The International 2024 (TI13) is a place where paparazzi is expected to be aplenty, but Quinn “Quinn” Callahan brought in the unusual and the unexpected by donning a magician’s tailcoat for a circus-themed TI13 video. It is a rare occurrence in eSports generally but something that can often happen in Dota 2.
At the International 2024 (TI13), Dota 2 teams embraced the circus theme as a way of commemorating the start of the tournament, bringing in a blissful and comedic tone compared to last year’s painted glass theme, which was elegant.
The Circus Theme at TI13 was well hidden in the initial trailer of TI13’s announcement. The announcement didn’t give away any indicator of what this year’s Internationals theme would look like.
However, the teams are fully embracing the theme, which some believe is linked to the recent release of The Ringmaster. The teams have seized the opportunity to generate more social media content.
Teams like Gaimin Gladiators created a video and titled it “Gaimin Gladiators Dota Circus” as they showcased each player with puns and comedic representations and puns ending with a cliffhanger for the reveal of a “clown” on the first day of TI13 on September 4.
For Team Liquid, their video was a rendition of the Dota 2 Shopkeeper’s narrative from the initial Dota 2 trailer, with some catchphrases that made a return. HEROIC, on their TI debut, went one further by interviewing an animal, a donkey courier, to select the winner of the TI13. The hosts and talent team had an understanding of the TI13 experience, but they may need to wear clown costumes for makeup.
Unfortunately, despite the ecstasy and excitement about these branding and publicity stunts, the Late Game talk show is not held this year, but fans and players await to see what will be replacing it.
