What can we expect from DoTA 2 ???

1. Better teamwork

The integrated voice chat will give those who normally do not use ventrilo or other voice connection options better communication. This will hopefully increase the quality of public games. For those who use voice chat programmes, it will make it more simple and reduce inconvenience when the voice connection drops with the need to tab out.

2. Unique Hero graphics and voices

Each hero is being crafted to be easily identified and distinguishable from other characters. This makes it easier for players to understand the situation and appropriate action. There will be custom voice work with entertaining lines from heroes.

3. Better Community Experience

Valve is going to provide an interactive platform to minimise social friction. They might include in-game rewards that encourage positive community interaction. I am really looking forward for a more integrated community platform for DotA players. By having a consistent and centralised ladder and incentives, I believe that the gameplay experience will increase.

4. Better Experience for New Players

DotA2 will be easier to break into for new players with (1) skill-based match-matching (giving newbies a chance to play with people on the same level), (2) interactive guides, (3) a coaching system and (4) AI bots in unranked training matches. I have not seen a coaching system in other action-RTS games. It might be useful, but it probably isn’t that important or will be commonly used. Players would probably be more interested playing with their friends as they teach them, rather than watching them play.

5. Better Experience for Veteran Players

With a skill-based match-making system, it would be less likely for experienced DotA players to have to endure the amateur moves of a new player. There will also be AI bots to replace disconnected players. I think that som players might prefer to be able to control the leaver or take their items than have an AI bot play for them, particularly in a high-level game. It might be better to have a voting option, so that the members of the affected team can decide if they want the AI bot. Would it increase the number of leavers? Players might encourage others to leave because they think the AI bot will be better. Leavers will feel better in leaving, since they don’t feel it has a huge impact on the game.

DotA 2 comming in 2011 !!!

Finally, DotA 2 is now officially announced! As the Game Informer mentioned, the game will be released next year on both PC and Mac platform.

Dota 2 takes its name from the Warcraft III mod Defense of the Ancients, a drastic change to that stock real-time strategy title, which pits two teams of five players against each other in highly competitive, 40-minute or longer matches. DotA has each player controlling a single hero who levels up and stockpiles gold to purchase powerful equipment and consumables. As computer-controlled armies continually spawn and rush the enemy's base, players are responsible for using their powerful heroes to turn the tide of the battle in their favor.

IceFrog (the current DotA map developer on Warcraft III) is hired by Valve in 2009. Since then, many people starts wondering what kind of game they are working on. And as the curtain revealed, it appears they are bringing the DotA map into a full game based on the Valve's Source engine. That's mean many of the game limitation on Warcraft III is lifted. And with that, some new features are also introduced on the DotA 2.

Ventrilo is no longer needed. Communication is the vital factor on the teamwork and typing sometime is not an option because our hand is already full controling the hero. The DotA 2 will cover that and have an integrated voice chat feature which will allow you to communicate during game easily.

Leaver AI Replacement

Awesome features. You will have less problem with the leaver. The disconnected players hero will be automatically taken control by an AI bots. However, don't get too excited and you decide to played it on a single-player game.

Cool Heroes Voice

The current DotA map is using the Warcraft III sound set which originally created for the Warcraft III campaign, not for DotA. The DotA 2 will have the heroes voice fit properly with the game. Amusing lines from heroes will coming out when you deny the enemy team last hits on creeps. Heroes who have related stories will trade quips when nearby. 

Matchmaking System

Valve is using it's traditional Steamworks for the skill based matchmaking which will let you play comfortably.

In-Game Rewards

Valve is introducing a new system which will rewards you for participating in community forums.

Coaching System

Veteran players will be able to login as a coach and teach the newbies. The coach can see beginner's screen and can get private voice chat during the game. Still no words about how the trainer and trainee will be matched.

Valve founder and boss Gabe Newell thinks that ongoing service and value creation over a game's lifespan is the new reality of game development. "IceFrog was one of the smartest people we've ever met about doing that, and he was doing it with both hands tied behind his back, so to speak," Newell says. The company plans on approaching Dota 2 with the same dedication that won it the fanatical devotion of the Team Fortress 2 community, pushing out dozens of updates that do everything from adding new hats to fixing balance issues to introducing entire new match types for free.