Valve’s annual Dota 2 world championship broke its own record (again), for the most valuable prize pool in eSports history, following a new round of contributions that lifted the TI6 cash pool past $18.5 million. And for many Dota 2 fans, that’s not even the best news of the week.
For the sixth consecutive year, Dota 2 has set the record for the richest prize pool in eSports. What started as a $1.6 million competition, between 16 hand-selected teams, has become a global event that creates new millionaires every year. Last year, competitors divvied up more than $18.4 million, with the lion’s share (~$6.6M) going to the winners, Evil Geniuses. This year, the prize pool is already at $18.5 million. And it’s still growing, thanks to a variety of new items and purchase incentives from Valve.
The steadily growing prize pool is exciting news for those competing in this year’s International, along with anyone hoping to see eSports embraced by a larger audience, the record does also bring a bit of good news for the average Dota 2 player. Setting a new record means everyone who purchased the digital guide for TI6 will receive three Trust of the Benefactor treasure chests for helping fund the 2016 prize pool. The treasures won’t be distributed until the end of the tournament. But who’s complaining about free loot?
The latest round of contributions were driven, in large part, by the debut of Immortal Treasure III , rounding out the annual trio of International-exclusive, immortal-distributing treasure chests that help fund the prize pool each year. Immortal Treasure III contains new items for Bane, Earth Spirit, Medusa, Ogre Magi, Razor, Slark and a special rare item for Lina. Players also have a chance to receive an extra 50 levels for their Battle Pass.
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