Dota 2 spectator client released for all to see

Valve is pushing the pro-gaming side of Dota 2 pretty hard but isn't quite ready to open the beta up to everyone, so it's released a special spectator client all and sundry can download to watch games.

Alice O'Connor

August 20, 2012 6:00 AM

Valve is pushing the pro-gaming side of Dota 2 pretty hard, between its $1 million tournament The International, a documentary, and selling viewing passes for its fancy in-game spectator system. The developer's not quite ready to let everyone into the free-to-play game yet, but it has released a special spectator client all and sundry can download to watch matches. You can watch current and recent casual matches for free, though most tournaments charge a small entry fee to view them. To see some fairly high-level play for free, though, try the Wild Card rounds from The International. They're from June so both the game and the metagame have come a long way since then, but it'll show how slick spectating is, with multiple commentators to choose from and whatnot. The spectator client will magically transform into the regular Dota 2 client "once we expand server capacity," Valve says. There's still no word on when it'll enter open beta or officially launch, so sign up or cough up if you're gagging to get in. Download the spectator client through Steam.

Dota 2's spectator mode

Alice O'Connor

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August 20, 2012 6:00 AM

Alice O'Connor posted a new article, Dota 2 spectator client released for all to see.

Valve is pushing the pro-gaming side of Dota 2 pretty hard but isn't quite ready to open the beta up to everyone, so it's released a special spectator client all and sundry can download to watch games.
- Frush81
  
   reply
  August 20, 2012 6:14 AM
  
  F2p?? Fuuu i paid 30$ to get acces to the beta
  - barichnikov
    
     reply
    August 20, 2012 6:37 AM
    
    they said it was going to be f2p since forever, dude. if you didn't know, lol.
    - Frush81
      
       reply
      August 20, 2012 8:31 AM
      
      Bah i dont care valve can take my money+ i have some virtual items and i have no idea how to use them. Ive got close to 30$ of fun just learning the game yesterday
      - barichnikov
        
         reply
        August 20, 2012 8:45 AM
        
        Oh totally agreed, and I also spent money for items in-game. I'm just saying it wasn't hidden or sudden, from valve. they've been quite open about going free to play with dota2.
        
        Frush81
        
         reply
        August 20, 2012 10:50 AM
        
        Oh im sure i just didnt read anything related to dota
  - Junktown
    
     reply
    August 20, 2012 8:39 AM
    
    Worth every penny, man. Don't sweat it.