Valve Releases Crownfall Update for Dota 2
Just hours after teasing a lore-filled comic, Valve finally unleashed the Crownfall update for Dota 2, though it wasn’t quite the earth-shattering arrival many players anticipated.
While excitement ran high for new hero Ringmaster, major gameplay changes, and an in-game event, the initial rollout of Crownfall—dubbed “The Markets of Midgate”—seems to be more focused on skins and cosmetics. The update delivers on the promised Arcana skins for Skywrath Mage and Vengeful Spirit, alongside a battle pass-like feature and a treasure trove of cosmetics. But, the new hero, an event like Aghanim’s Labyrinth, and significant gameplay adjustments weren’t included in Crownfall.
Act One of Crownfall is just the beginning. Valve has hinted at a multi-part rollout, with Act Two, “The Deserts of Druud,” expected in mid-May. Acts Three and Four remain “locked” for the foreseeable future.
The Dota 2 community has reacted with mixed emotions to the release. Memes with the phrase “Clownfall” began circulating, reflecting disappointment at the lack of promised content. Frustration with Valve’s release strategy is also evident, with many comments highlighting the long wait since the last major gameplay patch in December 2023.
Valve’s decision to withdraw from making battle passes for The International in 2023 led to mixed responses from players. The replacement for the TI12 pass was deemed disrespectful, but Valve promised to use its newly-found free time to roll out meaningful changes and updates.
Since making that promise, however, Valve has only shipped quality-of-life updates with minimal content included. This lack of effort in Dota 2 is seen by many as a growing concern, especially considering the stagnant meta and the fact that Valve isn’t currently developing any triple-A games.
The Crownfall update for Dota 2 requires a 1.5GB download.
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