Get into the Dota 2 beta now if you buy the Early Access Bundle of items

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here

Dota 2, Valve’s upcoming MOBA game, will launch later this year as a free-to-play title, supported by the Dota Store, Valve has announced.

The Dota Store will offer items created by Valve and members of the community (via Steam Workshop) that may be used immediately in the ongoing beta and carried over when the game officially launches.

Furthermore, whilst early access to the game isn’t required to buy items from the store prior to launch, gamers can gain immediate access to the beta by purchasing the Dota 2 Early Access Bundle of items – priced £24.99.

“The opening of the Dota Store is a big part of our final push to launch,” said IceFrog, design lead on Dota 2. “With support for the Steam Workshop, the majority of the items made available on day one were created and being sold by members of the community. By making the game Free to Play, we hope to give gamers the ability to decide how – and how much – they want to invest in the game.”

Valve also wants to assure fans that Dota 2 is not and will not be a pay-to-win game, stating that all items in the store are cosmetic, and don’t affect gameplay.

In addition, all of the heroes will be available free of charge. “We believe restricting player access to heroes could be destructive to game design, so it’s something we plan to avoid,” said a Dota Team blog post.

Dota 2 is targeted for full release on PC later this year.

This is a master stroke by Valve. Announce a free-to-play game and then get fans spending £25 on items in order to start playing now. Genius.