Nice, I met DotA back when the first map was created in 2002-3? I probably have something crazy like 10-15k hours in the game and have only spent around $40 and the initial cost of wc3. Best entertainment value ever.
I could go on and on and you may have inspired me to write an article about it. Sadly the ESports scene has turned out to be pretty gross in a lot of ways and the community is so toxic. But don't let an old man dotas salty tale influence you on your journey to TI. What an amazing game to change the face of all gaming as we know it.