Dota 2 Confirmed as Free2Play

[PrayForDeath]

... but, you can buy your way into the beta for $40 by purchasing the "Early Access" bundle from the store.

http://blog.dota2.com/2012/06/introducing-the-dota-store/

 

[Clinkster]

I'm not sure anybody doubted this would go F2P. I'm glad they don't have small game power-ups or in game currency like LoL or SMNC.

Granted I don't mind them a great deal in those games, it just wouldn't bode well at all in DotA.

 

[Infraction Jack]

I am loving all these F2P games, it is getting to the point that I will hardly ever have to pay for a game again.

 

[Ausm]

Sweet thx for the heads up!

 

[xSkyDrAx]

I'm not sure anybody doubted this would go F2P. I'm glad they don't have small game power-ups or in game currency like LoL or SMNC.

Granted I don't mind them a great deal in those games, it just wouldn't bode well at all in DotA.

I have a feeling that there will be some sort of in-game currency that player's can purchase as the only reason to ever go F2P is because of the micro-transactions business model. Otherwise you're giving your stuff away for nothing.

 

[krnmastersgt]

I have a feeling that there will be some sort of in-game currency that player's can purchase as the only reason to ever go F2P is because of the micro-transactions business model. Otherwise you're giving your stuff away for nothing.

They've already stated that it's just cosmetic things, there's a leveling system in place and you can also buy boosts to up the rate at which you gain experience. Otherwise they said they would be mimicking an aspect of TF2 in that as you play you have a chance to randomly gain items. More details/specifics can be found here:
http://www.dota2.com/spoilsofwar/faq

 

[crownjules]

I have a feeling that there will be some sort of in-game currency that player's can purchase as the only reason to ever go F2P is because of the micro-transactions business model. Otherwise you're giving your stuff away for nothing.

They're following the TF2 model. There will be cosmetic items you can put on your heroes (hats, weapons, armor, etc). These are either found as drops in game or purchased with real money.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

They've already stated that it's just cosmetic things, there's a leveling system in place and you can also buy boosts to up the rate at which you gain experience. Otherwise they said they would be mimicking an aspect of TF2 in that as you play you have a chance to randomly gain items. More details/specifics can be found here:
http://www.dota2.com/spoilsofwar/faq

Isn't that just like LoL then? The only things you pay for are cosmetic changes and rate of experience increases.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Isn't that just like LoL then? The only things you pay for are cosmetic changes and rate of experience increases.

Well with LoL you could get IP boosts, which would help you unlock new heroes/runes/runepages. As DOTA 2's entire pool is available from the get-go, there are no runes or runepages, there's no actual in game currency system. You earn Battle Points which just level you up for cosmetic items. You can also randomly find them so I'd say its closer to TF2 than LoL.

Also a major difference between LoL and DOTA 2 (and HoN I suppose) is that you are able to get the skins/cosmetic items without having to pay money. Granted, paying money just gets you them much more readily (though the prices are a quite a bit steeper), I like that you can gain them just from playing the game alot. Not to mention you can trade them with others!