Tonight Valve confirmed a long-rumored detail of their strategy game Dota 2: it won't cost a dime to download and play. Players will be able to pay money for optional items, though.
Dota 2 won't ask players to pay for access to certain heroes. Instead, they'll all be available free of charge. Valve says that they believe selling hero access is potentially "destructive to game design." That seems like a subtle dig at League of Legends, another Defense of the Ancients-inspired game that does offer premium heroes.
Valve stresses that all of the items in the store are simply cosmetic. They won't have an impact on gameplay at all. You can earn these items by completing matches if you don't feel like paying money. You can also trade with other players if you get bored with your possessions.
Players will be able to create their own items as well through the Steam Workshop. Other players will vote and comment on these items. After weighing the community's feedback, the development team will add certain player-created items to the game's official store. Players will get a share of the profits generated from the sale of their creations.
Dota 2 is currently in beta. Players will be able to buy items during testing. These purchases, along with their progress, will carry over into the full version when it launches. The official release of the game is expected later this year.
