance
13/14th - 22k: Empire & Fnatic
WHEN/WHERE
Phases 1-3: The Playoffs (Bellvue Westin) - July 8-14, 2014
- Matches start 9AM PST and end around 8PM PST
- July 8th also includes the 1v1 championships.
- Spectators include the players, guests, casters, and VIP ticket holders
Phase 4: The Main Event (Key Arena) - July 18-21, 2014
- Matches start 9AM and end 8PM PST
- Saturday July 19th includes the All-Star challenge
- Spectators include a sold out crowd of 10,000
- July 21st Grand Finals start after an interview session scheduled at 9AM PST and ends at 5PM PST
HOW
There will be three main ways to watch the International.
1. Watch live or download the matches via the in-game client
2. Watch live or VODs on Valve's Dota2 homepage
3. Watch live or VODs on twitch.tv and youtube.com
Swedish fans will also be able to watch the main event on TV6
WHO
This year we have descriptions of each team written by fellow DotaGAF. Please to enjoy!
Natus Vincere
Heavy's Sandvich said:Clement "Puppey" Ivanov (C) (Support)
Danylo "Dendi" Ishutin (Mid)
Kuro Salehi "KuroKy" Takhasomi (Support)
Oleksandr "XBOCT" Dashkevich (Carry)
Hlib "Funn1k" Lipatnikov (Offlaner)
The International Record
Winners: 2011
Runners-up: 2012, 2013
Recent results:
1st SLTV StarSeries Season 8
2nd XMG Captains Draft Invitational
1st Dota 2 Champions League Season 2
5-6th SLTV StarSeries Season 9
4th The Summit
2nd HyperX D2L Western Challenge
5-8th ESL One Frankfurt
Trademark heroes:
Puppey: Chen, Enchantress, Enigma
Dendi: Storm Spirit, Queen of Pain, Puck
Kuroky: Rubick, Sand King, Lion
Xboct: Weaver, Mirana, Lycan
Funn1k: Natures Prophet, Batrider, Clinkz
General Description:
Since finishing runners-up at The International 2013, NaVi have endured an inconsistent season where they have failed to exert the same level of dominance over the Dota 2 scene like they once did. Easily the most recognisable brand in esports, NaVi have, at times, demonstrated why they are so popular with fans across the world but have also failed to replicate their style when it has come to the latter stages of a tournament.
Puppey is renowned for being one of the best drafters in the game but it appears that he has struggled to get to grips with drafting in order to compliment NaVis playing style with the changing meta. I would also add that I believe Dendi no longer has the dominance he once had over the mid lane, with his signature heroes appearing to struggle to adjust to the new strategies devised. Xboct will continue to Xboct. Funn1k has shown why he is considered one of the best offlaners in Dota 2 and has been one of the brighter stars of NaVi. My old mate Kuroky, my favourite player in esports, not much to say about him other than the fact his Rubick is the most overrated player in sports. Not esports, sports.
But we cannot forget the fact theyre NaVi. What they have is an abundance of experience. Theyve performed at the highest levels, time and time again at the International, proving that recent form has no bearing on their performances when it has mattered most. There arent many teams out there that can match NaVis bouncebackability. Get ready for squeaky bum time Na'Vi fans.
As strange as it is to write this, NaVi are no longer considered one of the favourites to win The International considering the struggles theyve had since the last one. But theyre everyones dark horse.
Navi.US
neurosisxeno said:JingJun "Sneyking" Wu
Steven "Korok" Ashworth
Braxton "Brax" Paulson
Ioannis "Fogged" Loucas
Theeban "1437" Siva
Recent Results:
1st Gigabyte Challenge #4, 3rd ADL Season 2
What happens when you throw a bunch of teamless top tier players from America (and one from Canada) together and give them a singular goal? A surprise team that storms gates of the America's Qualifier and secures themselves a guaranteed invite to the biggest eSports event to date. Natus Vincere's US squad was originally founded just 3 months ago as North American Rejects--a tongue in cheek name for a collection of 5 players who had bounced around some of North America's premier teams over the past 3+ years.
North American Rejects was formed with the sole purpose of securing a spot in the tournament for these 5 players, all of whom were looking to return to the big stage after playing for various teams in The International 2013. It looks as though their plan worked, having gone 8-2 in the Group Stage and then swept the heavily favored Team Liquid 2-0 in the Upper Bracket before an intense 3-2 victory over Team Liquid in the Grand Finals. Although not the top dogs they were following TI3, Team Liquid--Korok's former team--is the highest placing American team to date, so beating them was what you may call a rite of passage.
Shortly after securing a spot in the TI4 main event, North American Rejects were picked up by the most unlikely of organizations, Natus Vincere. It's very unusual for gaming organizations to have multiple teams (although LGD and OK.Nirvana have had Chinese and International teams) but surprisingly fitting considering the saying from TI2; "Na`vi, best team NA". Although that was referring to the European Na`vi organization, it will be interesting to see the two fact off.
The last major event Na'vi.US competed in was Beyond The Summit's The Summit, and against the might of top tier Chinese and European teams, they did not look nearly as prepared as they will need to be going into TI4. If Na`vi.US was to go for the gold, they are going to need to work as a more cohesive team, and broaden their skillset. For some odd reason their players have abandoned their previously signature heroes and tried to redefine themselves as players. Their players have the skill, they have the support of a major eSports organization, and at this point they have nothing to lose, but they still have to prove that Na`vi.US is best team NA by winning The International 2014.