DreamLeague Season 24: intrigue, battles and ambitions of the cybersport Olympus

The history of cybersport has known many bright and significant events, but one of the most outstanding phenomena is Dota 2 tournaments. Since its inception, this game has ceased to be just an entertainment platform and has become a real arena for the best from all over the world. From the first amateur competitions to mega-tournaments with millions of dollars in prize money, competitions have become an integral part of the cybersport culture.

How It All Began: The First Dota 2 Tournaments

From the very beginning, Dota 2 tournaments were friendly gatherings organised by enthusiasts who wanted to test their skills in collective battles. The first tournaments, such as Dota 2 Beta Tournament 2011, gathered small groups of participants, where the main participants were fans of the game. Prize funds often did not exceed several thousand dollars and were formed by voluntary contributions of participants and rare sponsors.

The first major tournament – The International 2011 – was organised by Valve itself to announce the game at Gamescom. It became a turning point in history, with a prize pool of one million dollars. The competition gathered 16 top teams from all over the world, including the legendary Na’Vi, Invictus Gaming and EHOME. Na’Vi won, which was the beginning of their legendary journey.

Examples of first steps

In 2010-2011, when Dota 2 was just entering the closed beta phase, many local tournaments were organised. They were often held on unofficial platforms like Garena and supported by fans. Even such modest competitions generated a lot of interest, as they offered a chance to showcase skills and gain recognition from the community.

Dota 2 leagues: a step towards professionalism

The next step in the development of Dota 2 tournaments was the emergence of leagues: professional leagues, such as StarLadder, began to form after the success of The International. StarLadder, founded in 2012, gave professional and semi-professional teams the opportunity to compete on a regular basis. Prize pools have increased and the conditions for participants have become more comfortable.

StarLadder and others, such as DreamLeague, ensured the continued growth of cyber sports by attracting more teams and sponsors. These leagues have contributed to the professionalisation of players – they have started to train on a regular basis and live cybersport.

The impact of leagues on the professional scene

The emergence of the first leagues changed the career prospects of gamers. Thanks to StarLadder, players such as Dendi and Puppey became famous and were able to achieve success. The formation of leagues led to the creation of the first expert teams that received salaries and sponsorship. This allowed participants to focus on training and competition, which raised the level and made cybersport a real profession.

Cups and championships: the evolution of Dota 2 competitions

As Dota 2 tournaments grew in popularity, full-fledged cups and championships began to appear. ESL One became an important stage in preparing teams for more serious competitions such as The International. The first international championship organised by ESL in 2014 brought together teams from all over the world and demonstrated the rapidly growing interest in Dota 2.

The prize pools of the tournaments also played an important role in their development. For example, ESL One 2014 had a prize pool of $150,000, which was a huge step forward for cybersports at the time. Since 2014, cups and championships have become regular and many countries, including China and the US, have started hosting major tournaments, which has greatly expanded the audience.

Tournament partners and sponsors

Partnerships with big brands like ASUS and Monster Energy have played an important role in the development of Dota 2 cups and championships. These companies provided technical equipment and financial support, which helped to increase prize pools and make the competitions bigger. Teams felt more confident thanks to the support of major partners.

Major and Minor: a new era of professional tournaments

Valve introduced Major and Minor tournaments in 2015, marking a new milestone in the professional tournament scene. The Frankfurt Major and Shanghai Major immediately became important events due to the large prize pools and participation of the best teams in the world. While Minor tournaments gave young Dota 2 teams a chance to make a name for themselves on the international stage.

The first Major winners were OG, who won the Frankfurt Major in 2015, showing unique strategy and teamwork. These competitions were also held in Russia, including EPICENTER in Moscow, which was a real celebration for all Dota 2 fans in the region.

Tournament structure and selection process

The structure of Major and Minor tournaments involved several stages of selection:

1. Regional Qualifiers. Held in each key region such as Europe, North America, China and others to identify the strongest teams in each zone.
2. Open Qualifications. Any team, including non-professional teams, could take part in these qualifications for a chance to qualify for the main stage.
3. Main Tournament. The final stage, where the best of the best, who had passed all the stages of selection, got in. Here teams fought for the main prize and world recognition.

Teams from all over the world fought for places in these tournaments, and only the best of the best made it to the main roster. This system maintained a high level of competition and incentivised participants to constantly improve in order to meet the high demands.

The International: a celebration of cybersport

The International has become the most prestigious event in the world of Dota 2. The first tournament in 2011 was just the beginning: in 2019, the prize pool exceeded $34 million, making it the largest cybersport event in terms of prize money in history. The tournament brought together the best in the industry from all over the world, and every game turned into a real show.

How do Dota 2 tournaments at The International level work? It all starts with the regional qualifiers, where hundreds of teams compete to qualify for the main event of the year. The final stages take place at the major arenas Rogers Arena in Vancouver or Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, attracting tens of thousands of spectators and millions online.

Legendary matches and big moments

Throughout the years of The International, there have been many legendary matches. For example, in 2013, Alliance faced Na’Vi in the final: the game made history thanks to a unique split-push strategy that brought Alliance victory. These moments show the complexity and beauty of Dota 2, where every mistake or brilliant move can change the game.

From dream to reality

Dota 2 tournaments have come a long way from modest local matches to multi-million dollar world-class shows. The path was made possible thanks to the efforts of players, organisers and sponsors who believed in the potential of the project. Today everyone can try their hand at eSports: start with local tournaments, train, participate in open qualifications. There are plenty of resources, such as Dota 2 Academy, to help you improve your skills and prepare for the professional scene.

Cybersport is a modern phenomenon that has captivated millions of people around the world and has become a new culture. One of the key concepts of this culture is the term ‘shooting gallery’. It is used to separate levels of teams and leagues and define their position in the complex hierarchy of cybersports. But what is a ‘shooting gallery’ in e-sports and why is it so important for anyone who wants to understand the world of professional gaming?

The origins and structure of shooting galleries in cybersports: what it is and how it works

A shooting gallery in e-sports is a fictional designation, something that defines the level of a team or tournament. The hierarchy consists of several levels: shooting 1, 2 and 3 – each with its own characteristics and criteria. 1 – the pinnacle of e-sports, where the best teams play, with the biggest budgets and the most fan support. These teams compete in tournaments such as CS:GO Majors or Dota 2 International. The second group consists of teams trying to reach the highest achievements, but not yet consistently performing at top level.

Influential elements in the hierarchy

1. Team infrastructure: the presence of professional training bases and bootcamps. For example, teams like G2 Esports have access to state-of-the-art training facilities with full training equipment, allowing them to prepare for top-level competitions.
2. Analytical tools: use of analytical tools and data to analyse matches. FaZe Clan regularly uses the services of analysts to help them dissect their opponents and develop winning strategies.
3. Training level: teams with intensive bootcamps and joint training sessions with other teams have an advantage in experience and synergy. For example, Astralis often organises bootcamps, inviting dash 1 teams to spar and test strategies.
4. Flexibility in strategy choice: the ability to change the style of play depending on the opponent. Team Liquid shows its flexibility by using different styles of play against different teams, making it one of the most difficult to predict opponents in tournaments.
5. International partnerships with other organisations to share experiences. Teams like Cloud9 work with different international organisations, allowing them to learn and adapt best practices to succeed in tournaments.

Levels in eSports: how divisions are divided

E-sports, like traditional sports, have their own league structure. Teams can move from one level to another based on their success in competitions. Minor tournaments and regular play-offs play an important role in taking teams from level 3 to level 2. Consistent success in regional competitions paves the way to international tournaments and Level 2. Consistent success in regional competitions paves the way to international tournaments and tier 1. Team Spirit, for example, started its Dota 2 journey by competing in local competitions and gradually worked its way up to the elite.

Additional factors:

1. Qualifying tournaments and open qualifying tournaments: Tier 3 teams can participate in open qualifying tournaments for major tournaments. Success in an event like DreamLeague Open Qualifiers, for example, is something that can provide the opportunity to advance to the next level and become part of Tier 2.
2. Investment and training: Teams that invest in coaches and analysts have a significant advantage.
3. Stable team: A consistent team makes a big difference. When players do not change often, they are better able to adapt and build a team. Team Aster retained its core squad for more than a year, allowing them to significantly improve their results and promote to the top division.
4. Partnerships with academies: Some teams, like NAVI, partner with academies that train young players and offer them opportunities to advance in their careers. These organisations help find talent that can be part of the selection in the future and promote the team to the highest division.
5. Sponsorship and financial stability: National teams with consistent support from major sponsors such as Red Bull or Intel can afford better training facilities, training camps and extra staff.

The combination of these factors creates an environment in which teams can improve their results, perform consistently in tournaments and raise their status in the eSports hierarchy.

Levels in popular games like Dota 2 or CS:GO: what are they?

Let’s take a look at how levels are distributed in popular games like Dota 2 and CS:GO. Understanding the hierarchy in these disciplines will help you better understand which teams are at the top and which are working their way to glory. Let’s take a detailed look at what criteria are used to categorise teams into tiers and why some teams are called the eSports elite while others are still trying to reach the top titles.

What is a shooting gallery in eSports: Dota 2

In Dota 2, dashes are the main way to determine a team’s level. Teams with a Dash 1 in this game regularly enter major international tournaments and compete for the highest prize money. The road to this status requires a high level of discipline and constant practice. Dash 2 teams, like Nigma, try to establish themselves at a higher level by participating in numerous regional rankings and tournaments.

What is a shooting gallery in eSports: CS:GO?

In CS:GO, shooting galleries divide teams by skill level and stability of results. The first are teams that consistently participate in major tournaments and have world-class sponsors. Dash 2 teams, such as GamerLegion, are in a constant battle for a place under the sun, trying to improve their results and get into the top of the best. This league helps viewers and analysts understand what certain teams are capable of.

How to determine the rank of a player or team: key criteria

Determining the level depends on several criteria. First, participation in major international tournaments. If a team regularly participates in competitions such as the ESL Pro League, it can be classified as Tier 1. Second, funding and sponsors play an important role: teams with better financial support have more resources to train. Finally, the team’s popularity among fans and its media presence are also important factors.

Conclusion

If you understand what a shooting gallery is in e-sports, you will better understand how the professional gaming industry works. For players, it’s a chance to determine where they stand and how to move forward. For fans, it’s a way to better understand their favourite teams and support them at the right time. The dash system makes eSports understandable and accessible, making it a fully competitive environment where everyone can find their place. Follow your favourite teams, watch them climb the ladder in the shooting gallery and be inspired by their successes.