In 2017, we introduced the Professional Season (aka Dota Pro Circuit, or DPC) to answer a question that was increasingly being asked: how do you earn an invite to The International?

In 2017, we introduced the “Professional Season,” also known as the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC), in response to an increasingly common question: how does one earn an invitation to The International? Prior to this, teams qualified for the tournament primarily through regional qualifiers or were selected as “wildcards” by Valve. While the announcement of participants created an annual moment of excitement for fans, professional players—and their supporters—often found it challenging to comprehend the pathway to The International. We recognized that any invitation system has its drawbacks. The sense of uncertainty surrounding qualification led to frustration among teams striving for recognition in the highly competitive Dota 2 landscape. As a result, we aimed to establish a clearer and more transparent set of rules, making it easier for teams to understand what they needed to do to secure their place at the prestigious tournament. The DPC introduced a structured league format, consisting of multiple seasons, each culminating in a Major event. This format allowed teams to accumulate points based on their performance in both regional leagues and Major tournaments. The top-performing teams, based on these points, would receive direct invitations to The International, ensuring that the best teams were recognized for their skills and consistency throughout the season.

This new approach not only provided a more equitable system for qualifying but also fostered a competitive environment where teams were motivated to perform at their best. The DPC created opportunities for emerging teams to showcase their talent on a global stage, allowing for fresh competition and diversity in the tournament lineup. Moreover, the DPC enhanced fan engagement by offering a more predictable schedule of events. Fans could follow their favorite teams throughout the season, tracking their progress and rooting for them as they aimed for a spot at The International. This connection between teams and their supporters was crucial in building a vibrant community around Dota 2. The introduction of the DPC also meant that teams had to adapt to a more rigorous and demanding competitive calendar. The pressure to perform consistently across various events increased, leading to a more dynamic and evolving competitive scene. Teams began to invest more in their rosters, coaching staff, and training regimens to stay competitive in this new landscape.

Rethinking the Dota Competitive Scene: From Structure to Creativity

When we consider our initial goal, we can confidently say we succeeded. By introducing a points-based qualification system, we clarified our requirements, allowing players to understand their objectives. However, over time, it became evident that the rules and restrictions accompanying the Professional Season had made the competitive Dota scene less exciting, less diverse, and ultimately much less enjoyable. The single official league maintained a tight grip on the scene throughout the year. Tournament organizers became preoccupied not with innovation, but with adhering to our regulations. Their energies were diverted from competing for audiences and players, or from creating engaging and inventive tournaments, to fulfilling a lengthy list of rigid Valve requirements—pertaining to participant numbers, broadcasting languages, event formats, and so on. Attempts to loosen these constraints did not effectively remedy the situation. Regardless of the good intentions behind these changes, and despite the best efforts of organizers, we found ourselves straying from the most critical objectives of previous years: not only showcasing Dota in the most captivating light but also reigniting interest among both participants and spectators. In simpler terms, it is far better when organizers compete not for our attention but for yours.

Before the introduction of these limitations, the Dota professional scene was healthier, more reliable, and more varied. Tournaments were less monotonous, their structures more original, and schedules more flexible. Organizers experimented with event lengths, locations, the number of teams, and even the very concept of competitive events. There was something beautiful about the unrestrained chaos, where house parties and prize pools funded by oysters coexisted alongside giants like Dota Asia Championship and short, closed competitions. It cannot be said that the gradual shift from fun and creativity to sterile, almost absolute uniformity—characteristic of our current landscape—occurred solely due to our demands; however, those demands significantly pressured organizers and incentivized such decisions. For decades, the Dota community had devised innovative and entertaining tournaments, and the DPC system stood in the way of that creativity. The result was a landscape that felt increasingly homogenized. With all eyes on a single official league, opportunities for alternative formats and unique events dwindled. The vibrant experimentation that had characterized the scene was stifled, replaced by a rigid adherence to the established norms. This shift not only affected the nature of the tournaments but also the community’s spirit.

Players began to feel boxed in, constrained by the expectations set forth by the DPC. The competitive environment, once a vibrant ecosystem of diverse styles and strategies, became predictable. This predictability, while beneficial in some respects, led to a lack of excitement and innovation. As teams settled into familiar patterns dictated by the league, the thrill of competition began to wane. Moreover, the focus on point accumulation sometimes overshadowed the essence of what made Dota special: the unpredictability and the stories that unfolded during tournaments. Fans were drawn to the narratives of underdog victories, unexpected upsets, and the sheer unpredictability of match outcomes. With a hyper-focus on rankings and points, the organic storytelling aspect of tournaments was diminished. As we moved forward, it became imperative to reassess our approach. We needed to create an environment where organizers could freely explore new ideas and formats, where creativity could flourish alongside competition. The emphasis should shift from strict compliance with regulations to fostering a vibrant ecosystem that celebrates both the players and the spirit of the game.

To achieve this, we must encourage a competitive landscape that welcomes innovation. This means providing more flexibility for tournament organizers to experiment with their events without the constraints of a rigid framework. It’s essential to cultivate a culture where diverse tournament formats can coexist, allowing for a rich tapestry of competitive experiences. The community’s input is crucial in this process. Engaging with players, fans, and organizers alike will help us understand their needs and desires. By fostering an open dialogue, we can identify what truly resonates with the Dota audience and what elements of the competitive scene need revitalization. In conclusion, while the introduction of the Dota Pro Circuit aimed to provide clarity and consistency, it inadvertently led to a more monotonous competitive scene. To restore the excitement and diversity that once defined Dota tournaments, we must embrace flexibility and creativity, allowing the community to thrive. By doing so, we can ensure that Dota remains not only a competition but also a celebration of skill, strategy.