Dota 2

Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena game released by Valve in 2013. It follows up on Defense of the Ancients, a mod for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos that was built by the community. Matches pit two teams of five against each other, with each player controlling a hero character that has its own set of skills and playstyle. Over the course of a game, heroes gain experience and collect items to help them fight the opposing team. Victory goes to the first side to destroy the other’s Ancient, a sturdy structure at the heart of their base.

Development started in 2009 after Valve hired IceFrog, the lead designer of the original mod, to create a standalone version using the Source engine. The game launched on Windows, OS X, and Linux through Steam in July 2013, following a two-year Windows-only open beta. It is completely free-to-play—no heroes or gameplay features require purchase. Valve supports it as a service, selling loot boxes and a Dota Plus battle pass subscription that grant cosmetic items like hero skins and audio packs, none of which affect gameplay. In 2015, Dota 2 became the first game to run on the Source 2 engine after being ported over.

The game boasts a major esports scene, with global teams competing in leagues and tournaments. Valve runs The International, the top annual event, which uses a crowdfunded prize pool that has exceeded $40 million, making Dota 2 one of esports’ most profitable titles. On-site staff provide commentary and analysis for most tournaments, similar to traditional sports. These events are played live in arenas and stadiums, streamed online, and sometimes broadcast on television, drawing millions of viewers.

Critics have pointed out its steep learning curve and complexity, but Dota 2 has been praised for its rewarding gameplay, high production quality, and loyalty to its predecessor. Many consider it one of the greatest games ever made. It has consistently been among Steam’s most played titles, peaking at over a million concurrent players. Its popularity has spawned merchandise, comic books, an anime series, and crossovers with other media. The community can create custom game modes, maps, and cosmetics through the Steam Workshop. Valve released two spin-offs: Artifact and Dota Underlords.