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The popular team-based real time strategy Dota is receiving a sequel in dramatic fashion with an invitational 16 team tournament being held during gamescom in Cologne, Germany.
Known as The International, the tournament will be utilizing the new Dota 2 game which hasn't been released to the public. The winning team will receive $1 million in a form of a giant check and can be seen via live stream in which Valve has promised to provide.
Valve has become the primary sponsor in the event providing the prize money for the event with Nvidia giving PC hardware support. Throughout the five-day trade show event, the tournament will consist of a group stage leading to a double elimination playoff format giving teams plenty of opportunity to show off their stuff if four broadcasted languages (English, Chinese, German and Russian).
"The International is the first public Dota 2 event and will give the tens of millions of gamers playing Dota around the world their first look at the new game," said Gabe Newell, president and founder of Valve. "I have had the good fortune to watch the competitors as they prepare for the tournament, and the level of play is extraordinary."
Dota 2 will be available later this year.