The 8th International (DOTA2) Super Bowl of gaming was played at the Rogers Arena over a six days which spanned from January 20th- 25th.
The event featured 18 teams, 90 players representing 40 Countries focused on prize money, which totaled an unspeakable amount of $25,532,177.00.
The 18 teams were made up of five (5) players on each would see the teams share the $25 million with the top prize for the winner sharing $12 Million and being crowned world champions.
The five players on each team or side sit facing each other with the dota2 video game on the screen that has each player creating his/her own character doing battle with each other. ]
The games are 40 to 60 minutes in length that utilize strategy, concentration and game management that at times can become extremely intense.
Opening day began with the opening ceremonies and introduction of all the teams taking part in this years championship which was initially established in 2011 in Germany by the Valve Sports Software Company.
The schedule saw the players taking to the big screen each day beginning in the morning and running into the evening, some later than others.
Leading up to the tournament finale featured a an All-Star game with the best video gaming players in the world class honors and recognition.
Prize money saw the 1st place team collect 11,190,158.00, 2nd place $4,069,158.00 and all remaining teams come away as winners in the prize pool, which included the 17th and 18 place finishers who receive $62,403.00 in prize money.
Friday’s games featured playoffs in the morning and afternoon in round three of tournament play including the winner of the UB semi-finals to see who would advance for the tournament title.
The final Championship game saw team OG take on team LGD in the 8th annual event of the dota2 title.
This match-up proved to be extremely intense in a best of five that saw two European teams square off with Team OG taking the opening match for a 1-0 lead.
Team LGD fought back managing to take the next two games for 2-1 series lead and appeared to have the championship in their hands only to have Team OG win in the final seconds of game four earning a victory tying the series at two.
This set up a tremendous fifth and deciding game that saw team LGD get off to a fast start for a lead over team OG in the early going.
The deciding match saw a determined Team OG in the late going saw them grab the win in the late seconds left in the final match to secure the win stealing the title from the hands Team LGD.
Team OG won the Championship plaque shared an incredible amount of $11,190,158.00 in prize money and even the runner-up Team LGD shared $4,069,148.00 for a week of fun in Vancouver.
Thanks to Bruce Nolte for covering this “fun’ event.
For a look at the final results and standings go to http://www.dota2.com/international/standings.
For info on the teams represented visit http://www.dota2.com/international/teams
For pictures of the event visit http://www.dota2.com/international/teams.
