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'''''Dota 2''''' is an upcoming [[multiplayer online battle arena]] video game being developed by [[Valve Corporation]] and the stand-alone sequel to the popular ''[[Defense of the Ancients]]'' [[Mod (video gaming)|mod]] for ''[[Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos]]'' and its [[expansion pack]], ''[[Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne|The Frozen Throne]]''. Formally announced on October 13, 2010, via ''[[Game Informer]]'',<ref name = ValveDota2 >{{cite web | last = Biessener | first = Adam | url = http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/10/13/dota-2-announced-details.aspx | title = Valve's New Game Announced, Detailed: Dota 2 | date = 2010-10-13 | accessdate = 2010-10-13 | publisher = [[Game Informer]] }}</ref> the game is currently available for early test access purchase and is scheduled for a full release in 2012, with a [[free-to-play]] [[business model]].<ref name = AccessPass >{{cite web | last = Senior | first = Tom | url = http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/06/01/get-dota-2-now-using-paid-for-early-access-pass/ | title = Get Dota 2 now using paid-for Early Access Pass | date = 2012-06-01 | accessdate = 2012-06-02 | publisher = [[PC Gamer]] }}</ref> ''Dota 2'' will be released via download by Valve's content delivery platform [[Steam (software)|Steam]], on which the game has been developed to run exclusively for both release and update delivery.<ref name=Dota2012>{{cite web | last=Yin-Poole | first=Wesley | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-08-18-newell-dota-2-wont-ship-until-2012 | title = Newell: Dota 2 won't ship until 2012 | date = 2011-08-18 | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] }}</ref> ''Dota 2'' will run on [[Microsoft Windows]] and [[Mac OS X]].<ref name=ValveDota2/>
'''''Dota 2''''' is an upcoming [[multiplayer online battle arena]] video game being developed by [[Valve Corporation]] and the stand-alone sequel to the popular ''[[Defense of the Ancients]]'' [[Mod (video gaming)|mod]] for ''[[Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos]]'' and its [[expansion pack]], ''[[Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne|The Frozen Throne]]''. Formally announced on October 13, 2010, via ''[[Game Informer]]'',<ref name = ValveDota2 >{{cite web | last = Biessener | first = Adam | url = http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/10/13/dota-2-announced-details.aspx | title = Valve's New Game Announced, Detailed: Dota 2 | date = 2010-10-13 | accessdate = 2010-10-13 | publisher = [[Game Informer]] }}</ref> the game is currently available for early test access purchase and is scheduled for a full release in 2012, with a [[free-to-play]] [[business model]].<ref name = AccessPass >{{cite web | last = Senior | first = Tom | url = http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/06/01/get-dota-2-now-using-paid-for-early-access-pass/ | title = Get Dota 2 now using paid-for Early Access Pass | date = 2012-06-01 | accessdate = 2012-06-02 | publisher = [[PC Gamer]] }}</ref> ''Dota 2'' will be released via download by Valve's content delivery platform [[Steam (software)|Steam]], on which the game has been developed to run exclusively for both release and update delivery.<ref name=Dota2012>{{cite web | last=Yin-Poole | first=Wesley | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-08-18-newell-dota-2-wont-ship-until-2012 | title = Newell: Dota 2 won't ship until 2012 | date = 2011-08-18 | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] }}</ref> ''Dota 2'' will run on [[Microsoft Windows]] and [[Mac OS X]].<ref name=ValveDota2/>


''Dota 2'' consists of session-based online [[multiplayer]] activity, with the primary objective of each match being for teams to destroy their opposing team's fortified stronghold. Each player controls a [[player character]] called a "hero", who is given the responsibility of participating in team combat, which generally takes place along a series of lanes that connect their opposing bases, lined with defensive towers. The gameplay elements are largely incorporated from ''Defense of the Ancients'', with the game's lead designer, [[IceFrog]], being the longest-serving and current developer of the ''Warcraft III'' mod.<ref name=ValveDota2/>
''Dota 2'' consists of session-based online [[multiplayer]] activity, with the primary objective of each match being for Matt Harrison to destroy their opposing team's fortified stronghold. Matt controls a [[player character]] called a "hero", who is given the responsibility of participating in team combat, which generally takes place along a series of lanes that connect their opposing bases, lined with defensive towers. The gameplay elements are largely incorporated from ''Defense of the Ancients'', with the game's lead designer,Matt Harrison, being the longest-serving and current developer of the ''Warcraft III'' mod.<ref name=ValveDota2/>


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==

Revision as of 22:34, 14 October 2012

For other uses, see DOTA.
Dota 2
File:DotA2.jpg
Logo
Developer(s)Valve Corporation
Publisher(s)Valve Corporation
Director(s)Erik Johnson
Designer(s)IceFrog
Composer(s)Jason Hayes
Tim Larkin[1]
EngineSource
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Release
  • TBA 2012
Genre(s)Multiplayer online battle arena
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Dota 2 is an upcoming multiplayer online battle arena video game being developed by Valve Corporation and the stand-alone sequel to the popular Defense of the Ancients mod for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion pack, The Frozen Throne. Formally announced on October 13, 2010, via Game Informer,[2] the game is currently available for early test access purchase and is scheduled for a full release in 2012, with a free-to-play business model.[3] Dota 2 will be released via download by Valve's content delivery platform Steam, on which the game has been developed to run exclusively for both release and update delivery.[4] Dota 2 will run on Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.[2]

Dota 2 consists of session-based online multiplayer activity, with the primary objective of each match being for Matt Harrison to destroy their opposing team's fortified stronghold. Matt controls a player character called a "hero", who is given the responsibility of participating in team combat, which generally takes place along a series of lanes that connect their opposing bases, lined with defensive towers. The gameplay elements are largely incorporated from Defense of the Ancients, with the game's lead designer,Matt Harrison, being the longest-serving and current developer of the Warcraft III mod.[2]

Gameplay

File:Dota 2 Game.jpg
A game of Dota 2 in progress. Team coordination is critical, especially during late gameplay, as base encroachment generally becomes more frequent.

Dota 2 combines the real-time strategy element of traditional top-down perspective, while also incorporating leveling and itemization functions of a role-playing video game. Players are pitted against each other as two distinct factions called the Radiant and the Dire. The Radiant is a faction based at the southwest corner of the map, while the Dire is a faction based at the northeast corner. Players assume the role of one of ninety-two "heroes"[5] - strategically powerful units with special abilities, who, through combat experience, may progress to a maximum level of twenty-five. The heroes' methods of combat are heavily influenced by their primary property, which can be strength, agility, or intelligence.[6] The basic setup of Dota 2 places two strongholds containing critical structures called "Ancients" at opposing ends of a geographically balanced map. These bases are connected by three main paths (referred to as "lanes"), which are guarded by defensive towers and groups of weaker units commonly referred to as "creeps" periodically spawned, which traverse their lanes, attacking enemy units and structures upon sight. Players are split into two teams, each consisting of up to five players, to compete as the primary defenders for each Ancient.[7]

The overall objective of each match is to battle through the opposing force's defenses, in order to arrive at and destroy the opponents' Ancient. Because Dota 2 is highly team-oriented, players must coordinate with their teams in order to achieve victory. The towers and stronghold defenses are invulnerable to attacks so long as the towers nearest to the enemy side still stand.

The currency of the game is gold, which is granted periodically, but typically accumulates at a more practical level by killing enemy units, which grants a distributed amount of gold to the killer's team, with the greater portion being retained by the killer themselves. A common technique utilized to prevent the opposing faction from accumulating gold from a kill is "denying", which constitutes killing an allied unit or destroying an allied structure and can be employed when said unit or structure is close to death or destruction. Players also gain experience, which accumulates to gain higher levels. The greatest portion of gold and experience originates from destroying higher priority forces, such as enemy heroes and towers.[8]

Featured along the Dire side of the river is a "boss" called "Roshan". Typically, multiple team members are required for killing Roshan, who drops powerful items. Following his death, Roshan respawns after the completion of a cooldown timer.[8]

Development

System requirements
Minimum Recommended
Microsoft Windows
Operating system Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
CPU Intel Pentium 4 3 GHzIntel Pentium Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
Memory 1 GB RAM2 GB RAM
Free space 4 GB free HDD space
Graphics hardware NVIDIA GeForce 6600 128 MB, ATi Radeon X800 128 MBNVIDIA GeForce 7600 256 MB or ATi Radeon X1600 256 MB
Sound hardware DirectX compatible sound card
Network Internet access for Steam activation
Input device(s) Keyboard and Mouse

Concept

According to Valve's founder and managing director, Gabe Newell, the company's investment in Dota was sparked from the collective interest of several veteran employees, including Team Fortress designer Robin Walker, programmer Adrian Finol and project manager Erik Johnson, all of whom had attempted to partake in team play at a competitive level. As their interest in the game intensified, they began corresponding with DotA's developer, IceFrog, over a series of emails, inquiring what long-term plans he had.[9] The emails eventually culminated in an invitation from Erik Johnson, offering IceFrog a tour of the company's facilities and as a result, hired him to develop a sequel.[10] The first public notification regarding the development of Dota 2 was a blog post made by IceFrog, stating that he would be leading a team at Valve.[11] No official word was given until its official announcement on October 13, 2010, when the website of magazine Game Informer revealed specific details about the game and its development,[2] creating traffic on the website to the extent of crashing their servers.[12] Erik Johnson addressed the confusion over the written form of the brand name, citing it as "Dota," rather than "DotA," due to its increasing context as a concept, rather than an acronym for "Defense of the Ancients".[10]

Shortly following a questions and answers session by IceFrog on PlayDotA.com, the Defense of the Ancients official website, elaborating upon his recruitment by Valve, a trademark claim was filed by the company on August 6, 2010.[13] Steve "Guinsoo" Feak, the original developer of the DotA Allstars variant and Steve "Pendragon" Mescon, the creator of dota-allstars.com, both employees of Riot Games, expressed their concern that Valve did not maintain the right to a trademark for the DotA name, due to their views that it was a community asset. On August 9, 2010, Mescon filed an opposing trademark for "DOTA" on behalf of DotA-Allstars, LLC, a subsidiary of Riot Games, in order to "protect the work that dozens of authors have done to create the game".[14] Rob Pardo, the executive vice president of Blizzard Entertainment, the developer of Warcraft III, expressed a similar concern, explaining that the DotA name was an asset of the Warcraft III community. Blizzard acquired DotA-Allstars, LLC from Riot Games in 2011, to enforce their claim as not only the creators of the World Editor, but to have the rights from the company that made a claim to the mod previously.[15] During the game's unveiling at Gamescom 2011, Gabe Newell explained Valve's perspective on acquiring the trademark, which was that IceFrog desired to develop a direct sequel to DotA and that players would likely recognize it as such.[16] Blizzard filed an opposition against Valve in November 2011, citing the Warcraft III World Editor and their ownership of DotA-Allstars, LLC as a proper claim to the franchise.[15] On May 11, 2012, Blizzard and Valve announced that the dispute had been settled, with Valve retaining the commercial franchising rights to the term "Dota", while Blizzard would change the name of their map, Blizzard DOTA, to "Blizzard All-stars".[17]

Design

File:Dota2-Ancient-comparison.jpg
A screenshot comparison between DotA and Dota 2; the aesthetics of Dota 2's design are based heavily around those of the original mod.

As the sequel to Defense of the Ancients, the development cycle of Dota 2 has been concentrated primarily upon fully transferring the aspects of its predecessor to the Source engine, as well as building upon the core gameplay. Dota 2 recreates the factions of the Sentinel and the Scourge from Defense of the Ancients with the Radiant and the Dire, with cornerstone features of the characters' alignment reserved, while ultimately re-establishing the familiar qualities in a new form. Warcraft III composer Jason Hayes was contracted by Valve to collaborate with Tim Larkin for developing Dota 2's musical score.[1] Character names, abilities, items, map design and other fine details remain virtually unchanged, but the integration of these features to the Source engine allows for continued, scaled development to bypass limitations from the Warcraft III World Editor. Further support for the competitive experience is developed through the use of Dota account matchmaking, which scales a player's automated placement in accordance to their estimated skill level. Non-computed and unranked practice matches are made available through the use of either human players, AI bots or solo games. In the debut Q&A, IceFrog stated that Dota 2 will serve as the long-term continuation of the mod, building upon the original gameplay without making too many significant core changes that may alter the overall experience.[10] According to Valve, the company contracted major contributors for DotA's popularity to assist in developing Dota 2, including the mod's original creator known as "Eul", as well as loading screen artist Kendrick Lim of Imaginary Friends Studios.[18] IceFrog has stated that in order to further emphasize Dota 2's premise as a continuation of DotA, contributions would remain consistent from sources outside the main development team.[19]

To accommodate Dota 2, Valve has worked to upgrade the Source engine to include new features, such as high-end cloth modeling, improved global lighting, as well as improvements to Steamworks, which includes a wider expansion of utilities, such as player guides and the coaching system.[2] Dota 2 utilizes Valve's Steam software in order to provide social and community functionality for the game. Steam accounts save personal files and settings on the online accounts using the Steam Cloud. Dota 2 also features multiple options of live spectating, in tradition of competitive Valve titles. The game host has the option to fill open slots with AI bots. Another option allows the host to determine if AI bots or other human players will be used to fill the vacated slot of a disconnected player. Valve is introducing a coaching system to allow for more experienced players to tutor newer players. The game will also feature tutorial sessions for further assisting players to mount the steep learning curve before competitive play.[2] In addition to the online platform established by Steam, Dota 2 will support local area network (LAN) multiplayer connectivity.[20]

To coincide with Dota 2's public debut at Gamescom 2011, Valve opened the sign-up for invites for the beta, with invites being sent out following the conclusion of Gamescom.[21] During the debut, Gabe Newell revealed that Dota 2 would likely ship in 2012, despite original plans for a full release in late 2011.[4] On September 23, 2011, Valve scrapped its previous development and release plans for Dota 2, which would have kept the game in its beta phase for over a year, in order to accommodate the full transfer of creative materials developed for the original DotA. The new plan described by IceFrog looked to release the Dota 2 beta at the nearest possible date and to implement the remaining heroes afterwards. Simultaneously, Valve announced that the non-disclosure agreement for the beta was being lifted, allowing testers to discuss the game and their experiences publicly.[22]

Beginning with the second edition of The Defense tournament hosted by joinDOTA in June 2012, Valve implemented the tournament support feature. Tournaments may be available for spectating in-game via the purchase of a tournament pass in the Dota Store, which provides an alternative to viewing live streams online. This feature supports previous and live matches from tournaments. In addition, teams may be formally identified by the game's software, which automatically recognizes games with players as being team matches and catalogs them as such.[23]

Free-to-play

As part of a plan to create a social network based around Dota 2, Gabe Newell announced in April of 2012 that the game would be free-to-play, with an accentuation on player contributions to the community.[24] On June 1, 2012, the Dota development team at Valve formally confirmed that the game would be free-to-play, with no added cost for having the full roster of heroes and item inventory readily available.[25] Income for Dota 2 would be maintained, however, through the exclusively cosmetic Dota Store, where players could purchase in-game items.[26] Until the game's release, players may still purchase an early access bundle, which includes the game, along with several in-game cosmetic items.[3] The Dota Store is composed of custom creations developed by Valve, as well as products from the Steam Workshop, which is a system in which users may submit creations for review by Valve and if successful, would be permanently incorporated into Dota 2. The market model was fashioned after Team Fortress 2, which became successful in June 2011 and had reimbursed cosmetic designers with 3.5 million dollars of income as of the free-to-play announcement.[25]

Cultural impact

Reception

Following the first public showing of Dota 2, the game won IGN's public opinion-based People's Choice Award, defeating other anticipated games, including Battlefield 3, Diablo III, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Guild Wars 2.[27]

Professional competition

A crowd watches as the grand finals of The International 2012 commence in Benaroya Hall, Seattle, Washington.

In a 2008 article of video game industry website Gamasutra, editor Michael Walbridge cited Defense of the Ancients as the most popular mod in the world, as well as one of the most popular competitive titles, with its strongest presence in Asia, Europe and North America.[28] To ensure the transition of DotA players to Dota 2, Valve invited and sponsored 16 of the most accomplished teams to compete and showcase the game's capabilities with its public debut at The International, a global championship hosted at Gamescom 2011 in Cologne, Germany, with a grand prize of one million dollars.[29] The International became an annual championship tournament, with the venue changing to Seattle, Washington, United States, the following year.[30] Erik Johnson commented in an interview that the implementation of the game's LAN feature would be intended to promote smaller, independent competitions and local tournaments.[20]

Following the inaugural event of The International, several electronic sports tournaments began to transition from DotA to Dota 2, including the Electronic Sports World Cup, which is noted as being one of the most internationally-convergent competitions that maintained DotA a cornerstone title since 2008.[31] DreamHack, the world's largest computer festival, would also support Dota 2 in 2011, following a year without support for the original, on account of other competing multiplayer online battle arena titles, including Heroes of Newerth and League of Legends.[32] By the end of its first year in its beta phase, Dota 2 had become one of the highest-paying eSport titles of 2011, second only to StarCraft II.[33] Dota 2 was announced as an official title for the World Cyber Games annual event, beginning with the 2012 qualifiers at Gamescom.[34]

References

  1. ^ a b Napolitano, Jayson (2011-08-23). "Composer Jason Hayes joins audio team at Valve". Destructoid.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Biessener, Adam (2010-10-13). "Valve's New Game Announced, Detailed: Dota 2". Game Informer. Retrieved 2010-10-13. Cite error: The named reference "ValveDota2" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Senior, Tom (2012-06-01). "Get Dota 2 now using paid-for Early Access Pass". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2012-06-02.
  4. ^ a b Yin-Poole, Wesley (2011-08-18). "Newell: Dota 2 won't ship until 2012". Eurogamer.
  5. ^ "Heroes". Valve Corporation. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
  6. ^ Kolan, Nick (2011-09-16). "The Heroes of Dota 2". IGN. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
  7. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (2011-08-19). "Dota 2 - Preview". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  8. ^ a b Onyett, Charles (2011-12-06). "Don't Be Afraid of Dota 2". IGN. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
  9. ^ "Gamescom 2011: DOTA 2 Interview (PC)". GameSpot. 2011-08-18. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
  10. ^ a b c Onyett, Charles (2011-01-08). "Valve's Next Game". IGN. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  11. ^ "Great News For DotA Fans". PlayDotA.com. 2009-10-05. Retrieved 2010-07-26. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  12. ^ "Game Informer Show 43: Dota 2, Medal of Honor". Game Informer. October 14, 2010. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  13. ^ Funk, John (2010-10-13). "Valve Files Trademark for ... DotA?". The Escapist.
  14. ^ Augustine, Josh (2010-08-17). "Riot Games' dev counter-files "DotA" trademark". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2011-08-19.
  15. ^ a b Plunkett, Luke (2012-02-10). "Blizzard and Valve go to War Over DOTA Name". Kotaku.
  16. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (2011-08-22). "Dota trademark: Blizzard, Valve respond". Eurogamer.
  17. ^ Reilly, Jim (2012-05-11). "Valve, Blizzard Reach DOTA Trademark Agreement". Game Informer.
  18. ^ Dagostino, Francesco (2011-08-31). "DOTA 2: How Valve Turned From Fanboys Into Developers For This Game". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  19. ^ IceFrog (2010-11-01). "Dota 2 Q&A". Valve Corporation. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
  20. ^ a b Senior, Tom (2012-02-15). "Dota 2 will support LAN play, next International tournament prize pool to be "at least" $1.6m". PC Gamer.
  21. ^ Onyett, Charles (2011-08-17). "Gamescom: When Do We Get to Play Dota 2?". IGN.
  22. ^ Devore, Jordan (2011-09-22). "A change of plans at Valve means we'll get Dota 2 sooner". Destructoid. Retrieved 2012-07-27.
  23. ^ Wilkinson, Jeremy (2012-06-21). "Valve to reinforce competitive play". The Escapist. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
  24. ^ Sharkey, Mike (2012-04-20). "Valve Confirms Dota 2 Will Be Free, With Twists". GameSpy.
  25. ^ a b Dota team (2012-06-01). "Introducing the Dota Store". Valve Corporation.
  26. ^ Stapleton, Dan (2012-06-01). "Valve: We Won't Charge for Dota 2 Heroes". GameSpy.
  27. ^ MacDonald, Keza (2011-08-23). "IGN People's Choice Award: And The Winner Is..." IGN.
  28. ^ Walbridge, Michael (2008-06-12). "Analysis: Defense of the Ancients - An Underground Revolution". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  29. ^ Reilly, Jim (2011-08-01). "Valve Goes Big with Dota 2 Tournament". IGN.
  30. ^ Vore, Bryan (2012-05-10). "Valve Announces International Dota 2 Championships 2012". Game Informer.
  31. ^ Strisland, Jonas (2011-10-25). "ESWC: DotA 2 Final". Cadred.
  32. ^ "DreamHack Corsair Vengeance Dota 2 Championship". DreamHack. 2011-11-02.
  33. ^ Macdonald, Stuart (2012-01-07). "PGT outlines best paying games of 2011". SK Gaming.
  34. ^ "Samsung European Encounter". World Cyber Games. 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2012-07-18.

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