With DOTA 2's popularity at an all-time high, Valve has opted to provide fans of the game with an Interactive Compendium as a supplement to the game's upcoming International Championships.
The Interactive Compendium is a $10 service with offers news on the upcoming tournament, while also allowing fans to vote on any tourney-related issues. Those with access to the compendium also have a say on what awards winners of the tournament will win.
Among other things, the Compendium serves as a betting guide for players inclined toward that sort of thing, as those with access to the service can make predictions on who they think will win. Results will be unlocked as the International tournament progresses.
In addition to being a nifty service, anyone who opts into it will gain access to "special virtual item drops throughout the tournament" so there's some kind of incentive to subscribe.
According to Valve, 25% of the revenue created by the Compendium will go towards the rewards pot for the International, so the base $1.6m they have on offer will only grow bigger as more players subscribe.
The International will take place between August 7 and 11. The Compendium will be sold in the Dota store tomorrow morning at 10:00am PDT.
