7 fan phases during The International season

The International 2014 (TI4) is fast approaching and if there’s anything we’ve learned over the past three Internationals, it’s that the fans seem to go through certain phases throughout The International season.

Have you experienced any of these yourself?

1. The skeptical analyst phase

When it occurs: before invites are released

This is the time where everyone becomes an analyst and has their own list of teams that they think deserve a direct invite, should be in the qualifiers, or that you shouldn’t be bothered with at all. This is a very lively time for forums and social media, as everyone wants to express their own opinion. You will see people having discussions ranging from team statistics to calling each other names because their opinions differ.

(See: 4 online communities for Dota 2 players and fans in Asia-Pacific)

Fun fact: This is currently the phase we are in right now. Nothing has been announced yet, but it is most likely that last year’s champion Alliance and first runner up Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) will be invited this year. As for China, it is likely that Team DK, Vici Gaming, and iG are going to receive invites as well.

2. The judgmental phase

When it occurs: during the announcement of invites and up to the end of the qualifiers

One reason why I think Valve doesn’t tell the public the exact criteria or process of selection for the invites is because no matter what they do, there will be teams that someone thinks do deserve a spot in The International. During the judgmental phase, fans express their reactions to the invites that Valve has sent out, not only to teams, but also to casters, hosts, and statsmen. This is also a colorful time where people debate on what Valve did not do right in the process of selection. Volvo plz.

Fun fact: It was during this phase last year that many members of the community expressed their views on Philippine team Dreamz replacing Neolution.int in The International 2013’s (TI3) eastern qualifiers. Netolic.SG was particularly vocal, and even issued a challenge to Dreamz, which the team declined.