SAN FRANCISCO, May 13 ― The August 2018 edition of Dota 2 world championship The International has raised over US$7 million (RM27.6 million) in three days.
Since The International started crowdfunding its prize pool, each subsequent edition has exceeded the total raised by its predecessors.
In 2013, that pot was US$2.8 million; in 2014, US$11 million.
The 2015 event rose to over US$18 million in total winnings, with 2016's International surpassing US$20 million and 2017's fund over US$24 million, the lion's share going to its winning team.
Ahead of an August 20-25 competition in 2018, Dota 2 developer and publisher Valve Corp has launched its US$9.99 2018 Battle Pass, a package of exclusive game modes, rewards and tournament-oriented features that can be bought and then augmented multiple times for added benefits.
The optional update, which looks to have taken some inspiration from the Battle Royale genre, includes in-game tipping, team challenge tokens, a mutation mode and The Underhollow.
As is custom, 25 per cent of all Battle Pass sales are funneled into The International prize pool.
After three days, and with over three months remaining until The International 2018, the competition's prize pool stands at US$7.2 million. ― AFP-Relaxnews
