Will there ever be a Dota 3? Valve’s plan explained

Luke Warr Published September 17, 2024

Dota 2 was released in 2013, so there is no doubt that discussions about a possible Dota 3 are already taking place.

Dota has become one of the most iconic video games in the world. The fact that it was just a mod for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos but became more popular than its root game makes the story even more interesting. Then Valve entered the picture and made Dota 2, which became one of the biggest esports in the world. However, Valve has never dipped back into the franchise despite it’s popularity. While spinoffs like Artifact and Underlords have crashed and burned, why hasn’t Valve ever attempted a mainline sequel?

With Dota 2 still being a staple esports title, would fans welcome the idea of a potential Dota 3?

Will Dota 3 ever come out?

Valve has no plans to make a Dota 3, and the game likely won’t ever come out.

Valve has not given any information about a possible sequel to Dota 2. Almost any new ideas about Dota’s lore or gameplay could just be inserted into the existing game. The title has already reinvented itself several times with mechanics like talents, Aghanim’s Shard, and most recently, facets and innates.

Image credits: Valve

Still, anything is possible. Valve updated Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to the Source 2 engine with the release of Counter-Strike 2. While that game has many issues, its release shows that the developer is willing to take risks with established IPs. Maybe Dota 3 will come out whenever the Source 3 engine is developed.

What features could appear in Dota 3?

Assuming that Valve pushes the creation and release of Dota 3 in the future, there are major features that players should expect when it happens.

One solid expectation is that Dota 3 will keep the core MOBA gameplay from past Dota games. Dota 2 retained the original gameplay and mechanics of Dota 1 but with enhanced graphics, smoother effects, a larger hero pool, and an in-game store. This will also be the case when Dota 3 becomes a reality, with even better graphics, flashier effects, and more heroes to pick.

More original game modes, however, might be a thing to consider for Valve. Dota 2 does not have a standard story mode, and all lore is told through events and item descriptions. All game modes in Dota 2 also revolve around the typical MOBA setup. A significant gameplay change or addition could be something worth expecting, especially since innovation is becoming more rampant when it comes to video games.

Valve’s long-term plans for Dota raise questions, but the current focus is on the Ringmaster’s release date and abilities.