We’ve been keeping you up to speed with the DOTA 2 The International schedule so a quick reminder that the playoffs are underway now.
The playoffs will determine which eight teams will proceed to the main event which starts on 18 July. The playoffs run though to the 14 July and there are the 11 invited teams – Alliance, Cloud9, Team DK, Team Empire, Evil Geniuses, Fnatic, Invictus, Natus Vincere, Newbee, Titan eSports, and Vici Gaming – as well as the four winners (Na’Vi US, Arrow Gaming, LGD Gaming, and mousesports) and the four runners-up (Team Liquid, MVP Phoenix, CIS Game, and Virtus.pro).
Tim recently wrote a great explanation on how all this is works covering each stage leading up to the actual finals. Make sure you read that if you’re going to be following The International this month.
While some of you may be seasoned DOTA 2 players and enthusiasts, not everyone will be up to speed with all the commentary  jargon. The event is being streamed live now and there’s an optional Newcomers Stream if you want to get to grips with the tactics and jargon. A fine move by Valve there and it’s probably what I’ll be watching with Peter while Tim enjoys the main stream. He’s such a pro you know.
