Dota 2’s The International 2023 Introduces New Format with Breaks

Dota 2’s biggest tournament, The International 2023, shook things up this year with a new format that included two breaks over three weekends. While fans quickly adapted to the changes, Team Liquid’s iNSaNiA found it challenging to stay focused due to the interrupted gameplay schedule.

In a recent Twitch stream, iNSaNiA expressed his thoughts on the breaks, describing them as a “weird experience.” He mentioned that the first break was manageable, but once teams were eliminated and sent home, finding practice partners became difficult as they were no longer interested in scrimming.

Valve’s decision to send eliminated teams back to their countries immediately meant that the remaining teams couldn’t find suitable opponents for practice matches. This disrupted their preparation for the finals.

While iNSaNiA’s concerns are valid, many Dota 2 enthusiasts were thrilled with the new format. It allowed them to watch the entire event without taking time off work, eliminating the need to catch up on missed matches and avoiding spoilers. The viewership for TI 2023 exceeded expectations, with impressive average and peak viewer numbers.

Although the format may have been challenging for players, it proved to be more enjoyable for viewers. However, Dota 2 professionals will soon return to the fast-paced format they crave, as the upcoming ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 tournament will feature a six-day schedule.