Gooning around: Pyrion Flax’s Dota 2 Goonternational returns for 2023

While most eyes in the Dota 2 world are set firmly on Seattle for The International 2023, others’ attention has turned to the more modest, but equally prestigious Goonternational. Yes, after a successful 2022 edition, Pyrion Flax’s The Goonternation returns for a new edition in 2022! 

Heralded by posts on social media and a new trailer, The Goonternational asks not for the very best Dota 2 players but those who are “terrible at dota” and subscribe to Pyrion Flax’s “stinking channel.”

Last year’s Goonternational event raised $2118 for charity, donated to the winner’s choice of charity. The victors, Live Laugh Luton, chose Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) as their charity, and the money was spent providing emergency medical aid to vulnerable people around the world. 

To enter The Goonternational, erstwhile goons simply need to be a subscriber to Pyrion Flax (on Twitch), join the Discord, find a five stack, and register on the website. Given the website describes it as an “Amature [sic] Charity DOTA 2 Tournament” the ability of the players is restricted to a soft floor of 75-100 games, soft cap of approximately mid Legend. Slightly higher (and lower) Dota abilities can be argued to the organizers. Registration closes on August 25. 

Group Stage will begin on August 28 and continue for four weeks until September 24. There will be a week’s break to resolve any issues, complete any tiebreakers or missed Group Stage games. Playoffs will commence on October 2 with finals on October 8.

Why such a long-term tournament? Well, because unlike pro players, Goonternational players have lives, jobs, and things to do that aren’t Dota. As a result, each game is organized among the teams and they just kinda figure out a day where they can play a best-of-two. 

The rules even say that: “Ideally both games of the Bo2 would be played consecutively, in the spirit of the ‘Series Meta’, but accommodations can be made if scheduling makes this unfeasible.” Clearly a Dota tournament for grownups. After all, two hours an evening for a single game of Dota is often all many people can manage…

However, Main Stage (Playoffs onwards) will have a most strict timing: 20:00 BST every night.

Overall, it sounds like a great community tournament, albeit with the backing of one of Dota’s most recognizable names behind it. Check out more details on the website, and tune in August 28 for the games, which will broadcast on Pyrion Flax’s stream.