How many people play Dota 2?
Dota 2, one of the most popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games, has seen a steady decline in its Dota 2 player count. From a player’s perspective, that’s a concerning afterthought, let alone hoping Valve releases Dota 3 anytime soon.
The game, which was released in 2013, has a dedicated fanbase that continued to grow annually until 2016, which peaked at 709,000 average concurrent players. As of 2023, the Dota 2 player count has reached its all-time low once more, with an average of approximately 455,000 players online at any given time.
While that average Dota 2 player count is consistent over the recent months, Dota 2 surpassed its all-time high at over 1M players on October 2022. It was the International 11 (TI11) and Battle Pass season. The Diretide event and world-class competitive Dota 2 had many fans return for a treat. In most circumstances, this annual phenomenon would rake in a 5% increase in Dota 2 player count for that month.
Dota 2 Player Counts in January 2023
However, Valve blew away everyone’s expectations by dropping a free Arcana skin for all players. Whether it’s in light of the negative response that TI11 has garnered over its betting sponsors, low-quality production, or lacklustre Battle Pass rewards. It was enough to get fans back onto the platform to play a couple of games while participating in Diretide.
As impressive as Valve’s gimmicks are, it is still an unfortunate state of Dota 2 to have so little new generation appeal.
Dota 2 Player Count FAQ
Is Dota 2 still popular in 2022?
Although the average Dota 2 player count pales in comparison to its peak in 2016, it’s still among the most popular titles in its esports genre. Boasting a tremendous community-funded prize pool of $18.9M, it’s certainly among the largest.
Is Dota 2 losing players?
Yes, there is negative sentiment from Dota 2 players on Valve’s lack of attention for the Dota 2 division.
Is Dota 2 bigger than LoL?
League of Legends has an average of 150M monthly concurrent players, which is several times more than what Dota 2 fanbase can ever contest. Nevertheless, the size of the game’s player base is not a reflection of one MOBA genre’s viability.
Is Dota 2 going to end?
Dota 2 isn’t going anywhere. With a steady Dota 2 player count for the past decade, it’s difficult to envision Dota 2 going the route of former MOBA rival, Heroes of Neweth. Nonetheless, we will keep our fingers crossed on that.
Is Dota 2 still toxic?
Like any online game, there will always be some toxicity. But the Dota 2 community is working hard to keep the game a positive experience for all players online. Two years ago, Dota 2 introduced the Overwatch feature, which has had great success in their other game, CSGO.
Players are appointed an Overwatch case, where they review a reported player’s game to identify any proof of grief, abuse, or toxic language. Albeit, slurs are already automatically censored on chat and players can opt to mute any irritating player if necessary.
Is Dota 2 more popular than CSGO?
Unlike its MOBA cousin, CSGO has a far better player reach than Dota 2. While the two games are of completely different genres, CSGO has a more sustainable Esports segment alongside skin economy. However, comparing CSGO to Riot Games’ alternative, Valorant, which is newer in the field of the first-person shooter genre. CSGO also loses in the player count agenda.
Will Dota 3 happen?
Dota 3 will not happen, period. It’s a popular rumor that Valve never develops a game for a trilogy. Even if the games, Portal 1 and 2 had phenomenal success, fans still hope Valve releases a third iteration a decade after its launch.
However, a new Dota 2 custom game once revived the Dota 2 player count to its former glory back in January 2019. It was Dota Auto Chess, a strategy chess mode developed by several Chinese Dota 2 players at Drodo Studio, that took online players by storm.
Skill-oriented gameplay and strategy building made the game so popular, that it even had its own game category on Twitch. Unfortunately, Drodo Studio eventually pulled out of the Dota 2 client due to internal conflicts regarding the use of the game. They went on to build a mobile app using the same game concept, but never really grew in popularity.
How long will Dota 2 last?
As long as there are online players, Dota 2 will continue to be a beloved game. And with a strong Dota 2 player count, it looks like it’ll be around for a while.
Regardless, it’s up to Valve, the folks behind the Dota 2 franchise, to push their game to greater heights. Either by listening to the community, catering to the Gen Z audience, or not cutting costs in the most anticipated annual championship in Dota 2, TI.
In conclusion, Dota 2’s player count has seen a steady increase over the years, with occasional peaks and dips. The game’s major tournaments, particularly The International, have played a significant role in increasing the player count. With an average of over 400,000 concurrent players online at any given time, it is clear that Dota 2 will continue to be one of the most popular MOBA games for years to come.
