Dota 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Dota 2 across the outlets.
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Dota 2 Players Celebrate Major Bug Fix Update Targeting Meepo Exploits
Valve has released a significant update for Dota 2 addressing numerous game-breaking bugs and exploits, particularly those affecting the hero Meepo. The patch resolves issues related to item duplication, incorrect ability interactions, and game crashes, aiming to restore fairness and stability to the competitive experience.
Radiant Closes Its Gaming Rewards Service
Radiant, a gaming rewards platform, has ceased operations effective March 28, 2026, disabling its quest and rewards redemption systems. The closure highlights the challenges in maintaining economically viable rewards models, particularly with recent declines in the web3 gaming market. The company has not disclosed plans for compensating users with unredeemed rewards.
Deadlock isn't a death sentence for Dota 2 - it's "a gateway," according to caster and ESL product manager 'Avo+'
ESL product manager and Dota 2 caster Álvaro Sánchez Velasco discusses the impact of patch 7.41 and the potential threat of 'Deadlock' to the game's esports scene. He views the new update as a 'gateway' for Dota 2's continued growth.
Dota 2 Patch 7.41 Drops with Major Ability Draft Overhaul & Quality of Life Fixes
Valve has released Dota 2 Patch 7.41, introducing significant quality of life improvements and an overhaul to the Ability Draft mode. Key updates include overhead indicators for consumable items, a reordered Quick Buy system, and fixes for projectile limitations. The patch also deprecates support for GPUs not compatible with DirectX 11 and Shader Model 5, signaling future graphical advancements.
Morning Patches
This article briefly mentions several game updates, including the 7.41 gameplay patch for Dota 2, update 1.0.5.1 for Marathon, and update 2.0.0.0 for Project Motor Racing. It also notes an unofficial mention of Red Dead Redemption 2.
Morning Esports and Competitions
Dota 2 has been confirmed to be featured in the Games of the Future 2026 tournament in Astana, which will offer a prize pool of US$1 million. The event highlights the growing esports landscape and competitive gaming.
Great Britain at the Esports Nations Cup 2026: British Esports, Esports Wales, Fnatic, Scottish Esports, The FA via England Gaming and UKETC unite to represent GB
British Esports, along with partners Esports Wales, Fnatic, Scottish Esports, The FA via England Gaming, and UKETC, has been selected as the Official National Team Partner to represent Great Britain at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2-29, 2026. Jeff Simpkins has been appointed National Team Manager, tasked with forming national teams across multiple game titles. The Esports Foundation is backing the event with significant funding for prize money, club incentives, and national team development.
A huge new Dota 2 patch U-turns on one of Valve's biggest additions in years
Valve's Dota 2 has received a major update with patch 7.41, which removes the controversial Facets feature. The patch also introduces new items, hero abilities, and significant map alterations, marking a transformative change for the MOBA.
Crimson Desert Just Launched and It's Already One of Steam's Top 3 Most-Played Games - IGN
Crimson Desert has achieved significant success shortly after its launch, reaching the top three most-played games on Steam with over 250,000 concurrent players. The open-world action game, also available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, had garnered 3 million Steam Wishlists prior to release. Despite a strong launch in player numbers, Pearl Abyss' stock price saw a notable decline, potentially linked to early review scores.
Best PvP Games in 2026: Most Popular Competitive Multiplayer Games Right Now
This guide highlights the top Player versus Player (PvP) games dominating the competitive gaming landscape in 2026, based on player counts and popularity. It covers titles across genres like tactical shooters (Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT), battle royales (PUBG: Battlegrounds, Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone), and MOBAs (League of Legends, Dota 2), as well as popular mobile titles. The article also discusses the enduring appeal of PvP games, the importance of balanced gameplay, strong matchmaking, and community support for long-term success.
Developer sues publisher after leaving backers waiting over two years for promised physical editions
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General regarding lootboxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. The company stated it does not believe these lootboxes constitute illegal gambling for minors and expressed disappointment that the lawsuit proceeded despite Valve's efforts to educate the Attorney General's office since early 2023.
PEGI revises its age ratings system with considerations for loot boxes, daily quests
The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) organization is updating its age rating system to include specific game features like loot boxes and daily quests, effective June. New classifications will consider in-game purchases, paid random items, communication features, and daily rewards, aiming to enhance online safety for parents. Games with loot boxes will now be rated PEGI 16 or 18, while those with daily quests will be PEGI 7 or 12, depending on whether they reward or punish players for returning.
Valve argues mystery boxes are 'widely used' in the tangible world
Valve is arguing against the New York Attorney General's lawsuit that claims its games promote illegal gambling through loot boxes. The company asserts that these mystery boxes are widely used in both video games and the physical world, comparing them to baseball card packs and blind boxes. Valve also stated that it does not cooperate with gambling sites and has locked over one million Steam accounts involved in such activities.
Valve Breaks Silence Over NY Attorney General Lawsuit, Says Loot Boxes Are Like Baseball Cards, Pokémon, Magic the Gathering, and Labubu - IGN
Valve has responded to a lawsuit from the New York Attorney General, arguing that loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2 are akin to baseball cards or Pokémon cards and do not constitute illegal gambling. The company stated that virtual items are cosmetic, transferable, and that they actively combat the use of their items on gambling sites. Valve expressed concerns about the AG's demands, which they believe go beyond existing law and could negatively impact users and developers.
Valve Addresses Lawsuit by New York Attorney General, Says it Will Wait for a Court’s Decision
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General regarding loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. The company argues that these items are comparable to trading cards and that players are not required to purchase them. Valve expressed concerns about proposed changes, particularly regarding the transferability of digital items and invasive data collection, and stated they will await a court decision.
Valve speaks out about New York loot box lawsuit in rare attempt at damage control, saying ‘it would have been bad for users and other game developers’ to preempt situation
Valve has publicly addressed the lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General regarding loot boxes, describing them as gambling. The company stated that the AG's proposed changes to its business operations would have negatively impacted users and developers on Steam, affecting privacy and the ability to trade in-game items.
"Valve does not cooperate with gambling sites" - Counter-Strike publishers issue rare public defence of lootbox mechanics, following New York lawsuit
Valve has publicly defended its lootbox mechanics in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 against a lawsuit alleging illegal gambling. The company argues that these mechanics are not unique, do not provide in-game advantages, and that they have actively worked to combat gambling on their platform. Valve also stated they would comply with future legislation but disagreed with the proposed measures, believing they would harm users and developers.
Developer sues publisher after leaving Kickstarter backers waiting over two years for promised physical editions
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General, disputing claims that loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 constitute illegal gambling. The company stated it has been educating the NYAG about its virtual items since early 2023 and believes the transferability of digital items is a consumer right. Valve also addressed separate legal proceedings initiated by the Performing Right Society over alleged unlicensed use of music on Steam.
Valve responds to NY Attorney General lawsuit: "We have serious concerns with the alterations the NYAG claims are necessary to make to our games"
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, disputing claims that loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 unlawfully encourage minors to gamble. Valve stated it does not believe its virtual items violate gambling laws and expressed disappointment that the lawsuit proceeded despite their efforts to educate the NYAG. The company also addressed concerns about the transferability of digital items and invasive data collection proposed by the NYAG.
Valve defends loot boxes in response to New York's lawsuit
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by New York's attorney general accusing the company of promoting illegal gambling through loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. Valve defended its use of mystery boxes, comparing them to physical trading cards and emphasizing that the items are purely cosmetic and transferable, arguing that removing transferability would harm consumers.