Valve canceled Dota Pro Circuit

Valve has announced that the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) system will be canceled after the current 2023 season. The system was introduced in 2017 with the aim of making the process of inviting teams to The International tournament more transparent and fair.

While acknowledging the success of the DPC in achieving its initial goal, the company also noted a series of restrictions imposed by the system gradually stripped the scene of variety and innovation. In particular, tournament organizers felt pressure due to a long list of stringent requirements from Valve, directing their efforts towards meeting standards rather than creating unique and captivating events.

Valve recognized that before the DPC restrictions were implemented, the professional Dota 2 scene was "healthier, more reliable, and more diverse," allowing greater freedom for organizers to experiment with tournament formats.

Nonetheless, The International will remain a constant part of the Dota 2 ecosystem. Preparation for TI 2024 is already underway, although details on how teams will be able to participate in the tournament will only be announced next year. For now, the company is focused on organizing the upcoming The International tournament, which will start in four weeks.

Valve expressed hope that stepping away from the DPC will allow a renewed focus on creating innovative and interesting tournaments, restoring the spirit of competition not only among players but also among event organizers vying for the attention of viewers.