As The International 2025, Dota 2`s pinnacle tournament, draws nearer, the usual vibrant build-up from Valve appears conspicuously absent. With merely weeks separating the community from the grand event, fans have voiced increasing concern over the lack of official content or promotional activities. Yet, a recent revelation from a prominent community figure suggests that behind the scenes, the wheels are indeed turning, albeit silently.
A Glimmer of Hope from a Veteran Voice
Enter Yaroslav `NS` Kuznetsov, a veteran caster and streamer whose insights are often as sharp as they are unfiltered within the Dota 2 community. In a recent broadcast, NS shed some much-needed light on the development of the highly anticipated The International 2025 Compendium. His revelation? The Compendium, a traditional cornerstone of TI engagement, is indeed in the works. How does he know?
“The Compendium will definitely be released, because teams are already recording phrases. I know this because I was also offered to record [phrases].”
This candid admission provides the first concrete indication that Valve is progressing with this essential piece of tournament content, even as their public channels remain quiet. NS further elaborated on his personal experience, noting he received an offer to contribute voice lines for the Gaimin Gladiators` bundle. He famously declined, citing a characteristically blunt assessment of certain team members` in-game performance. While his specific critiques are a topic for another discussion, his refusal underscores the passionate and often unvarnished opinions prevalent within the Dota 2 professional sphere.
The Content Drought: A Source of Frustration
This behind-the-scenes activity stands in stark contrast to Valve’s public posture: a near-total silence regarding promotional content for the flagship tournament. NS, ever the pragmatist, openly lamented the absence of even minor in-game events, drawing comparisons to last year’s `Fallen Crown` event.
“Where is the content? The International is 40 days away from this moment. Where is anything? Even, forgive me, the Compendium. Not to mention anything else. That very Compendium. In a content drought, even a crab is a fish, and a Compendium with SabeRLighT- cards now makes sense. Where, Gaben? Hello, Gaben! There`s absolutely nothing. We have zero content.”
While `Fallen Crown` wasn`t universally praised, it was, as NS puts it, “not spectacular, but certainly better than a digital ghost town.” The community`s concern is palpable. For many, the build-up to The International is almost as exciting as the tournament itself, fueled by new cosmetics, lore, and interactive elements that the Compendium historically provides. This year, the silence has been deafening, leading to speculation and a sense of unease.
The Compendium`s Enduring Significance
For the uninitiated, the Compendium (or Battle Pass, as it was formerly known) is more than just a digital trinket box. It`s the community`s primary interactive link to The International, offering challenges, predictions, and unique cosmetic rewards. Crucially, a significant portion of its sales directly contributes to the tournament`s prize pool, which currently stands at a base of $1.6 million. Without community contributions, this figure remains static, a far cry from the multi-million dollar war chests of previous iterations.
Anticipation Builds in Hamburg
All eyes remain fixed on Hamburg, Germany, where The International 2025 is scheduled to unfold from September 4th to 14th. Sixteen elite teams from around the globe will converge to battle for the coveted Aegis of Champions and their share of the prize fund. Despite the current lack of fanfare from Valve, the competitive spirit is undoubtedly brewing among the professional players.
While Valve maintains its enigmatic silence, NS’s insights confirm that the traditional Compendium is indeed taking shape, albeit under wraps. The community, ever hopeful, waits to see if this essential piece of TI engagement will be accompanied by any further surprises from Valve, or if the Compendium itself will be the sole offering in a season otherwise devoid of the usual pre-tournament excitement. One thing is certain: the Dota 2 world holds its breath, ready to dive into the biggest esports event of the year, whenever Valve decides to finally lift the curtain.
Finley Holt