It`s become almost cliché to talk about the slow decline of Dota 2. While it`s premature and frankly absurd to say our beloved game is dying, there`s a clear trend of decreasing average online players that has persisted for some time. Some suggest radical gameplay changes, like adding a sixth player to each team, while others pin their hopes on the return of popular personalities. We propose Valve look to Blizzard`s example and capitalize on nostalgia by releasing a “classic Dota” mode.
Patch 7.00 was a turning point in Dota 2 history. It was one of the most significant updates, fundamentally changing the game. Before 7.00, patches mostly focused on individual hero and economy tweaks. Patch 7.00, however, expanded the core mechanics with talents, backpacks, shrines on the map, a redesigned interface, and much more. The old interface looked like this:
And who could forget the old hero selection process with scrolling icons?
It`s not that Dota before 7.00 was better, it was just different. Many players miss that older version of Dota 2. Nostalgia plays a big role here. People fondly return to things that resonate with their youthful memories, when the grass seemed greener and late-night Dota sessions with friends were more fun.
We can look at Blizzard`s successful exploitation of original WoW in its various forms in recent years. The graph below illustrates the increase in active subscriptions after the release of two versions of classic World of Warcraft (WoW Classic and WoW Classic: Season of Discovery).
Admittedly, the differences between WoW versions are more drastic than between Dota 2 patches. But the key is the appeal of revisiting familiar experiences, like defeating boars with a club in WoW, or in Dota`s case, casting Wraith King`s stun or planting Techies` green mines in the old interface.
But it`s not just about nostalgia. Earlier Dota 2 was simpler. Adding new mechanics and map objectives brings variety and is welcomed by some, but this complexity also raises the barrier to entry. Now, players must constantly track rune timings, lotuses, wisdom runes, Tormentors, recapture Watchers, adapt builds to specific matchups, and more.
Consider Dota 2 a decade ago. Even in professional matches, fights were the main focus. There weren`t dozens of stacked camps, creep pulling intricacies, and other sophisticated tactics. Matchmaking was also much simpler, if not primitive. Players competed in farming and button-pressing skills rather than “Dota intellect.”
Dota 2`s peak popularity was around 2016, when the game was already a phenomenon but before the 7.00 update.
After 7.00, Dota 2`s popularity began a steady decline. Even the golden eras of The International 2018 and 2019, with their lavish Battle Passes and vibrant pro scene, couldn`t compete with the 2015-2016 period. This is because Dota 2 was more accessible to players with lower skill levels and limited free time, who weren`t willing to delve into the nuances of constant updates.
Returning to a simpler Dota is an invitation to those “casual pub players” who enjoyed playing Spirit Breaker without agonizing over optimal aspects, talents, and the necessity of Aghanim`s Shard.
The only upgrade needed for classic pre-7.00 Dota 2 could be Turbo mode. Currently, Turbo accounts for almost a third of all Dota 2 matches.
Turbo has become a great option for those who want to play Dota but don`t want to sweat or invest too much time. It`s also a playground for experimentation, where you can freely pick carry Jakiro and build Maelstrom and Daedalus. So, the option to dive into old Dota 2 in a faster-paced mode would likely be enjoyable and popular.
An independent ecosystem could be built around Dota 2 Classic. For example, bring back old compendium formats—those that weren`t overloaded with items but were still much better than what we`ve had in recent years.
These could distribute old item sets that are now very cheap. Dota 2 Classic could also completely abandon modern cosmetic items that drastically change heroes or add inappropriate settings, and instead use old-school items that are less flashy but more authentic.
A separate MMR system without modern ranks could be created for Dota 2 Classic. MMR has significantly devalued now, while in 2015, reaching even 4k MMR was a real achievement and a source of pride. And the leaderboard race was followed with special interest back then.
Creating an alternative, classic Dota 2 is also a way to generate media hype around the game.
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In conclusion, a separate client for Dota 2 Classic, recreating the old game experience, could be an excellent way to give a new boost to Valve`s MOBA community.
This could also be cleverly framed as a continuation of an in-game event in main Dota 2. For example, something like Crownfall, where events revolve around Faceless Void, who ultimately rewinds time and unveils the “old world of Dota 2.”
Of course, implementing this project is complex, and given the Dota 2 developers` slowness and resource constraints, it`s hard to expect it to happen. But who knows…