Valve Is Making DotA 2

[Opaque]

This is all so weird.

[FuryFox]

I'm disappointed to learn they're just re-skinning DOTA. HoN almost does that already, and after playing LoL so much (just about to hit 30), I don't feel the need to learn another game like this unless there's something new to mess with. Heck, LoL is about to release a Dominion mode (essentially Arathi Basin from WoW), and while it may be unbalanced and crappy, at least it's something new, and might be fun.

Granted, as DOTA is so janky, and HoN (especially after the UI revision) has a huge barrier to entry, if I was going to play any version of DOTA it would be Valve's, especially if my friends get in to it. The art and designs are a lot nicer than the competition, at least.

I'm FuryFox on LoL, btw. Main Morgana, haven't burnt out yet.

[bVork]

I'm more interested in the peripheral stuff than the mechanics. DOTA, from what I've heard, is pretty much balanced and solid. What will interest me is how Valve positions the game for the non-hardcore like myself. The largest barriers to entry, from my point of view, are the absolutely noxious communities that have sprung up around every DOTA derivative. Valve needs to figure out a way to convince hardcore players to not be total dicks to newbies in order for this game to have any success outside of the group that already plays it.

[Frogacuda]

I'm still kind of confused that Valve threw all their weight behind a mod port.

You act as if they haven't done that a couple times already. Counter Strike Source and Day of Defeat Source ring any bells?

Besides, I think this game is going to be free to play. It's just a way to sell hats.

[Diff-chan]

They picked up both when they were still mods, and kept both of the mods around. They did no such thing here. DotA is not a mod to their own game. They just hired the one guy and spent years remaking the exact same game in Source.

Hell with CS they released the mod in a box, and a semi sequel, and an Xbox port, before moving it to Source.

[Anthony]

DOTA, from what I've heard, is pretty much balanced and solid. .

Fuck no they aren't. They are all embarrassingly bad. Their balance is like the equivalent of high school theater. You literally cannot play the hero you want at mid upper to high level on, period. They become non factors in the game.

[Yoshi]

Blizzard can fuck off. I hope they not only lose but are forced to pick up Valve's tab for the legal bullshit. A mod, especially its name, should be not the IP of the game's developer, unless they buy it. That should be cut and dry.

[FirstBlood]

I don't see why Valve should be allowed to trademark it. I don't think Blizzard should be able to either but I can't say they're wrong for opposing Valve on this.

[dave is ok]

So the developers that created DOTA moved on to create League of Legends and the guy who they passed DOTA on to and really made the game great was hired by Valve to do DOTA2? I'd say Blizzard has the least claim to the name out of everyone involved. I don't know if the law would agree though.

ALSO: Sent LoL friend requests to Furyfox and flux=rad. No clue if either of you still plays

[Yoshi]

The creator should own the name. Assuming he is supportive, Valve has the only corporate claim to the name. The key obviously is the creator's wishes to me.