Dota 2 is Getting a Reboot and It Looks Awesome
Valve has announced a major update coming to Dota 2 called Dota 2 Reborn, which promises to move the beloved Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) to a new engine, along with other snazzy new upgrades.
The Dota 2 Reborn update will feature support for custom matches, new chat functions, updated UI, easier hero selection and more.
Here’s the description from Valve’s blog:
“Today we are announcing the Dota 2 Reborn Beta, which brings with it a new interface, new engine and Custom Games. Everything in the dashboard has been completely redesigned utilizing a new UI framework, and the engine that powers the game has been fully replaced. On today’s update page we will be giving you a preview of the new interface. Early next week we’ll be talking about Custom Games, and later that week we’ll conclude with various details about the new engine and launch the open beta.
Throughout the beta we’ll be releasing frequent updates in order to fix bugs and make changes based on the feedback you provide. As you browse around in the new client, you’ll notice a few things that aren’t fully functional yet. Additionally, our focus has been on the dashboard so you’ll find the in-game HUD currently looks the same.”
Fans of the popular MOBA title will be pleased to know that Valve is introducing smoother gameplay controls right as you enter the lobby. A one-click party invite, along with a more grok-able messaging system, promises to let players communicate and form up faster than ever.
A new “party beacon” system also notifies people in your friend list if you’re looking for more people to join the fun.
Speaking of updated chat features, Valve also announced that the new chat functions will include chat rooms that can support up to 5,000 people. This includes a whisper system that lets you directly talk to some friends without having to alt-tab from the game client.
The update also features the new Hero MMR system which will allow players to track their skill progress on certain heroes.
While the full story on support for custom games have not been released, fans are anticipating the inclusion of fan favorite maps such Pudge Wars into the Dota 2 client.
But by far the most important change released so far by Valve is the upgrade that’s coming for DotaTV.
From Valve:
“We’re combining the best of DotaTV with the best of streaming. DotaTV, powered by Steam Broadcasting, will now provide detailed stats and graphs for you to browse while also supporting full tournament video production. These streams are capable of 1080p at 60 frames per second, while carrying an embedded data feed for stats and graphs, and are accessible from inside the Dota 2 client as well as on the web. Need to pause for a moment or just missed some action? You can pause and rewind anytime you want. You will also find third-party streams for that game directly inside the client.”
What can this mean for the eSports scene? This change has the potential to shift the entire tournament scene on its head.
Previously, tournament organizers and broadcasting companies found a strange disconnect with DotaTV. Live tournaments that bank on content in between games were forced to rely solely on video game streaming sites such as Twitch to drive up sales, while DotaTV became a feature that was tolerated rather than sought after.
With the expansion to its features however, tournament organizers may find new ways to monetize events directly using DotaTV.
All that and more features, including updates to hero selection, item tracking, Hero MMR — literally too many to mention and we’re just at the first phase of the announcement — will introduce new ways to enjoy the game.
While Valve has not announced an official release date for the beta yet, fans are speculating that the update might hit in time for The International 5.
What else does Valve have up its sleeve? What can this mean for eSports at large? Let us know in the comments!
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