Valve further clarified its plans for The International over the weekend, announcing its full slate of broadcasters, 2017 pubstomp plans and other TI7-tangential plans for the upcoming weeks. The publisher also confirmed a lengthy extension of the current Battle Pass season, giving Dota 2 players until Sept. 18 to finishing leveling up the digital companion book for The International.
Valve confirmed plans to bring back its newcomer broadcast for another year. The newcomer stream features a commentary team whose only goal is to translate what’s happening onscreen into terms that are easily understood by those new to Dota 2. They’ll dial back the hectic yelling many associate with esports commentary in favor of nuanced thoughts on major moments, like big team fights. Valve also added background information on all of this year’s broadcasters to the Compendium, under the Talent section, so you can see if your favorite shoutcasters will be part of TI7. Those who’ve watched previous iterations of the tournament will recognize many of the faces on the broadcast team but Valve says we can expect to see some new faces too.
The company also released more information for those interested in organizing Pubstomps, Valve’s term for International watch parties at local bars and other popular gathering spaces. The company is partnering with Barcraft United to organize this year’s pubstomps, which will once again give players chances to win a plethora of in-game items. More information, including local pubstomps, can be found on Barcraft’s TI7 landing page.
There was no update on the 2017 Secret Shop, which closed its doors after just two days of operation. Its closure followed several days of complaints about high shipping costs, which Valve both acknowledged and apologized for. But there’s been no further update on the matter, and no word on if/when fans will be able to order TI7 merchandise. Requests for additional comments, sent to Valve and WeLoveFine, also remain unanswered at this time.
For more on Valve’s broadcast plans for this year’s International, head over to the Dota 2 blog.
Dota 2 is currently available for Windows and OS X. The game’s annual world championship tournament, The International, begins next month.
Be sure to check back with Player.One and follow Scott on Twitter for more Dota 2 news in 2017 and however long Valve continues to support Dota 2 in the years ahead.
