The prize pool for this year's DotA 2 International is going to be the biggest one ever, once again. Last year the pool split among the very best players in the world reached a whopping $18,429,613, split between a $1.6 million donation by Valve and over $16 million by the community through purchases of the Compendium.
In 2016 however that record has been smashed just a week or so before the start of the grand tournament. At the time of writing, it sits at $18,580,479, meaning we're already over $100,000 more than last year and there's still time to go.
All of this is only possible because of the Compendium: the Valve created digital companion to the International. It not only lets players look in on the competition itself, but earn themselves a number of unique awards for the DotA 2 game. There are new couriers, evolving character aesthetics, new battle sounds and visuals, quests and community challenges to complete and even new terrain to battle on in the game itself.
You'll need to reach quite high levels to unlock some of the best content. The Legacy of the Fallen Legion Prestige Item for example, requires that you reach level 225. To give that some context, if you were to buy your way to that level, it would cost you over $100.
Those who make it to level 1000 will also earn an Aegis, which is a real world shield trophy for being so dedicated.
Obsessed, is perhaps another word you could use, but hey, it's all in good fun.
