We may earn a commission when you buy through links in our articles. Learn more.

Dota 2 Reborn update will make Source 2 mandatory within weeks

Dota 2 Reborn

Source 2 is no longer an intangible engine that we suspect is just around the corner or theorise has been secretly unfolded across a series of TF2 and Counter-Strike updates. For Dota 2, it’ll soon be the norm. In the coming weeks, the game’s original engine will be scrapped, and Steam’s largest playerbase hoisted over to the Source 2 client currently in beta.

Once the Reborn Update lands, Valve will quickly wrap up work on the few features that need community feedback – before turning their attention to the UI. They’re planning a HUD redesign – arguably long overdue, since Dota’s is based on that of its ancient parent game, WarCraft III.

Reborn will bring better stability, more features, the option of a 64-bit client, and the Dota 2 custom games modding toolset. The idea of the latter being that the next Dota (or Team Fortress, or Counter-Strike) could potentially be built within Dota.

“Moving away from the Source 1 engine soon will allow us to better focus our efforts entirely on Source 2 in preparation for various upcoming tournaments,” write Valve. “Now would be a good time for everyone to start downloading the Reborn update, as you will not need to download it again when the main client receives the update in the coming weeks.”

You can find the Reborn beta update under the Play Tab of the Dota client. Our Ben reckons the post-International balance patch is nearing too, so that’s a lot of Dota to get downloading.

What would you like to see come out of custom games?