DotA 2

[Bionsan]

Dota 2 is an upcoming action fantasy strategy video game being developed by Valve Corporation. It is the stand-alone sequel to the popular Warcraft III custom map Defense of the Ancients. The title was formally announced on October 13, 2010 via the Game Informer website. The game currently is scheduled for release in 2011, which would make it Valve's second release of the year, following Portal 2. The game's lead designer is the longest-serving and current developer of Defense of the Ancients, known as "IceFrog", who continues to maintain his public anonymity, while leading a development team at Valve. The game will be released through both retail and Steam, for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. Dota 2 marks Valve's first fantasy, as well as Action RTS game.

Gameplay

Spoiler

Dota 2 features the return of characters and factions from the original Defense of the Ancients title with new features modeled after their already-established designs and attributes. Much like the original, Dota 2 combines the real-time strategy element of traditional top-down perspective, while also incorporating the leveling and itemization system of a role playing game. Players assume the role of a unit categorized as a "hero", who through combat experience, may progress to a maximum level of 25. The basic setup of Dota 2 places two strongholds with "ancients" at opposing ends of an evenly-balanced map with multiple connecting regions identified as "lanes", in which enemy units primarily traverse, while also combating powerful defensive towers along the way. Players are split into two teams, ideally in a five-on-five format, to compete as the primary defenders for each ancient.

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. The towers and stronghold defenses are invulnerable to attacks so long as the towers nearest the enemy side still stand. Periodically, groups of weaker infantry units commonly called "creeps" are spawned, which move along their lane until they reach an enemy unit or structure, which they will then attack.

Defeating enemy forces grants a distributed amount of currency of gold to the offending team, with the greater portion being retained by the player who made the final blow. Players also gain experience, which accumulates to gain higher levels. The greatest proportion of gold and experience comes from destroying higher priority forces, such as enemy heroes and towers.
Dota 2 will utilize Valve's Steam software in order to provide social and community functionality for the game. Steam accounts will save personal files and settings on the online accounts using the Steam Cloud. Dota 2 will also feature free-camera 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.

Dota 2 will remain completely based around instant action multiplayer activity, excluding a single-player campaign, but retaining a strong lore tied into the gameplay, including individual hero back-stories and vocal interactions in-game.

Videos

Spoiler

DotA 2 Gamescom 2011 Debut Trailer [HD] - YouTube

Useful Links

| Site | Tournaments Stream | Steam Page | Wiki |

List of AC users who play DotA 2:
AC Name - Steam Name

Bionsan - minxaole1993
Zyketh - Zyketh
Uryuu Ishida - Kakashi2090
MaximRide - MaximRide

[M4G1K5]

:O thought u said u were tired

[Bionsan]

I didn't add anything. : o
I will do that later. *resumes the video*

[naitsirk0]

I do like how it looks: less cartoony than LoL (even though that's charming).

[Bionsan]

I like the graphics. It's good graphics but still on a level where you can tell what's happening during a fight. In HoN for example it's chaotic during a fight.

[naitsirk0]

LoL can get stupidly chaotic, too

[Bionsan]

Well yeah, they are both fast paced versions of DotA. DotA's supposed to be slow paced so you can and must choose to play strategically. Also a mistake in DotA is far greater than a mistake in HoN/LoL. : o

[naitsirk0]

Ah I see, well I think I might play this when it comes out, but I'll avoid hardcore players m.m

[Bionsan]

I love the fact that the heroes themselves speak after kills and stuff. Makes me rofl. :'D

Now that I look better at it, most of the voice sounds come from the hero himself so it varies along with your hero. Awesome!

Okay, my impressions from the video.

First of all, the graphics are awesome. Simple yet detailed without being chaotic during huge battles. The interface, amazing. It has everything Warcraft 3 lacked and became so much user friendly. The sound was awesome. I loved the fact that your hero's voice was the game's voice, except for the announcements ofc where they kept the original DotA killstreak sounds.

I'm so looking forward for this game.

[Metalicz]

I think it'll flop honestly. It'll receive its hardcore following but after that I don't think it will succeed too much o.0