Dota 2 News

Dota 2 update for 21 January 2021

Dota 2 update for 20 January 2021

Gabe Newell hints Valve esports events may be held in New Zealand

Valve president Gabe Newell says there is a "realistic possibility" that future Valve esports events will take place in New Zealand. Valve hosts some of the biggest esports tournaments which boast the largest prize pools, with Dota 2's The International leading the line as one the world's most prestigious esports competitions.

Newell has been living in New Zealand for nearly a year, after his short trip to the country coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic and New Zealand's subsequent national lockdown.

As PCGamesN reported, Newell said he can "work [in New Zealand] pretty much as effectively as I would if I were home". In October, he applied for residency in the country, but at the time had no plans to move Valve offices to the country. However, it seems that he has rethought his position, as he tells TVNZ's One News that "there's absolutely no reason that game development companies couldn't be located here."

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Dota 2's Overwatch system is in the works

Dota 2 developer Valve appears to be making headway in its development of an 'Overwatch' player tribunal system akin to that in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The system will allow players to pass judgement on their toxic peers based on a review of game footage.

Screenshots of the system - which was first announced back in October - have been uploaded to Twitter by Team Secret's Matthew 'Cyborgmatt' Bailey. Naturally, these most likely won't represent the final system as it is very much in development, but we can see a prompt to review a case given in the social menu. Cases will only be offered to "qualified and experienced members of the community," according to the screenshots, mimicking the requirements for CS:GO's own Overwatch system.

Reviewers will then be tasked with combing through the review footage until they are happy with their decision. From there, they can deem the accused 'guilty', 'not guilty', or even pass the case based on insufficient evidence. Unlike the four categories of charges found in CS:GO's system, it appears Dota 2's will focus on 'cheating, hacking and scripting' as well as 'griefing or abusive behaviour'.

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Dota 2 gets "revamped" in-client viewing experience for the 2021 Pro Circuit

The Dota 2 Pro Circuit 2021 winter season is upon us. The first of the contest's two seasons begins this very week, and Valve has announced that it's given the MOBA game's in-client watching experience a revamp, with new features added to give fans more ways to keep up with everything going on as the action unfolds.

"In preparation for this season we've revamped the in-client watching experience and you'll find a ton of new ways to watch and follow along with the scene," the multiplayer game's developer announces on the Dota 2 blog. Following the changes, you'll find that the client's 'watch' tab will now include a full schedule for the Circuit and a rundown of team standings as they currently, er, stand. Valve says you'll "quickly get a snapshot of where things stand, and what games are happening in the moment, and where to watch".

Plus, the revamp means you can follow your favourite competing teams and keep up with how they're faring. Additionally, following the studio's announcement of the Pro Circuit plans back in December, the DPC app has now got an update, letting fans keep up with action via that, too.

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