Gaming covers releases, updates and balance changes as players experience them. Articles work through patch notes, name the characters or weapons affected, and describe how the ladder responds days later. Console, PC and handheld all count. Written for people who read patch notes voluntarily.
The International's crowdfunded prize pool grew from $1.6 million in 2011 to over $40 million by 2021 — then Valve changed the model, and the pools fell back to earth.
Riot scrapped the Last Chance Qualifier and rebuilt the road to Champions Shanghai around Stage 2 Playoffs, Championship Points, and a funded on-ramp for Challengers teams.
