Dota 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Dota 2 across the outlets.- 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 GBBritish 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 yearsValve'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 - IGNCrimson 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 NowThis 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 editionsValve 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 questsThe 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 worldValve 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 - IGNValve 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 DecisionValve 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 situationValve 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 lawsuitValve 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 editionsValve 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 lawsuitValve 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.
Valve says loot boxes are just like "Pokemon, Magic the Gathering, and Labubu" as it pushes back against New York lawsuit, claims it's being pressured to "collect more personal data" for "additional age verification"Valve is pushing back against a lawsuit from the New York Attorney General's office that claims its loot boxes constitute gambling. The company argues that these "mystery boxes" are akin to collectible card games and has expressed concerns about demands for increased personal data collection for age verification. Valve states it will comply with any future legislation but intends to fight the current lawsuit.
Valve argues loot boxes "widely used, not just in video games but in the tangible world" as it expresses 'disappointment' over New York state lawsuitValve has responded to a lawsuit filed by New York State, which alleges that its loot box system constitutes illegal gambling. The company expressed disappointment, arguing that the transferability of digital items is beneficial to consumers and that their "mystery boxes" are comparable to tangible collectibles like baseball cards. Valve also highlighted its efforts to combat the misuse of game items on gambling sites and its concerns about the invasive data collection proposed by the state.
Valve posted a statement on the New York lootbox lawsuitValve has issued a statement addressing the New York Attorney General's lawsuit concerning lootboxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. The company argues that these mystery boxes do not violate gambling laws and compares them to tangible collectible items like baseball or Pokemon cards. Valve also expressed concerns about the Attorney General's demands for increased personal data collection for age verification and the proposed removal of item transferability.
How Marathon avoids the mistake that Concord and Highguard madeMarathon is praised for avoiding the "Blorko" problem that affected Concord and Highguard by implementing a unique "Shells" mechanic for combat avatars. The game, developed by Bungie, launched on March 5, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, offering a fresh take on shooter gameplay with depth and flexibility. The article also briefly mentions other games like Crabmeat, Pragmata, Fortnite, Super Mario Lego, Never's End, Crimson Desert, and the lawsuit against Valve regarding lootboxes.
Valve Addresses New York Loot Box Lawsuit: "We Refuse To Do That"Valve has publicly responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General, which claims that the company's loot box mechanics constitute illegal gambling. Valve denies these claims, arguing that loot boxes are akin to physical collectibles and that players are not required to engage with them. The company also stated it refuses to remove item transferability or implement invasive user data collection as demanded by the Attorney General.
Another new lawsuit against Valve in Washington USA takes aim at lootboxesValve Software is facing a new class-action lawsuit in Washington, USA, targeting loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. The lawsuit, filed by Hagens Berman, alleges that Valve uses gambling-like psychological techniques to encourage spending on loot boxes, particularly affecting minors. This adds to a series of recent legal challenges against the company regarding its monetization practices.