Information posted by the SteamDB website indicates that Dota 2 could soon be running on the Source 2 engine. The site lists several "changed depots" for the game that reference "Source 2 Dota 2 Content" for 32 and 64-bit Windows, as well as Mac and Linux, in multiple languages.
The impact of that is currently a matter of speculation, but as VentureBeat explains, Source 2 is essentially an updated engine and toolset used for game and content creation. Dota 2 is built on the Source engine, so a move to Source 2 could mean new features, more advanced graphical options, plus a wider and/or more flexible range of tools for mod makers. Valve announced in March that the Source 2 engine will be free for everyone, with the proviso that any games made with it must be sold through Steam.
We've reached out to Valve to see what the ramifications are, and will update if and when we receive a reply.
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Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.
