Dota 2 International tournament prize pool breaks $4 million

eSports have been growing for the last few years, mostly thanks to the rise in Moba popularity and now it's at the point where the best players in the world can make some serious cash. Back in 2011 the International tournament prize for Dota 2 was $1 million, now a few years later the prize pool is exceeding $4 million.

Fans of Dota 2 have been buying copies of “The Compendium” a digital sticker book which doubles as a companion to the International 2014 tournament. Copies cost $2.50 and has raised $1.24 million more than last year, sending the prize pool over the $4 million mark in just five days.

The Dota 2 International tournament started off with a base prize fund of $1.6 million but the compendium sticker book has been offering stretch goals to buyers to encourage people to follow the tournament in order to earn rewards.

People who own a Compendium will earn points, each 100 points will grant the user perks such as an increase in battle points, custom in-game items and effects and custom loading screens. Valve is using this as an opportunity to crowd fund Dota 2 releated development projects too:

• $1.8 million: The International 2014 Battle Point Booster (Battle Point bonus increases as the compendium levels up)
• $2 million: Portfolio of Heroes Triumphant (Bonus Loading Screens)
• $2.2 million: Ability to vote on which hero should receive the next Arcana.
• $2.4 million: A new Compendium-themed HUD.
• $2.6 million: Ability to vote on the participants of an 8 player Solo Championship at The International.
• $2.9 million: All Random Deathmatch game mode available to all players.
• $3.2 million: A Treasure containing Valve created Immortal Items. Every 10 compendium levels grants an extra Treasure.
• $3.5 million: Access to special emoticons that can be used in Dota 2 chat.
• $5 million: A Mini Pudge courier. (Level 50 compendium owners have an alternate skin)

Past the $5 million mark, stretch goals include a 1V1 middle lane matchmaking mode, bonus environmental effects and the ability to customise a building on the teams base.

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KitGuru Says: Dota 2 has become so huge and is helping pave the way for eSport's success. It's even got me hooked at the moment, at first Moba's can be a little daunting but if you have a friend to help guide you through the do's and do not's then it can be a really fun experience. Do any of you guys follow eSports or have plans to follow the International 2014 tournament? 

Source: PCG

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