The gaming community is commemorating the announcement of Dota 2 by Valve 15 years ago.
Today, October 15, we mark another important turning point in the history of video games: precisely 15 years ago, in 2009, Valve formally announced their intentions to create Dota 2. This turning point not only changed the esport scene but also made a popular Warcraft III mod into a successful stand-alone game. Since then, Dota 2 has given rise to professional leagues, tournaments worth millions of dollars, and a sizable fan base that is still fervently supporting the game.
Dota 2 Success Story: From Valve’s Idea to Billions in Prize Money
When Valve decided to take the genre to a whole new level, that’s when the foundations of the modern MOBA industry were born. This step became the starting point for the emergence of the legendary The International, a tournament that revolutionized the concept of esports and set new standards for prize funds.
Ten championships of The International have been held over the entire time, and in 2021 an absolute record was set: the total prize pool exceeded $40 million. The victory was won by Team Spirit, earning an impressive $18,208,300. In general terms, all ten tournaments in the series have raised over $208 million, which at the current exchange rate is close to $ 2093859080 — figures that are still shocking.
Dota 2 has come a long way in fifteen years: big updates, meta changes, and dozens of new heroes. But one thing has remained unchanged — its depth, strategic layering and the very spark that makes each battle unique.
Today, after a decade and a half, Dota 2 is still at its best in esports disciplines according to the old schedules. The game unites millions of fans and those who play from all over the world, turning simple matches into a real show where passion and strategy go hand in hand.
