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In a groundbreaking partnership that signifies the increasing convergence of the gaming and spirits industries, Scotch whisky brand Ballantine's has joined forces with renowned game developer and publisher Valve to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the popular MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) title, Dota 2. This collaboration brings a unique blend of gaming and fine spirits to fans in China.
Two limited-edition Ballantine's Finest x Dota 2 whiskey bottles were unveiled as part of this celebration. With one being blue and the other one red, these bottles are the embodiment of the Radiant and Dire sides of the Dota 2 map.
Ballantine's x Dota 2 Collaboration Explained
These China-exclusive, limited-edition Ballantine's bottles feature various in-game characters that have become beloved by the Dota 2 community. The release of these bottles is a testament to the growing importance of the Chinese gaming market, highlighting the unique marketing opportunities it presents.
Ballantine’s said, “Exclusive to China, we are also dropping two limited-edition Ballantine’s Finest x Dota 2 bottles featuring iconic characters from the game’s universe including Juggernaut, Lina, Monkey King, Marci, and Brewmaster.”
To add an engaging and memorable dimension to this collaboration, Ballantine's and Dota 2 have also released a short film. The film follows a cast of iconic Dota 2 characters as they embark on an epic quest to obtain a dram of Ballantine's whiskey.
The partnership with Dota 2 is part of Ballantine's recent strategic expansion into the gaming and esports industry. Notably, the brand recently partnered with the British esports organization Tundra Esports for The International 2023 (TI12), Dota 2’s premier esports tournament. It was also featured on the team’s jersey for TI12.
In addition to team sponsorships, Ballantine's also joined forces with tournament organizer BLAST for the Paris Major, the concluding Major in the world of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO).
This growing involvement demonstrates Ballantine's commitment to connecting with the gaming community and tapping into the dynamic world of esports. Prior to this, Ballantine’s also partnered with Borderlands to create a unique line of whiskeys called Ballantine’s Moxxi’s Bar Edition.
Recently, there have been active collaborations between the esports & gaming and the alcohol industry. Beyond Ballantine's, other notable examples include beer brand Heineken's partnership with Riot Games. In March 2023, Heineken became the official beer sponsor of the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Americas League. Likewise, G2 Esports also secured a partnership with Jägermeister earlier in the year.
