Over the past month, The International 2022 has taken place. Anticipated as the top esports event of the year, many expectations were set for this upcoming event. Accordingly, in the following featured article, we’ll be discussing the numbers behind the event and trying to wonder – why was there a slump?
Event Background – A Hard Act to Follow
Let’s start our discussion by first discussing last year’s event. Indeed, without question, that event was spectuacular.
Smashing viewership and prize pool records, returning after the 2020 event being cancelled, The International 2021 was simply incredible for Dota and esports. As a reminder, an astounding $40,000,00 prize pool was on the line while a peak viewers of 2,741,514 was recorded. Also, this event recorded an incredible story for the champions who came out of nowhere!
Naturally, in the esports industry, most scenes strive to involve a year-on-year improvement. Indeed, this means constantly improving thanks to organic and sustainable growth.
Heading into this year, there were doubts whether these statistics could be succeeded. Accordingly, there were also several factors in the way. We’ll discuss them below as we take a look at the numbers!
The International 2022 – Prize Pool Blunder?
Firstly, the main difference this year was the prize pool. Every year, The International’s prize pool is proof that crowd-funding can be incredibly impressive but also disappointing.
After last year’s event, which featured a legendary prize pool, Valve seems to miss the mark this year. Overall, a disappointing in-game Battle Pass failed to convince most to donate to the event – this together with a reduced rate of donations simply failed ot keep up the hype.
However, not meeting last year’s numbers is somewhat understandable. What is a BIG problem is the fact that the 2022 TI event fell back to a prize pool lower than that of 2016! Undoing 6 years of progress, here’s how this year’s prize pool compares to the history of The International:
- 2021 TI – $40,018,195
- 2019 TI – $34,330,068
- 2018 TI – $25,532,177
- 2017 TI – $24,787,916
- 2016 TI – $20,770,460
- 2022 TI – $18,930,775
- 2015 TI – $18,429,613
Offering less than 50% prize than last year, the event missed out on the fundamental aspect of The International. While $18,000,000 remains an impressive prize pool, it’s essential to wonder why such a massive decline was encountered?
Less Excitement = Less Viewership?
Alongside a less flashy prize pool, an aspect which grabs attention, less viewership was registered too. Although not as severe a drop-off as the prize, viewership statistics sat at a respectable peak right below 2019 TI:
- 2021 TI – 2,741,514 Peak Viewers, 857,343 Average Viewers
- 2019 TI – 1,965,328 Peak Viewers, 737,072 Average Viewers
- 2022 TI – 1,751,086 Peak Viewers, 563,713 Average Viewers
- 2018 TI – 1,205,979 Peak Viewers, 537,678 Average Viewers
Considering the decrease in prize pool, it’s comforting to see that viewership was still strong although less than last year.
The International 2022 – Thoughts for the Future
So, has Dota esports reached its ceiling?
In our opinion, it hasn’t and there are particular things which Valve may improve on.
Specifically, starting with the game itself, more regular and perhaps more creative changes to the meta would definitely be a step forward for the overall health of the esport.
Yet, more importantly, we feel that the esports framework needs to be revised. Indeed, more international leagues, as seen in other esports such as CS:GO and League of Legends will help the top teams face off more often.
We’re curious to see what Valve has up their sleeve to make this small slump a thing of the past.
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