1. Get Dota 2 on Steam
Visit the Dota 2 Steam page and click the 'Get Dota 2' button. For now, you'll be added to the launch queue, and we'll email you when we are ready for you to come play. The volume of players let in will gradually increase so we can spread the launch load out over time.
2. Sharpen your skills in the New User Experience
Once you're in, you can get a feel for what Dota 2 is all about by playing through the tutorial. After you've mastered some of the basics of the game, we have AI controlled bots for you to battle against, which can be set to a number of different skill levels. You can even grab a group of friends to play against the bots. It's a great way to get started playing Dota 2 and figuring out who will be your first favorite hero.
3. Let the games begin!
Once you are ready to start playing full games via matchmaking, we'll keep an eye on how you're doing and make sure that you're playing against other players of your skill level. There is also a party system, so you and up to four of your friends can all play together on the same team.
Like we mentioned before, the launch of Dota 2 is going to take on a different shape than products we've shipped in the past. Our thinking is that we want the existing audience to have uninterrupted access during the launch, in addition to bringing new players into Dota 2 in a way that isn't frustrating. Simply put, we want to smooth out the traditional launch spike, but at the same time allow anyone to come in and try out Dota 2.
Dota 2's user base is already larger than any game we've ever made, and it continues to grow. Knowing this launch moment was coming, we've spent the past year working on getting both the backend infrastructure and new user experience into a state where we can welcome in anyone that wants to give the game a try. With that work now complete, it is time for us to invite anyone and everyone to come play.
If you want to give Dota a try, or you have a friend you want to bring into the community, click the button above and you can get in the launch queue. You'll see your place in line, and when it is your turn we'll send you an email letting you know you're in. We'll begin sending those emails this week.
We also have an update from our world-travelling server installation team, who in addition to achieving triple diamond platinum/uranium/aegis level frequent flyer status, also have added significant game server capacity. Most of this trip has been to add capacity to Stockholm and Luxembourg, but we've also recently added servers to US West and our new cluster in Korea. Don't worry if your cluster isn't listed here, we're ready to add as many servers as needed as the user base grows. Here are some photos from the Luxembourg datacenter:
These servers represent the ability to host an additional 450,000 players concurrently. Figuring out how much capacity to add, and where, is one important aspect of this launch. For the stats people out there, concurrent numbers are more useful when predicting what capacity we need for specific regions, because Dota players in the same region tend to play during similar hours. Our worldwide active user base is roughly twelve times the peak concurrency.
Hopefully the Dota 2 beta has been as fun for you as it has been for us. While it has come to an end, we'll be building the game for a long time, and listening to what direction to take.
If the game is released, why can't I play it right away?
We want to avoid a situation where a rush of players overloads our server infrastructure. As we increase our capacity, we will let more people in from the launch queue.
What is the frequency you'll be letting new players in?
New players will be added in batches. We will start letting people in and monitor how the entire system reacts, and make sure that we aren't disrupting the entire community. Our goal is to get people in as quickly as possible.
What is the difference between this and the Early Access Sign-up?
The game is officially released. We'll be letting in new users as fast as our server infrastructure allows.
Can I join if I have an unused Dota 2 Early Access Pass?
Well, no. During the launch we need to be able to control the number of users coming into the system, and with the number of passes that are available out in the community, that could create higher demand than our server capacity can initially handle.
Can I still purchase a Dota 2 Early Access Pass or Starter Pack?
The Starter Packs and Access Passes have been discontinued. Going to the Dota 2 Steam page and clicking the Get Dota 2 button is how new players can play the game.
What happens to my unused Dota 2 Early Access Passes?
Everyone who participated in the Early Access phase will receive a special edition pass that indicates how many new players they brought to Dota 2 by trading Early Access Passes. Existing Early Access Passes will go away.
Are there any regions that won't be able to play Dota 2 yet?
The only regions that aren't currently launching are China and Korea, however they will be releasing in the near future. Please visit our partners: Perfect World in China and Nexon in Korea for more information.
Is Dota 2 available for Mac or Linux?
Yes, Dota 2 is now available for both Mac and Linux.
Now that the game is out of beta, are you finished working on it?
Dota 2 will continue to move forward, just like it always has. We still have old (and eventually new) heroes to release and an endless supply of features to build. We are releasing the game now because it is ready, but of course there isn't an end to the development of the game. Just like we have been for the last couple of years as Dota 2 has grown, we'll be looking to hear from you about how we're doing and about what you'd like us to build next.
Visit the Dota 2 Steam page and click the 'Get Dota 2' button. For now, you'll be added to the launch queue, and we'll email you when we are ready for you to come play. The volume of players let in will gradually increase so we can spread the launch load out over time.
2. Sharpen your skills in the New User Experience
Once you're in, you can get a feel for what Dota 2 is all about by playing through the tutorial. After you've mastered some of the basics of the game, we have AI controlled bots for you to battle against, which can be set to a number of different skill levels. You can even grab a group of friends to play against the bots. It's a great way to get started playing Dota 2 and figuring out who will be your first favorite hero.
3. Let the games begin!
Once you are ready to start playing full games via matchmaking, we'll keep an eye on how you're doing and make sure that you're playing against other players of your skill level. There is also a party system, so you and up to four of your friends can all play together on the same team.
Like we mentioned before, the launch of Dota 2 is going to take on a different shape than products we've shipped in the past. Our thinking is that we want the existing audience to have uninterrupted access during the launch, in addition to bringing new players into Dota 2 in a way that isn't frustrating. Simply put, we want to smooth out the traditional launch spike, but at the same time allow anyone to come in and try out Dota 2.
Dota 2's user base is already larger than any game we've ever made, and it continues to grow. Knowing this launch moment was coming, we've spent the past year working on getting both the backend infrastructure and new user experience into a state where we can welcome in anyone that wants to give the game a try. With that work now complete, it is time for us to invite anyone and everyone to come play.
If you want to give Dota a try, or you have a friend you want to bring into the community, click the button above and you can get in the launch queue. You'll see your place in line, and when it is your turn we'll send you an email letting you know you're in. We'll begin sending those emails this week.
We also have an update from our world-travelling server installation team, who in addition to achieving triple diamond platinum/uranium/aegis level frequent flyer status, also have added significant game server capacity. Most of this trip has been to add capacity to Stockholm and Luxembourg, but we've also recently added servers to US West and our new cluster in Korea. Don't worry if your cluster isn't listed here, we're ready to add as many servers as needed as the user base grows. Here are some photos from the Luxembourg datacenter:
These servers represent the ability to host an additional 450,000 players concurrently. Figuring out how much capacity to add, and where, is one important aspect of this launch. For the stats people out there, concurrent numbers are more useful when predicting what capacity we need for specific regions, because Dota players in the same region tend to play during similar hours. Our worldwide active user base is roughly twelve times the peak concurrency.
Hopefully the Dota 2 beta has been as fun for you as it has been for us. While it has come to an end, we'll be building the game for a long time, and listening to what direction to take.
If the game is released, why can't I play it right away?
We want to avoid a situation where a rush of players overloads our server infrastructure. As we increase our capacity, we will let more people in from the launch queue.
What is the frequency you'll be letting new players in?
New players will be added in batches. We will start letting people in and monitor how the entire system reacts, and make sure that we aren't disrupting the entire community. Our goal is to get people in as quickly as possible.
What is the difference between this and the Early Access Sign-up?
The game is officially released. We'll be letting in new users as fast as our server infrastructure allows.
Can I join if I have an unused Dota 2 Early Access Pass?
Well, no. During the launch we need to be able to control the number of users coming into the system, and with the number of passes that are available out in the community, that could create higher demand than our server capacity can initially handle.
Can I still purchase a Dota 2 Early Access Pass or Starter Pack?
The Starter Packs and Access Passes have been discontinued. Going to the Dota 2 Steam page and clicking the Get Dota 2 button is how new players can play the game.
What happens to my unused Dota 2 Early Access Passes?
Everyone who participated in the Early Access phase will receive a special edition pass that indicates how many new players they brought to Dota 2 by trading Early Access Passes. Existing Early Access Passes will go away.
Are there any regions that won't be able to play Dota 2 yet?
The only regions that aren't currently launching are China and Korea, however they will be releasing in the near future. Please visit our partners: Perfect World in China and Nexon in Korea for more information.
Is Dota 2 available for Mac or Linux?
Yes, Dota 2 is now available for both Mac and Linux.
Now that the game is out of beta, are you finished working on it?
Dota 2 will continue to move forward, just like it always has. We still have old (and eventually new) heroes to release and an endless supply of features to build. We are releasing the game now because it is ready, but of course there isn't an end to the development of the game. Just like we have been for the last couple of years as Dota 2 has grown, we'll be looking to hear from you about how we're doing and about what you'd like us to build next.