The Rise of Dota 2 in Korea
KeSPA, the e-Sports Players Association in Korea, has officially recognized Dota 2 as the second most popular esport on Earth. Starting next month, the Korean gaming industry will host three tiers of professional and amateur leagues throughout the year. This move by KeSPA is expected to further boost the already influential esports industry in Korea, which has been managed by KeSPA since 2000.
South Korean Invite to The International 4
There are plans for a South Korean invite to The International 4, the annual world championship of Dota 2. Last year’s tournament attracted a staggering 825,000 viewers, making it the biggest esports streaming day. The prize pool for the first place was $1.4 million, the highest ever in esports history.
Dota 2 and the Influence of KeSPA
KeSPA has long been associated with the highest level of play in various games like StarCraft and League of Legends. Korean teams have consistently dominated these games and produced world champions. With KeSPA’s adoption of Dota 2, fans are now speculating when Korean teams will rise to the top tier of Dota 2. Currently, the world champions in Dota 2 are the Swedish team known as Alliance.
The Success of KeSPA in League of Legends
In 2012, KeSPA adopted League of Legends, and within a year, Korea’s top team, Azubu Frost, won a silver medal at the world championship. Last year, Korean side SK Telecom took home $1 million after defeating China’s Royal Club in the League of Legends world championship.
The Future of Dota 2 in Korea
Only time will tell if KeSPA’s adoption of Dota 2 will lead to similar success. However, given KeSPA’s track record in other games, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Korean teams emerging as dominant forces in the Dota 2 scene.
Photo via Valve/Dota 2 blog
Dota 2, KeSPA, esports, Korea, South Korean Invite, The International 4, StarCraft, League of Legends, Korean teams