The International 2024 Compendium: What It Means for Dota 2 Fans

Previously our material observed the latest Dota 2 patch changes. This time we follow one of the most discussed topics: Ti2024 Compendium.

Every year, Dota 2 players eagerly anticipate the release of The International (TI) Compendium, which marks the lead-up to the biggest Dota 2 tournament and offers the community exclusive rewards and in-game activities. The 2024 Compendium has sparked mixed reactions due to its perceived lack of new features and its impact on the tournament's prize pool. This article aims to delve into the 2024 Compendium's offerings, player reactions, and significance within the larger Dota 2 ecosystem.

What Is the TI2024 Compendium?

The TI2024 Compendium is a special in-game event pass introduced by Valve to coincide with The International 2024. It offers various cosmetic items, features, and interactive elements that help fans engage more deeply with the tournament. Historically, purchasing the Compendium and leveling it up through multiple activities directly contributed to The International's prize pool. However, this year's version is slightly different in terms of reward structure and contribution model​.

Key Features and Rewards

The Compendium for 2024 brought back several familiar features, such as:

Fantasy League Tools: Players can create their fantasy teams using the tournament participants and earn points based on the real-world performance of these players during the tournament. Fantasy rewards include chat wheel phrases and loading screens.

Bingo Tokens and Mini-Games: Players can complete specific in-game challenges and objectives to earn bingo tokens, which they can use to unlock special rewards.

Permanent Legacy Chat Wheels: These chat wheel lines are often favorites from previous tournaments and can be used in-game to commemorate memorable moments.

Cosmetic Effects: Several cosmetic rewards are available, such as a new HUD skin, teleport effects, and loading screen artwork featuring TI2024 branding​.

Player Stickers and Capsules: For the collectors out there, this year's Compendium includes player and team sticker capsules. These capsules can be opened to collect stickers of various rarities, and players can trade or sell these on the Steam Marketplace.

Collector's Aegis: The most prestigious reward remains the Collector's Aegis, which players can obtain by reaching level 300 in the Compendium. This is a physical replica of the in-game Aegis of Champions, delivered to the player's home.

Price and Levels: Breaking Down the Costs

There are two primary ways to purchase the Compendium in 2024:

Base Version (USD 7.49): This version includes six levels and basic rewards like the Aegis emoticon, 51 bingo tokens, and 36 fantasy roll tokens. This is an excellent entry-level option for players who want to support TI and get a taste of the content.

Upgraded version (USD 29.99): This more expensive package starts with 50 levels and offers additional rewards such as extra player and team sticker capsules, teleport effects, and team-specific loading screens.

Reaching level 300 can be costly for those who aim to get the coveted Collector's Aegis. To accumulate enough levels, players must spend around $150 extra on top of the base or upgraded Compendium, which has raised eyebrows in the community​.

What's New This Year?

The 2024 Compendium introduced the Ringmaster, a new announcer pack that features unique voice lines and commentary during matches. However, beyond this addition, many rewards are similar to previous years, which has been a contention point for many players. The new content is seen as repetitive, and some have argued that Valve didn't innovate enough with this year's offerings​.

Criticism and Community Reactions

The TI2024 Compendium has faced mixed to negative reviews from many in the community. The main points of criticism are:

Lack of Innovation: Most of the content, including the chat wheels, HUD skins, and loading screens, are variations of what has been seen in past compendiums. Players have expressed disappointment in the lack of exciting new content that could make the purchase worthwhile.​

Prize Pool Contribution Changes: 25% of Compendium sales were added to The International prize pool in past years. However, this year, the Compendium's direct impact on the prize pool is less transparent. While the prize pool still benefits, Valve has not been clear about the exact contribution formula, leading to confusion and frustration within the community​.

High Costs: Players who want to reach level 300 to get the physical Aegis must spend significant money. This paywall has sparked discussions about whether Valve prioritizes profit over providing value to its player base​.

Reduced Involvement in Prize Pool Building: With the discontinuation of the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC), many in the Dota 2 community are worried about the sustainability of the competitive scene. Without a structured DPC, Valve's emphasis on The International prize pool contributions via the Compendium could lead to further instability for lower-tier teams​.

How Does It Compare to Previous Years?

In previous years, Compendium releases were significant events that generated a lot of excitement and content for the community. The involvement in growing the prize pool also made fans feel like they were a part of The International. However, this year's Compendium doesn't carry the same excitement or innovation.

One reason is removing the Battle Pass model, which offered more engagement and deeper interactions through quests, rewards, and mini-games. The current Compendium feels more like an add-on than a central feature of The International, contributing to dissatisfaction and nostalgia for better years​.

Is the TI2024 Compendium Worth It?

The Compendium can still be worthwhile for dedicated fans who want to support The International and collect exclusive rewards. However, casual players or those who already have similar rewards from previous years may find it underwhelming. The high costs to unlock premium rewards and the need for impactful new content are significant drawbacks.

The TI2024 Compendium reminds us of how Dota 2's monetization and community involvement have shifted. Whether this direction will pay off for Valve remains to be seen, but it's clear that the community is yearning for more innovation and transparency in future compendium releases​.