Dota 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Dota 2 across the outlets.
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"Everyone wants immediate gratification" - Project Zeta studio on making a new action-focused MOBA without all the fluff
Nirvanana and Krafton are developing Project Zeta, a new MOBA designed for immediate gratification and action-focused gameplay. The game features four teams of four in a single arena, encouraging constant PvP battles and objective securing, moving away from traditional laning phases. CEO Namseok Kim aims to revitalize the genre for a modern audience by prioritizing fast-paced, engaging combat.
Valve experienced a massive 12TB leak
Valve has experienced a massive 12TB data leak, dubbed the 'teraleak', containing files from Steam titles between 2003 and 2013. The leak includes content for games like Team Fortress 2, Dota 2, Left 4 Dead, and early builds of Portal 2, as well as cancelled projects like F-STOP and an unused weapon from Half-Life 2: Episode 3. The data was reportedly accessed from a publicly accessible endpoint rather than through a hack, with Valve yet to issue an official statement.
Steam Week in Review: Here are the top 10 most popular genres on Steam
A new report analyzing Steam revenue data reveals that sandbox games have the highest 'hit rate,' meaning the largest percentage of games within the genre earn over $100,000. First-person shooters, RPGs, and simulation games also show strong performance. The study used the Boxleiter method to estimate sales based on review counts.
Jubileumsquiz: Vad kan du om Valve?
Valve is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a poll asking fans to vote for their favorite game from the studio's history. The poll includes major titles like Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal, and Dota 2, among others.
Snabbkollen: Vilket är bästa Valve-spelet?
Valve is celebrating its 30th anniversary, prompting a discussion about which of its games is the most beloved. The article presents poll results showing Half-Life 2 as the current favorite, followed by Counter-Strike and Half-Life.
Valve fyller 30 år – företaget som förändrade PC-spelandet
Valve, founded 30 years ago by Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington, has significantly impacted PC gaming through titles like Half-Life and its sequels, and the revolutionary digital distribution platform Steam. The company has also ventured into hardware with the Steam Deck and VR, continuing to innovate in how and where PC games are played.
Valve turns 30 today, and it's stronger than ever
Valve celebrates its 30th anniversary, having significantly shaped PC gaming through titles like Half-Life and the digital storefront Steam. The company has also expanded into hardware with devices like the Steam Deck and Steam Machine, continuing its influence on the industry.
Steam Week in Review: A touch of AI is all it takes to trigger backlash, as a promising new indie falls afoul of slop…
Vapor World: Over The Mind, a Soulslike Metroidvania, faced significant backlash on Steam due to its use of generative AI in cutscenes, leading to a surge of negative reviews. Developer Alive Inc has since replaced the AI-generated content, with director Young Kim acknowledging the hasty judgment and promising to improve. The incident highlights audience intolerance for AI shortcuts in game development, even as South Korea shows high AI optimism.
Evening Reading - August 20, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading for August 20, 2026, highlights various gaming news including The Duskbloods' FromSoftware-inspired experience, NBA 2K27 upgrades, Borderlands 4 lore, and Dota 2's The International 2026 details. It also features an Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC review, a unique GTA 6 promotion by the U.S. Army, and mentions of id Software's commitment to id Tech following Xbox layoffs.
'Dude no joke looks like Hugh Jackman now': The internet is swooning over Gabe Newell's svelte new look…
Valve president Gabe Newell appeared in a video for The International 2026, the Dota 2 championship tournament, sparking widespread online discussion about his significantly slimmer appearance. Many fans expressed admiration for his new look, with some comparing him to actors like Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, while others simply expressed happiness that he appears healthy.
Valve chief Gabe Newell makes a rare public appearance as "New Chad Gabe" and rings in Dota 2's biggest…
Valve co-founder Gabe Newell made a rare public appearance via video message at the opening ceremony of The International 2026 Dota 2 tournament. Newell, who appeared noticeably slimmer, reflected on the game's evolution and thanked the players and fans for their continued passion. The message was met with positive reactions online, with fans expressing happiness over his healthier appearance.
Dota 2 The International 2026: Dates, brackets, prize pools & where to watch
The Dota 2 The International 2026 esports tournament is currently underway, featuring a prize pool exceeding $3.19 million. The event began on August 13, 2026, with the Grand Finals scheduled for August 23, 2026. Matches can be watched on the official Dota 2 Twitch and YouTube channels.
Why I love my gaming notebooks
This article discusses the author's personal enjoyment of taking physical notes while playing certain video games, such as Her Story, Return of the Obra Dinn, and esports titles like Dota and League of Legends. The author finds that the tactile act of writing, drawing maps, and jotting down details enhances their engagement with digital games, creating a tangible connection to the gaming experience.
The US government is hiring gamers as air traffic controllers, with "historic" results
The US government's campaign to recruit gamers as air traffic controllers has been highly successful, meeting 94% of its hiring goal and achieving the fastest recruitment target completion ever. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted that gamers possess valuable skills like problem-solving and spatial awareness, leading to historic hiring numbers and strong performance from new recruits.
Deadlock isn't even 'out' yet, but Valve's new game is a true monster in the making
Despite not being officially released, Valve's new game Deadlock is already attracting significant player numbers on Steam, with daily highs of 75,000 players. This hero shooter MOBA hybrid, set in an alternate-history New York, blends elements of games like Overwatch and Dota 2 with a unique aesthetic and third-person shooter mechanics. The game is currently in early development with limited access, but its engaging gameplay, diverse hero roster, and approachable design suggest it's poised for major success upon its full launch.
Steam Week in Review: Once positioned as mainstream-friendly PC gaming solutions, can Valve's hardware survive the…
Valve's Steam Deck and Steam Machine hardware are facing challenges due to rising component costs, exacerbated by AI data center demand, leading to significant price increases. Despite these issues and a muted reception for the Steam Machine, the Steam Deck continues to appear on Steam's top sellers list, indicating ongoing consumer interest.
Steam gamers have spoken: innovative indies like Palworld continue to thrive while traditional triple-A flounders for a foothold
PC gaming on Steam in 2026 shows a strong trend of innovative indie titles like Palworld thriving, while traditional AAA games struggle to gain traction. Despite industry layoffs, unique projects from smaller teams are resonating with players, contrasting with the performance of recent AAA releases such as Halo: Campaign Evolved and Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced.
Morning Patches
This article notes a "Summer Scrub" update for Dota 2, alongside mentions of MAME version 0.289 and unofficial game patches. It appears to be a brief update log or news brief.
Task Bar Hero has normalized real money item auction houses, and Blizzard must be raging
Task Bar Hero, a popular side-scrolling RPG on Steam, features a real money auction house where players can buy and sell in-game items for very low prices. This mechanic draws parallels to Diablo 3's controversial real money auction house, sparking debate within the community. The article questions the normalization of such systems in modern gaming, especially given the game's design that encourages long playtimes and potential pay-to-progress elements.
Massively Overthinking: Which MMOs are a lot more popular than most people realize?
This article discusses the phenomenon of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) that are significantly more popular than mainstream perception suggests. Games like Elder Scrolls Online, Albion Online, RuneScape, and Guild Wars 2 are highlighted for their substantial revenue and player bases, despite often being overlooked by general gaming media. The discussion also touches upon the separate fanbases of Eastern MMORPGs and the tendency for some players to underestimate the continued success of established titles like World of Warcraft.
