'Dota 2' breaks its own $20 million esports prize pool record. Again.

Dota 2 fans once again broke the esports prize pool record, contributing over $19 million to the 2017 Dota 2 International prize pool for a record-breaking total of $20,773,957 (and rising).

The previous esports prize pool record was held by last year's Dota 2 International, which hit $20,770,460 thanks to crowdfunding. Given that the 2017 International still has over a month left to raise more money, there's a good chance the total will hit at least $21 million.

Dota 2 fans are incentivized to contribute to the prize pool by the Dota 2 Battle Pass. Each year's Battle Pass gives contributors unique cosmetics, in-game items, quests, and access to a new game mode. This year: a co-op campaign called Siltbreaker.

On top of fan contributions, Valve itself contributes $1.6 million to the International's prize pool each year, which by itself is more money than most premier-level esports tournaments offer up.

This year's International, the seventh annual International tournament, is running from Aug. 7 to 12 in Seattle, featuring 18 of the best Dota 2 teams from around the world.

For the first time, the previous year's champions are not competing in the tournament to defend their title. Chinese team Wings Gaming took first place last year, winning over $9 million, then in April this year the players split from the organization.

Whichever team wins this year's International will also see its players all become overnight millionaires. Not a bad incentive to play as well as you possibly can.