A casual tweet from voice actor John Patrick Lowrie may have let slip The International 2023’s host city.
Churn the rumor mill and start stoking the flames, because Dota 2’s The International 2023 may be headed to Seattle! The potential destination for this year’s TI was seemingly leaked in a tweet by voice actor John Patrick Lowrie, perhaps best known for his role in Valve’s Team Fortress 2 as the Sniper.
In a now-deleted tweet, Lowrie, a voice actor for Team Fortress 2, Half-Life 2, Left 4 Dead, Dota 2, and Artifact, wrote the following: “Ellen and I will be traveling to Lima, Peru at the end of February to take part in the first-ever South American DotA Major, one of several around the world where the best DotA teams will compete to go to the 2023 DotA International in Seattle this October! Viva, Peru! Viva, America del Sud! Viva, DotA!!!”
Lowrie subsequently deleted his tweet, and reposted another omitting the supposed details of TI12 being held in Seattle, Washington, this October.
Did the International Announcer just leak TI12 in Seattle?
While this appears to be a slam-dunk case of leaked information, there’s also the chance Lowrie is working on old information, or just assuming that TI will return to its home of six years between 2012 and 2017. Valve broke with tradition and sent TI on a tour starting in 2018 that has seen it travel to Vancouver, Shanghai, Bucharest, and most recently Singapore. A return to Seattle, on the 10th anniversary of the game’s release from beta, would be a fitting tribute to a game close to many of our hearts.
But don’t book your flights right now. Things change, nothing is confirmed, and this should be treated as just an unverified leak. Although we have googled the price of an Airbnb in Seattle. RIP savings.
One thing’s for sure John Patrick Lowrie and his wife Ellen McLain are heading to Lima for the major. Lowrie is the voice of Ancient Apparition, Dark Seer, Earthshaker, Pudge, Shadow Fiend, Storm Spirit, and the voice of The International Announcer (which lends credence to the leak). Ellen also voiced Broodmother, Death Prophet, and GLaDOS from Portal (and her Dota 2 Announcer pack). All signs point to some incredible content in Lima, and perhaps something special planned.
Whatever the case, there are good things on the horizon for Lima, and just one more reason to get excited! So stay tuned to Esports.gg for more.